Johnny Cash’s cover of Hurt
Well, how about the climax to his Rite of Spring ?
Rite of Spring is one of my very favorite classical pieces, the first 20 minutes or so are transcendental for me. But this thread is about codas (“climaxes”) and the final three minutes of Firebird have the same impact on me.
No coincidence that the pieces are by the same composer within three years of each other.
That’s correct. I’ll withdraw my suggestion above.
Can I replace it with the last 2-3 minutes of that piece? Apart from the super short ascending flute motif just before the final bang, they’re relentlessly intense.
Absolutely. Whatever floats your boat.
“Afternoon Delight”
Led Zeppelin’s “Fool in the Rain” has a great samba-fueled climax before the final verse.
“I Touch Myself”
Richard Thompson’s guitar solo in the second half of this live version of “Calvary Cross”.
The final section has the inevitability of a glacial advance. Great idea with the naming.
I think Jim Steinman really knew how to build a song to spectacular ending. I came in to say “I Would Do Anything for Love” and “Bat Out of Hell.”
Another very favorite of mine- the ending of Ginastera’s Variacones Concertantes.
The entire 20 minute suite is exquisite and the coda hits it out of the park.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJpixQVkh3M&list=RDeJpixQVkh3M&start_radio=1
OK, I waited more than two weeks to make my second suggestion.
“She Sheila” by The Producers. (And covered by, of all groups, Nelson.) Great slow bridge that erupts into a short instrumental pre-chorus. This song (and video) have always been a great favorite of mine. Most of my friends don’t remember it at all, even though it was performed live on MTV’s New Year’s Special in 1982.
I almost forgot a really amazing example with a super-surprising climax :
Eskimo - Damien Rice
I almost fell out of my chair the first time I heard this. Give it a go - if you’re not familiar with it, I bet you’ve never heard anything quite like it before.
Great song … know it very well. Famous Wayne’s keytar opening is 
The Producers frequently played clubs and small venues in New Orleans and Baton Rouge back in the day. Our local '80s radio station still plays a few of their songs, keeping their memory alive.
Good on ya, mate!! The Marvelous 3 do a great cover of the song (minus keyboards when live, however). Very high energy and true to the source.
“Forest Fire” ends the first side of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions’ first album, Rattlesnakes (1984).
