Heaven And Hell Lyrics
If you've done nothing wrong
And down in the ground is a place where you go if you've been a bad boy
If you've been a bad boy
And never die
Never die?
In the place up above you grow feather wings and you fly round and round
With a harp singing hymns
And mold away
Never die?

That's odd that the band didn't like this song, because they used it frequently to open their concerts and decided to make a studio version of it which by the way kicks major ass. The meanings very obvious but call me crazy, this has got to be if not my favourite who song.
@heyjude55 -- Me too. It's almost my new favorite Who song. Just discovered it (at age 55) a couple weeks ago!
@heyjude55 -- Me too. It's almost my new favorite Who song. Just discovered it (at age 55) a couple weeks ago!

I think it's the first song at "Live at Leeds".
I love this song a lot too. I'm not sure what album the studio version is on, and I don't know if I've ever even heard a studio version.
There's a studio version on Entwistle's solo album "Smash Your Head Against The Wall."
There's a studio version on Entwistle's solo album "Smash Your Head Against The Wall."

It seems to come from an idea or challenge of how does one explain the nature of Heaven and Hell to a small child (or someone of likeminded intelligence). Heaven is simply that "place where you go if you've done nothing wrong" and hell is that place "where you go if you've been a bad boy." What's the nature of these places? Well in Heaven "you grow feathered wings" and there's "harps singing hymns (presumably religious)" whereas in hell there's fire so you'll "burn away."
The chorus seems to have roots in the occult, mythology and in religion as all of these subjects seem to have as a central motif eternal life.

Its actually "Mold away" not "Burn Away"

well despite the who not really likin this song i think that it's a damn fine song. won't bother sayin what tis about thats obvious

hey which album is it on anyways? I think its on some weird comp cd (not odds and sods because I have that). Let me know. I LOVE this song but I've only heard it live (which is AMAZING!)
they open 'live at leeds' with it.
they open 'live at leeds' with it.

The best song that John Entwistle has contributed to the band's catalogue (along with Boris the spider). Great tune.

There's two live versions available, Leeds and the IoW Festival, and a shorter studio version recording a year or two later that is as of current only available on the $80 Maximum R&B box set.
Great tune.

Though this song apparently does not appear on a Who album, my opinion is it was meant for Tommy or maybe even Quadrophenia. It's got that whole rock-opera vibe with dramatic chord changes and 3-part harmonies. Phew.

Though this song apparently does not appear on a Who album, my opinion is it was meant for Tommy or maybe even Quadrophenia. It's got that whole rock-opera vibe with dramatic chord changes and 3-part harmonies. Phew.