Seven years ago, I took my 12 year old son to see Ian perform as I was not sure how long he would be touring... He put out Thick as a Brick 2 and toured as Ian Anderson. What a show! I guess after seeing me play/listen to it my son had early connection with my original Thick album (the one with the actual fold out newspaper inside) as he played it frequently on his kids record player since he was six or seven and by 12 he was taking flute at school... Even though he was the youngest at the show and it was a school night.. I figured it was the RIGHT thing to do... He agrees.
I still have my original vinyl LP with the newspaper. Somebody did the connect the dots girl. But I don’t think it was me. If it was, I don’t remember it. But... There’s a lot about those days I don’t remember.
The way the whole band crashes through the wall at the beginning of the second verse is still spine-tingling all these years later. What a great piece of music. The venomous sneer in his vocals is perfect. One can picture Jesus overturning the tables of the money changers in the temple and whipping them. How often does a song capture the essence of a universal truth with such pinpoint accuracy? Great analysis of the message. For more on this subject check out the song Mission by King's X.
Martin Barre, the guitarist. So so so underrated. His name never makes it on guitar player polls. When someone asks who's your favorite guitar player. You never hear anybody say Martin Barre. I mean, he's been with Tull from the beginning with the exception of their very first album. This dude knows how to play the guitar
Amen to that. I put him in that special player category along with the late Walter Becker of Steely Dan. Both are pretty understated and because they played without drawing attention away from music were almost anonymous.
Very 1st concert I've attended was Jethro Tull, 1976 outdoor concert. Played for 2 1/2 hours. What a performer. Check out MINSTREL IN THE GALLERY ( studio version). Hard driving.
Great song live where its loud and Anderson does an extended flute solo.... I can still hear the sound of his flute and Martin Barre's guitar filling Madison Square Garden back in the 70's... Too bad young people today can't experience it... There is no way to explain it.
It seemed like every other week in the 70's another 'super group' was playing MSG... We'd hop on the train into Penn Station underground and MSG was right on top of the station. Didn't have to worry about driving (The Blarney Stone pub was across the street)
@@genestippell1833 Also didn't care about the weather, just exit the train and go upstairs to the concert. Coming in from the Garden State (NJ), it was perfectly legal to bring beers on the train. One of the other great parts of the Madison Square Garden (MSG) experience was after the concert ended, everyone got back on the train and the entire train became (in this case) Jethro Tull fans who had just all experienced the same show...and the party continued. I saw many a concert at MSG.
I heard about Jethro tull when I was 12 years old from my flute teacher, and after I heard their version to bourree I became a fan. Today I am 19 and I have the privilage to see Ian in concert twice. I saw at list 3 other young people their; it's not too much for 2000 people that were in the concert but it's something.
Yes, for one single song, this was Jethro Tull's masterpiece. But it is so weird to hear it end, and not immediately hear Hymn 43 right after. I've just heard the album so many times, can't get enough of it.
A quote came to mind while watch this tonight. For what it is worth is a oversimplification of a very complex issue, Religion is for people who don't want to go to hell. Spirituality is for those people who have already been there.
I absolutely love watching you Daniel. You are spot on with Tull and Yes. So smart for such a young man. You seem like my daughter - young with an older, understanding soul.
The song is amazing your reaction is spot on. It's not the kind of song to play at the family barbeque, but for pure listening and contemplating and appreciating it musically, is there a better song anywhere?
The Church of England was reflected by Ian in this song as representing the antithesis of God's Word and deeper meaning. GOD IS LOVE. right? War, Heel strapping conquests of nations and peoples under the name of The creator, Playing God as mere imperfect men is against the Word. Ian was 23 when he wrote this tune. He is a deep thinker.
It's funny how I recognized that you are a Christian, before you even mentioned it in another video of yours. There is some Biblical truth in this LP. Your interpretation hit the nail on the head. Now, for a wild version of this tune , check out the video of My God Live at the Isle of Wight 1970. You'll love it! As an older guy who lived through this era of music, I am really enjoying your reactions.
Older guys like us not only heard that music when it was new, but hoped millions of others would too, especially the next few generations. It was hard earned and deserves to be passed down through time.
Knowing you were a Christian didn't sway my recommendation to get into Tull, especially Aqualung, as I was hoping you would interpret the lyrics the way I did (I'm pretty bold...lol).....and you did. Televangelism was taking off and I was sickened by the sham some Christianity had morphed into. My God spoke volumes to me.
Love that you are young and diving deep into Tull and getting it! One of my favorite songs. I also admire Ian for deciding early on to not get into drugs or alcohol, understanding the dangers of addiction.
I love Jethro Tull. I saw them in concert in 1969 where they performed most of the Stand Up album, which I think is their best album. All the songs on it are amazing but especially " A New Day Yesterday", "Nothing is Easy" and "We Used to Know" For a non Jethro Tull suggestion, I suggest the song by Traffic, "The Low Spark of High Heel Boys" amazing
Daniel. I love this. Thank you. I am 64 years old and grew up with Jethro Tull, Listened to these albums every afternoon between 1973 and 1977. I enjoy this to the extreme with you. Great work.!!!!!
