[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Jethro Tull — To Cry You a Song
Album: Benefit
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 761









Released: 1970
Length: 6:04
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Flying so high, trying to remember
how many cigarettes did I bring along?
When I get down I'll jump in a taxi cab
driving through London town
to cry you a song.
It's been a long time --
still shaking my wings.
Well, I'm a glad bird
I got changes to ring.
Closing my dream inside its paper-bag.
Thought I saw angels
but I could have been wrong.
Search in my case,
can't find what they're looking for.
Waving me through
to cry you a song.
It's been a long time --
still shaking my wings.
Well I'm a glad bird
I got changes to ring.
Lights in the street,
peeping through curtains drawn.
Rattling of safety chain taking too long.
The smile in your eyes was never so sweet before --
Came down from the skies
to cry you a song.
Comments (157)add comment
GREAT TUNE!!  My favorite Jethro Tull album.  Thanx RP!   
 moodfood wrote:
 OUTSTANDING — in their field..{#Mrgreen}

 
Just like the cows!  ;-)
 OUTSTANDING — in their field..{#Mrgreen}
 zurcronium wrote:
You don't get this song and you just do not get R&R Try the polka stuff. 

 
Hear! Hear!
You don't get this song and you just do not get R&R Try the polka stuff. 
Enough Jethro Tull already. Must have had their entire back catalogue recently. Can't stand the band. Thank the website designer there's a PSD button.
 AhhtheMusic wrote:

I did when I heard the very first line:  Flying so high, trying to remember how many cigarettes did I bring along?

This is so bad it is making me laugh!  {#Roflol} 

 
"I'm a blackbird. I've got changes to ring."
πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΎπŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸΏπŸ‘πŸΏ 
{#War}
 boatbyrd wrote:
I keep expecting to hear some Frank Zappa style lyrics when I hear that riff, only to be disappointed.
 
I did when I heard the very first line:  Flying so high, trying to remember how many cigarettes did I bring along?

This is so bad it is making me laugh!  {#Roflol} 
 buddy wrote:

A friend of mine has a sign that reads....."I may be old, but I got to see all the cool bands!" 

 
{#Cool}
Another gem arrived via PSD.
 rabbi_phil wrote:

Don't despair my brutha. join us at Zappa.com>Zappa radio  for all things music and Zappa.   Amneezra Kadabra and goodnight.

 
I'm on my way. Not far from the Parish of St. Alfonzo. Sim-sala-bin.
 anotherlistener wrote:
Tull still rocks!  Great stuff!  And here's another request for Allman Bro's. "Blue Sky".
 
It was played about an hour ago !
 fatcatjb wrote:
this was my first Jethro Tull song...and I'll never forget it. 12 years old and very impressed with such an interesting sound
 
 
Same here, about maybe 15.  Classic, old school, back in the day.....whatever, still awesome!

A friend of mine has a sign that reads....."I may be old, but I got to see all the cool bands!"  JT was one of my first 2-3 concerts, Aqualung tour.


this was my first Jethro Tull song...and I'll never forget it. 12 years old and very impressed with such an interesting sound
 
FRANK!!.........sh****t.......caught me off guard again
Just bought the Aqualung (40th Anniversary Special Edition), out a couple days ago.  Completely remastered from the original multi track master.  The instruments just stand out way more then I remember.  AWESOME!

https://musictap.net/2011/11/08/review-jethro-tull-aqualung-40th-anniversary-special-edition/

Jethro Tull Aqualung (40th Anniversary Special Edition)

 
 NicJohn wrote:
Love this song and album!  Great memories of high school years.
 

Same here.. I had the  8track..
9 from me.

Love it. 
 bam23 wrote:
I come neither to diss nor praise Jethro Tull. However, much as I really liked some of their work in their best period, not everything stands the test of time. I recently checked a Best of CD out of the local library. When I listened, it was hard to understand what was best about any of it. It was plodding and supremely uninspired. When I checked the actual CD, it was another Jethro Tull album I had never heard, or heard of, erroneously placed in the wrong case. And was it ever turgid! The interplay between guitar and bass noted by another poster here was not evident. However, they were churning through the notes with a steady trudge. Some bands really have creative peaks and deep troughs. This particular piece is one from their high period.
 
Sure reads like a diss to me.
 NicJohn wrote:
Love this song and album!  Great memories of high school years.
 

This has not aged well...
Love this song and album!  Great memories of high school years.
 boatbyrd wrote:
I keep expecting to hear some Frank Zappa style lyrics when I hear that riff, only to be disappointed.
 
