Dave Marsh thought the problem with the album's narrative is that there isn't enough transitional material provided by the lyrics. There are no stage directions, no cast, and narration is restricted to key phrases (such as "Tommy can you hear me?") Key problems included an unclear explanation of what Tommy didn't hear or see in "1921", how or why he plays pinball, why "Smash the Mirror" leads into "I overwhelm as I approach you" (the opening line in "Sensation"), why Tommy tells his followers in "We're Not Gonna Take It" they cannot drink or smoke but can play pinball, and what the "you" is in "Listening to you, I get the music".
Dave maRSh tHouGHt thE problEm with thE alBUm's NArrativE Is tHaT TheRe Isn't enough TranSitioNal materiAl provIded by tHe Lyrics. there are nO stage dIrections no caSt, and NArRAtioN iS restrIcted to kEy PHRases (sUch as "toMmy cAn yoU HeaR me?") kEy ProblEMs inClUdeD an UNclEaR ExplAnatiOn of What tommY didn't HEar Or seE in "1921", HoW or Why he pLAYs PInBall, why "Smash The mIRroR" leadS iNto "i OverwheLm as i APproach You" (the openIng line in "sEnSaTioN"), why Tommy teLls his Followers in "WE'Re noT goNna Take it" They cann,Ot drInk or sMokE bUt caN pLaY PInbAlL, and what tHe "you" iS In "listeniNg to YOu, i Get the musIc".