Brunswick released The Who’s debut single, “I Can’t Explain,” in the United Kingdom.
The single was issued in Britain on 15 January 1965, with “Bald Headed Woman” on the B-side. It had already appeared in the United States on Decca on 19 December 1964, so the label depends on which country’s release is being discussed. The question specifies the UK, making Brunswick the canonical answer.
“I Can’t Explain” was the band’s first single under the name The Who. Their previous release, “Zoot Suit” backed with “I’m the Face,” had appeared under the earlier name The High Numbers. The new single therefore marked an important step in the group’s transition toward its best-known identity.
Pete Townshend wrote the song, while Shel Talmy produced it. Townshend later acknowledged the influence of The Kinks, particularly “You Really Got Me” and “All Day and All of the Night,” while developing the direct, guitar-driven style that became central to The Who.
The single reached number 8 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1965 and remained a staple of the band’s live and recorded legacy. A common mix-up is choosing Decca, which was the US label rather than the UK one.