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The Who — The Song Is Over
Album: Who's Next
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1304









Released: 1971
Length: 6:09
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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The song is over
It's all behind me
I should have known it
She tried to find me

Our love is over
They're all ahead now
I've got to learn it
I'm gonna sing out

I'll sing my song to the wide open spaces
I'll sing my heart out to the infinite sea
I'll sing my visions to the sky high mountains
I'll sing my song to the free, to the free
I'll sing my song to the wide open spaces
I'll sing my heart out to the infinite sea
I'll sing my visions to the sky high mountains
I'll sing my song to the free, to the free

When I walked in through the door
Thought it was me I was looking for
She was the first song I ever sang
But it stopped as soon as it began

Our love is over
It's all behind me
They're all ahead now
Can't hope to find me

This song is over
I'm left with only tears
I must remember
Even if it takes a million years

The song is over
The song is over

Excepting one note, pure and easy
Playing so free, like a breath rippling by
Comments (120)add comment
This was the soundtrack to my teenage angst years. Lost love, the freedom & ambition of youth. The wonder & hope for the future. Pete really knew how to tap that well. Then Quadraphenia came along & nailed it! This song soars with Daltrey's vocals, then dives back under the doona with Pete's. And the reprise of the lost song "Pure & Easy" at the end just floors me. Genius.
Posted 1 year ago by skuzzfud    [ Reply ]
 skooba wrote:

Echo & the Bunnymen (The Killing Moon) into the Who (Deceased Moon).  Not sure if it's intentional, but that's dark!



BillG is such a segue master that we'll have to assume it was intentional, eh?  

Long Live RP and the brilliant Segues! 
Posted 2 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Yes
Of course you will have had to been there...
Posted 2 years ago by shhhh777    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:

Not a huge The Who fan but I do like this one.


Got 3 plays the past 30 days in the Mellow Mix?   Lovely and melodic but "mellow"?

...compared to the rest of the album - still my favorite of theirs

Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
Then I woke up...
Posted 2 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
Not a huge The Who fan but I do like this one.


Got 3 plays the past 30 days in the Mellow Mix?   Lovely and melodic but "mellow"?
Posted 3 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 nicknt wrote:
Is there any song in "Who's Next" which deserves less than an "8"?
 
Nein. Nine.
Posted 3 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
 nicknt wrote:
Is there any song in "Who's Next" which deserves less than an "8"?
 

That's because it was supposed to be a double album project named Lifehouse.  They took the best tracks for Who's Next.
Posted 4 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
 skooba wrote:
Echo & the Bunnymen (The Killing Moon) into the Who (Deceased Moon).  Not sure if it's intentional, but that's dark!
 

I was wondering the same.
Posted 4 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
When I was a DJ on my college station back in the late '70s this was my sign off song.
Posted 4 years ago by hbriggs60    [ Reply ]
The WHO: "The song is over."
Posted 4 years ago by darshan    [ Reply ]
Don't know what Trump has against The Who 
Posted 4 years ago by SheRidesABeemer    [ Reply ]
brilliant sequence of songs in the last 40mins 
Posted 4 years ago by jkforde    [ Reply ]
Is there any song in "Who's Next" which deserves less than an "8"?
Posted 4 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of high school  in the early 80s... I haven't listened to this album all the way through in probably 20 years.... where did the time go?
Posted 5 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
 NeilBlanchard wrote:

Except I think it is Pete singing the verses.
 
Listen closer.
Posted 5 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
Echo & the Bunnymen (The Killing Moon) into the Who (Deceased Moon).  Not sure if it's intentional, but that's dark!
Posted 5 years ago by skooba    [ Reply ]
 rdechaine260 wrote:
 

So....uh...why did you post nothing?
Posted 5 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by rdechaine260    [ Reply ]
 Randomax wrote:
I had forgotten just how excellent Daltrey's voice was (He can still sing but not like this).  And I'm not just talking about the excellent scream notes.....the softer notes are perfect pitch....thanks for the reminder Bill
 
Except I think it is Pete singing the verses.
Posted 5 years ago by NeilBlanchard    [ Reply ]
I had forgotten just how excellent Daltrey's voice was (He can still sing but not like this).  And I'm not just talking about the excellent scream notes.....the softer notes are perfect pitch....thanks for the reminder Bill
Posted 5 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
Definitely one of the all-timers!  
Posted 6 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Great song by a great band off a great album.

