The Who - The Rock - Quadrophenia

"The Rock" is an instrumental piece written by Pete Townshend of The Who, the second to last track on their double album Quadrophenia (1973), their second rock opera. It is one of the most musically complex pieces that Townshend ever wrote for The Who, combining all of the four themes of Jimmy, the protagonist of the opera, into one six-minute musical medley. At one point during the piece, two of the themes are played simultaneously, one of which is in 4/4 time and the other in 6/8 time. The 6/8 theme's tempo is slower in such a way that every bar of the opposing themes takes the same amount of time to play, giving The Who one of the most progressive sounds they ever achieved.

The name of the piece is a reference to the location from which Jimmy tells the story of Quadrophenia. He finds refuge from himself in the pouring rain on a solitary rock in the sea.

The piece has neither a definite beginning or end, as it begins with a fade-in from the previous track, "Doctor Jimmy" (containing "Is it Me?", Bassist John Entwistle's theme), and starting with the theme of "Bell Boy" ( Drummer Keith Moon's theme). This is followed by the themes of "Is It Me?", "Helpless Dancer" (Roger Daltrey's theme), and "Love, Reign O'er Me" (Townshend's theme). The finale is then the themes together - "Bell Boy" as the chord sequence, the introduction to "Love Reign O'er Me" on the piano, and "Helpless Dancer" on synthesizers. This suddenly stops with the sound of a thundercloud bursting and pouring rain (which is where Jimmy finds some hope for the future and also reference Pete Townshend's spiritual fixation with water). The pouring rain fades into the final track of the album, "Love, Reign O'er Me" proper. It is one of two purely instrumental tracks on the album, the other simply titled "Quadrophenia".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rock_%28song%29

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• Who
• Quadrophenia

[Computojon]

In my opinion (40 years as a rock/heavy-metal fan), this song is the deepest moment in rock history.

[habcat]

The greatest album ever made=Quadrophenia!

[schmittelt]

If your volume isn't full....you're doing it wrong.

[MrJustincarr]

I am 40 and I love Hip Hop & House music.However this L.P is one of the greatest pieces of music and this track brings loads off the best bit s of the L.P together to devastating effect.True BRILLIANCE

[Luxmaxnike]

@bluedoryification He wanted to know who he was

[TheCorwing]

i hear you,,, 100 monkeys and 100 plus listenings couldn',nt hold a vespa mirror to this acheivement.

[jhoch5]

consider yourselves lucky to have experienced this band, i don't think such a group will ever come together again

[breachborn]

@Musicbuff2u Thunderfingers!!!! nothing more needs to be said.

Entwhistle a gifted soul for sure!!!!

[breachborn]

@juan13579run THIS IS WHAT I KEEP SAYING. :D :D :D :D

Brilliant through and through.

[breachborn]

FRIGGIN HEART-A-POUNDIN' BRILLIANT!! no need to humor This Crone, Truth is ALWAYS Truth. :D :D :D

Thank a million for sharing this. ( :

[bluedoryification]

So sad, Jimmy only wanted to be loved.

[DRALEX113]

I agree. A true masterpiece written by Pete, and performed by THE WHO! FANTASTIC!