Pinball Wizard
The Who cover. The Flaming Lips also included a portion of "Pinball Wizard" in their Tommy Medley.
Original Version
Ever since I was a young boy
I've played the silver ball
From Soho down to Brighton
I must have played them all
But I ain't seen nothing like him
In any amusement hall
That deaf, dumb, and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball
He stands like a statue
Becomes part of the machine
Feeling all the bumpers
Always playing clean
He plays by intuition
The digit counters fall
That deaf, dumb, and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball
He's a pinball wizard
There has to be a twist
A pinball wizard
He's got such a supple wrist
How do you think he does it?
I don't know
What makes him so good?
Ain't got no distractions
Can't hear those buzzers and bells
Don't see lights a flashin'
Plays by sense of smell
Always gets the replay
Never tilts at all
That deaf, dumb, and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball
I thought I was
The Bally table king
But I just handed
My pinball crown to him
Even on my favorite table
He can beat my best
His disciples lead him in
And he just does the rest
He's got crazy flipper fingers
Never seen him fall
That deaf, dumb, and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball
Ever since I was a young boy
I've played the silver ball
From Soho down to Brighton
I must have played them all
But I ain't seen nothing like him
In any amusement hall
That deaf, dumb, and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball
Becomes part of the machine
Feeling all the bumpers
Always playing clean
He plays by intuition
The digit counters fall
That deaf, dumb, and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball
There has to be a twist
A pinball wizard
He's got such a supple wrist
I don't know
What makes him so good?
Can't hear those buzzers and bells
Don't see lights a flashin'
Plays by sense of smell
Always gets the replay
Never tilts at all
That deaf, dumb, and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball
The Bally table king
But I just handed
My pinball crown to him
He can beat my best
His disciples lead him in
And he just does the rest
He's got crazy flipper fingers
Never seen him fall
That deaf, dumb, and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball
Discography Appearances
Live
"Pinball Wizard," from The Who's Tommy, was featured by the Lips in early shows where they would perform extensive portions of the album. It was later included in their modern "Tommy Medley" on the "VH1 Rock Honors: The Who" broadcast.
| 10/18/1986 | Bozeman MT USA | Filling Station |