 
You said it all
Posted 6 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
Oh, this voice!
Posted 6 years ago by Petrige    [ Reply ]
Chills.
It's 1971 again.
Thank you RP.
Posted 6 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
Great song by a great band off a great album.
Posted 7 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
2
annoying, 
that racket in the background, is it some sort of electric kazoo?
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
Bloody fantastic! {#Bananajam}{#Drummer}{#Bananapiano}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}Long Live Rock! Long Live the 'Orrible Who!
Posted 7 years ago by semolinapilchard    [ Reply ]
Who ever (little pun there) gave that drummer lessons? 
Jeez, what a wimpy off rhythm thumper.  

What is that, about a 12 on a scale of 8?  
Posted 8 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Love The Who but not my favourite Who record. Townsend as writing punk songs 10 years before punk. This is the kind of record that makes Sid pick a guitar - in protest. 
Posted 8 years ago by alexmwalker    [ Reply ]
always great to hear!{#Bananajam}
Posted 8 years ago by jackandmeredith    [ Reply ]

            My french girlfriend keeps telling me brink brink,
               Kinda strange, it's in the middle of the night.
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
aspicer wrote:
David R.I.P. - we lost one of the most creative genius' of our time today.  The first musician I am truly deeply saddened by their loss....

 

I so much second this...
Posted 8 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
David R.I.P. - we lost one of the most creative genius' of our time today.  The first musician I am truly deeply saddened by their loss....
Posted 8 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
My favorite part is when he says "This song is over" and then it isn't...and then he says it again.  Such teasing.
Posted 8 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
they just don't write em like this anymore.. {#Cry}
Posted 9 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
 I have tickets for Phila show 5/17.  Sure hope Roger's voice is back or we'll here lots of Pete singing!
Posted 9 years ago by ronniegirl    [ Reply ]
 Jannne wrote:
                                          ...{#Clap} ....  introduced this iconic album to a bunch of 14 years olds just yesterday! 
                     I said "If you know anything about music you have to know this!" 
                                                                  Was I right?

 
Your not wrong
Posted 9 years ago by blackaddermrbean    [ Reply ]
                                          ...{#Clap} ....  introduced this iconic album to a bunch of 14 years olds just yesterday! 
                     I said "If you know anything about music you have to know this!" 
                                                                  Was I right?
Posted 10 years ago by Jannne    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
Wow, Time Machine...it's Spring of 1981...
I'm in my Cutlass, crying because The Song Is Over; she'd finished it; 'She was The First Song I Ever Sang/ but it stopped as soon as it began —' this song is on the new auto-reverse cassette deck, a big bowl of nice weed is in my hand, a dented six of Heineken Dark is in the cooler...E-School is not where I want to be, I realize, and it takes months, years to get free, but one thing is clear: The Song Is Over! 
 
Well said coloradojohn. I think most of us can relate.
And by the way, what a great song.
Posted 10 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Wow, Time Machine...it's Spring of 1981...
I'm in my Cutlass, crying because The Song Is Over; she'd finished it; 'She was The First Song I Ever Sang/ but it stopped as soon as it began --' this song is on the new auto-reverse cassette deck, a big bowl of nice weed is in my hand, a dented six of Heineken Dark is in the cooler...E-School is not where I want to be, I realize, and it takes months, years to get free, but one thing is clear: The Song Is Over!  
Posted 10 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:

Yes, that's why all the marks are on the slab, no-one has any bladder control any more.


 
(Note to self: do not sit next to TerryS...)   {#Whipit}
Posted 10 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 oldviolin wrote:
I bought this record the day it hit The Record Bar, and had it memorized by weeks end...at the ripe old age of 16

 
Ha!  Try memorizing like that now.  {#Confused}
Posted 11 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
 oldviolin wrote:
I bought this record the day it hit The Record Bar, and had it memorized by weeks end...at the ripe old age of 16

 
:) I'm having fun singing along, it's been decades...
Posted 11 years ago by rachlan    [ Reply ]
Wow, this is fun! 
Posted 11 years ago by rachlan    [ Reply ]
I bought this record the day it hit The Record Bar, and had it memorized by weeks end...at the ripe old age of 16
Posted 11 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
 luca77 wrote:
I can't shake the feeling that this is what today's accountants and dentists listened to in their hippy youth while the cool kids were rocking out to Led Zeppelin.

