# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/61 "2025-06-13T15:54:28Z")
´[Instant Street](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yel4INWfWA)’ by Belgian band dEUS Best outro I have ever heard ---
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/62 "2025-06-13T16:01:00Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > awake through the somnolent section. But I somehow popped awake for the climax. Then you should try [Awaken](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-db1yvodcbk) 😄 ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/63 "2025-06-13T16:06:34Z")
I thought THE answer was Simon and Garfunkel’s original studio version of Bridge Over Troubled Water. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/64 "2025-06-13T16:17:32Z")
You’d think _gentle mass touching_ would keep you awake. Think again. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/65 "2025-06-13T16:25:47Z")
How about Merry Clayton’s vocals on the Stones’ ‘Gimme Shelter’? Sad story related to that performance, which many of you probably already know, but if not: > **[Mick Jagger Tells the Story Behind ‘Gimme Shelter’ and Merry Clayton’s...](https://www.openculture.com/2013/06/mick_jagger_tells_the_story_behind_gimme_shelter.html)** > > In the fall of 1969 the Rolling Stones were in a Los Angeles recording studio, putting the final touches on their album Let it Bleed. It was a tumultuous time for the Stones. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/66 "2025-06-14T00:06:30Z")
I don’t know Disturbed much, but that’s one of my favorite covers. I never realized how creepy that song’s lyrics were until this cover. I’ve heard it said that the Simon & Garfunkel version is a prophesy; the cover is a rebuke. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/67 "2025-06-14T00:13:19Z")
The Beatles’ “A Day In The Life”. There is an orchestral crescendo at the end finished with a resounding piano chord that seemingly goes on forever (it was actually done with several pianos). ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/68 "2025-06-14T00:16:49Z")
Couldn’t tell ya- that one always gets turned off before the singing starts. I liked it the first few hundred times it played on the radio, but now if I never hear it again it will be too soon. ---
**Author:** ![Historical\_Vagabond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/historical_vagabond/32/18705_2.png) [@Historical\_Vagabond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Historical_Vagabond)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/69 "2025-06-14T00:24:38Z")
Roy Orbison’s _Crying_ ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/70 "2025-06-14T00:30:49Z")
> [@DaveUnknown](#): > > _I just heard “Running Scared” (Orbison) on the radio. I think that’s a good one._ Add **Crying** to that list. Spectacular ending. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/71 "2025-06-14T00:36:22Z")
In the mood by Glen Miller. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/72 "2025-06-14T00:40:01Z")
Reba’s version of “Cathy’s Clown.” ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/73 "2025-06-14T01:17:10Z")
Classical: Handel’s Hallelujah chorus And the first rock song I thought of was Nights in White Satin, which I see was posted above at #20 “Let the River Run”, Carly Simon nails it https://www.youtube.com/embed/cv-0mmVnxPA?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=RDm3-hY-hlhBg “If Ever I Would Leave You”, Robert Goulet https://www.youtube.com/embed/xL52hEArSfM?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=RDE5dPtkVCRsg ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/74 "2025-06-14T02:12:13Z")
This may not qualify, but I’ll mention the live version of “Battlefield” from ELP’s _Tarkus_, where Greg sings an [echo-drenched version of “Epitaph”](https://youtu.be/asGq6VUo1co?feature=shared&t=246). ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/75 "2025-06-14T05:54:01Z")
Wow, those are all great examples. As always, apologies if someone beat me to it, but how about Adele’s ’ Hello’? Starts off low and slow and kind of boring, imo. The first couple of times she sings the chorus are a nice pick-up, and when she gets to the last chorus, boy howdy. The hairs on my arms stand up and my eyes almost water. Very dramatic. I suppose any songs dubbed 'anthem rock’s are good examples. Which brings to mind KISS’s ‘Detroit Rock City’. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/76 "2025-06-14T06:43:59Z")
Deep Purple’s “Child In Time”, especially the live version from “Made In Japan”. Shows that Ian Gillian probably is the greatest singer in the metal genre, at least the greatest screamer. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uEwVz6P7lZg/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGH8gRygTMA8=&rs=AOn4CLDm538M4Lfups4dZ-spvP1HEAxjRg "Child in Time - Deep Purple (Made in Japan) Original") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEwVz6P7lZg) ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/77 "2025-06-14T09:10:32Z")
From the greatest: [The Who - Won’t Get Fooled Again (Shepperton Studios / 1978)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDfAdHBtK_Q) ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/78 "2025-06-14T10:49:27Z")
How about [Starless](https://youtu.be/OfR6_V91fG8?si=PaSy7pDQmTzUkvVt) by King Crimson? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/79 "2025-06-14T12:37:38Z")
[Mildred Pierce](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLU4fed-mp4) by Sonic Youth is a two-minute song that starts out as a happy, three-chord instrumental. It hints that something more sinister is coming when a distorted guitar comes in at 1:12. And then all hell breaks loose at 1:35. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2025, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545/80 "2025-06-14T12:48:10Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > the obvious one is [Bohemian Rhapsody](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ)… A not so obvious one, from the same album, is **“The Prophet’s Song”.** I know a lot of folks don’t like Rush because of Geddy Lee’s screechy voice, but **“Cygnus X-1”** is a good one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-songs-with-great-climaxes/1019545.md?page=5)