The Jethro Tull song Ian Anderson wrote on his own in just a few hours
Most people think of Jethro Tull as a prog rock band with a flute, but this is an unfair assessment. All it takes is a bit of time, with three albums picked at random, to realise that Jethro Tull has never been afraid to explore a range of different styles of music. This means their entire approach to songwriting and recording changes often.
There are several reasons why Jethro Tull has always been keen on pushing boundaries and dabbling in multiple genres. However, one of the main factors is Ian Anderson’s approach to music in general. He has never been content listening to one genre and era of music, so he has never been content with making one style of music.
“When you’re talking about records that are ‘life-changing’, to use that term, you’re usually talking about pieces of music that you heard in your youth,” said Anderson. “But I’m one of those people who never stop listening to new things, so happily, there are some recordings that have had a dramatic impact on me in later years.”
Anderson also takes great care in writing, regardless of the genre he is operating within. He is lucky enough to have had his life changed by his love of music, and he doesn’t take it for granted. Songs are pondered over greatly before they’re recorded and released; however, there are some exceptions to that rule.
There is no science behind inspiration; some songs will take years to put together, whereas others can be started and finished within moments. A lot of the time, people misconstrue songs that were written faster as not being as good or as considerate; however, the fact is that sometimes ideas arrive fully formed, and it takes a skilful songwriter to be able to recognise that and get to work without overcomplicating things. This is precisely what Ian Anderson did with the song ‘Jack-in-the-Green’, which he admits he wrote in just a few hours.
“’Jack in the Green’ was written after Sunday lunch, and I went up late the same afternoon to record it in London alone in the studio with an acoustic guitar and a borrowed drum kit,” said Anderson when asked about the song. “A couple of other overdubs from instruments lying around allowed us to mix the track that same evening. A very enjoyable way to work, striking while the iron is hot.”
The track was released on the band’s 1977 album Songs from the Wood and remains a fan favourite for many. Because it’s slightly more stripped back, it’s easier for people who might not be familiar with the work of Jethro Tull to get into it. While some of their more complex tracks are examples of excellent musicianship, there is so much going on that it can be tricky to figure out what is happening. The most exciting thing about prog rock is how much songs can be developed and explored, whether that’s the result of weeks or hours of work, as Anderson perfectly personifies with the track ‘Jack-in-the-Green’.
