10 Best Album Finales In Rock History
6. Love Reign O'er Me - The Who
Quadrophenia tends to be just the slightest bit underrated by the die hard Who fans. While the size and scope of the instrumentation on here is amazing throughout, there's always been something about it that hasn't put it on the level of their other rock opera Tommy or even their fractured masterpiece Who's Next. For all of its supposed faults, Love Reign O'er Me is more than worth the price of admission.
As we have looked through the life of an ex-Mod, we finally reach his breaking point on this song, as Townshend conjures up various sound effects to set the scene. When put against something like Who's Next, this is where Townshend really perfected his use of electronic effects, using horns and the synths in conjunction with the rest of the band to make a pure rock and roll orchestra.
For all of the amazingness that comes through the instruments, this song really is a showcase for Roger Daltrey, who delivers some of the most gut-wrenching screams he (or any other rock singer) has ever laid down. You can really tell that he's inhabiting our protagonist here, as he pleads for his affection to be reciprocated. Reaching the climax with a huge drum fill from Keith Moon, this is the amazing finish that rock operas like this were designed for.