# What are songs with great climaxes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [June 12, 2025, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545 "2025-06-12T21:29:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/21 "2025-06-13T00:29:50Z")
Maybe this live version of “Nights in White Satin” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/89ZQnWvWcAE/maxresdefault.jpg "Moody Blues -- Nights In White Satin [[Official Live Video]] HD") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89ZQnWvWcAE) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/22 "2025-06-13T00:37:30Z")
Nicky Hopkins multitracked layering of keyboards on “Edward the Mad Shirt Grinder” when he was with Quicksilver Messenger Service builds to an incredible triple-speed climax. OK, a few stray notes follow, but ignore them. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/iJBPlmqQ2DY/maxresdefault.jpg "Edward, The Mad Shirt Grinder") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJBPlmqQ2DY) CSN’s “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” has an iconic ending as well. ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/23 "2025-06-13T01:53:14Z")
**“Hush” by Deep Purple.** It starts out with a wolf howling three times, then hits really hard for 6 or 7 seconds with Ritchie Blackmoor shredding his electric guitar, then settles down a while for the verses and the nah-nah-nah-nahs (all sung by Rod Evans), then breaks into an instrumental featuring a great organ solo by Jon Lord, builds into a repeat of the “nah nah nah nahs,” and finally concludes with an earth-shattering and very cold ending on one strong organ blast that will shake your windows. Loved it in 1968 and still do. In the rare occasion I hear it on the radio I turn it up to 11. It was such an unlikely song to turn into a hard rock anthem too. It was a country-ish song written by Joe South and recorded by Billy Joe (Down in the Boondocks) Royal originally. I remember seeing Joe South do the song on TV and it was nothing like Purple’s version. If you’ve never heard this, look it up. In the summer of 1968 it was like nothing we had ever heard before on our local Top 40 station. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/24 "2025-06-13T02:01:52Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Does classical music count? Because Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture definitely fits. As does Ravel’s _Bolero_. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/25 "2025-06-13T02:33:51Z")
“Bat Out of Hell” builds to a rather impressive climax. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/26 "2025-06-13T02:34:54Z")
“Come On Eileen” - Dexy’s Midnight Runners ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/27 "2025-06-13T02:44:08Z")
Another classical piece with a great climax (_ahem_ this one of more lurid “appeal to prurient interests”) is Wagner’s “Love-Death” from _Tristan und Isolde_. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/28 "2025-06-13T03:00:49Z")
In “Supper’s Ready” by Genesis, the penultimate section “Apocalypse in 9/8” gradually builds to a furious peak of madness… but then the dark clouds roll away and a spine-chilling drumroll leads into the glorious final section as light bursts from the heavens. For this, Peter Gabriel would change from his 666 monster costume into all-white duds with bright lights on him as he lifted a shining white fluorescent tube. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/29 "2025-06-13T03:04:27Z")
Speaking of Peter Gabriel (Genesis) made me think of Phil Collins. [In the Air Tonight](https://youtu.be/MN3x-kAbgFU) ends really well. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/30 "2025-06-13T03:06:42Z")
Phil handled “Supper’s Ready” as well, on _Seconds Out._ ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/31 "2025-06-13T03:12:49Z")
Heart’s [“Love Alive”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1_0wrumnkQ&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD) Zebra’s [“Who’s Behind the Door?”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYMZGamPMNM) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/32 "2025-06-13T03:18:08Z")
After grunge came along we all had a weird relationship with Guns 'N Roses. But you can’t deny the great climactic power of “November Rain” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8SbUC-UaAxE/maxresdefault.jpg "Guns N' Roses - November Rain") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbUC-UaAxE) ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/33 "2025-06-13T04:54:19Z")
You want climax? Check out Oliver Sain’s [Soul Serenade.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt1VjRpBMjs) You might get the urge to light up a cigarette after this one. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/34 "2025-06-13T05:08:35Z")
> [@dirtball](#): > > Yes’s “Starship Trooper” Thread Winner. Also, _Zip City_ by **Drive By Truckers** and _Frankenstein_ by **Edgar Winters** ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/35 "2025-06-13T05:23:19Z")
We have rapport. 😊 ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/36 "2025-06-13T05:38:21Z")
I think there is ointment for that. ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/37 "2025-06-13T05:41:29Z")
I’d go with most Jim Steinman songs. I’m thinking Total Eclipse of the Heart. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/38 "2025-06-13T05:53:19Z")
Fairly appropriate for the times. Muse / Knights of Cydonia [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GjXWtEqs8I4/maxresdefault.jpg "Muse - Knights of Cydonia [HD]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjXWtEqs8I4) ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/39 "2025-06-13T05:59:28Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > > [@dirtball](#): > > > > Yes’s “Starship Trooper” > > Thread Winner. “Starship Trooper” is indisputably the thread winner, but the first song that came to my mind is “Light My Fire” by The Doors. (Which I belatedly see was noted in the OP…oh well.) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/40 "2025-06-13T06:20:07Z")
I’m a sucker for songs with a great buildup and a long (sometimes tedious) outro… **Deerhunter** Desire Lines **Amber Arcades** Fading Lines The coincidence is unintentional [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545.md?page=3)