Under a Raging Moon (song)

Last updated

"Under a Raging Moon"
Under a Raging Moon (song).jpg
Single by Roger Daltrey
from the album Under a Raging Moon
Released24 February 1986 [1]
Recorded1985
Genre Rock
Length6:42
Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Alan Shacklock [2]
Roger Daltrey singles chronology
"Let Me Down Easy"
(1985)
"Under a Raging Moon"
(1986)
"The Pride You Hide"
(1986)

"Under a Raging Moon" is a song by Roger Daltrey, the lead vocalist of the Who. This song is the tenth and title track on Daltrey's sixth solo studio album, Under a Raging Moon (1985).

Contents

The single reached #43 in the UK and #10 on the Billboard's Mainstream Rock charts, but failed to chart on the United States pop singles chart. [3]

The tune was written by John Parr (of "St Elmo's Fire" fame) and Julia Downes. [4] It is a tribute to the Who's former drummer, Keith Moon, who died in 1978. It was said that the Who's bassist John Entwistle had wanted to play this song instead of "Won't Get Fooled Again" when the band performed at Live Aid in 1985, but guitarist Pete Townshend disagreed. Entwistle decided to record his own version on his live solo album Left for Live (1999) as a tribute to Moon instead. [5]

Critical reception

Mike DeGagne of AllMusic reviewed the recording, stating "Daltrey's thunderous but passionate ode to his former friend and drummer Keith Moon is a fervent downpour of frustration that can be truly felt inside every line of the song. A spectacular drum solo from Mark Brzezicki is a modest tribute to the late Moon and adds depth." Additionally, Rolling Stone's review said, "Parr's entry is the heartfelt title track, a clunky, roaring number that mourns Keith Moon with more sentiment than clarity. A bombastic hodgepodge salvaged by a passionate vocal, "Under a Raging Moon" unabashedly quotes "Baba O'Riley" and – in an old-fashioned bit of show-stopping theatre – employs seven drummers, including Stewart Copeland, Carl Palmer and Martin Chambers, each of whom plays a section of the elegy." [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Moon</span> English rock drummer (1946–1978)

Keith John Moon was an English musician who was the drummer for the rock band the Who. Regarded as one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock music, he was noted for his unique style of playing and his eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Who</span> English rock band

The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup (1964–1978) consisted of lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century. Their contributions to rock music include the development of the Marshall stack, large public address systems, the use of synthesizers, Entwistle's and Moon's influential playing styles, Townshend's feedback and power chord guitar technique, and the development of the rock opera. They are cited as an influence by many hard rock, punk, power pop and mod bands. The Who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Entwistle</span> English musician; bassist for The Who (1944–2002)

John Alec Entwistle was an English musician who was the bass guitarist for the rock band the Who. Entwistle's music career spanned over four decades. Nicknamed "The Ox" and "Thunderfingers", he was the band's only member with formal musical training and also provided backing and occasional lead vocals. Entwistle was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Who in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Daltrey</span> English musician and lead vocalist of The Who (b. 1944)

Roger Harry Daltrey is an English singer, musician and actor. He is the co-founder and lead singer of the rock band the Who.

<i>Quadrophenia</i> 1973 studio album by the Who

Quadrophenia is the sixth studio album by the English rock band the Who, released as a double album on 26 October 1973 by Track Records. It is the group's third rock opera, the previous two being the "mini-opera" song "A Quick One, While He's Away" (1966) and the album Tommy (1969). Set in London and Brighton in 1965, the story follows a young mod named Jimmy and his search for self-worth and importance. Quadrophenia is the only Who album entirely written & composed by Pete Townshend.

<i>A Quick One</i> 1966 studio album by the Who

A Quick One is the second studio album by the English rock band the Who, released on 9 December 1966. A version of the album with an altered track listing was released under the name Happy Jack on Decca Records in April 1967 in the United States, where the song "Happy Jack" was a top 40 hit.

<i>The Who Sell Out</i> 1967 album by the Who

The Who Sell Out is the third studio album by the English rock band the Who. It was released on 15 December 1967 by Track Records in the UK and Decca Records in the US. A concept album, The Who Sell Out is structured as a collection of unrelated songs interspersed with fake commercials and public service announcements, including the second track "Heinz Baked Beans". The album purports to be a broadcast by pirate radio station Radio London. The reference to "selling out" was an intended irony, as the Who had been making real commercials during that period of their career, some of which are included as bonus tracks on the remastered CD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zak Starkey</span> English drummer

Zak Richard Starkey is an English rock drummer who has performed and recorded with the Who since 1996. He is also the third drummer to have appeared with Oasis. Other musicians and bands he has worked with include Johnny Marr, the Icicle Works, the Lightning Seeds, and the Semantics. Starkey is the son of the Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr.

