"Magic Bus" | ||||
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Single by the Who | ||||
B-side |
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Released | 27 July 1968[1] | |||
Recorded | 29 May 1968 | |||
Studio | Advision, London | |||
Genre | Psychedelic rock | |||
Length | 3:15 | |||
Label | Track (UK) Decca (US) | |||
Songwriter(s) | Pete Townshend | |||
Producer(s) | Kit Lambert | |||
The Who UK singles chronology | ||||
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The Who US singles chronology | ||||
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Official audio | ||||
"Magic Bus" on YouTube |
"Magic Bus" is a song recorded by British rock band the Who. It was written by their guitarist Pete Townshend during the time that their debut album My Generation was being recorded in 1965. However, it was not recorded until 1968, when it was released as a single on 27 July 1968 in the United States and Canada, followed by its release in the United Kingdom on 11 October 1968.[2] It has become one of the band's most popular songs and has been a concert staple, although when released, the record only reached number 26 in the UK and number 25 in the United States.[3] The song was included on their 1968 album Magic Bus: The Who on Tour.
The arrangement for "Magic Bus" uses a Latin percussion instrument known as claves, which are pairs of small wooden sticks that make a distinctive high pitched clicking noise when struck together. The Who had previously used this same instrument on the song "Disguises", which was recorded in 1966. The song makes use of the Bo Diddley beat.[4]