Aqualung
Since my inspiration for blogging seems to be caught up and bogged down in all the crazy thoughts that moving and setting up house brings to me – I guess I should get back to basics and explore some music that moves me.
What is better than that?
Music rocks my world – literally and figuratively.
This morning I was listening to a little Jethro Tull. A fav from way, way back.
I was listening to “Aqualung”, which is obviously (to me at least!) their best work – but it’s more than that – it’s a seminal piece of music which is alive with deep meaning and more food for pondering life than most.
It was released in 1971 but I didn’t come to it until age 14, which was when “Bungle in the Jungle” was playing in heavy rotation on the radio. I bought the album “War Child” and was so impressed, I went backwards in their catalog and got “Aqualung” and “Thick as a Brick” in quick succession.
Aqualung spoke to me. It was a “theme” album, almost. Not quite a cohesive theme but there were so many songs about man trying to make God fit into our box. And at that age, that spoke to me so very loudly because my bible-belt experience with religion was not very fulfilling.
It seemed to me that everything that had to do with organized religion was phony and so very self-serving.
And all of that is still going on, but my interpretation of it has changed so very much. Life has a way of doing that for you (and too you!)
“Aqualung” – “Cross Eyed Mary” – “Up to Me” and “Locomotive Breath” are great social commentaries and AOR rockers. Must say that the flute “solo” work in “Locomotive Breath" still makes me tingle at the hairline.
“Wind Up” is an indictment of the Anglican Educational System and what all “religious” education does to the faith inherent in all of us.
“Wondering Aloud” and “Slipstream” are very, very cool little acoustical ditties that take me to a happy place of memories of people no longer with us.
“Mother Goose” is apparently about nothing more than nursery rhymes or at least how Ian Anderson saw them in relation to a walk he took one day. The best kind of songwriting, in my humble opinion. Kind of like “A Day In The Life” which John Lennon wrote while reading the front page of the London Times one day.
“My God” and “Hymn 43” are full of rage at something related to God. Not sure what, but I will say that “Hymn 43” is one of my favorite all time songs.
Not sure what makes a favorite all time song but I was discussing this concept with a good friend of mine Sunday while we were driving to the House of Blues to see Shelby Lynn perform her new album of Dusty Springfield covers. We both agreed that our lists change often.
And if you aren’t familiar with Hymn 43 – I would encourage you to listen to it and see what you think.
If the line “If Jesus saves, then he’d better save himself - from the gory glory seekers who use his name in death” doesn’t grab you, then you’re just not living right!
Anyway, there is not a song on this album that I don’t like and I consider it to be a “classic”
Here are the lyrics to “Wind Up” – which for today, is my favorite on this album. But that may change by this afternoon.
When I was young and they packed me off to school
And taught me how not to play the game
I didn’t mind if they groomed me for success
Or if they said that I was just a fool
So I left there in the morning
With their god tucked underneath my arm
Their half-assed smiles and their book of rules
And I asked this God a question
And by way of firm reply
He said, “I’m not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays”
So to my old headmaster and to anyone that cares
Before I’m through – I’d like to say my prayers:
I don’t believe you
You had the whole damn thing all wrong
He’s NOT the kind you have to wind up on Sundays
Well you can excommunicate me on my way to Sunday School
And have all the bishops harmonize these lines…………
How do you dare to tell me that I’m my father’s son
When that was just an accident of birth
I’d rather look around me – compose a better song
Cause that’s the honest measure of my worth
In your pomp and all your glory
You’re a poorer man than me
As you lick the boots of death – born out of fear
I don’t believe you
You had the whole damn thing all wrong
He’s not the kind you have to wind up on Sunday’s
And it’s true, so very true that he’s not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays………..
Peace
What is better than that?
Music rocks my world – literally and figuratively.
This morning I was listening to a little Jethro Tull. A fav from way, way back.
I was listening to “Aqualung”, which is obviously (to me at least!) their best work – but it’s more than that – it’s a seminal piece of music which is alive with deep meaning and more food for pondering life than most.
It was released in 1971 but I didn’t come to it until age 14, which was when “Bungle in the Jungle” was playing in heavy rotation on the radio. I bought the album “War Child” and was so impressed, I went backwards in their catalog and got “Aqualung” and “Thick as a Brick” in quick succession.