Don't despair my brutha. join us at Zappa.com>Zappa radio  for all things music and Zappa.   Amneezra Kadabra and goodnight.

I keep expecting to hear some Frank Zappa style lyrics when I hear that riff, only to be disappointed.
Albums "Songs from the woods" and "Heavy horses" are definitely worth listening!
I haven't heard this song on the radio since 1971!
I come neither to diss nor praise Jethro Tull. However, much as I really liked some of their work in their best period, not everything stands the test of time. I recently checked a Best of CD out of the local library. When I listened, it was hard to understand what was best about any of it. It was plodding and supremely uninspired. When I checked the actual CD, it was another Jethro Tull album I had never heard, or heard of, erroneously placed in the wrong case. And was it ever turgid! The interplay between guitar and bass noted by another poster here was not evident. However, they were churning through the notes with a steady trudge. Some bands really have creative peaks and deep troughs. This particular piece is one from their high period.
Love it - saw them live in the early 70's {#Music}
 ubastard wrote:
I saw this dude live many moons ago. Good evening but his manic flute playing got a bit much.
 

  Well, look at it this way, Anderson could have played "cow bell" ....("manically"){#Propeller}
I saw this dude live many moons ago. Good evening but his manic flute playing got a bit much.{#Propeller}
 felix_the_man wrote:


This rocks !! But to each their own.  The musicianship in this is fantastic.  I learned to play the bass listening to Glenn Cornick !!

 
You had an excellent mentor! {#High-five}  Cornick is one of my alltime favourite bassists.  I really liked the way he and Martin Barre played counterpoint off each other.

Haven't heard this in years!

Love the production values!  -lol-

 

One of my favourite bands in the day and I still love to hear JT.

 

BTW, does anybody know if Ian Anderson is still farming Atlantic salmon?


 Papernapkin wrote:
This really sucks. I turn off RP whenever JT is played. It's the second worse music ever.

 

This rocks !! But to each their own.  The musicianship in this is fantastic.  I learned to play the bass listening to Glenn Cornick !!

 romeotuma wrote:
O.K. Romeotuma,.... who do you have in that hotel room with you?
 


{#Notworthy} {#Notworthy}  {#Notworthy}  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Bill (Becky?) for the great segue from Pearl Jam's Black to this, one of my favourite songs off of possibly my favourite Tull album.

Timely played Bill,thanks !
Tull still rocks!  Great stuff!  And here's another request for Allman Bro's. "Blue Sky".
 philinnz wrote:
unmistakable - JT from the moment it started
 

I fyou mean tired, and very dated...I completely agree with you!


unmistakable - JT from the moment it started
Oh HELL yeah. Benefit is my favorite Tull album, and this is one of my favorite songs from it.
Better than taking it up here.  Move along.

 Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
strong aversion to JT.
have to take it up with my therapist.
 


 Jungle_Jim wrote:
Great drumming - is it Barrimore Barlow?

 
That noted engineer, and dog boarder, Clive Bunker..... {#Drummer}

 Papernapkin wrote:
This really sucks. I turn off RP whenever JT is played. It's the second worse music ever.

 

Hey sweething, do you really think ANYONE (besides a close circle of friends) really care what you or I or anyone on here thinks? But, especially YOU! plus this shit Rocks!!! shoulda seen them tearing up the Garden!!! {#Devil_pimp}
strong aversion to JT.
have to take it up with my therapist.


I LOVE IT

arrrgggghhhhh
 Papernapkin wrote:
This really sucks. I turn off RP whenever JT is played. It's the second worse music ever.

 
see ya later then ... 

   

This really sucks. I turn off RP whenever JT is played. It's the second worse music ever.

What a pity this was on air just before I started listening!
 fourwindsbar wrote:
Dude- when this came out radio was making us listen to "Close To You" by the Carpenters- get a freaking clue, please. Tull stretched so many boundaries- sublime!
 
Ah well, that's really sweet of them, a little stretching is always welcome, especially after a nice nap on the couch. Still like the Carpenters better, though. I'm a harmonies guy.

Great drumming - is it Barrimore Barlow?

This is great, although it does sort of remind me of cheech & chong....

da da da     da da da      Da Da Da!

I'm laughing! Thanks RP!

{#Dance}
 sirrus wrote:


If so, then we're all dead. (Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata circa 1801 is ranked #1 on RP)
 

Dead, or immortal? Hmmmmmmmmm mwah ah ah ahhhhh


Woop!!! First CD I ever owned. Woulda had it on vinyl too but that never happened. Tull is always great, and thank GOD this isn't commercial radio 'cuz he'd have been FORCED to play Locomotive Breath, hurk.



