Love Reign O'er Me

Well, we made it! This is the last song on Quadrophenia, and goodness it is a great one! Love Reign O’er Me is one of those songs that I get goose bumps every time that I listen to it. There is not one thing that is bad about it, and it is by far the best song on Quadrophenia.

As far as the story goes what we know is that Jimmy was heading toward a rock in a boat. He actually jumps onto the rock and this is where Love Reign O’er Me takes place. During one of my first blogs I mentioned that Quadrophenia is happening in flashback, Jimmy is remembering what has led him to a certain point and this is it. I don’t think that Jimmy isn’t actually dying, but I think that he has gone all the way out to this rock and gets stuck. He starts to think about everything has happened and has an epiphany.

Love Reign O’er Me starts out with the sound of rain and a solitary piano, the song has a somber sound to it and the piano really sets the mood. The piano that you hear on this recording is actually what Pete Townshend had recorded for the demo version, when it came time to re-record everyone involved thought that the piano sounded great and wanted to use that same take. Pete on the other hand never thought that his piano playing was good enough and wanted someone else to record it for the album.

As for vocals Love Reign O’er Me has some of the best vocals ever recorded. This is a difficult song to sing and Roger Daltrey pulls it off magnificently. There is quite a range of notes and emotion that is held in the vocals and it not easy to pull off. I have heard Roger sing this song live and he does not disappoint. People often say that when singers get older they can never sing as well as they use to but I have to say that Roger still sounds pretty good. Yes, Roger’s voice is not quite what it used to be 40 years ago, but he still sounds really good and I can’t wait to hear how he sounds on this tour!

I think that by listening to the song that you can probably figure out on your own what the epiphany Jimmy had on the rock. Love Reign O’er Me is such a great way to end this story, the sentiment that is held within the song is universal. Things for Jimmy are not completely resolved, but you can tell that they will get better from here.

I hope that you enjoyed my musings on Quadrophenia because I have really enjoyed writing them! This project has gotten me very excited for the concert tomorrow! I can’t believe that the concert is tomorrow! When I wrote the first blog it felt like it was so far away! It is going to be such a great show!

 

I Am The Sea

On November 23^rd I get the privilege to see The Who for the fourth time, yes I said fourth time, and at this concert my favourite band is going to play my favourite album from start to finish. Quadrophenia is so honestly so much more to me than just a record, it is what got me through grade 12 and University, it my number one desert island disc and it is such a part of who I am. This is why I have decided to take the days leading up to the concert and write about each song on the album. This might be a crazy undertaking, but I feel like it is going to get me even more excited about the show, although right now I’m not sure how that could be possible.

The first song on Quadrophenia isn’t actually a song but more of an introduction. The sounds of the sea are what fill the speakers with Roger Daltrey’s voice echoing the themes that are played throughout the album. I love this opening because it instills this feeling that there is more to this album than just songs; that there is a story. This is how the tone of the album is set; it introduces the themes in a way that makes you think. Once you listen to the album you are able to figure out what this opening really is and what is really means. It’s like in a movie when at the beginning they show a scene that is the ending to show that the movie is happening in flashback. That is what Quadrophenia is, it is a flashback, and the main character is remembering the events that have led him to this point.

So, here we go. I have undertaken a crazy project and I hope that you enjoy reading about it. If you haven’t heard Quadrophenia yet…what are waiting for? Kidding, I hope that this introduces to a great album and that you enjoy it!

 

This clip I believe is from the movie, the words they have a bottom of screen are from the liner notes.