 

So much condescension in this remark. 
Posted 11 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Oh I love the new feature, where one can access the lyrics just by one clic! First try, on this song... Thank you!
Posted 11 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
 luca77 wrote:
I can't shake the feeling that this is what today's accountants and dentists listened to in their hippy youth while the cool kids were rocking out to Led Zeppelin.

 
You must be very young and very unfamiliar with 70's rock. The Who was in many ways considered just as cool as Zep, Beatles, whatever. Some of us never separated them much until later. While Zep and the Beatles today are probably remembered as superior bands, it sure isn't by much.  
Posted 11 years ago by Troutnskibum    [ Reply ]
Many, many times, this was in fact preceded or followed by some ripping riffs of Led Zep!
Posted 11 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 luca77 wrote:
I can't shake the feeling that this is what today's accountants and dentists listened to in their hippy youth while the cool kids were rocking out to Led Zeppelin.

 
I think that we all listened to them both. Great music!
Posted 11 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:
Quality stuff from a truly stunning album. Every song is a winner.


 
Amen to that!! {#Cheers}
Posted 11 years ago by d48m02h1918    [ Reply ]
My day just got better.  
 
Posted 11 years ago by Zeito    [ Reply ]
 luca77 wrote:
I can't shake the feeling that this is what today's accountants and dentists listened to in their hippy youth while the cool kids were rocking out to Led Zeppelin.
I'll never forget watching Kieth Moon play this live at Charlton ... years before you were born.


Posted 12 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
Can STILL take me back to tears falling, alone in my car, spring of '81, after my first truly serious love tossed my heart overboard...
I SING MY VISIONS TO THE SKY-HIGH MOUNTAINS...  
Thanks, Pete, Roger, John, Keith and RP!
Posted 12 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 luca77 wrote:
I can't shake the feeling that this is what today's accountants and dentists listened to in their hippy youth while the cool kids were rocking out to Led Zeppelin.
 

Well, I listened to both, but I never had the desperate desire to be one of the cool kids.  Thank God.
Posted 12 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 luca77 wrote:
I can't shake the feeling that this is what today's accountants and dentists listened to in their hippy youth while the cool kids were rocking out to Led Zeppelin.
 
The way I see it, the kids that were listening to this were the cool kids.
Posted 12 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
I can't shake the feeling that this is what today's accountants and dentists listened to in their hippy youth while the cool kids were rocking out to Led Zeppelin.
Posted 12 years ago by luca77    [ Reply ]
One of the 10 albums you take with you to a lonely island.

Edit: @ luca77 above: We were very cool. We listened to both! {#Dance}
Posted 12 years ago by hopper99    [ Reply ]
 hallogallo wrote:


Who's Next = masterpiece


 
amen!
Posted 12 years ago by yanet    [ Reply ]
 kurtster wrote:

Only your body is old if you still like this song ...

{#Meditate}

 
Yes, that's why all the marks are on the slab, no-one has any bladder control any more.

Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 oldviolin wrote:

man I'm old...


 
Only your body is old if you still like this song ...

{#Meditate}

Posted 12 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
 GawgaBoy wrote:
 
I can't find it after a quick google search, but I heard the story that the band had taken exception to some statements Stanley Kubrick had made.  They saw the concrete and thought it looked like the monolith from Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey.  The stains expressed their opinion of Mister Kubrick.

but... I am getting older and the memory ain't what it used to be.

How about it Nottingham Jury?   Anybody? 

I've read about the "2001 monolith" inspiration before, but I'm not sure if they had any particular disdain for Kubrick or his work.

 


Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]


Who's Next = masterpiece




Posted 13 years ago by hallogallo    [ Reply ]
brutal
Posted 13 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
Not bad for 'just a singer'
Posted 13 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Quality stuff from a truly stunning album. Every song is a winner.

Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
"The Song is Over". Oh, if only it did what it said on the tin :(
Posted 13 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
While I've always liked The Who, I never considered myself a huge fan. That said, this may well be my favorite album of all time. Not sure how that happens?
Posted 13 years ago by RipperP    [ Reply ]
Funny.. I was never really into these guys growing up.  But now I really enjoy them, and I'm anything but a 'classic rock' guy.  Weird....
Posted 13 years ago by Canlistener    [ Reply ]
Evokes a strong feeling everytime I hear this. Amazing tune.
Posted 13 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana}Forgot how good this album is{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 13 years ago by spindrift    [ Reply ]
 LPCity wrote:
I know that songs like this always bring back memories of good times in general (assuming that you like the song), but this song will always bring back a very specific memory that always makes me laugh and think of my Dad.