Digitally Remastered With Bonus Tracks —-Aren't we all?/ Good stuff Bill —-
I don't care what you say, this is just rocks! Thanks for the replay!
fucking genius.   JTFTW.
 sirrus wrote:


If so, then we're all dead. (Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata circa 1801 is ranked #1 on RP)
 
ROFL!! Thanks for the laugh! {#Roflol}{#Roflol}{#Roflol}
Papernapkin wrote:
You've got to be kidding. SpinalTap does better.
the Tap had dancing dwarves. I'll give you that!
JohnBauer wrote:
Wretched noise.
Dude- when this came out radio was making us listen to "Close To You" by the Carpenters- get a freaking clue, please. Tull stretched so many boundaries- sublime!
thewiseking wrote:
one of rock's great anthems, unknown to many. the power of the lyrics, the progression, the vocals and................the guitar solo.
You've got to be kidding. SpinalTap does better.
CafeRacer wrote:
I wonder if a listener's approximate age could be determined by the release dates of their rated songs? Sounds like a job for someone else though.
If so, then we're all dead. (Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata circa 1801 is ranked #1 on RP)
one of rock's great anthems, unknown to many. the power of the lyrics, the progression, the vocals and................the guitar solo.
what PROGFROG said was "I don't know who you are comparing JT (Jethro Tull) to, but if any of today's artists are still around 40 years from now, they will gain the respect that Ian Anderson and company have so justly earned. Not essential? I respectfully disagree" well PROGFROG, Hail Hail! Jethro Tull is in a class all their own. Their music takes you to a different place. There's something primal about it. It can be so light your spirit soars with eagles and so low you'd think you'll die tethered to a ship's mast during a storm. I encourage EVERYONE to go off the beaten track and taste a little Tull. Dun Ringall, for example, is possibly the most beautiful music I've ever heard. Yet it's about a card game at a Scottish ruin.
When this album came out, it had me in it's grips for months. What a great creative time that was! So much stuff going on in this tune. Pure joy for this ol' Tull fanatic.
how'm i supposed to get the work done whilst rockin' out to such classics . . . you've done it again Paradise, down tools guys - it's Tull!! nice one Paradise
MinMan wrote:
These guys were great before they went all "renaissance faire"
tee hee, nice one. I love that Bill shares my love for the Tull.
always like his misuic . met him once , Ian that is...but this always reminds me of Cheech and Chong
RedGuitar wrote:
An interesting problem for the statistical analysts, indeed!
Ah, statisticians. People who are good with numbers but don't quite have the personality to be an accountant.
The next logical choice might be Genesis, "I Know What I Like."
valerie wrote:
why does this song seem so long? a 2.
...I was just about to agree with you...then it ended. However..I agree!
These guys were great before they went all "renaissance faire"
why does this song seem so long? a 2.
How funny! I was JUST searching RP to see if what Jethro Tull they play, and this came on...
JT + MK = 10 + 10!
CafeRacer wrote:
You make a great point. I wonder if a listener's approximate age could be determined by the release dates of their rated songs? Sounds like a job for someone else though.
An interesting problem for the statistical analysts, indeed!
ProgFrog wrote:
DoctorHooey- I was talking to a guy whose opinion I really respect who is enough of a culture snob to despise Leonard Bernstein and he was trying to convince me that Jethro Tull, of all bands, were the Beethoven of the modern era. I dunno, they're not baaaad, but not essential by a long shot. Jethro Tull,IMHO, in my opinion, is one of the greatest bands of our era.Their music is complex and unique: they sound like no one else(how many bands that you know would even attempt their music; not because they don't like it, but because they can't pull it off.) I don't know who you are comparing JT to, but if any of today's artists are still around 40 years from now, they will gain the respect that Ian Anderson and company have so justly earned. Not essential? I respectfully disagree.
Agreed, without question. Tally-Ho!
Hmm. All these amazing sets of music makes it very difficult to get any work done.
DoctorHooey- I was talking to a guy whose opinion I really respect who is enough of a culture snob to despise Leonard Bernstein and he was trying to convince me that Jethro Tull, of all bands, were the Beethoven of the modern era. I dunno, they're not baaaad, but not essential by a long shot. Jethro Tull,IMHO, in my opinion, is one of the greatest bands of our era.Their music is complex and unique: they sound like no one else(how many bands that you know would even attempt their music; not because they don't like it, but because they can't pull it off.) I don't know who you are comparing JT to, but if any of today's artists are still around 40 years from now, they will gain the respect that Ian Anderson and company have so justly earned. Not essential? I respectfully disagree.