<i>The Who by Numbers</i> 1975 studio album by the Who

The Who by Numbers is the seventh studio album by English rock band the Who, released on 3 October 1975 in the United Kingdom through Polydor Records, and on 6 October 1975 in the United States by MCA Records. It was named the tenth-best album of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll.

<i>Its Hard</i> 1982 studio album by the Who

It's Hard is the tenth studio album by English rock band the Who. Released in September 1982, it was the final Who album to feature bassist John Entwistle, who died in 2002. It was also the second and final Who studio album with drummer Kenney Jones, as well as the last to be released on Warner Bros. Records in the US. It was released on Polydor Records in the UK, peaking at No. 11, and on Warner Bros. in the US where it peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart. The US rights to both this album and Face Dances subsequently reverted to the band, who then licensed them to MCA Records for reissue. The album achieved gold status by the RIAA in the US in November 1982. It was their last album for over two decades until Endless Wire in 2006.

<i>Who Are You</i> 1978 studio album by the Who

Who Are You is the eighth studio album by the English rock band the Who, released on 21 August 1978 by Polydor Records in the United Kingdom and MCA Records in the United States. Although the album received mixed reviews from critics, it was a commercial success, peaking at number 2 on the US charts and number 6 on the UK charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Generation</span> 1965 single by the Who

"My Generation" is a song by the English rock band the Who, written by guitarist and primary songwriter Pete Townshend. One of the band's most recognizable songs, it was placed number 11 by Rolling Stone on its list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” in 2004 and 2010, re-ranked number 232 in the 2021 edition. It became part of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and is inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for "historical, artistic and significant" value. It is considered one of the band's signature songs.

<i>Odds & Sods</i> 1974 compilation album by The Who

Odds & Sods is an album of studio outtakes by British rock band the Who. It was released by Track Records in the UK and Track/MCA in the US in October 1974. Ten of the recordings on the original eleven-song album were previously unreleased. The album reached No. 10 on the UK charts and No. 15 in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Won't Get Fooled Again</span> 1971 single by the Who

"Won't Get Fooled Again" is a song by the English rock band the Who, written by guitarist and primary songwriter Pete Townshend. It was released as a single in June 1971, reaching the top 10 in the UK, while the full eight-and-a-half-minute version appears as the final track on the band's 1971 album Who's Next, released that August. In the US, the single entered Billboard on 17 July, reaching No. 15.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5:15</span> Song by The Who

"5:15" is a song written by Pete Townshend of British rock band The Who. Part of the band's second rock opera, Quadrophenia (1973), the song was also released as a single and reached No. 20 on the UK Singles Chart, while the 1979 re-release reached No. 45 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Real Me (The Who song)</span> Original song written and composed by Peter Townshend

"The Real Me" is a song written by Pete Townshend on The Who's second full-scale rock opera, Quadrophenia in 1973. This is the second track on the album, although it is the first with lyrics. It concerns a boy named Jimmy, a young English Mod with four distinct personalities. The song describes how he angrily deals with several individuals to identify "the real me". The song was released as a single in the United States and Canada in 1974.

<i>Under a Raging Moon</i> (album) 1985 studio album by Roger Daltrey

Under a Raging Moon is the sixth solo studio album by English singer Roger Daltrey, released in September 1985 by Atlantic Records. The album reached No. 42 on the US charts, and the single "After the Fire", written by Pete Townshend, reached No. 48. It includes a tribute to Keith Moon, former drummer of the Who who died in 1978, on the track "Under a Raging Moon". In Canada, the album reached No. 33 on the RPM Magazine charts, and "After the Fire" reached No. 53.

<i>Left for Live</i> 1999 live album by The John Entwistle Band

Left for Live is a live album by John Entwistle, who was the bassist for The Who.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me Down Easy (Roger Daltrey song)</span> 1985 single by Roger Daltrey

"'Let Me Down Easy'" is a song by Roger Daltrey, who at the time was the former lead vocalist of the Who. The song was written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and included on Daltrey's sixth solo studio album Under a Raging Moon (1985) as the first track on the second side of the LP. The album was a tribute to the Who's former drummer Keith Moon. The song was released as a single in November 1985 on Atlantic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Pride You Hide</span> 1986 single by Roger Daltrey

"The Pride You Hide" is a song by Roger Daltrey, who at the time was the former lead singer of The Who. The song was written by Alan Dalgleish, Nicky Tesco and Roger Daltrey. The track was included on Roger Daltrey's sixth solo album, Under a Raging Moon, as the fourth track on the first side of the LP. The album was a tribute to The Who's former drummer Keith Moon.

References

  1. "Music Week" (PDF). p. 18.
  2. "Roger Daltrey - Under a Raging Moon".
  3. Roger Daltrey discography
  4. "Roger Daltrey - Under a Raging Moon".
  5. "The Who - Roger Daltrey Albums - Page 3".
  6. "Rolling Stone : Roger Daltrey: Under a Raging Moon : Music Reviews". www.rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on 25 February 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2022.