Quadrophenia: The Real Me

There is music and then there is MUSIC.  Then within the MUSIC there is MUSIC MUSIC.  You know, the music that changes you, makes you think, takes you somewhere else, gives you tingles, makes you yell at everyone else in the car to shut their gobs because the best part of the song is coming up.  It is rare when we find that music and then feel like everyone in the world must partake in this wonderful secret that we found.  For me this CD was The Who’s, Quadrophenia.  Now when I’ve shown this CD to others it has received welcome reviews and nods, but never the shout it-from-the-mountain-tops acclaim that I give it.  I think the reason is the following story.

You see, I found Quadrophenia my sophomore year of high school.  Ahhhhh sophmore year.  If I were to make a coming of age/Wonder Years show it would just be about that year.  The discovery of Quadrophenia came hand-in-hand with my first break-up, a nasty experience for a darling 16 year old boy such as me.  I was angry and awkward all at the same time, trying to still be cool enough to get back the girl, but distant enough to make her ridiculously jealous so that she had to come crawling back to me.  A sure fire plan.  Needless to say I needed an outlet, and then Quadrophenia fell right into my little sixteen year old hands. 

My Uncle, who I will refer to as Stallion Cornell, and my father (Dr. Jimmy Senior) had both highly recommended Quadrophenia, but it was the big man, Santa, who came through for me.  That Christmas I listened to the story of a boy from Brighton who was weird, awkward, jealous, and just like me.  I felt like I was living Quadrophenia and was hooked.  The music sealed the deal. In my opinion The Who’s best work.  Songs like The Real Me, Bell Boy, and Sea and Sand rock.  I mean they really swing.  Keith Moon sounds like he’s having a drum seizure.  Others make you think – they grab you fast then suddenly stop and make you feel suspended in mid-song, like I’ve Had Enough and Cut My Hair.  Perhaps my favorite part of this record is that it is just that – a record.  I could never just listen to one song without listening to the whole album, the whole story.  Each member of the Who plays a different part in the story with a different theme, something that you just have to listen to in order to understand.  There are two instrumental tracks on the album, The Rock and Quadrophenia (the song).  These became my theme music, music that I wish could be played behind me at all times if possible.  Then after two CD’s of awesome music the story ends with Roger Daltrey screaming the lyrics to Love Reign O’er Me whilst the pitter patter of rain sounds in the background.  Then that’s it.  The journey is over.  Welcome to the new world. 

I still listen to Quadrophenia after every break up.  I think it’s a nostalgic thing.  It changed music for me and a little bit about how I view life.  But don’t take my word for it (Cue “Reading Rainbow” music).

-Dr. Jimmy