I have been listening to this album since 1978. I never really paid much attention to the lyrics that much. When I bought the album I just thought the cover was super cool and I heard about the song Aqualung. Now hearing and reading all of these comments from the 20-somethings in the last couple of weeks. Has been an eye opening experience. It's almost as if I'm hearing the songs for the first time. And then comparing the music of today. If that's what you want to call it, MUSIC. I have come to the realization that this album is a masterpiece. think about this and compare cross-eyed Mary, Aqualung, my god ect... To most of the music of today.
Probably in my favorite top 20 songs of all-time from the LP "Aqualung" which was my favorite LP from 1971. This song, like "Thick as a Brick" deals with the subject of hypocrisy. Killer song.
Daniel, I saw Tull at the RI Auditorium in Providence RI on Oct. 20, 1971. They opened with "My God". The stage was dark, not a sound, then you hear those opening cords and the iris of a white hot spot slowly opens to reveal Ian Anderson dressed in a white jump suit sitting on a stool in the middle of the stage playing his acoustic. As other band members quietly join in dim spots barely light up different parts of the stage until that big Jeffrey Hammond downbeat happens and the whole stage explodes! Unreal. In all likelihood this was my favorite concert in the '70s!!
A spiritual walk in faith, is, most assuredly a personal journey. Which is the essence of this composition. Now imagine those of us who were in our teens when albums such as this, Dark Side and many more, broke. The lyrical themes are as powerful as the music itself. This remains a foundational achievement in rock. P.S. It’s October 2021, and Jethro Tull is currently on tour. A most remarkable career indeed. Bravo!
Thank you for another enjoyable video, Daniel. The excitement and joy of a youth makes me thrilled as Tull is my favourite band. As you know these are true masterpieces both musically and lyrically. Your sincere attitude and reaction to songs as you listen takes me back to my youth, when I first heard them , although happily I have never lost that excitement myself. Hope you will react to Hymn 43 and Wind Up, too. Oh, by the way, please check the web site called Cup of Wonder- the Jethro Tull Lyrics Annotated. A very respectable gentleman has done a pretty good job there over the years. Hope you will like it. Cheers.
Hi, it's Al a 64 year old Tull fan. My God is possibly the best song on Aqualung. Some points..."endless sin" is the Catholic "Original Sin" I think. You've got to listen to Wind Up. In 1972 and 73 it was the final song of their encore.
Saw this performed live. It exactly expresses how I feel. My favorite Tull song. Period. Thank you for sharing and reacting. You bring my music back from the cultural grave :)
My all-time favorite Tull song, AINEC. Listening to the hell out of this album on my dad's record player as a kid in the 70's played a huge part in me ending up playing the flute myself for a number of years.
Yup, great song! As for the meaning, I more or less agree with you with the following exceptions... To me, making God bend to your religion encompasses ALL religions. It is, as you mention, your personal connection with whatever and whoever God is. As soon as humans try to write it down into a series of steps to 'find God', it immediately becomes dead. Words cannot describe 'the way to God', but can only limit Him. To me God is like the story of the elephant and the blind men. Each blind man touches a different part of the elephant and tries to describe it with that limited experience. So, each blind man feels only a small part of the elephant but none can possibly conceptualize what the elephant really is. I also think that believing there is only one way to God is limiting Him. Why couldn't God create an infinity of ways to find Him? I think each religion started with some personal truth about God but like the blind men, none really knows what God really is. I think a God of love would find ways for ALL of his children to find him otherwise why create us knowing He would have to toss many into Hell? That isn't Love to me. Just doesn't make sense... Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary... Love the way you find you own meaning in all these songs that you review! I think you are more insightful than your years would suggest... Keep on keeping on!
The reaction by the church and people's misunderstanding of the meaning of this song could be a reason that Jethro Tull has never been inducted into the RRHoF. My opinion only, but this album is by far the best of Tull.
The secret of this song is having a riff that includes the sharpened 4th (or flattened 5th if you like) creating that tritone interval. The devils interval, as it is often called. The riff to the title track of this masterpiece album uses the exact same trick - also Black Sabbath's Black Sabbath, Edvard Grieg's Hall of the Mountain King, Gustav Holtz' Mars, the Bringer of War and the theme music from Inspector Gadget, and many more, all use it. It creates a disturbing tension and gives the listener a slightly anxious feeling (but in a good way).
Man, I forgot how awesome this song was!! Daniel, it was nice to see how lost you got in the song. I am a Christian as well, and I am also of the opinion that organized religion pretty much sucks. Why, because many of its "flavors" are man-made and feeds off the emotions of other Christians. "Pastors" guilting their flock into donating money while lining their own pockets or much worse. But, it is kinda expected, right? After all even the Pastors and Priests still have the sinful human condition. They are just men. "Wind Up" is the last song on this album which you will enjoy as well. It is another statement about Christian hypocrisy.
You are so getting Tull. Glad to see this so appreciated nearly 50 years down the line. You mention the veneer of civility over the darkness. There's also a strong dose of humor throughout much of Ian's work.
Follower here as well. Been a Tull fan for 50 years. 25 concerts. You are correct no shots at God. Best line..."Lean upon HIM gently, don't call on HIM to save you from your social graces and the sins you used to wave"...You have wisdom and because of that the future of this country will be fine.
Wow. You just blew my mind. You just taught me a 58 year old hippy, a new shade and meaning to no other Gods before me. That. Was. Awesome! Also, its so cool to see you react to things i have heard forever because i see new things in them as well. Love it Dude! Love it!
