Lyric Pinball Wizard

Written by Pete Townshend
Released as a UK single in 1976
Available on the soudtrack Tommy

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 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
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 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 no buzzes or bells
Don t see lights a-flashing, plays by sense of smell
Always gets a replay, never seen him fall
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 favourite table, he can beat my best
His disciples lean 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