Top 8 songs from the legendary rock band The Who

If rock and roll had a club for big troublemakers and those who break rules, The Who from England would be right up front, kicking back, with big smiles like they just teased the big bosses again. These guys didn't just make music; they personified the "I don't care" mood, and Pete Townshend did that best. He is known for his "I'll do what I want" style, which was not just in their songs but also in every wild and crazy show, almost yelling at the world to try and keep up or just go away.

Then we have Keith Moon, the wild storm at the drums. This man wasn't just on beat; he was on a wild chase to make every hit a loud burst of sound and power. Think of the wildest drummer you know, then push it way up and keep that energy right in the flow all the way.

The story is not just that he did it, but that no other drummer has tried to match such a non-stop, thrill-filled drum show. Really, who tries to stay with that kind of crazy? Rock may never witness his equal again. If you once turned records or just love that bold rock vibe from the '60s and '70s, you likely know The Who. But if you don't, here's a quick intro.

This great band from England knew how to rock right: a strong singer (Roger Daltrey), a fast guitarist (Pete Townshend), a loud bass player (John Entwistle), and a wild drummer (Keith Moon) who was pure chaos on stage.

Jump to 2025, and only Daltrey and Townshend are left from that first group. They're set to say their goodbyes with a North American final tour named The Song Is Over, because nothing says "the end" like some smart wordplay.

The Who's path has had many band changes and years full of deep, loud tunes. But the real magic was shown best in the '60s and early '70s. Picking the top songs is like picking a loved child: hard, open to discussions, and comes down to what one thinks. But hey, some songs hit more when you h

So here's a big cheer to the best of The Who's music, a nod to those songs that got us to break speakers and reach for the sky all at once. Rock on!

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised!

Here are the top 8 The Who songs of all time

Here are the top 8 songs by The Who, a well-picked set that shows the strong force, new ideas, and deep feelings that made this band a key part of the rock story. The Who did more than just play tunes; they made songs that sang about fighting, who we are, and the ups and downs of life.

From loud guitar parts to big drum hits, and strong singing to smart, cool words, each track here tells a special part of their big mark in music. These songs have lasted years, moved lots of other music makers, and still touch fans both old and new.

1) I Can See for Miles

Back in 1967, The Who chose to mix up their tune, and I Can See for Miles was the wild result from their test. Think of a sound mixer turned up, with mind-bending twists and heavy rock claps coming together like a rock 'n' roll storm. To call it a "mix" would be like saying a bull and a storm "sort of met." No, this song really smashed those sounds right into one another, and yet, it turned out to be pure gold.

It's loud enough to make the folks next door wake up, but so good you'll keep playing it over and over while pretending to play the air guitar with that same talent. Think about seeing The Who play it live back then—it would have been like a rock show and a fast ride all in one. It was loud but somehow nice too.

For sure one of their top hits from the lively sixties, this song proves the band was ready to go wild and strange but still made something that grabs you hard. A big, loud moment in rock history? It might just be this one.

2) My Generation

Okay, think of a group of young British guys in 1965 yelling out their mad feels into a mic, and there you have it, My Generation. This song, the main one from The Who's first album (My Generation), set the stage for what the band stood for: young pushback, loud guitars, and a vibe that screamed, "We don't care what you think." True, it's not their most tricky song; see it as the musical equivalent of a teen's angry words on a bathroom wall—simple, pure, and very loud. But that's just why it stands out so much.

The band was very young when they made the song, which brings a true "we're too young for this" feel that you can't just make up. While the song didn't hit big in the U.S. (just No. 74), in the U.K., it was like the song for anyone who got fed up with rules, reaching No. 2 and turning into a must-play at parties.

Plus, if you ever need to pick a song to play to show you're a bold rock star, My Generation is a top choice; it's been done over and over, almost like the rock song everyone tries at karaoke.

3) The Real Me

The Real Me from Quadrophenia (1973) sounds like you're smashing through a brick wall, but in a cool, rock 'n' roll kind of way. It's not the first song on the album (that's the mostly music-only I Am the Sea), but it feels like the true start, as if the main star just burst in and took over. Forget the soft flow of I Am the Sea, and The Real Me hits hard right away, rushing ahead like a fast cheetah with a plan.

It's got this wild feel, like an out-of-control ride, yelling, "Get ready for a mix of who you are and big feelings; hold on tight!" The song hits like a rock shark—sharp, non-stop, and always chasing. If the kids today could get their hands on the first Quadrophenia record, with that big, eye-grabbing book full of drama and style, they might just start a push to stop streaming for good and bring back the great days of full album fun.