This is about hiding behind religion and when not ...and using such for personal gain...when Our Good Lord died... there were no “Plastic Crucifixes “...this is a beautiful piece of art
What a great spiritual interpretation Daniel! I was a bit confused when the album came out regarding the lyrics, as I was about your age and unsure where Ian stood, but eventually came to the same conclusion.
Always thought this was one of the highlights from the Aqualung album. It is not subtle in its messaging for sure, though in a way it is as Christian as the stories of Jesus throwing the money men out of the temple. Very much a critique not just of organised religion, but of how it has been (though you can use past, present and future tenses for that) used as a tool to project power and personal enrichment.
I detect both a musical soul here and an analytical mind. Would it were that our youth were more like you. Keep checking out the the music suggestions from us oldies, keep an open mind, but remember the truth. Let the dead bury the dead. Life is for the living.
Ian Anderson on that classic guitar intro., not Martin Barre. Everyone who does a channel seems to walk the same path into Aqualung. For me, Benefit and Stand Up are my two favorite albums. Heavy blues, starting to find his sound and the least commercial of their early music.
I am also a Christian, meaning I have a personal relationship with Jesus, granted back when this came out I was not yet. I still love these songs! This is a remix.
Interestingly, Tony Iommi (obviously of Black Sabbath fame, since you mention more than once hearing a Sabbath feel to this song) played for about 3 months in Jethro Tull. It didn't work out, they had different ideas of the music they wanted to make (Ian wanted someone to play chordal progressions, Tony was more of a blues line noodler) but Ian and Tony have stayed friends to this day. Tony has stated that while it was not his type of way of working, Ian taught him what it took to become a successful band. Get up early, rehearse all day, put in a ton of effort and be a professional. He was blown away with Ian's rigor and dedication. So when Tony went back to Sabbath he had a new view of what they needed to do to break through. Get the rest of the band out of bed before noon, play and rehearse and hone your craft, and kick ass. And they did. It is a window in on how Ian and Tull were a big influence on many contemporary bands. They were hard-hitting, hard working, progressively thinking, lampooning social commentating bulldozers. They practically came out of nowhere, for a time they took over the scene and forced bands to step up their game. There is no other band like Jethro Tull.
I've been listening to this album since I was a teenager in the early 70's. We had some great music. A few of my favorites were Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Allman Brothers, and many others.
Saw Tull five times then. We were fans of the musicianship and composition more than any intended “message”. It was half a century ago and things were very different from now. That Anderson had an axe to grind with Christianity’s convoluted past and present, and spoke to that in his music, was obvious for better or worse. But early Tull was a refreshing new sound to us all. After Aqualung, Tull went astray with concept albums like Brick and Passion Play, which were good showpieces. But Aqualung was Tull’s opus magnum.
I heard him do an interview, not that long ago. He says he’s not anti-Christian but anti-hypocrisy. He said ,”I didn’t know what I was thinking”. Funny.
Goodness all of us boomers have to be the luckiest consumers of music ever! Such incredible talent and diversity of music we took for granted day in and day out.
Good call on the Sabbath reference. These bands were closer together at the time than they turned out to be later. Tony Iommy actually played with Tull a while before Martin Barre took over guitar. (I kinda wish Tull had stayed more Sabbath-like, and Sabbath more Tull-like!)
Tony Iommi briefly played with Black Sabbath www.guitarworld.com/artists/remember-when-black-sabbaths-tony-iommi-was-jethro-tull I think the lyrics are saying the resurrection is also part of the bending since Ian doesn't believe in it. indeflagration.fr/in-english/ian-anderson-jethro-tull-interview/ Jethro Tull's Heavy Horses album is another masterpiece. It's mostly musical pictures of different critters and their life on a farm but beautiful lyrics, musicianship and production. Unlike most art and entertainment, and even Jethro Tull songs, there is little subtext, so the music and imagery can be appreciated without irritation. Not that a little irritation isn’t bad every now and again. We greatly underestimate how music amplifies social interaction. XTC's Dear God and RogerWater's What God Wants (with Jeff Beck on guitar) are favorites of mine and I suppose they are a little provocative.
A current day Progressive Christian artist that you might want to listen to at your leisure, (not necessarilly have to analyze) is Neal Morse. Possibly my favorite of his is called "One" . Testimony is good one as well. He has a couple of concept albums that are centered around Pilgrim's Progress.
The last verse is directly aimed at the Catholic church. In fact, the original version in pre-Aqualung live performances has "Catholic" in place of "you-know-who". "Graven Image" and "all the Gods that you can count" skewers the Catholic emphasis on praying to Saints rather than directly to God.
Stephanie, great suggestion about the back album cover. I had all but forgotten about it. Also one of the draw backs of digital music and CDs is the loss of the album graphics and notes. Here's link to the image: vinyl-records.nl/J/JE/Jethro_Tull/Aqualungs/aqualung-uk2/jethro-tull-aqualung-uk.html
@@steveullrich7737 Ty much sir. I went to grade school with 2 people who had the same last name as you. Believe they were twins if I remember correctly. Think the guys name was Steve and the girls Judy. Ty again for the post
@@steveullrich7737 I am from the St. Louis area if that helps. would have been in the mid 60s to possibly early 70s. Think they moved because of dads job
I go the the vicars tea party a few days before midnight mass at the cathedral,xmas Always funny,they serve a lot of booze and everyone gets blind drunk and into the xmas spirit C of e cathedral,all denoms welcomed
Great song. An attack on organized religion. The dress up, self righteous Sunday morning crowd. For a more life affirming take on Christianity, I recommend Spock’s Beard’s album Snow. Maybe start with the opening song Made Alive/Overture or Long Time Suffering. Ps, Hunting Girl has an incredible Martin Barre guitar riff...from the album Songs from the Wood.
