Pinball Wizard
Lyrics and Music: Pete Townshend

 

Ever since I was a young boy I 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, blind kid sure plays a mean pinball.

 

He stands like a statue, become part of the machine.

Feeling all the bumpers, always playing clean.

He plays by intuition, the digit counters fall.

That deaf, dumb, blind kid sure plays a mean pinball.

 

[He’s a pinball wizard, there has to be a twist…]

[A pinball wizard’s got such a supple wrist…]

 

So how do you think he does it?

What makes him so good?

 

Ain’t got no distractions, can’t hear those buzzes and bells.

Don’t see lights a-flashing, plays by sense of smell.

Always has a replay, never tempted at all.

That deaf, dumb, 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 usual table he can beat my best.

His disciples lead him in an he just does the rest.

He’s got crazy flipping fingers, never see him fall.

That deaf, dumb, blind kid sure plays a mean pinball.