Top Ten List: Songs by The Who

The Who have always been one of my favorite bands. Pete Townshend's lyrics and power-chord heroics have guided me through a lot. (What does it tell you that I still program Who's Next in my IPod to play in the "cassette order?") True, they're not the same band that they used to be, but with Pino Palladino and Zak Starkey on drums they have somehow solidified into a working unit that's pretty powerful, considering that Townshend and Roger Daltrey are now in their mid-sixties.

So without too much more ado, here's a list of my Top Ten Who Songs:

(and no, they're not all on Who's Next)

1. "This Song Is Over" from Who's Next.
   OK, some of them are. This gorgeous leftover from the Lifehouse sessons incorporates part of "Pure and Easy." Sad, and wistful.
   
   
2. "Music Must Change" from Who Are You.
   Story goes that Keith Moon was too hammered to play the tricky 7/8 meter on this ambitious track. So there's no drums--just a passionate statement about songwriting and the future of the music industry.
   
   
3. "Sally Simpson" from Tommy.
   One of Pete's best 'story' songs, this examines the price of fame, religious mania and the (literal) scarring effect it has on a young fan. A lesser-known track that is often overshadowed by the brilliance that is Tommy.
   
   
4. "The Punk Meets the Godfather" from Quadrophenia.
   All the confusion and rage of adolescence--for me this sums it up even better than "My Generation"--which it references. Daltrey howls against the powerhouse Entwistle-Moon rhythm section. Try counting it off.
   
   
5. "Drowned" from Quadrophenia.
   From the dark second half of Townshend's "mod" opera, this song deals with the tricky subject of wanting to annihilate and sublimate one's own spirit. One of Pete's better spiritual songs. I like the live solo version from The Oceanic Concerts (featuring just Pete on acoustic guitar)
   
   
6. "Dig" from The Iron Man: A Musical.
   Although this appears on a Pete Townshend solo album, it is one of the few original Who tracks to be recorded in the late '80s. Always liked it and found this an uplifting song.
   
   
7. "After the Fire" from Under a Raging Moon.
   A lot of the songs on this Roger Daltrey solo album (including the title track) deal with the loss of Keith Moon. This one's written by Townshend, and therefore counts as a "Who" track in my book.
   
   
8. "Won't Get Fooled Again" from Who's Next.
   Pete Townshend's best political song and Roger Daltrey's powerhouse scream. Everything gels on the last track on the Who's best album.
   
   
9. "Tattoo" from The Who Sell Out.
   A humorous look at the early days of the body modification craze and "what makes a man." One of the many highlights of this great concept album which plays like a pirate radio broadcast, complete with faux commercials for Heinz Baked Beans, Odorono detergent, and othet products.
   
   
10. "Tea and Theatre" from Endless Wire.
    Just when you thought they were done--this gorgeous acoustic track from their recent concept album looks back on the Who's extraordinary career. Daltrey's voice has aged like good Scotch.