Neal Morse's Christian prog is stuff I can enjoy as an atheist because it's just such good art. _Sola Scriptura_ is such a jam. Spock's Beard in general doesn't get enough love, and they're so great.
Chris Check : I’m not particularly religious myself...I just enjoy the musicianship of SB. However, I am disturbed by the present attack on Christian/western values going on in America now. I feel they need defending.
@@sidecardog5244 Meh. Christianity has had almost uninterrupted hegemony over Western culture for literally 1700 years. Any loss of that hegemony will look like an "attack." But those of us who don't ascribe to what we see as an ancient mythology also find it absurd that we should be expected to live by the dicta of bronze-age codes of ethics that, to us, make absolutely no logical sense (and even to many modern religious people, who have had to change the mainstream interpretation of their holy books to adapt to changing social attitudes about things like the rights of women). Also, "western values" don't exist. I mean, they really don't. Does Western values include all of the cultural elements the Greeks and Romans took from Syrians in Asia? The transmission of African religious ideas through Egyptian trade? The use of asian philosophical ideas adapted by medieval Muslims which would influence Renaissance-era Christianity? The impact of the Kievan Rus, an Asian group, in the development of the cultures which dominated huge chunks of Europe for a few hundred years? "Western values" is a scare term used by racists to pretend they aren't being racist or tricking you into supporting their racism while still being very racist. It implies that non-European values are inferior and should be resisted, even though European values have always been influenced by outside patterns of thought and social organization. "Western Values" are Afro-Eurasian values. It's all connected.
"Cage of gold" reminded me of the description of the Ark of the Covenant, in which Aaron's staff, Moses' tablets, some manna and at some point even God resided; it contained "the glory" (shekinah in Hebrew) of God, which seems like something ethereal and impossible to keep caged up.
You ought to look into Make and The Mechanics. Mike Rutherford played guitar and bass for Genesis with Phil Collins. Mike and the Mechanics had three hit songs, all worthy of your time. Silent Running, All I Need is a Miracle, and The Living Years.
Seven years ago, I took my 12 year old son to see Ian perform as I was not sure how long he would be touring... He put out Thick as a Brick 2 and toured as Ian Anderson. What a show! I guess after seeing me play/listen to it my son had early connection with my original Thick album (the one with the actual fold out newspaper inside) as he played it frequently on his kids record player since he was six or seven and by 12 he was taking flute at school...
Even though he was the youngest at the show and it was a school night.. I figured it was the RIGHT thing to do...
He agrees.
I miss reading about local non-rabbits.
@@armadillotoe thanks for the chuckle. I bet many will not know what you mean.
I still have my original vinyl LP with the newspaper. Somebody did the connect the dots girl. But I don’t think it was me. If it was, I don’t remember it. But... There’s a lot about those days I don’t remember.
The way the whole band crashes through the wall at the beginning of the second verse is still spine-tingling all these years later. What a great piece of music. The venomous sneer in his vocals is perfect. One can picture Jesus overturning the tables of the money changers in the temple and whipping them. How often does a song capture the essence of a universal truth with such pinpoint accuracy? Great analysis of the message. For more on this subject check out the song Mission by King's X.
I love your comment!
You can't imagine how mind-blowing this was when this album came out..... or maybe you can.
My favorite Tull song.
Martin Barre, the guitarist. So so so underrated. His name never makes it on guitar player polls. When someone asks who's your favorite guitar player. You never hear anybody say Martin Barre. I mean, he's been with Tull from the beginning with the exception of their very first album. This dude knows how to play the guitar
Amen to that. I put him in that special player category along with the late Walter Becker of Steely Dan. Both are pretty understated and because they played without drawing attention away from music were almost anonymous.
Agree...but there's no question about his chops as on full display in his solo in Aqualung. Epic.
The flute solo was expanded to a 10 minute showcase in Tulls early concerts
Wasn't it grand?!? 😌
First time I’ve seen you really rock out... and it’s to a flute,
Respect!
Very 1st concert I've attended was Jethro Tull, 1976 outdoor concert. Played for 2 1/2 hours. What a performer.
Check out MINSTREL IN THE GALLERY ( studio version). Hard driving.
Saw Tull in 1974 during its Thick as a Brick tour. Still today my favorite show of all time. Great live band
Great song live where its loud and Anderson does an extended flute solo.... I can still hear the sound of his flute and Martin Barre's guitar filling Madison Square Garden back in the 70's... Too bad young people today can't experience it... There is no way to explain it.
Wish I could have seen them live.
It seemed like every other week in the 70's another 'super group' was playing MSG... We'd hop on the train into Penn Station underground and MSG was right on top of the station. Didn't have to worry about driving (The Blarney Stone pub was across the street)
@@DiconDissectionalReactions There is a live version (with slightly different lyrics), look for the Isle of Wight recording.
