After 24 years of studio retirement, The Who are back--at least the half that lives--with Billboard's #9 album, Endless Wire. Before I offer my take on the new album, I offer my take--which is subject to change daily--on the Who's ten best songs:

10. My Generation: From the calculated drug stutter (fa-fa-fa-fade away) to the most rock line in all of rock ("I hope I die before I get old"), what's not to like? It doesn't sound like a song from 1965, does it?

9. Pictures of Lily: John Lennon castigated Paul McCartney for writing "silly love songs." Pete Townshend never wrote a silly love song because he never wrote a love song. Self-love songs are another matter. He penned several odes to onanism, of which Pictures of Lily is the best.

8. Trick of the Light: Twenty-five years before bassist John Entwhistle spent his last night on earth with cocaine and a hooker, he penned this celebration of a "lady of the night." Check out Entwistle playing lead bass!

7. The Kids Are Alright: The song presents the best example of the early, popish, singles-oriented Who. It's also the title of one of The Who's three movies, but, strangely, is not played therein.

6. Naked Eye: So good that it never appeared on a proper Who album. It's also one of those songs that translates better live, so click on the link.

5. Won't Get Fooled Again: "Meet the new boss/Same as the old boss." That's about as much political wisdom one can cram into two lines. Has there ever been a better scream in all of rock? This is Keith Moon at his best.

4. Dr. Jimmy: A loud, aggressive tribute to testosterone-fueled youth that pays homage to fighting, drinking, deflowering virgins, and other pasttimes of angry teens.

3. Love Reign o'er Me: Quadrophenia's coda showcases Daltrey at his best.

2. Baba O'Riley: The hypnotizing keyboard intro, followed by the low keys on the piano, followed by the Ox's thundering bass, followed by the drums--Baba O'Riley rules, even when Yankee Paul O'Neill stepped to the plate with it in the background, even when people call it "Teenage Wasteland," even when introducing CSI: New York.

1. Who Are You: The original punk band faces the arrival of punk rock.

I've never been good with names of songs, but my favorite Who song is the one that ends with the verse "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss," and has the great scream.

I should have read your descriptions. My favorite is Won't Get Fooled Again.

A Quick One should make any top ten list, certainly at the expense of Pictures of Lilly. See Me Feel Me ( live ) is fantastic too. Join Together ( again live is good ) is the balls. I like Cant Explain and The Seeker too.Many Who songs take on a life of their own when seen/ heard live. There should be two lists.

Agreed!!! "subject to change daily"!! Also, choosing the top 10 Who songs, is like choosing the top 10 Beatles or Stones songs. You can do it once, then "change it" the next day......

Behind Blue Eyes
Love Ain't for Keeping
(pretty much the whole Who's Next album)
Summertime Blues (live at Leeds)

"The Real Me" is #1 in my book. Aggressive chord progression, great bass riffs, Roger Daltrey on vocals and Keith Moon playing somewhat in the pocket.

That's an excellent one AM. I think people tend to overlook some of the Who's best work when it comes to Quadrophenia.

The 5:15 is pretty good as well.

Great horns on that one. Quadrophenia is my favorite Who album, especially album/CD #2. This may fall in the "is it just me" category but I always felt Keith Moon was way overrated. He usually overplayed and had no real sense of keeping a groove. Not many bass players other than John Entwhistle could have held that held that rhythm section down. Any thoughts, guys?

Top ten no order
*The kids are alright
*substitute - can't be omitted
*Song is over - Daltrey and Townshend combo at its best.
*Who are you- the song personifies the Who the best
*DR. Jimmy- tough to describe the song better than the post author, not reguarded as high or known to the average Who fan. If you are not in a good way while listening combined with drinking others LOOK OUT!
*Real good looking boy- probably doesn't deserve to make the list because of lack of longevity, as a fan the Who song I am most proud of I knew they could put out a great song after 20 years.
*Baba O'Riley - No song can make your hair stand on end even after hearing it for the 2000th time, it is the equivalent to watching Rocky.
*Join Together- If you didn't think Daltrey had the most powerful voice in rock history take another listen.
*A quick one - thrown together, doesn't matter awesome song.
*Love Reign o'er Me- strongest song off stongest album.

I can think of at least ten other songs that could have made this list. I am torn on Who the second best rock band ever is.

"I am torn on Who the second best rock band ever is."

Easy. It's the band that the Who named (nod to Dan for that bit of trivia), Led Zeppelin. In my humble opinion, however, they're not second to the Who. The Beattles are the greatest.

Make that "the Beetles."

Ralph your but is torn.

Boris the Spider

I second...Boris the Spider.

Almost anything off of Quadrophenia is enduring: Don't forget 5.15 and The Sea and the Sand. Substitute gets an honorable mention.

Out of my brain on the train.

Bargain. Amazing lyrics, strong rock.

Another vote for Sea and Sand.