The Who: Eminence Front

The other night I was watching the show “Person of Interest” and I immediately recognized The Who’s “Eminence Front” in a crucial part of the show. I hadn’t heard this tune in decades, but remember it well from the 1982 album “It’s Hard.” The song was the second of the three singles released from the album.

While the single failed to make a dent on the Top 40 charts by peaking at #68, it charted at #5 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Unlike most of The Who’s songs, “Eminence Front” was not sung by Roger Daltry, but rather by lead guitarist and composer Pete Townshend.

The song is known for its sequenced synthesizer as the glue that holds the song together. While Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and sideman Tim Gorman are credited with playing the synthesizer on the album, the synthesizer on this song is not credited; however, it is reminiscent of Townshend’s earlier work with the instrument. Gorman plays the electric piano part.