@@genestippell1833 Also didn't care about the weather, just exit the train and go upstairs to the concert. Coming in from the Garden State (NJ), it was perfectly legal to bring beers on the train. One of the other great parts of the Madison Square Garden (MSG) experience was after the concert ended, everyone got back on the train and the entire train became (in this case) Jethro Tull fans who had just all experienced the same show...and the party continued. I saw many a concert at MSG.
I heard about Jethro tull when I was 12 years old from my flute teacher, and after I heard their version to bourree I became a fan.
Today I am 19 and I have the privilage to see Ian in concert twice. I saw at list 3 other young people their; it's not too much for 2000 people that were in the concert but it's something.
Yes, for one single song, this was Jethro Tull's masterpiece. But it is so weird to hear it end, and not immediately hear Hymn 43 right after. I've just heard the album so many times, can't get enough of it.
Martin Barre' is a fantastic guitarist!
Sadly not mentioned as much as he deserves!! Saw Them live 1980. Great!!
A quote came to mind while watch this tonight. For what it is worth is a oversimplification of a very complex issue, Religion is for people who don't want to go to hell. Spirituality is for those people who have already been there.
I absolutely love watching you Daniel. You are spot on with Tull and Yes. So smart for such a young man. You seem like my daughter - young with an older, understanding soul.
Lyrically and musically insane. This is where Jethro Tull suddenly were leaps ahead of their contemporaries in rock. Very intellectual, indeed.
Jethro Tull were pretty much ahead of their time, but Uriah Heep were there also.... check out Lady in Black...
@@richardctaylor79 once the heap opened for JT at Madison Square Garden, no encore!
The song is amazing your reaction is spot on. It's not the kind of song to play at the family barbeque, but for pure listening and contemplating and appreciating it musically, is there a better song anywhere?
I play this song especially for my (few) religious friends.
I think you'll find "Wind Up" to be a satisfying coda to this song, and a fulfilling conclusion to the album.
The Church of England was reflected by Ian in this song as representing the antithesis of God's Word and deeper meaning.
GOD IS LOVE. right?
War, Heel strapping conquests of nations and peoples under the name of The creator,
Playing God as mere imperfect men is against the Word.
Ian was 23 when he wrote this tune.
He is a deep thinker.
Great analysis and a truly tremendous musical statement on display by Ian and the boys!
It's funny how I recognized that you are a Christian, before you even mentioned it in another video of yours. There is some Biblical truth in this LP. Your interpretation hit the nail on the head. Now, for a wild version of this tune , check out the video of My God Live at the Isle of Wight 1970. You'll love it! As an older guy who lived through this era of music, I am really enjoying your reactions.
Older guys like us not only heard that music when it was new, but hoped millions of others would too, especially the next few generations. It was hard earned and deserves to be passed down through time.
Knowing you were a Christian didn't sway my recommendation to get into Tull, especially Aqualung, as I was hoping you would interpret the lyrics the way I did (I'm pretty bold...lol).....and you did. Televangelism was taking off and I was sickened by the sham some Christianity had morphed into. My God spoke volumes to me.
Love that you are young and diving deep into Tull and getting it! One of my favorite songs. I also admire Ian for deciding early on to not get into drugs or alcohol, understanding the dangers of addiction.
A superb song with great guitar and flute playing. Of course out of this world, one might say God like vocals!
I love Jethro Tull. I saw them in concert in 1969 where they performed most of the Stand Up album, which I think is their best album. All the songs on it are amazing but especially " A New Day Yesterday", "Nothing is Easy" and "We Used to Know"
For a non Jethro Tull suggestion, I suggest the song by Traffic, "The Low Spark of High Heel Boys" amazing
Daniel. I love this. Thank you. I am 64 years old and grew up with Jethro Tull, Listened to these albums every afternoon between 1973 and 1977. I enjoy this to the extreme with you. Great work.!!!!!
I have been listening to this album since 1978. I never really paid much attention to the lyrics that much. When I bought the album I just thought the cover was super cool and I heard about the song Aqualung. Now hearing and reading all of these comments from the 20-somethings in the last couple of weeks. Has been an eye opening experience. It's almost as if I'm hearing the songs for the first time. And then comparing the music of today. If that's what you want to call it, MUSIC. I have come to the realization that this album is a masterpiece. think about this and compare cross-eyed Mary, Aqualung, my god ect... To most of the music of today.
Probably in my favorite top 20 songs of all-time from the LP "Aqualung" which was my favorite LP from 1971. This song, like "Thick as a Brick" deals with the subject of hypocrisy. Killer song.
Eagerly awaiting A Passion Play
My favorites:
"Aqualung"
"Bungle In The Jungle"
"Teacher"
"Thick As A Brick"
"Locomotive Breath"
Daniel, I saw Tull at the RI Auditorium in Providence RI on Oct. 20, 1971. They opened with "My God". The stage was dark, not a sound, then you hear those opening cords and the iris of a white hot spot slowly opens to reveal Ian Anderson dressed in a white jump suit sitting on a stool in the middle of the stage playing his acoustic. As other band members quietly join in dim spots barely light up different parts of the stage until that big Jeffrey Hammond downbeat happens and the whole stage explodes! Unreal. In all likelihood this was my favorite concert in the '70s!!
