Athena-another defense (groan...)

[Henry Gambill <hgambill@pepperdine.edu>]

Actually, if you just look at this song lyrically, it's one of the 
funniest satires that the Who ever did.  Remember it was written
during the last hurrah of the Cold War when Reagan was increasing
the military budget and talking about that "evil" empire.
The scenario of the song, where warped nuclear scientists are 
feeling an increasing sexual attraction to a bomb that they've 
personified with the name "Athena" is wickedly funny.  

And then we get the bridge with Townshend singing "Look into the face of 
a child...how long will children remain?"  Pete, in effect, is the
voice of conscience -- his higher pitched, arguably "maternal" voice 
contrasting with Daltrey's masculine, testosterone-charged growl.
Does the scientist listen? You decide.

Does this mean I love "Athena?" No.  Musically, it is a real 
departure for the group.  Actually would have made a much better
Townshend track, but then we wouldn't have had the symbolic 
contrast between the two "voices" within the song.

On another entirely different note, "Athena" became one of the many
later Who singles (later as in post-1974) that received little, or
no, support from the group during their tours.  "Slip Kid" was little
played, as was "You Better You Bet," and "Athena" was never played
live, unless I'm mistaken.  What was up with this?

-- Henry