The Who’s Pete Townshend Picks His Five Favorite Songs He’s Written

Rock legend Pete Townshend has finally revealed his five favorite songs, mixing his work with The Who and his solo career. Speaking with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show to promote this weekend’s Quadrophenia, A Rock Ballet at New York City Center, Townshend didn’t hold back.

Love, Reign o’er Me Tops the List

“I think the top is Love, Reign o’er Me,” Townshend said. “I think Behind Blue Eyes. I really love Let My Love Open the Door [from my solo album Empty Glass]. I love Baba O’Riley. That song now has 1.5 billion streams on Spotify.”

From soaring ballads to synth-rock anthems, his picks span the emotional and musical range that made The Who and his solo work timeless.

The Political Anthem: Won’t Get Fooled Again

Townshend also highlighted Won’t Get Fooled Again, calling it “the one most applicable to the modern world,” reflecting the disappointment of political leaders who break promises. “As Bob Dylan said, ‘Don’t follow leaders, follow parking meters,’” he explained.

He added context for the classic track’s creation: “I was being bullied in ’72 by a bunch of hippies who said, ‘Pete, the revolution is coming and you’ve got to get behind it.’ So I wrote Won’t Get Fooled Again for a project called Lifehouse: ‘No, I won’t be part of your revolution. I think the revolution, if it comes, won’t need me to write for it.’”

Reflections on The Who and the Vault

Townshend also opened up about The Who’s farewell tour, his difficult childhood, and the 350–450 unreleased pieces of music stored in his vault. He shared insight into the origins of rock landmarks like Tommy and Quadrophenia, showing that even decades later, his creative spark is alive and well.

Quadrophenia, A Rock Ballet Hits NYC

This weekend, Quadrophenia, A Rock Ballet, will run for four performances at New York City Center. Tickets are available online, offering fans a chance to experience The Who’s music in a bold new theatrical form.