A spiritual walk in faith, is, most assuredly a personal journey. Which is the essence of this composition. Now imagine those of us who were in our teens when albums such as this, Dark Side and many more, broke. The lyrical themes are as powerful as the music itself. This remains a foundational achievement in rock. P.S. It’s October 2021, and Jethro Tull is currently on tour. A most remarkable career indeed. Bravo!
Thank you for another enjoyable video, Daniel. The excitement and joy of a youth makes me thrilled as Tull is my favourite band. As you know these are true masterpieces both musically and lyrically. Your sincere attitude and reaction to songs as you listen takes me back to my youth, when I first heard them , although happily I have never lost that excitement myself. Hope you will react to Hymn 43 and Wind Up, too. Oh, by the way, please check the web site called Cup of Wonder- the Jethro Tull Lyrics Annotated. A very respectable gentleman has done a pretty good job there over the years. Hope you will like it. Cheers.
Hi, it's Al a 64 year old Tull fan. My God is possibly the best song on Aqualung. Some points..."endless sin" is the Catholic "Original Sin" I think. You've got to listen to Wind Up. In 1972 and 73 it was the final song of their encore.
Saw this performed live. It exactly expresses how I feel. My favorite Tull song. Period. Thank you for sharing and reacting. You bring my music back from the cultural grave :)
My all-time favorite Tull song, AINEC. Listening to the hell out of this album on my dad's record player as a kid in the 70's played a huge part in me ending up playing the flute myself for a number of years.
Yup, great song! As for the meaning, I more or less agree with you with the following exceptions...
To me, making God bend to your religion encompasses ALL religions. It is, as you mention, your personal connection with whatever and whoever God is. As soon as humans try to write it down into a series of steps to 'find God', it immediately becomes dead. Words cannot describe 'the way to God', but can only limit Him.
To me God is like the story of the elephant and the blind men. Each blind man touches a different part of the elephant and tries to describe it with that limited experience. So, each blind man feels only a small part of the elephant but none can possibly conceptualize what the elephant really is.
I also think that believing there is only one way to God is limiting Him. Why couldn't God create an infinity of ways to find Him? I think each religion started with some personal truth about God but like the blind men, none really knows what God really is. I think a God of love would find ways for ALL of his children to find him otherwise why create us knowing He would have to toss many into Hell? That isn't Love to me. Just doesn't make sense...
Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary...
Love the way you find you own meaning in all these songs that you review! I think you are more insightful than your years would suggest... Keep on keeping on!
There's something ominous and wonderful in the style of his music. ❤👍
I've been looking forward to this
The reaction by the church and people's misunderstanding of the meaning of this song could be a reason that Jethro Tull has never been inducted into the RRHoF. My opinion only, but this album is by far the best of Tull.
The secret of this song is having a riff that includes the sharpened 4th (or flattened 5th if you like) creating that tritone interval. The devils interval, as it is often called. The riff to the title track of this masterpiece album uses the exact same trick - also Black Sabbath's Black Sabbath, Edvard Grieg's Hall of the Mountain King, Gustav Holtz' Mars, the Bringer of War and the theme music from Inspector Gadget, and many more, all use it. It creates a disturbing tension and gives the listener a slightly anxious feeling (but in a good way).
I’m a Christian too!!! Tull is the best band ever! Ian Anderson is a LEGEND
Might I suggest viewing Jethro Tull's performance of this song on the "Isle of Wight" video. You wont regret it.
Lean upon Him gently. My personal favorite short of a lyric.
Man, I forgot how awesome this song was!! Daniel, it was nice to see how lost you got in the song. I am a Christian as well, and I am also of the opinion that organized religion pretty much sucks. Why, because many of its "flavors" are man-made and feeds off the emotions of other Christians. "Pastors" guilting their flock into donating money while lining their own pockets or much worse. But, it is kinda expected, right? After all even the Pastors and Priests still have the sinful human condition. They are just men. "Wind Up" is the last song on this album which you will enjoy as well. It is another statement about Christian hypocrisy.
Everyone should listen to this song, it's amazing and show things that, nowadays, everybody should know.
You are so getting Tull. Glad to see this so appreciated nearly 50 years down the line. You mention the veneer of civility over the darkness. There's also a strong dose of humor throughout much of Ian's work.
Actually: you really nailed it here. This is now by far my favourite of your videos.
Great wonderful piece
It's a great album. The songs flow into one another and it really does sound like a concept album. I pretty much agree with your interpretation.
Follower here as well. Been a Tull fan for 50 years. 25 concerts.
You are correct no shots at God. Best line..."Lean upon HIM gently, don't call on HIM to save you from your social graces and the sins you used to wave"...You have wisdom and because of that the future of this country will be fine.
Wow. You just blew my mind. You just taught me a 58 year old hippy, a new shade and meaning to no other Gods before me. That. Was. Awesome! Also, its so cool to see you react to things i have heard forever because i see new things in them as well. Love it Dude! Love it!
This is about hiding behind religion and when not ...and using such for personal gain...when Our Good Lord died... there were no “Plastic Crucifixes “...this is a beautiful piece of art
What a great spiritual interpretation Daniel! I was a bit confused when the album came out regarding the lyrics, as I was about your age and unsure where Ian stood, but eventually came to the same conclusion.
