| Yes – And You And I Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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It doesn't mean anything. The words were chosen because they felt good to sing and hear. |
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| Jethro Tull – Big Dipper Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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We're in Blackpool, again (c.f. "Up The Pool"). This is the traditional image from the point of view of a young man visiting for thrills and sex. The "Big Dipper" is a the name of a roller-coaster ride at Blackpool (and some other places). But in this song, the phrase also takes on a sexual meaning. |
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| Jethro Tull – Up the 'Pool Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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Blackpool was Ian Anderson's childhood home. It is also a seaside resort as described in the song, but Londoners would not normally visit it. In the song, Anderson is on a journey from his base in London ("the Smoke") to visit his mother and describing Blackpool as he expects to find it. Candyfloss = cotton candy. The Iron Tower is the famous Blackpool Tower, which was inspired by the Eiffel Tower. The Golden Mile is a stretch of the promenade (sea-front road) with entertainment establishments covered in colorful flashing lights. Blackpool is frequently a venue for political conferences. I take Edward Bear to refer to Edward Heath, the then Prime Minister, but it might just mean the politicians are blaming anyone but themselves. Anyway, it rhymes. |
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| Jethro Tull – Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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I like the way this song has it both ways. It is a sad song about nostalgia and the way we see times and other people change combined with a classic "death ballad". But it also contains an up-beat shift in attitude: "Your'e NEVER too old to rock and roll" and you find out in the next song on the album, Pied Piper, that it wasn't a death ballad either. I particularly like these lines that express the protagonist's point of view: "all of his mates are doing time: married with three kids". |
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| Jethro Tull – Aqualung Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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To clarify some of the speculation (but why should you believe me?)... The song is indeed a description of a tramp (bum). It was inspired by a photographic project made by Jenny Anderson when she was a student, for which she photographed homeless people. The captions she wrote for the photographs appear in the lyrics, hence the writing credit. The phrase "deep-sea diver's sounds" explains why the character was called Aqualung, a brand of underwater breathing apparatus. From www.j-tull.com: 'Anderson did not know that "Aqualung" was a trademark and not a generic phrase (the issue was settled quite amicably).' A dog-end is a cigarette butt. "...goes down to the bog to warm his feet" bog = toilet (UK)/ restroom (US) It used to be quite common in UK for "public conveniences" (restrooms) to be located underground. Incidentally, they weren't noted for being warm. I don't think Ian Anderson conciously intended any more meaning beyond a description of a tramp suffering from cold, hunger, disease, premature old-age and a disturbed mind. |
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