BTW, fantastic song off of the Who's greatest album.
 
Great story on a hidden treasure song, and you're right about this album. 

Only this cut and Love Ain't for Keeping out of the 9 songs on the original LP are not played regularly 40 YEARS LATER on classic rock radio.

Posted 13 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 meltingptofTrees wrote:
not to be juvenile, but does the concrete on the album cover have recent piss stains from the band?  or are those just shadows?  {#Stupid}
 
 element1 wrote:

from wikipedia:

The album cover shows a photograph, taken at Easington Colliery, of the band apparently having just urinated on a large concrete piling protruding from a slag heap. According to photographer Ethan A. Russell, most of the members were unable to urinate, so rainwater was tipped from an empty film canister to achieve the desired effect.
  
I can't find it after a quick google search, but I heard the story that the band had taken exception to some statements Stanley Kubrick had made.  They saw the concrete and thought it looked like the monolith from Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey.  The stains expressed their opinion of Mister Kubrick.

but... I am getting older and the memory ain't what it used to be.

How about it Nottingham Jury?   Anybody? 



Posted 13 years ago by GawgaBoy    [ Reply ]
Seminal album.
Posted 13 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
I know that songs like this always bring back memories of good times in general (assuming that you like the song), but this song will always bring back a very specific memory that always makes me laugh and think of my Dad.

BTW, fantastic song off of the Who's greatest album.
Posted 13 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
 xkolibuul wrote:
I'm guessing it is on a slag heap in Sheffield.  I owned this album cover for years before I figured it out too.   


jimbaca wrote:


This picture looks like it was taken somewhere in Iceland.  I lived there and it looks vaguely familiar.
 

 
Photo was taken at Easington Colliery in the UK.

Posted 13 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
Yeah, I heard that geothermal hotsprings and concrete monoliths abound up there. 

jimbaca wrote:


This picture looks like it was taken somewhere in Iceland.  I lived there and it looks vaguely familiar.
 


Posted 13 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
 Vogelfrei wrote:
One could drink oneself blind to the sound of this album.
 
This album is the Who for me.!  Then there was Who Are You, which was also good.  Cheers to Bill!
Posted 13 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
I'm guessing it is on a slag heap in Sheffield.  I owned this album cover for years before I figured it out too.   


jimbaca wrote:


This picture looks like it was taken somewhere in Iceland.  I lived there and it looks vaguely familiar.
 

Posted 13 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
What a song, what an album.
The Who really were a force to be reckoned with for a few years there, back in the early/mid 70s.

Posted 14 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
This one has been killing me softly since I bought it at The Record Bar the day it was released.
Posted 14 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
One could drink oneself blind to the sound of this album.
Posted 14 years ago by Vogelfrei    [ Reply ]
 Steve wrote:
Quintessential Who.

Can't. Make. Rating. Go. Higher. Than. Ten!

 
Steve, I just love this post... Please, don't hurt yourself. Between your ten and my ten, it's got at least a twenty. {#High-five}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 guiguy wrote:
Man, I broke up with the love of my life last night, this song is killin me.
 

If she is indeed the love of your life, better hurry and get her back.  It only happens once...
Posted 14 years ago by jimbaca    [ Reply ]
 mandolin wrote:
...ohmigosh i just figured out the album cover...  {#Stop}
 

This picture looks like it was taken somewhere in Iceland.  I lived there and it looks vaguely familiar.
Posted 14 years ago by jimbaca    [ Reply ]
I have played this album more than any other album I own, and I own many.  The Beatles, of course, do not count.
Posted 14 years ago by jimbaca    [ Reply ]
Quintessential Who.

Can't. Make. Rating. Go. Higher. Than. Ten!

Posted 14 years ago by Steve    [ Reply ]
...ohmigosh i just figured out the album cover...  {#Stop}
Posted 14 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
{#Bounce}{#Meditate}{#Sunny} There are no words....  I love this.

Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]

man I'm old...