Always thought this was one of the highlights from the Aqualung album. It is not subtle in its messaging for sure, though in a way it is as Christian as the stories of Jesus throwing the money men out of the temple. Very much a critique not just of organised religion, but of how it has been (though you can use past, present and future tenses for that) used as a tool to project power and personal enrichment.
I detect both a musical soul here and an analytical mind. Would it were that our youth were more like you. Keep checking out the the music suggestions from us oldies, keep an open mind, but remember the truth. Let the dead bury the dead. Life is for the living.
Wow... for one who is so young... you are very inciteful... God bless you
One of, if not their best.
PREACH Ian!
Ian Anderson, best flautist in rock and weird but cool stage presence. Awesome song and reactions.
Ian Anderson on that classic guitar intro., not Martin Barre. Everyone who does a channel seems to walk the same path into Aqualung. For me, Benefit and Stand Up are my two favorite albums. Heavy blues, starting to find his sound and the least commercial of their early music.
He'll be going back to the early stuff after he finishes Aqualung.
@@fordp69 most do not who do this first listen thing.
@@michaelbochnia5686 I understand, but he has already said so, and I believe him.
@@fordp69 Yes. He's really enjoyed all of the Tull that he's done so far. I expect he'll want to continue to explore a number of the other albums.
I was a teenager when this song came out...I didn't go to church after that!
Dude, your analyses in these videos is great! I had a hs English teacher who would have us analyze song lyrics like this...awesome!
I am also a Christian, meaning I have a personal relationship with Jesus, granted back when this came out I was not yet. I still love these songs! This is a remix.
Interestingly, Tony Iommi (obviously of Black Sabbath fame, since you mention more than once hearing a Sabbath feel to this song) played for about 3 months in Jethro Tull. It didn't work out, they had different ideas of the music they wanted to make (Ian wanted someone to play chordal progressions, Tony was more of a blues line noodler) but Ian and Tony have stayed friends to this day. Tony has stated that while it was not his type of way of working, Ian taught him what it took to become a successful band. Get up early, rehearse all day, put in a ton of effort and be a professional. He was blown away with Ian's rigor and dedication. So when Tony went back to Sabbath he had a new view of what they needed to do to break through. Get the rest of the band out of bed before noon, play and rehearse and hone your craft, and kick ass. And they did. It is a window in on how Ian and Tull were a big influence on many contemporary bands. They were hard-hitting, hard working, progressively thinking, lampooning social commentating bulldozers. They practically came out of nowhere, for a time they took over the scene and forced bands to step up their game. There is no other band like Jethro Tull.
Quite a journey, this album.
I've been listening to this album since I was a teenager in the early 70's. We had some great music. A few of my favorites were Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Allman Brothers, and many others.
My favorite track on this masterpiece of an album.
Great message about the hypocrisy of religion. 👍❤
You need to see Live at the Isle of Wight 1970 version of this song 🔥🔥🔥
When he says you locked him in your golden cage I think he’s referring to the tabernacle behind the altar where the blessed sacrament is kept
It was a great time for great music 💖
Favourite cut from this album
Thats Ian on accoustic guitat too
DANIEL, YOU MUST WATCH THIS LIVE AT ISLE OF WHITE!! IAN WILL BLOW YOUR MIND!!!
Great analysis of a great song👍
Tull at their best. Genius.
Saw Tull five times then. We were fans of the musicianship and composition more than any intended “message”. It was half a century ago and things were very different from now. That Anderson had an axe to grind with Christianity’s convoluted past and present, and spoke to that in his music, was obvious for better or worse. But early Tull was a refreshing new sound to us all. After Aqualung, Tull went astray with concept albums like Brick and Passion Play, which were good showpieces. But Aqualung was Tull’s opus magnum.
Aqualung, Who's Next and Dark Side of the Moon was my world back in 1974!
I heard him do an interview, not that long ago. He says he’s not anti-Christian but anti-hypocrisy. He said ,”I didn’t know what I was thinking”. Funny.
Goodness all of us boomers have to be the luckiest consumers of music ever! Such incredible talent and diversity of music we took for granted day in and day out.
Being old is a small price to pay for being young during the most inventive age of music.
Good one, shareing
Good call on the Sabbath reference. These bands were closer together at the time than they turned out to be later. Tony Iommy actually played with Tull a while before Martin Barre took over guitar.
(I kinda wish Tull had stayed more Sabbath-like, and Sabbath more Tull-like!)
The bloody Church of England / In chains of history
Requests your earthly presence / At the vicarage for tea.
Oh, it says earthly? I always thought it said "requests your ugly presence"
Original lyric, the Jewish Christian Muslim is waiting to be free
Tony Iommi briefly played with Black Sabbath
www.guitarworld.com/artists/remember-when-black-sabbaths-tony-iommi-was-jethro-tull
I think the lyrics are saying the resurrection is also part of the bending since Ian doesn't believe in it.
indeflagration.fr/in-english/ian-anderson-jethro-tull-interview/
Jethro Tull's Heavy Horses album is another masterpiece. It's mostly musical pictures of different critters and their life on a farm but beautiful lyrics, musicianship and production. Unlike most art and entertainment, and even Jethro Tull songs, there is little subtext, so the music and imagery can be appreciated without irritation. Not that a little irritation isn’t bad every now and again. We greatly underestimate how music amplifies social interaction.
