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The Who — Love, Reign O'er Me
Album: Quadrophenia
Avg rating:
8.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 5484









Released: 1973
Length: 5:45
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Only love
Can make it rain
The way the beach is kissed by the sea.
Only love
Can make it rain
Like the sweat of lovers
Laying in the fields.

Love, reign o'er me.
Love, reign o'er me, reign o'er me, reign o'er me.

Only love
Can bring the rain
That makes you yearn to the sky.
Only love
Can bring the rain
That falls like tears from on high.

Love, reign o'er me, reign o'er me, reign o'er me.
Love, reign o'er me, reign o'er me, reign o'er me.

On the dry and dusty road
The nights we spend apart alone
I need to get back home to cool cool rain.
I can't sleep and I lay and I think
The nights is hot and black as ink
Oh God, I need a drink of cool cool rain.
Comments (882)add comment
Fine piece and great album. Many thanks RP
Posted 2 weeks ago by Nopnop62    [ Reply ]
Back to back with Quadrophenia, as it should be. Nice. 
Posted 1 month ago by Al    [ Reply ]
 sajitjacob wrote:

Since I started listening to Radio Paradise, many things have changed; Changed Jobs, Careers, Countries. And much has been endured; Family Death and Mental Illness, Earthquakes, Terrorist Attacks and now a Pandemic.

Hearing Bill playing the whole of Love Reign O'er Me just reminds me that somethings never change, and that is a good thing too.

Thanks Bill



So true and reality for me.....cheers,  nice words 
Posted 1 month ago by glawrence34    [ Reply ]
Sometimes things align and gems are left in the wake
Posted 1 year ago by ray_killeen    [ Reply ]
Oh Bill ❤
Posted 1 year ago by lharrison    [ Reply ]
Who is the incredible drummer on this tune? Anyone know his story? And the bassist seems accomplished as well.
Posted 2 years ago by zurcronium    [ Reply ]
This song is a miracle
Posted 2 years ago by karlishappy    [ Reply ]
Recommended volume: 11  
Posted 2 years ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
Fantastic stuff - on the dry and dusty road … great music- Roger and Pete at their best.
Posted 2 years ago by cambuddyf    [ Reply ]
 Paul_in_Australia wrote:

I try to be pluralist when it comes to music in general, and RP in particular, so if you like this, I’m glad for you! I DESPISE this with a passion I can’t put into words. Just my opinion, I know, but there it is. Pretentious, bombastic cock-rock.



I mean, I disagree, I like it, but . . . yeah, I can see where you're coming from. Like, Arena Rock but OVERLY Arena Rock.
Posted 2 years ago by acolt    [ Reply ]
Not going to bash people that bash this song, not worth the energy. That being said, long live real classic rock and long live this tune!!!!
Posted 2 years ago by molson    [ Reply ]
Just endured two (!) back to back Spirit songs and something from "Chorus of Tribes" to get to this. It was worth it. 
Posted 2 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
Best. Pickslide. Ever.
Posted 2 years ago by Finafek    [ Reply ]
May well be the most powerful song in genre that is largely about powerful songs.
Posted 2 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
 Paul_in_Australia wrote:

I try to be pluralist when it comes to music in general, and RP in particular, so if you like this, I’m glad for you! I DESPISE this with a passion I can’t put into words. Just my opinion, I know, but there it is. Pretentious, bombastic cock-rock.


"Cock-rock", puh-lease.   What is that even supposed to mean?

Go with a look in the mirror for the pretentiousness and bombast.

Posted 2 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 zair99 wrote:

I love the opening to this, but I think it goes downhill from there. Still, a great piece, just not as great as for me as perhaps it could have been!


I can't even begin to describe how much I disagree with this comment. For me, I love the opening, the closing, and every glorious musical moment in between.
Posted 2 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
I’m sixteen, hair down to my elbows….singing it out…immersed in it….thanks, Bill, you run the time machine….
Posted 3 years ago by boomman8139    [ Reply ]
unsurpassed rock and roll musicianship and passion. I'd have a Led Zeppelin vs. Who vs. Rolling Stones face off anytime.  
Posted 3 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 radiotoe wrote:

Some songs .... they just take you back to a time like no other songs can. This is one for me.




Back in the "good old days"! ...memories!
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Some songs .... they just take you back to a time like no other songs can. This is one for me.
Posted 3 years ago by radiotoe    [ Reply ]
 Paul_in_Australia wrote:

I try to be pluralist when it comes to music in general, and RP in particular, so if you like this, I’m glad for you! I DESPISE this with a passion I can’t put into words. Just my opinion, I know, but there it is. Pretentious, bombastic cock-rock.