Aqualung spoke to me. It was a “theme” album, almost. Not quite a cohesive theme but there were so many songs about man trying to make God fit into our box. And at that age, that spoke to me so very loudly because my bible-belt experience with religion was not very fulfilling.
It seemed to me that everything that had to do with organized religion was phony and so very self-serving.
And all of that is still going on, but my interpretation of it has changed so very much. Life has a way of doing that for you (and too you!)
“Aqualung” – “Cross Eyed Mary” – “Up to Me” and “Locomotive Breath” are great social commentaries and AOR rockers. Must say that the flute “solo” work in “Locomotive Breath" still makes me tingle at the hairline.
“Wind Up” is an indictment of the Anglican Educational System and what all “religious” education does to the faith inherent in all of us.
“Wondering Aloud” and “Slipstream” are very, very cool little acoustical ditties that take me to a happy place of memories of people no longer with us.
“Mother Goose” is apparently about nothing more than nursery rhymes or at least how Ian Anderson saw them in relation to a walk he took one day. The best kind of songwriting, in my humble opinion. Kind of like “A Day In The Life” which John Lennon wrote while reading the front page of the London Times one day.
“My God” and “Hymn 43” are full of rage at something related to God. Not sure what, but I will say that “Hymn 43” is one of my favorite all time songs.
Not sure what makes a favorite all time song but I was discussing this concept with a good friend of mine Sunday while we were driving to the House of Blues to see Shelby Lynn perform her new album of Dusty Springfield covers. We both agreed that our lists change often.
And if you aren’t familiar with Hymn 43 – I would encourage you to listen to it and see what you think.
If the line “If Jesus saves, then he’d better save himself - from the gory glory seekers who use his name in death” doesn’t grab you, then you’re just not living right!
Anyway, there is not a song on this album that I don’t like and I consider it to be a “classic”
Here are the lyrics to “Wind Up” – which for today, is my favorite on this album. But that may change by this afternoon.
When I was young and they packed me off to school
And taught me how not to play the game
I didn’t mind if they groomed me for success
Or if they said that I was just a fool
So I left there in the morning
With their god tucked underneath my arm
Their half-assed smiles and their book of rules
And I asked this God a question
And by way of firm reply
He said, “I’m not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays”
So to my old headmaster and to anyone that cares
Before I’m through – I’d like to say my prayers:
I don’t believe you
You had the whole damn thing all wrong
He’s NOT the kind you have to wind up on Sundays
Well you can excommunicate me on my way to Sunday School
And have all the bishops harmonize these lines…………
How do you dare to tell me that I’m my father’s son
When that was just an accident of birth
I’d rather look around me – compose a better song
Cause that’s the honest measure of my worth
In your pomp and all your glory
You’re a poorer man than me
As you lick the boots of death – born out of fear
I don’t believe you
You had the whole damn thing all wrong
He’s not the kind you have to wind up on Sunday’s
And it’s true, so very true that he’s not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays………..
Peace
posted by KK at 9:21 AM
2 Comments:
For your sake, I am glad that Jethro Tull was there when you needed it.
For me, Oh Brother Where Art Thou is the spiritual movie favorite of mine.
As Delmar would say "Well that's it, boys. I've been redeemed. The preacher's done warshed away all my sins and transgressions. It's the straight and narrow from here on out, and heaven everlasting's my reward."
Poor Pete - "Well, if it is Pete, I am ashamed of him! Way I see it, he got what he deserved, fornicating with some whore of Babylon. These things don't happen for no reason, Delmar. It's obviously some kinda judgment on his character."
Tommy - "What'd the devil give you for your soul, Tommy? Tommy Johnson: Well, he taught me to play this here guitar real good.
Delmar O'Donnell: Oh son, for that you sold your everlasting soul?
Tommy Johnson: Well, I wasn't usin' it."
Everett - "Well, ain't it a small world, spiritually speaking. Pete and Delmar just been baptized and saved. I guess I'm the only one that remains unaffiliated."
hmmmmm . . . 1971 was a very good year. The year I was born.
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