‘Jaguar’ is a song by The Who that was recorded during the sessions that resulted in The Who Sell Out, their third album overall, released in 1967. It didn’t make it onto the original LP in that year, despite bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon’s pleas for it to be, but made its way onto the extended and remixed version of the album when it was reissued in 1995.

It’s another rare occasion in the band’s discography where Keith Moon takes the lead vocal on the track. Pete Townshend sings the “radio blasting…” bridge. This site takes information from the album’s liner notes so I’m inclined to agree with it. But even if you still don’t believe it’s Moon singing, I’ll try and tell you why it is. It’s clearly not usual lead vocalist Roger Daltrey. John Entwistle does sing on the album. He did possess a very high falsetto during these times. He doesn’t have the almost childish tone to his voice that is clearly noticeable on this track. That leaves Pete Townshend and Keith. Now listen to, let’s say, ‘I Need You’ – which Keith wrote and sang on previous album A Quick One and compare that to ‘Odorono’ for example which Pete sings. The difference is clear. It’s Keith, people.*

Anyway, this track is great. It’s the first one Pete Townshend wrote with the ‘product/radio advertisement’ concept for the album in mind, so its lyrics are really trying to tell you what great quality you can get from a Jaguar brand car. They even use the company’s “Grace, Space, Pace” slogan in the thing. Moon is reaching for the high notes in the verses but he stays relatively on key which is fantastic to hear. Fun to sing along to also. The song goes through various key changes many, many times as well, so if you’re into that sort of stuff you’re gonna have a good time listening.

It is said that the track ‘Sunrise‘ replaced ‘Jaguar’ on the album just as they were sorting out the final tracklist in ’67. That’s more or less a Townshend solo effort. That’s a beautiful song in itself. Maybe ‘Jaguar’ would have suited the album better? But whatever, what’s done is done.

*16/05/2020 Yeah, I did a bit of research and experimenting. I think it’s John who sings the track with Pete in the bridge. I wrote about it on the Who subreddit.