[3] The song was originally intended to be a part of a rock opera called Quads, which was to be set in a future in which parents can choose the sex of their children.

[3] The original recording (released as a single), which features John Entwistle's French horn arrangement prominently in the mix, is available on the album Who's Missing.

[4] The version included on most compilations, between the original 1966 release and The Who Hits 50!, is exactly the same recording, with French horns and drum overdubs removed.

The same version, but without its intro and therefore beginning with the vocals, was released on a bonus disc of The Ultimate Collection in 2002 and is unique to that album.

On the Live at Leeds album, Pete Townshend comments on the song by saying:[5] We'd like to play three selected hit singles--three easiest...and "I'm a Boy" which according to the, (crowd cheers) thank you, according to the Melody Maker was our first number one in England I think for about a half an hour (crowd laughs).Released as the B-side of the single was "In the City", the only song credited to the songwriting collaboration of John Entwistle and Keith Moon.