My absolute favorite Jethro Tull song, which even withstood being played back-to-back endlessly while cramming for a calculus final in college.
Let me add one more and I’ll shut up:
“Just Trying to Be”, a charming little song from Living in the Past .
Wind Up IIRC the last song on Aqualung
The best Jetho Tull song is “Skating Away On The Thin Ice of the New Day”. It is perhaps the best little known gem, or most under-rated gem, of Jethro Tull. This song never gets/got enough airplay, but it is awesome!
I’m hardly neutral, I’ve loved all of it forever. When I first heard the Benefit album, I was blown away. Then came Aqualung and all the following albums and what can I say? Whatever the music teacher said or didn’t say, Ian Anderson is a true master. He has a following both among rock and hardcore jazz players. If you are in the right frame of mind and really listen, the flute almost sounds like another person singing, it is that perfect. I still have a special “thing” for With You There To Help Me, the first Tull song I ever heard (from Benefit).
I love Jethro Tull!
Here are some of my faves–
“With You There To Help Me” (from the great Benefit album)
“Hymn 43”
“Jack in the Green”
“Cup of Wonder”
My cats seem to be enjoying “…And The Mouse Police Never Sleep”, which is currently blasting out of the speakers in the living room. 