#169 on 2007’s “List of 200 Definitive Albums in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” “Aqualung” was released in 1971. It is the first album I ever heard of theirs. I came to it from a criminal boyfriend I had at the time that broke into cars and stole their 8-track players and anything else that looked like he could pawn for $$. He gave me a stack of 8-track tapes, including this one. Isn’t it funny the many ways that music comes to us? The relationship didn’t last long, but long enough to introduce me to Jethro Tull. Thanks, Ed, hope you made it to heaven.
There are no duds on this, their breakthrough album. It’s introspective, examining big issues.
from wiki:
Aqualung is the fourth studio album by the English rock band Jethro Tull. Though it is generally regarded as a concept album, featuring a central theme of “the distinction between religion and God”, the band said that there was no intention to make a concept album, and that only a few songs have a unifying theme. Aqualung’s success signaled a turning point in the career of the band, which went on to become a major radio and touring act. Aqualung is Jethro Tull’s best-selling album, selling more than seven million units worldwide.There are several releases of the album. The original vinyl in 1971, CD in 1996, an Aqualung Live in 2005, 40th anniversary special edition in 2011, and a 40th anniversary adapted edition: Remixed and mastered by Steven Wilson in 2016.
The album utilizes more acoustic material than previous releases; and—inspired by photographs of homeless people on the Thames Embankment taken by singer Ian Anderson’s wife Jennie Franks—contains a number of recurring themes, addressing religion along with Anderson’s own personal experiences.
Personnel
Ian Anderson – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, flute, production
Martin Barre – electric guitar, descant recorder
Jeffrey Hammond (as “Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond”) – bass guitar, alto recorder, odd voices; backing vocals on “Mother Goose”
John Evan – piano, organ, Mellotron
Clive Bunker – drums and percussion
Additional personnel
Glenn Cornick – bass guitar (played with the band at rehearsals for the album in June 1970, some of which may also have been recording sessions – particularly early versions of “My God” and “Wondring Again/Wondring Aloud” – although he is not credited on the album)
John Burns – recording engineer
Dee Palmer – orchestral arrangements and conducting
Burton Silverman – album artwork
Terry Ellis – producer
Looking through the track listings, “Wond’ring Aloud” acts as respite between some of the harder tunes, considering the themes running through the album, e.g. God, Death, Homelessness, Poverty, and Mental Health Issues. Love is “shelter from the storm” of living. The melody and how Ian sings it, with such wistfulness, makes me tear up every time.
This is the version I’m used to:
While searching YouTube, I found the souped-up — and excellent audio quality — Steve Wilson extended version:
And… just because I can:
Wond’ring Aloud
Wond'ring aloud --
how we feel today.
Last night sipped the sunset --
my hands in her hair.
We are our own saviours
as we start both our hearts beating life
into each other.
Wond'ring aloud --
will the years treat us well.
As she floats in the kitchen,
I'm tasting the smell
of toast as the butter runs.
Then she comes, spilling crumbs on the bed
and I shake my head.
And it's only the giving
that makes you what you are.
Written by: Ian Anderson
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. Jim says:
This week the theme is to find a song from an album credited by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as being on their list of the 200 definitive albums.
Tao Talk 
This is a really great love song which I have not listened to for a long time, and it just improves with age. Thanks for selecting this gem, Lisa. I know this song is not about Jesus, but that line, “We are our own saviors” makes it the perfect Easter song.
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Jim, I’m glad you appreciate its beauty. And yes, I guess that does qualify it as an Easter song :)
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An eye opener for those only familiar with the Aqualung persona of the greasy raincoat or the medieval court jester in tights and codpiece. Jethro Tull’s influences were pretty diverse. (Oh, can I still use that word now without risking deportation?) And thanks for the string quartet version, since my son has played in quartets.
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Yes, it’s unfortunate that the ones that got/get airplay are not representative of their catalog of songs. JT are a group I probably listen to more than any other cumulatively. I wonder if there is an album of this quartet music out there. Here’s another one that I absolutely adore:
Cool on your son in a quartet. My son used to play in them also in high school (violin.)
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Great track, great album
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Indeed, Glyn <3
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OMG!!! I almost chose this album too! I love this album and Jethro Tull’s music!!! Wondring aloud is such a sweet song. It gives me chills everytime I listen to it. Their music reminds me always of medieval minstrel tunes…
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Very cool you are also a Tull fan, Marina. I agree on the medieval flavor. Have you heard Songs from the Woods? I’m late to it but I play it a lot now that I have heard it. Very woodsy and transporting.
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Yes, I like that one too. Hunting Girl is my favorite, and Velvet Green too. Ian Andersone is great!
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:) <3
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My favorite Tull album. This takes me back to cruising with my older aunt and her boyfriend in Minneapolis. I was 11 they were 18 and treated me like I was an adult. The coolest of times…..
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Priceless memory, Violet.
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You are right about the wistfulness. Great selection. (K)
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Thanks, K <3
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Excellent choice, Lisa …. the mother of all Tull albums.
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:)
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This is excellent Lisa! It’s been a while since I heard it. Always great to hear them. Last year I listened to this album a lot.
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Glad you like it, Max. It’s a masterpiece.
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One of my favourite songs, Li!
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Punam, that pleases me to know. It’s a beaut isn’t it.
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It sure is, Li. 💗
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Wonderful choice, Lisa. This was the only album I had of theirs. I haven’t heard this song in a dog’s age!
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Dale, anyone who is a fan of Tull is a friend of mine. There is a spirit to their music that refreshes me.
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That’s a great way to out it. There is!
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Lovely song choice, Lisa. ‘Aqualung’ is an album I haven’t heard in decades. The string quartet was a nice touch. And Steven Wilson, wow, with his solo work, plus Porcupine Tree, and all the remix work he’s doing on others’ albums, he’s one busy fellow!
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Steve, it’s funny, but the only context I know Steven in is as the one doing remixes on JT. Sounds’ like there is a lot more to him. Have you done any write-ups on him?
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Yes, indeed, there is more… he’s quite amazing. He formed the band Porcupine Tree, and I’ve written on two songs by them. “Trains” is the most recent and links back to another song by them: https://songoftheday.ca/2025/01/15/trains/
I also mentioned him in my post on the English space rock band Hawkwind’s “Spirit of the Age” (1977) as he recently remixed the album as part of a box set. That should come up in search on my site; I don’t want to embed too many links here as the spam filter sometimes kicks that, depending on a site’s settings.
His Wikipedia page is also worth a look. Quite an accomplished artist.
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Thanks so much, Steve! I’m on it! They are “bookmarked” in spotify and will be listening next time I’m playing online videogames :)
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Nice!
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Cool song and a cool artist Li I loved this song choice!
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:)
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