XTC's Dear God and RogerWater's What God Wants (with Jeff Beck on guitar) are favorites of mine and I suppose they are a little provocative.
The next song on the album, "Hymn 43" - even better!!!!
Opinion.
@@michaelbochnia5686 Yes, it's an Opinion, but I rather agree.
I always liked minstrel in the gallery... Text couple minutes to get to the badass part
Well it is another excellent one, along with Wind Up, but not better than My God me thinks. Maybe as good...
A current day Progressive Christian artist that you might want to listen to at your leisure, (not necessarilly have to analyze) is Neal Morse. Possibly my favorite of his is called "One" . Testimony is good one as well. He has a couple of concept albums that are centered around Pilgrim's Progress.
The last verse is directly aimed at the Catholic church. In fact, the original version in pre-Aqualung live performances has "Catholic" in place of "you-know-who". "Graven Image" and "all the Gods that you can count" skewers the Catholic emphasis on praying to Saints rather than directly to God.
I think you nailed it Daniel. Find the back album cover and read it especially the part about how man created God.
Stephanie, great suggestion about the back album cover. I had all but forgotten about it. Also one of the draw backs of digital music and CDs is the loss of the album graphics and notes. Here's link to the image: vinyl-records.nl/J/JE/Jethro_Tull/Aqualungs/aqualung-uk2/jethro-tull-aqualung-uk.html
@@steveullrich7737 Ty much sir. I went to grade school with 2 people who had the same last name as you. Believe they were twins if I remember correctly. Think the guys name was Steve and the girls Judy. Ty again for the post
@@stephaniethurmer5370 You're welcome. Your schoolmates might be long lost cousins of mine.
@@steveullrich7737 I am from the St. Louis area if that helps. would have been in the mid 60s to possibly early 70s. Think they moved because of dads job
Interesting that you mentioned that this song reminds you of Black Sabbath. Tony Iommi played briefly with Tull before Sabbath took off.
I go the the vicars tea party a few days before midnight mass at the cathedral,xmas
Always funny,they serve a lot of booze and everyone gets blind drunk and into the xmas spirit
C of e cathedral,all denoms welcomed
tony iommi from black sabbath was in jethro tull, early days
Paul in the epistles actually refers to others preaching of a different Jesus.
Great song. An attack on organized religion. The dress up, self righteous Sunday morning crowd. For a more life affirming take on Christianity, I recommend Spock’s Beard’s album Snow. Maybe start with the opening song Made Alive/Overture or Long Time Suffering.
Ps, Hunting Girl has an incredible Martin Barre guitar riff...from the album Songs from the Wood.
Neal Morse's Christian prog is stuff I can enjoy as an atheist because it's just such good art. _Sola Scriptura_ is such a jam.
Spock's Beard in general doesn't get enough love, and they're so great.
Chris Check : I’m not particularly religious myself...I just enjoy the musicianship of SB. However, I am disturbed by the present attack on Christian/western values going on in America now. I feel they need defending.
@@sidecardog5244 Meh. Christianity has had almost uninterrupted hegemony over Western culture for literally 1700 years. Any loss of that hegemony will look like an "attack."
But those of us who don't ascribe to what we see as an ancient mythology also find it absurd that we should be expected to live by the dicta of bronze-age codes of ethics that, to us, make absolutely no logical sense (and even to many modern religious people, who have had to change the mainstream interpretation of their holy books to adapt to changing social attitudes about things like the rights of women).
Also, "western values" don't exist. I mean, they really don't. Does Western values include all of the cultural elements the Greeks and Romans took from Syrians in Asia? The transmission of African religious ideas through Egyptian trade? The use of asian philosophical ideas adapted by medieval Muslims which would influence Renaissance-era Christianity? The impact of the Kievan Rus, an Asian group, in the development of the cultures which dominated huge chunks of Europe for a few hundred years?
"Western values" is a scare term used by racists to pretend they aren't being racist or tricking you into supporting their racism while still being very racist. It implies that non-European values are inferior and should be resisted, even though European values have always been influenced by outside patterns of thought and social organization. "Western Values" are Afro-Eurasian values. It's all connected.
"Cage of gold" reminded me of the description of the Ark of the Covenant, in which Aaron's staff, Moses' tablets, some manna and at some point even God resided; it contained "the glory" (shekinah in Hebrew) of God, which seems like something ethereal and impossible to keep caged up.
Black Sabbath was a few years away yet.
Enjoyed your post game breakdown there, sincerely.
I would say a good grip on what it comes down to
SO THAT'S KINDA FUNNY DAN CAUSE TONY IOMMI PLAYED WITH TULL IN 68 SO!:) GOOD RECOGNITION ON THAT SABBATH SOUND
I hope you get to another great song from Tull about society called “Part of the Machine”! You’ll really like it’s great music also!
And that kids, that's how you gotta listen to rock. PERIOD. Headphones, no video, listen closely and let yourself go...
Try Jethro Tull's "Cup of Wonder", "Roots to Branches" and/or "A Witches Promise" live in 1970. An experience you won't soon forget..
You ought to look into Make and The Mechanics. Mike Rutherford played guitar and bass for Genesis with Phil Collins. Mike and the Mechanics had three hit songs, all worthy of your time. Silent Running, All I Need is a Miracle, and The Living Years.
I love In The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics