Baba O'Riley is a song by the English rock band The Who, released in 1971. It was written by Pete Townshend and is the opening track to the band's studio album Who's Next. The song is known for its synthesizer introduction and its combination of musical styles, including rock, folk, and classical music. The title of the song is derived from the names of two of Townshend's mentors: Meher BABA and Terry Riley.