I was talking to a guy whose opinion I really respect who is enough of a culture snob to despise Leonard Bernstein and he was trying to convince me that Jethro Tull, of all bands, were the Beethoven of the modern era. I dunno, they're not baaaad, but not essential by a long shot.
Tim55 wrote:
dmcamp wrote:
If it's what you listened to as a teenager, this song has the thrill of recognition and the experience of youth. Everything was fresh, everything was new. Everything was intense to pain to thrill to confusion. To pure joy. I agree. Music from our youth has a special place. I was 15/16 when this came out. Loved it then and it is still a regular play on the cd plater. Not all was great. I had a Crabby Appleton album back then I'm not too proud of right now.
You make a great point. I wonder if a listener's approximate age could be determined by the release dates of their rated songs? Sounds like a job for someone else though.
my momma talkin to me tryin to tell how to live but I don't listen to her cuz my head is like a sieve /sorry...but I hear Earache my Eye
Would be a 1 with some flute added. It is a 2 for me and I am in a good mood today. Does this ever end ?
woozurdaddy wrote:
Man, them were the days! My first Tull concert - 1971 the week of my 18th birthday...outstanding!
What an incredible tour that was. I've seen Tull a bunch of times since but Benefit was where I first connected with these guys. One of my favorite groups ever.
cool track! I can certainly see where Ween get some influence from
i was in fact crying (about)a song, the last one, waiting for the damned pearl jam crowd to stop their pathetic singalong, praying for something to make me forget it, when BAM.... Tullectrified!...total sonic annihilation of that previous sad memory
Tim55 wrote:
dmcamp wrote:
If it's what you listened to as a teenager, this song has the thrill of recognition and the experience of youth. Everything was fresh, everything was new. Everything was intense to pain to thrill to confusion. To pure joy. I agree. Music from our youth has a special place. I was 15/16 when this came out. Loved it then and it is still a regular play on the cd plater. Not all was great. I had a Crabby Appleton album back then I'm not too proud of right now.
What do you mean? I still love Crabby! They were a fine example of psychedelic garage band rock!
jock181 wrote:
saw him 30years ago in glasgow still great
Don't you mean THEM? It's a group! Not a guy!
dmcamp wrote:
If it's what you listened to as a teenager, this song has the thrill of recognition and the experience of youth. Everything was fresh, everything was new. Everything was intense to pain to thrill to confusion. To pure joy. I agree. Music from our youth has a special place. I was 15/16 when this came out. Loved it then and it is still a regular play on the cd plater. Not all was great. I had a Crabby Appleton album back then I'm not too proud of right now.
fredriley wrote:
A little bit of uncorroborated trivia. Many years ago I was backpacking on the Isle of Skye, and took the postbus from Broadford to Elgol. On the way, the postie - an Essex boy called Nigel who'd 'gone native' - told me that Ian Anderson lived in rock star seclusion in a mini-mansion at Kilmarie in Strathaird. Looking at his Wikipedia entry, it appears that he owns most of that peninsula, plus loads of houses elsewhere. Even though I lived through the supergroup era I'd never realised that JT had generated that kind of money.
I've heard about his real estate holdings before which I find intersting also. I always wondered with his money,why does he keep touring? It's got to be getting old. He's playing in casinos, which is where washed up musicians end up just to pay the bills. My guess is that Ian loves it.He is the best at what he does. A true musician!
oppositelock wrote:
Cool. Room for me to stretch my legs and turn it up.
Right On!!!
tonyp wrote:
Genuinely, this is the song that makes me turn RP off almost every time I hear it.
Cool. Room for me to stretch my legs and turn it up.
Genuinely, this is the song that makes me turn RP off almost every time I hear it.
fredriley wrote:
A little bit of uncorroborated trivia. Many years ago I was backpacking on the Isle of Skye, and took the postbus from Broadford to Elgol. On the way, the postie - an Essex boy called Nigel who'd 'gone native' - told me that Ian Anderson lived in rock star seclusion in a mini-mansion at Kilmarie in Strathaird. Looking at his Wikipedia entry, it appears that he owns most of that peninsula, plus loads of houses elsewhere. Even though I lived through the supergroup era I'd never realised that JT had generated that kind of money.
I think it was more a matter of Ian's sensible business dealings. I don't think many members of JT frittered away their hard-won earnings or got screwed by management/"friends".
Brings back old memories, sounds cool.
I really like a lot of JT music but ... not this one
Vogelfrei wrote:
I also enjoy hearing Ian Anderson's flute, but I appreciate the fact that Jethro Tull didn't feel obligated to use it on every song. Perhaps they knew it risked being a gimmick, or maybe they simply knew when to exercise discretion for the sake of the music (a rare trait in rock bands).
A little bit of uncorroborated trivia. Many years ago I was backpacking on the Isle of Skye, and took the postbus from Broadford to Elgol. On the way, the postie - an Essex boy called Nigel who'd 'gone native' - told me that Ian Anderson lived in rock star seclusion in a mini-mansion at Kilmarie in Strathaird. Looking at his Wikipedia entry, it appears that he owns most of that peninsula, plus loads of houses elsewhere. Even though I lived through the supergroup era I'd never realised that JT had generated that kind of money.
More JT! More JT! More JT! More JT! More JT! More JT! More JT! More JT! More JT! More JT! More JT! More JT! More JT! More JT! More JT! More JT! More JT!
tnt_thomas wrote:
...No accounting for taste...
Obviously - she married YOU. Must be your good side you showing us
where is the damn mute button!
ChicoCyclist wrote:
Quite possibly the worst band played on Radio Paradise.
You are as thick as a brick.
ChicoCyclist wrote:
Quite possibly the worst band played on Radio Paradise.
They played RUSH once . . . I'm still recovering.
ChicoCyclist wrote:
Quite possibly the worst band played on Radio Paradise.
My wife hates JT too, but then she likes ABBA and Neil Diamond. No accounting for taste...
Geecheeboy wrote:
Not much FLUTE in this (or I can't hear it over the guitar lick's distortion). Normally it is prominent in this band. JT DEFINES flute rock.
I also enjoy hearing Ian Anderson's flute, but I appreciate the fact that Jethro Tull didn't feel obligated to use it on every song. Perhaps they knew it risked being a gimmick, or maybe they simply knew when to exercise discretion for the sake of the music (a rare trait in rock bands).
Heh I grew up listening to Tull. Saw them and Fairport Convention in concert. Had all their TAPES, but I still remember what some clerk in a record store said about them when I was buying some new album (Rock Island I think) - "Well, thats what happens when you care about quantity rather than quality" I still enjoy them, but I get the distinct feeling that if they stopped cranking out album after album and did a tad more work on the songs, they would be even better.
ChicoCyclist wrote:
Quite possibly the worst band played on Radio Paradise.
Really? I would think Scissor Sisters is worse than this. IMHO.
Hannio wrote:
I had never met anybody that didn't like JT until coming here. I'm still puzzled about it.
I must say that I haven't heard so much negative said about so much truly great music before I came here. Bill and Co. do such great job, I can't leave.
Quite possibly the worst band played on Radio Paradise.
I too have changes to ring. Great song.
I had never met anybody that didn't like JT until coming here. I'm still puzzled about it.
Don't care what anyone says. I love this song!
Always great to hear some Benefit on the airwaves.
If it's what you listened to as a teenager, this song has the thrill of recognition and the experience of youth. Everything was fresh, everything was new. Everything was intense to pain to thrill to confusion. To pure joy. But it's better now, even the music. Especially the music. I'm just saying.......
saw him 30years ago in glasgow still great
vandal wrote:
jethro dull
Heh - that made me laugh out loud. A so-so song at best, IMO
You know, all that distortion just now on the track has considerably improved it to my ears - sounds like they're playing from the six fathoms down to which their dated music should be consigned. Or is this distortion on the track itself? Maybe it's my crappy connection. Och well, it'll be finished soon. Hard to believe that JT were a 'supergroup' back in the 70s - to my mind, their best work was the newspaper album cover, far better than what was on the record insite it.
OperaNrocks wrote:
I'm not so sure about the wife-beating aspect of this song but I'll admit that Aqualung himself is (brace yourselves) a pedophile. C'mon, don't you recall the line about "watching as the pretty panties run...eyeing little girls with bad intent"? That was a very unsettling realization when I first paid attention to what was being sung. Now that I'm volunteering to work with abused teens I'm a lot less willing to excuse this as just silly rock lyrics.
Huh? To be in the mind of a character--unpleasant as he may be--is not to condone his thoughts. This reminds me of the Christian-right approach to sex: don't talk about it and it won't exist. It doesn't work for that, and it's not true of pedophilia, either.
What a set!! Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms Jethro Tull - To Cry You a Song Pearl Jam - Black (Live) Radiohead - Go to Sleep Go Bill!
Gribnif wrote:
Redundant redundant redundant redundant redundant redundant. Did I mention it's redundant?
it comes from the department of redundancy department
Redundant redundant redundant redundant redundant redundant. Did I mention it's redundant?
not one of his better ones, imho