Είπα να βάλω ένα απ’ τα blues των Jethro Tull αλλά για κάποιο λογο κατέληξα να ακούω αυτή την μπαλάντα. Ένα από τα πιο λυρικά κομμάτια που έχει γράψει ο Ian Anderson, υποτιμημένο σχετικά, όπως και συνολικά το άλμπουμ.
I thought of hearing one of the blues Jethro Tull, but for some reason I ended up listening to this exceptional ballad. One of the most lyrical songs Ian Anderson has ever written, and a rather underestimated one – that goes for the entire album.
From a dead beat to an old greaser, here’s thinking of you.
You won’t remember the long nights;
Coffee bars; black tights and white thighs
In shop windows where blonde assistants fully-fashioned a world
Made of dummies (with no mommies or daddies to reject them).
When bombs were banned every Sunday and the Shadows played F.B.I.
And tired young sax-players sold their instruments of torture —
Sat in the station sharing wet dreams of Charlie Parker,
Jack Kerouac, René Magritte, to name a few of the heroes
Who were too wise for their own good — left the young brood to
Go on living without them.
Old queers with young faces — who remember your name,
Though you’re a dead beat with tired feet;
Two ends that don’t meet.
To a dead beat from an old greaser.
Think you must have me all wrong.
I didn’t care, friend. I wasn’t there, friend,
If it’s the price of pint that you need, ask me again.
I can certainly relate about going from a deadbeat, long-haired hippie type flamenco gypsy to an old greasy geezer. But you are never too old to rock and roll and always too young to die.
Agreed 100%! Thank you.
Dead Beat? Old Greaser? Mr. Tull must have been anticipating my decline back in 1976! But I’m not too old to rock ‘n’ roll– that’s why I listen to MK-O records!! 👍😊
“Anticipating”? “Decline”? sir, you must be joking…
I anticipate you will be young enough to rock’n’roll deep into the 22nd century.
“…too wise for their own good”
Depth often overlooked.
This is so different from his iconic pieces.
Inasmuch as I adore his music, I think this is my fave piece!
Sweet album cover. It rocks at any age!