Because really, who makes albums like that now? The Who weren't just making tunes; they were making rock history with each strong note in The Real Me.

4) Won't Get Fooled Again

Won't Get Fooled Again from The Who's Next, a big song that could make those big movie hits look like short online clips by now. At eight and a half minutes long, this song isn't just any song; it's like a short rock opera packed into one great song. Quadrophenia may be known for its big double-album show, and Tommy was a full-on stage thing, but Who's Next? It's like the chill, sleek cousin that had the hits and didn't worry about being a big idea album.

The Who Recording At CBS Studios, Mayfair, 1966 - Source: Getty

Won't Get Fooled Again shows The Who using all their rock skills in one big, loud yell. Pete Townshend's guitar, Keith Moon's wild drum hits, John Entwistle's deep bass, and Roger Daltrey's scream, all in one huge sound hit. And yes, you might roll your eyes when you hear that scream in a crime show, but look, Townshend does not care about our thoughts; it’s his great work, and he can use it how he likes.

For the young ones who believe classic rock is just music for "old folks," this track was huge on '70s FM radios and still keeps its place as one of the top played in rock. Yes, it's a really big thing. Won't Get Fooled Again pretty much sets the rules for what classic rock needs to be. Keep rocking, Who's Next, and never get tricked again!

5) Love, Reign o'er Me

If Won’t Get Fooled Again is The Who's big hit, then Love, Reign o'er Me is the deep shock ending their album Quadrophenia with huge power. It’s the sort of last song that doesn’t just end things, it comes in like a huge wave, full of big feelings, and shows that it’s no shock The Who did not try to beat it later.

The name alone feels like a line from a sad old play or a big storm warning, but when the high voices and loud music start, you are pulled right into this big rush of emotions. It's big, strong, and wide, like being in the middle of a big storm and loving each moment. Even after more than five decades, it still commands the room, proving it’s the kind of epic finale that only rock operas dream of.

6) Baba O'Riley

If rock tunes had their own hall of fame, Baba O'Riley would be the star walking the red path with nightshades on, grabbing all eyes. Made by The Who for their big 1971 hit Who's Next, this song is not just the first play; it's the song that makes every other start look bad, like they came in old gym clothes.

It begins with an organ sound so cool you'd think it had some hidden star power. Then the piano steps in slowly, as if it's shy, before the drums burst in, giving life to it all like a bolt of light waking a big sleeping thing. The singing doesn't start until more than a minute has gone by, leaving you with enough time to deal with your hunger or to just dive deep into the music.

It's a truly well-made track, one of The Who's best works, for sure, and maybe one of the most thrilling rock songs ever made. For real, if rock intros were a contest, Baba O'Riley would take first, second, and third place all by itself.

7) Behind Blue Eyes

Behind Blue Eyes pops up so much in shows and movies, it could have its own star. Yes, it's that kind of song, played too often, sung by many, and always there when someone is sad in slow-mo. Even so, the first time we heard it on Who's Next, it packed a hit right in our hearts.

The Who at Saville Theatre - Source: Getty

It's extra in the best way, like a rock song that just read its diary. Great for sing-alongs when you've had a bit too much and start to feel like the lone hero. Played a lot? For sure. Yet, it still grabs you, like an old joke that still works.

8) Eminence Front

Think of The Who getting up in the early '80s and saying, "Okay, let's add some synths to this old rock vibe and watch what comes out." Then, Eminence Front hits, kind of like Pete Townshend putting on a light jacket, going into a dim club, and choosing to be a bit funky that night. By 1982, when It's Hard came out, their time of busting guitars and shouting about youth wastelands was way past, but it looks like they still had some tricks left, keeping fans guessing.

Eminence Front doesn't just try a bit of new wave and funk, it jumps right in, hard, with a synth sound that screams "we get what young ones like" and a beat that's very sleek for a group more used to wild stuff. And guess what? It does the job.

The Who's songs tell a bold, far-reaching tale of rock, starting with the raw force of My Generation (1965) and moving to the big tales of Tommy (1969) and Quadrophenia (1973). Who's Next (1971) mixed strong guitar sounds with early synths, showing they could change and still hold their sharp edge.

By the '80s, with albums like Face Dances and It's Hard, the band dealt with shifts in music style. Even when they fell, they fell with their own style. From youth fights to rock tales to changes in their older years, The Who never stuck to just one path for long.