Then stick to triple j with their insipid crap
Posted 3 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
thinking "Wait. did I hear this earlier today?"
yep
sorta 


Quadrophenia
The Who 
Sep 30 - 4:24 am
Posted 3 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
I try to be pluralist when it comes to music in general, and RP in particular, so if you like this, I’m glad for you! I DESPISE this with a passion I can’t put into words. Just my opinion, I know, but there it is. Pretentious, bombastic cock-rock.
Posted 3 years ago by Paul_in_Australia    [ Reply ]
man this sounds so good turned up!
Posted 3 years ago by E_Ray    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by paloeguevo    [ Reply ]
 paloeguevo wrote:

random comment, could someone please tell me what does PSD stand for?


Play Something Different.  Equivalent of Skip from an earlier version of the RP website.
Posted 3 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
random comment, could someone please tell me what does PSD stand for?
Posted 3 years ago by paloeguevo    [ Reply ]
 khardog145 wrote:

That's one of the best screams in rock and roll!


Yes, right up there with his legendary howl in "Won't Get Fooled Again".



Posted 3 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 debbiel wrote:
Saw The Who in Edmonton Oct 1976, just before I got married, first time seeing a rock concert using lasers! It was a big deal back then 


So happy I got to see Keith Moon in his element  

by the way, still married to that same guy 
Graduated that year - "Behind Blue Eyes" under my photo. Wasn't taking myself too seriously, just really enjoyed 'Who's Next'. Missed Keith's drums and 'sense of fun' when he left.

Posted 3 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 tompoll wrote:

Love these guys, but they should have shut it down after losing Keith. There's just no way to get even close.



I was a huge Keith Moon fan. No one can replace him but to not have 43 more years of The Who playing live would be a huge travesty. Kenny Jones didn't do the job but when Zak Starkey came along in the mid '90s, I think he was as close as you can get to Keith without the destructive personality. He even had a kit that Keith had given him as a kid. Scott Devours also did a wonderful job filling in for Zak during some of the shows on the Quadrophenia and More tour.
Posted 3 years ago by kernreed    [ Reply ]
I was a sophomore in HS when Quadrophenia was released. I wore it out on my turntable and many, many years later, I'm wearing out the Blu ray of the concert they recorded at London's Wembley Arena. A masterful film plays behind the band with many brilliant musical moments and extended versions of 5:15 and Drowned. Even though I miss Zak Starkey on drums, Scott Devours is a fantastic sub for him. It's one of those concerts that demands to be seen from start to finish and played at a high volume! Thanks for playing a song from Quadrophenia!
Posted 3 years ago by kernreed    [ Reply ]
Great rain, shame about the bolleaux after it. I thought Townsend was a tit 40 years ago, and that opinion's only sharpened since. 
Posted 3 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Love these guys, but they should have shut it down after losing Keith. There's just no way to get even close.
Posted 3 years ago by tompoll    [ Reply ]
Man. The goosepimples are reigning over me as I listen to this today to the same degree as they did when I first heard it in North Berwick cinema, Scotland in 1979 when I was 16. 

Thanks for taking me back Bill.

I still remember the excitement and the smuggled whisky on the back seat of the bus on the way there from Haddington.

Not so much the journey home LOL.
Posted 3 years ago by jamesshoemark    [ Reply ]
One of the 4-5  greatest vocal performances in rock history. And the song that exemplifies Townsend's genius, imho.
Posted 3 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
Very delightful. Thank you! Now I know what I'm going to do after my night shift at home in 4h. Not drink a beer and go to sleep. No, drink a beer, put on the headphones and after 30 or 40 years finally listen to the whole album in one piece again. Thanks for this inspiration! 10 points, what else?
Posted 3 years ago by Piego    [ Reply ]
Thanks for letting it play on into Love
Posted 3 years ago by dauerweck    [ Reply ]
I am so glad I listen to RP otherwise I would have thought Who's Next and Tommy to be their best
Posted 4 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
The Who at their best.
Posted 4 years ago by PhoenixArtDj    [ Reply ]
One more time, with soul ....

youtube.com/watch?v=EJi6maTueSc

Posted 4 years ago by opaceo    [ Reply ]

Whoo-oh God, I need a drink of cool cool rain!
Posted 4 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
 sajitjacob wrote:
Since I started listening to Radio Paradise, many things have changed; Changed Jobs, Careers, Countries. And much has been endured; Family Death and Mental Illness, Earthquakes, Terrorist Attacks and now a Pandemic.

Hearing Bill playing the whole of Love Reign O'er Me just reminds me that somethings never change, and that is a good thing too.

Thanks Bill
 

Sounds like my life. I also say thanks Bill
Posted 4 years ago by janac13    [ Reply ]
Since I started listening to Radio Paradise, many things have changed; Changed Jobs, Careers, Countries. And much has been endured; Family Death and Mental Illness, Earthquakes, Terrorist Attacks and now a Pandemic.

Hearing Bill playing the whole of Love Reign O'er Me just reminds me that somethings never change, and that is a good thing too.

Thanks Bill
Posted 4 years ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
Saw The Who in Edmonton Oct 1976, just before I got married, first time seeing a rock concert using lasers! It was a big deal back then 


So happy I got to see Keith Moon in his element  

by the way, still married to that same guy 
Posted 4 years ago by debbiel    [ Reply ]
 Queue wrote:
This album was the soundtrack to my Senior year of High School.  It was 80-81, but I'd just recently been exploring The Who's lesser-known albums.

I spent a fair amount of that year at the beach, and all the references fit right in.

I "discovered" the movie soundtrack first, and then the album.  Still love both to this day.
 

I agree with you there, Queue. Same era, same influence. Also from Quadrophenia, the line "The beach is a place where a man can feel... he's the only soul in the world that's real". Now that line still resonates in my brain 40 years on.
Posted 4 years ago by skuzzfud    [ Reply ]
 coyote620 wrote:
Can't take all the screaming in this one.  Just stresses me out.
 

That's interesting.  I was just thinking it's one of the best screaming songs in rock-n-roll history ha ha!  (With the exception of "Won't get fooled again".Different strokes for different folks.
Posted 4 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
wish you'd include the longer rain intro
Posted 4 years ago by inmanart    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this in a long time...
Posted 4 years ago by kevrey    [ Reply ]
Can't take all the screaming in this one.  Just stresses me out.
Posted 4 years ago by coyote620    [ Reply ]
So powerful So 10
Posted 5 years ago by stephen.king12101    [ Reply ]
Masterpiece.
Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
an example of a golden standard for a 10 for me.
Posted 5 years ago by grexe    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

Idiotwind?...  Is that you?
 

Uhh, no.  That was me.  And I was being facetious.  Would I rate it a 10 if I was being serious? 


kingart wrote:

They always needed a more expressive singer and a more thunderous drummer.
Posted 5 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
This album was the soundtrack to my Senior year of High School.  It was 80-81, but I'd just recently been exploring The Who's lesser-known albums.

I spent a fair amount of that year at the beach, and all the references fit right in.

I "discovered" the movie soundtrack first, and then the album.  Still love both to this day.
Posted 5 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
Memories . . . Class of 74 and this album was a staple sitting in the High School parking lot, jamming to Quadrophenia. "The Real Me" cooks!
Posted 5 years ago by WBOB    [ Reply ]
One of their best songs which never gets played on the radio
Posted 5 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
 bruceandjenna wrote:
Damn it.  One great song after the other.  I got work to do.

And a great big WAAAANG at the end.  
 
Exactly what kind of work do you do?
Posted 5 years ago by pevend    [ Reply ]
 SmackDaddy wrote:

FFS it's LYnYrd SkYnYrd. 
 
Calm down dear, it's a stupid name.

....

Rog has really blown that voice out now, no wonder.
Posted 5 years ago by MattRudely    [ Reply ]
 keenevision wrote:
Saw The Who during their "Quadraphenia" Tour. 
Outstanding! Btw, Lynnard  Skynard was the opening act at the old Boston Garden. 
 
FFS it's LYnYrd SkYnYrd. 
Posted 5 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
Such an influential song in my youth. 
Posted 5 years ago by xrdstv    [ Reply ]
Thank you for playing this song today, Mr. Bill. It never fails to go deep and remind those long out of the "intense feelings everywhere all the time!" stage of life that they still... have a few. Kinda. Thewiseking will know what I'm talking about. 
Posted 5 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
Damn it.  One great song after the other.  I got work to do.

And a great big WAAAANG at the end.  
Posted 5 years ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
January 2019.  It’s supposed to rain for two days straight in Southern California.  I like to think Bill knew what he was doing when he programmed this track today.  :-)
Posted 5 years ago by theirongiant    [ Reply ]
and if only they had been able to find a decent guitarist they could've been quite good Daltrey was the master of the big scream, the one in Won't get fooled again is better imo.... just

10 for me. Masterful
Posted 6 years ago by gbt    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

Idiotwind?...  Is that you?
 
LOL!  I was wondering the same thing ;-)
Posted 6 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
They always needed a more expressive singer and a more thunderous drummer. 

 
Idiotwind?...  Is that you?
Posted 6 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
Very subtle drums. You can hardly hear them. 
 
Yeah, Keith Moon was kinda timid, wasn't he?
Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
That's one of the best screams in rock and roll!
Posted 6 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
 ambrebalte wrote:

It rains today, this song is forest to me, brings me a few years back to an ineffable momentum of love, when it is just about to happen but everything is still wrapped in mystery and wonders

 
Thank you, ambrella. Thank you.
 
...and thanks to the Who for inspiring this comment.
Posted 6 years ago by fedtho    [ Reply ]
{#Devil_pimp}still zesty !
Posted 6 years ago by primm    [ Reply ]
Great segue from Jackie Wilson' Higher and Higher! Hard to believe there's only 6 years between these songs, the recording and production techniques really went though some major changes during that time frame.
Posted 6 years ago by ImaOldman    [ Reply ]
The Who didn't always hold my interest....I loved Quadrophenia, every bit of it
Posted 6 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
fine
Posted 6 years ago by LinThizzy    [ Reply ]
Great powerful song...
Posted 6 years ago by Bert7    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
I psd'd from a lovely but dull Tori Amos snoozer to this incomparable and rapturous thunder. 
Thanks, R.P. 
I owe you a few bucks.
 
". . . incomparable and rapturous thunder."
Nice one, kingart!  {#Cheers}
Posted 7 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 tiare wrote:
Great song, from a great film. Does it still hold up today, some 42 years later? Why; yes it does! 

Thanks! 

 
Good God it HAS been 42 years!  No it's been 44 years!  Seems like yesterday, and it still sounds magnificent.
Posted 7 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
 number7 wrote:

They have it all.
Under rated for the most part.
Simply amazing song writing and execution, sublime.
As time goes on they have come from behind and are now in my top 5!!!

 
I psd'd from a lovely but dull Tori Amos snoozer to this incomparable and rapturous thunder. 
Thanks, R.P. 
I owe you a few bucks. 
Posted 7 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
They always needed a more expressive singer and a more thunderous drummer. 

 
They have it all.
Under rated for the most part.
Simply amazing song writing and execution, sublime.
As time goes on they have come from behind and are now in my top 5!!!


Posted 7 years ago by number7    [ Reply ]

It rains today, this song is forest to me, brings me a few years back to an ineffable momentum of love, when it is just about to happen but everything is still wrapped in mystery and wonders
Posted 7 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
They always needed a more expressive singer and a more thunderous drummer. 
Posted 7 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 VV wrote:
Only 8.4? This is nothing short of Godlike!!!

 
Completely agree.   Only love...
Posted 7 years ago by Wardleader    [ Reply ]
Dammit.  Already rated this a ten, so I can't kick it a little higher.

And thanks, Bill, for playing them together.   (The Rock and Love Reign)
Posted 7 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
God, I need a drink.
Posted 7 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Only 8.4? This is nothing short of Godlike!!!
Posted 7 years ago by VV    [ Reply ]
  beyond epic.. {#Cheers}
Posted 7 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
Exceptionally Epic : )
Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Really is an epic song
Posted 8 years ago by dubberdan    [ Reply ]
Next question...
Posted 8 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
Funny, was never a fan 'back in the day' but now I really appreciate this band.
Posted 8 years ago by Canlistener    [ Reply ]
 jimtyrrell wrote:
An over played song from an over hyped band. 6

 
Hey, Dr Jimy - yeah you - jimtyrrell - hey, look up here..
I see, you continue to be a deeweeb-a-da-wibble 
That's mod for no mind{#Beat}
Posted 8 years ago by below72    [ Reply ]
 melzabutch wrote:


 
Brilliant tune.


Posted 8 years ago by melzabutch    [ Reply ]
Very subtle drums. You can hardly hear them. 
Posted 8 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
  jimtyrrell wrote:
An over played song from an over hyped band. 6

 Skydog wrote:

you are generous, I gave it a 2

 
Can you not feel the POWER!?  Da POWAAAAHH!!! 

This bad boy has it all.  Angst. Soul. Strings. Bombastic percussion.  Power vocals.  Screaming guitar.  Screaming vocal.  The engine is at high revs here, baby!! 

Time to get off the Valium and wake up to what you shovelin'.
Posted 8 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 jimtyrrell wrote:
An over played song from an over hyped band. 6

 
Ha ha...The Who is over-hyped? They don't need no stinking hype.
Posted 8 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]
Brilliant song. Solid 8.
Posted 8 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]
 jimtyrrell wrote:
An over played song from an over hyped band. 6

 
you are generous, I gave it a 2
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 campru wrote:
HAHAHA Is Radio Paradise offline again - hope this track doesn't repeat for 7 hours! ;)

 
since that day I can no longer listen to this song
Posted 8 years ago by giammin    [ Reply ]
 Ishwara wrote:
Love Daltreys singing 
Eveything else feels like toothache to these ears  

 
You do have a point. But the toothache isn't that bad for me. ;-) 
Posted 8 years ago by SeriousLee    [ Reply ]
An over played song from an over hyped band. 6
Posted 8 years ago by jimtyrrell    [ Reply ]
HAHAHA Is Radio Paradise offline again - hope this track doesn't repeat for 7 hours! ;)
Posted 8 years ago by campru    [ Reply ]
 thediceareloaded wrote:
Thanks to a glitch in the matrix, this song was playing nonstop on radio paradise today on my WLAN radio. I like that song and appreciate it - I am just glad, that rp is back to normal. On Twitter, me and another guy where seriously concerned - one theory was that this song was sort of a dead men's switch after a break up or something {#Zip-lip}

 
haha yeah that was a special day
I had many thoughts about what happened too 
Posted 8 years ago by OHMish    [ Reply ]
Love Daltreys singing 
Eveything else feels like toothache to these ears  
Posted 8 years ago by Ishwara    [ Reply ]
Yeah, i think i may be the other guy from Twitter. Now each time i hear this song on RP i fear that something's wrong over there :)
Posted 8 years ago by zeglin    [ Reply ]
Thanks to a glitch in the matrix, this song was playing nonstop on radio paradise today on my WLAN radio. I like that song and appreciate it - I am just glad, that rp is back to normal. On Twitter, me and another guy where seriously concerned - one theory was that this song was sort of a dead men's switch after a break up or something {#Zip-lip}
Posted 8 years ago by thediceareloaded    [ Reply ]

              
            
              Manuscript apart miniseries, and  fairies.
               Maybe I am on a street with no name.
              Love, Reign O'er Me  shortscuts no ice
Waiting for my man, he'll take me to hard rock coffee in Tokyo.
      Only some short change in my hand, and some yen.
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
Very nice, Bill. Keep it raining!
Posted 8 years ago by edz    [ Reply ]
Great song, from a great film. Does it still hold up today, some 42 years later? Why; yes it does! 

Thanks! 
Posted 8 years ago by tiare    [ Reply ]
Bombastic, pretentious, hell, I even sympathize with fredriley's comments.

Still have it rated an 8 though.  {#Cheesygrin} 
Posted 9 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Keith Moon is so brilliant in that song, like in everything he did!
Posted 9 years ago by Sbed    [ Reply ]
wow I love this Who song
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]

Posted 9 years ago by melzabutch    [ Reply ]
Saw The Who during their "Quadraphenia" Tour. 
Outstanding! Btw, Lynnard  Skynard was the opening act at the old Boston Garden. 
Posted 9 years ago by keenevision    [ Reply ]
This song always stops me in my tracks.  Thanks Bill!
Posted 9 years ago by grahamdillabough    [ Reply ]
Brilliant.
Posted 9 years ago by buddy    [ Reply ]
 AvoidingWork wrote:

Whaaa ha ha ha!!  "Won't get food again!"  I will never be able to hear that song the same way again.  Can't wait to hear it so I can apply the lyrics to that concept.

Thanks for the laugh. 

 
Eat the new sauce. Same as the old sauce.
Posted 9 years ago by djengs    [ Reply ]
Damn. I tried to sing along at the opening and now there's rain on my face.
Posted 9 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
Dang. You're listening to music, not running for a bus. There's no hurry. Let it play and enjoy the time.

You can't judge a novel based on a paragraph, or a page. Character development takes time.

Quadrophenia is about character development and - the album makes it clear - the adolescent who can't decide who he is and where he fits in the world. You can't express that idea quickly if you want folks to understand its depth and frustration and...eventually...the elation of choice.
Posted 9 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
Timely, since the storm just ravaged its way down my street like a battering ram.  Quite a light & sound show here in DC.
Posted 9 years ago by bhallmark    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajumprope}{#Bananasplit}{#Dancingbanana_2}Yes yes yes! Thanks Bill.!
Posted 9 years ago by Ginetta    [ Reply ]
This song just kicks.
Posted 9 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]