Posted 14 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
Man, I broke up with the love of my life last night, this song is killin me.
Posted 14 years ago by guiguy    [ Reply ]
Saw Roger Daltrey a few weeks ago, touring with Eric Clapton.  Roger still has the energy and stage presence, alright.  I was gonna add that he's looking older these days, but I went to the bathroom, looked in the mirror, ... and I'll keep that comment to myself.
Posted 14 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
I wore this cassette out - twice. 
Albums don't get much better than this.

Posted 14 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
 keenevision wrote:
Oh yeah, I fell in love with my first girlfriend with this album on the turntable- yes, an LP disk with scratches and skips!
8^o
 
What a sweet memory to share.  Thanks.  :)

Posted 14 years ago by twitterpated    [ Reply ]
Really nice tune from a great album.  It has a nice little change from a gentle song (voice and piano) to a crescendo with guitar licks, etc.
Posted 14 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
Yes, this is a beautiful song.{#Meditate}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Oh yeah, I fell in love with my first girlfriend with this album on the turntable- yes, an LP disk with scratches and skips!
8^o
Posted 14 years ago by keenevision    [ Reply ]
This album is just such a benchmark. This song also shows the Who to be so much more than just a rock 'n roll band.
Posted 14 years ago by keenevision    [ Reply ]
 fingerpin wrote:

piss stains.
 
oh yeah, I just noticed that 3 of them are buckling their pants. 

Posted 14 years ago by meltingptofTrees    [ Reply ]
 meltingptofTrees wrote:
not to be juvenile, but does the concrete on the album cover have recent piss stains from the band?  or are those just shadows?  {#Stupid}
 
from wikipedia:

The album cover shows a photograph, taken at Easington Colliery, of the band apparently having just urinated on a large concrete piling protruding from a slag heap. According to photographer Ethan A. Russell, most of the members were unable to urinate, so rainwater was tipped from an empty film canister to achieve the desired effect.

Posted 14 years ago by element1    [ Reply ]
 meltingptofTrees wrote:
not to be juvenile, but does the concrete on the album cover have recent piss stains from the band?  or are those just shadows?  {#Stupid}
 
piss stains.
Posted 14 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
not to be juvenile, but does the concrete on the album cover have recent piss stains from the band?  or are those just shadows?  {#Stupid}
Posted 14 years ago by meltingptofTrees    [ Reply ]
The song is over, right enough, at least for the Who-phobic Nottingham jury <click>
Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 VicEdee wrote:
somehow sounds very dated, now..........
 

On the other hand, this is probably the only song on the album that has not been played on radio and muzak ad nauseum.
Posted 14 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
...the nice thing about being as big as the who is that you can get away with experimenting in these sorts of indulgences without sabotaging people's estimation of your musical merit in the process...

...don't get me wrong, i like it, but a lesser band wouldn't have been able to get away with it...

Posted 14 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
{#Clap}{#Notworthy}
Posted 14 years ago by dolfan    [ Reply ]
Love this song!{#Music}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
I just don't think Pete should have bothered dabbling in major 7th chords.  It's kind of Who-Lite — like one of those transition songs on Tommy or Quadrophenia where you're waiting for the power chords to reenter.

Posted 14 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
 VicEdee wrote:
somehow sounds very dated, now..........
 
I think it's the keyboards...very synth.

Posted 15 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
 LastChance wrote:
One of the best albums, ever.
 
And one of the best album covers, ever.

Posted 15 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
 LastChance wrote:
One of the best albums, ever.
 

Agreed.
Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
The boys could have "went"  to the other side of the concrete pillar at least.      {#Eek}
Posted 15 years ago by countyman    [ Reply ]
One of the best albums, ever.
Posted 15 years ago by LastChance    [ Reply ]
What a fantastic set of music:

The Who
Echo and the Bunnymen
Dave Brubeck Quartet
Talk Talk

Thank You Bill! {#Clap}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
somehow sounds very dated, now..........
Posted 15 years ago by VicEdee    [ Reply ]
Wow! A new Who song!
For R. Paradise anyway.
Posted 15 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
The music was very influential in my teenagehood....
Posted 15 years ago by cathenley    [ Reply ]
God, I love this! One of the most heartbreaking openings ever. A near-perfect song from a near-perfect album.
Posted 15 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
Every song on this album is a gem!
Posted 16 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]