The Who's Pete Townshend: 'I can't write hit songs anymore'

The Who's songwriter and guitarist Pete Townshend has admitted that he's no longer able to write hit songs.

Townshend penned Who classics like 'Pinball Wizard' and 'Won't Get Fooled Again', but told BBC Radio 2 that songwriting has become increasingly difficulty as he has aged.

The musician explained: "Today I just wish that when I walk down to my studio I could sit at my piano and be able to organise my thoughts, pull out one of the sheets of lyrics I have got in front of me, finish the song, record it and put it out on an album.

"But it's not how life is today. I don't know why. When I stray into familiar territory I feel uneasy. I feel I am not breaking new ground. And that's bad. I am expected to break new ground."

The Who singer Roger Daltrey confirmed last year that work had commenced on a follow-up to 2006's Endless Wire, which was the group's first LP in more than 20 years.

In March, Townshend admitted that he sometimes regrets ever joining The Who because the band often stifled his solo career.

The Who have announced plans to perform their 1973 album Quadrophenia in its entirely on tour in 2012.

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Watch Pete Townshend perform 'Pinball Wizard' on The Late Show with David Letterman below: