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Jethro Tull — We Used To Know
Album: Stand Up
Avg rating:
7.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2211









Released: 1969
Length: 3:52
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Whenever I get to feel this way,
Try to find new words to say,
I think about the bad old days
We used to know.

Nights of winter turn me cold
Fears of dying, getting old.
We ran the race and the race was won
By running slowly.

Could be soon we'll cease to sound,
Slowly upstairs, faster down.
Then to revisit stony grounds,
We used to know.

Remembering mornings, shillings spent,
Made no sense to leave the bed.
The bad old days they came and went
Giving way to fruitful years.

Saving up the birds in hand
While in the bush the others land.
Take what we can before the man
Says it's time to go.

Each to his own way I'll go mine.
Best of luck in what you find.
But for your own sake remember times
We used to know.
Comments (263)add comment
we're they not the best eclectic Renaissancey band in the the '70's and 80's. Listen to their Christmas album with the historic oak tree on the cover. Amazing.
What a jammer.

What an album.

And the album cover is pretty cool. 
 timmus wrote:
1969-1971... what a time, so much good music being made!
 
Strange to look at Billboard charts on the other hand... what was popular was "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head", "Candida", Anne Murray's "Snowbird", etc... good grief.


And yet look at what has survived and is still ear candy today, eh?  Jethro Tull, a decidedly "go your own way" group back in the day.  One I always liked.  I'm gratified to see they still bear listening to even today.  

And lord knows their classic, Bouree has gone on to be a background tune hummed and whistled by me over all my days, and that's not been a bad thing though at times I've had young folk look at me a bit cross-eyed wondering what tune I'm whistling.  I just smile....

Highlow
1969-1971... what a time, so much good music being made!
 
Strange to look at Billboard charts on the other hand... what was popular was "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head", "Candida", Anne Murray's "Snowbird", etc... good grief.
Ian Anderson was 22 when this was released. Stand Up, Benefit and Aqualung are must haves. Go check your grandparents vinyl collection in their attic, garage or basement. 
 emmidad wrote:
Us old farts from the vinyl days remember what's unique about this album cover. Anyone remember?
 
That's one thing that can't be reproduced digitally.



Hi. Being one of those old farts I just like to point out how great our generation is since we just did the impossible without even knowing it, ( That is convert the cover to digital!)!

 On_The_Beach wrote:




Hi. Being one of those old farts I just like to point out how great our generation is since we just did the impossible without even knowing it, ( That is convert the cover to digital!)!
Ya know...their first three or four albums were quite good. 

This album is utterly fantastic. 
Everything about this is perfect. The strung chord intro. The vocals. The badass breathy flute and then...........the killer metallic Martin Barre solos and fade out. Wow. 
Nostalgy made me cry.
Great song!
thank you RP
Martin Barre is such an amazing player. Doesn't seem like he gets recognized with the other greats of his time.
 wastemyday1 wrote:

How these guys are not in the hall of fame is a travesty....



You should realize that the thing called the "Hall of Fame" is more or less a business. As I suppose are all the venues with that claim. I have been there twice, and although it was enjoyable in its own way, having a presence there confers absolutely nothing of merit. What surprised me was the brisk sale of standard commercial CDs at full list price. Any decent record/CD store would beat their selection and the prices. But it was selling well.
One of my all time favorites. Brings back so many wonderful memories. Love it!! PS- I have the original album and the artwork and design are one of the best.
 emmidad wrote:
Us old farts from the vinyl days remember what's unique about this album cover. Anyone remember?
 
That's one thing that can't be reproduced digitally.


the pop up in the gatefold!
 emmidad wrote:
Us old farts from the vinyl days remember what's unique about this album cover. Anyone remember?
 
That's one thing that can't be reproduced digitally.


 Imagi wrote:
After I got married in 1969 at 19, we went to see Jethro Tull at the Fillmore East. Incredible concert- to this day nobody has ever really touched them. It was kind of a letdown to stay at the holiday inn on route 22 in New Jersey.

Jean Shepherd (A Christmas Story), had a series on PBS called Jean Shepherd's
America. One of the episodes focused on Route 22...Remember "The Flagship" ?-)

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
 

How these guys are not in the hall of fame is a travesty....
Tull!!
 Imagi wrote:
After I got married in 1969 at 19, we went to see Jethro Tull at the Fillmore East. Incredible concert- to this day nobody has ever really touched them. It was kind of a letdown to stay at the holiday inn on route 22 in New Jersey.
 
Motel in Union City?
Drummer reminds me of Mitch Mitchell, nice..
 wyrd wrote:

Ian Anderson in an interview declared that the Eagles toured with Jethro Tull when they were playing this song, and he imagines that it has been an inspiration for Hotel California, either subconsciously or not. He also added that the Eagles made a much better song (I disagree with him on this point)!
 

Thank you for sharing this
Ah, that "warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air"... no wait...
 emmidad wrote:
Us old farts from the vinyl days remember what's unique about this album cover. Anyone remember?
 
That's one thing that can't be reproduced digitally.
 
It was folded sleeve, like double LPs. When opened, Jethro Tull drawing, similar to front page, "stand-up" because it was made of hard paper cutout. I still have it, that's my generation.
Us old farts from the vinyl days remember what's unique about this album cover. Anyone remember?
 
That's one thing that can't be reproduced digitally.
After I got married in 1969 at 19, we went to see Jethro Tull at the Fillmore East. Incredible concert- to this day nobody has ever really touched them. It was kind of a letdown to stay at the holiday inn on route 22 in New Jersey.
Perfect for a Friday afternoon. 
 kcar wrote:
..."So play that funky Tull music, white boy." 
 
 
"'Funky Tull music'?  I'm afraid there are no songs which fit that description, sir."
This is freaking great song!

I now have it on my play list! 
OMG I love this song!
This has become one of my favorite Jethro Tull songs. Maybe because it hasn't been as overplayed as many of their songs are. But it also is just a good song.
Increasing from 7 to 8 - Most Excellent

                                                MARTIN BARRE on GUITAR 
                                  Replaced Tony Iommi, of future Black Sabbath fame, in
                         1968 after Tull performed in The Rolling Stones rock and Roll Circus.

 jagdriver wrote:
Indeed it was a wonderful album, Bill, as was This Was and Benefit. JT pretty much lost me after that. The songs on Aqualung were no longer pretty like this track; Thick As a Brick and later efforts were something else again.

BTW, Ian Anderson now owns and operates a very successful salmon farming operation. If you're anywhere in the UK or the Continent eating smoked salmon, it very well may have come from his company. 

 
Off topic, but I just looked at your RP profile &
had to make the following punny comment :
Amazon-dot-com is tunage fetch.


 scibility534 wrote:

Same thoughts here to. This came way before. Jethro Tull 1969, Eagles 1976

 
Ian Anderson in an interview declared that the Eagles toured with Jethro Tull when they were playing this song, and he imagines that it has been an inspiration for Hotel California, either subconsciously or not. He also added that the Eagles made a much better song (I disagree with him on this point)!
 Maver1nk wrote:
Is it just me or is the bass line almost exactly the same as Hotel California? If so, which came first? (Jethro Tull - We used to know)

 
Same thoughts here to. This came way before. Jethro Tull 1969, Eagles 1976
Really does hold up after all these years.
It really is an inspirational song. All about remembering where you came from and being happy with the way things are going. I love it.

Just read the comments below! 

 

Maver1nk wrote:

Is it just me or is the bass line almost exactly the same as Hotel California? If so, which came first? (Jethro Tull - We used to know)

 


An unexpected kiss. A break of sun on a cloudy day. A $20 dollar bill sitting alone on the street in front of you. A letter from a long lost friend. 

This nugget from JT.

All brilliant gifts that force a smile. Thanks, Bill! 
Is it just me or is the bass line almost exactly the same as Hotel California? If so, which came first? (Jethro Tull - We used to know)
Came to this brilliant album later in life. One of my favourite tunes to strum on a winters eve. Maybe Bill will slip 'Look Into The Sun' into the playlist if we're lucky.
 
Just another truly brilliant tune from one of my all time fav bands back in the day ..... Thanks, i really needed that!
The HBO show Vinyl has not been kind to Tull.

Wonder if Mick Jagger has a bone to pick with Ian.... 
We used to know...good music like this.
 PalmerDA wrote:
My favorite JT song from my favorite JT album.

 
no doubt, both are on top
LOVE the bass on this tune!{#Dancingbanana}
Indeed it was a wonderful album, Bill, as was This Was and Benefit. JT pretty much lost me after that. The songs on Aqualung were no longer pretty like this track; Thick As a Brick and later efforts were something else again.

BTW, Ian Anderson now owns and operates a very successful salmon farming operation. If you're anywhere in the UK or the Continent eating smoked salmon, it very well may have come from his company. 
The guitar really gets me on this one!
My favorite JT song from my favorite JT album.
Apropos on a frozen morning; winter doldrums; Mortality biting more than other seasons; thankfully Days We Used to Know are solace
 raga wrote:
This is GREAT!

 
agree - even for the first time it's truly making an impact
 stunix wrote:
The first cover I played live at my local pub.   many years ago.  
The last time I saw Anderson and co., he said that the Eagles had stolen this chord sequence and made Hotel California out of it. 

 
Ha, never noticed that before. Only the 7th chord in the progression is different. Both great songs.
Now that's real rock music, so it is! {#Bananajam}

                                  {#Drummer}
the flute and guitar solos in this are golden
This is GREAT!
Agree with the comments here - having a collection of all the Tull albums provides a better insight into their depth and soul.  The few that got played in the Top 40 (at the time) were too played out, and were someone else's top two.
My friends Eagles must have listened this song a loto of times, definitively.. {#Wink}
Amazing how they would fade out the most incredible guitar solos back in the day. This one by Barre rivals Jimi's on Little Wing or Bold as Love.
 Imkirok wrote:
Really wish I would have heard a wider variety of Tull growing up.  This stuff is brilliant, and I haven't heard it a million times like Aqualung, Bungle in the Jungle...

 
I did get to see two shows by this group and still have great memories  Aqua Lung (when it was new) was extraordinary also saw the War Child Tour. Thanks as always to RP for their playing of this group. 
Really wish I would have heard a wider variety of Tull growing up.  This stuff is brilliant, and I haven't heard it a million times like Aqualung, Bungle in the Jungle...
Oh these lads are just so good....
The first cover I played live at my local pub.   many years ago.  
The last time I saw Anderson and co., he said that the Eagles had stolen this chord sequence and made Hotel California out of it. 


Mister Martin Lancelot Barre is a fantastic guitarist!

GREAT SONG AND ALBUM! 

10 
 philipr wrote:
UnderRated ! Must be 10 for everybody  ! No comment accepted ! Loud listening exiged !

 
Yessir! Right away sir! {#Clap}

I went to buy this album a few months ago but became paralyzed by the number of variations available. But naoaow, see, it's free with Amazon Prime. 

Jimmy Cagney in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" 

"So play that funky Tull music, white boy." 
 
 PalmerDA wrote:
The greatest song by Jethro Tull, ever.

 
One of the greatest songs ever.
 RedGuitar wrote:

If I recall, chord progressions are not copyrightable.  So, you could write a song with the chord progression from Stairway To Heaven with different lyrics and melody.  I don't know why someone would do that, but it's legal, AFAIK.  Although Coldplay was recently sued over a chord progression come to think of it.

 
Coldplay was sued by Joe Satriani, who claimed that their song "Viva La Vida" incorporates "substantial original portions" of his song "If I Could Fly."  So it seems like it's not as much about the chord progression as it is a melodic phrase.  There are very few (if any) "unique" chord progressions.
Saw JT 1968 at Oregon State gym, about 20ft away, balanced on one foot and playing like a madman, completely lost in his music.
What a performance.
 PalmerDA wrote:
The greatest song by Jethro Tull, ever.

 
                                                                              YES !
 dig wrote:


Even JT was confused by the nomination and win.

 
Yes, but you have to remember what a great album Krest of a Knave was. Not a single track as refill, and only the three glorious bastards in the group. Ian didn't pay too much attention to the prize itself, but all Tullites around the world were proud as hell...
The greatest song by Jethro Tull, ever.
 westslope wrote:

Not Alaska for salmon farming.  British Columbia, British Isles, Norway, Iceland, Washington State, Chile, Atlantic Canada. Probably missed a few.

 

Eat farmed Atlantic salmon occasionally.    (Frequently for you fish haters.)

I also eat commercially caught wild or ocean-ranched salmon.  The commercial (sic) industry has to be one of the worst managed fisheries in history.  Sucks dollars out of taxpayer pockets.  Hurts Aboriginals.   Some of the more mouthy commercial fishermen would surprise working class Afrikaners during the Apartheid era.  Well maybe not.

And I still eat commercially canned fish.





 
everything out of the Japinese current is poison from Fukishima . from Japan around to Santa Cruz. Alaska, Washington, Oregon  the whole loop.
Tasty! An old one for the new pod!
UnderRated ! Must be 10 for everybody  ! No comment accepted ! Loud listening exiged !
 Hasan wrote:

"Mr Tull"  ?

There is no Mr. Tull in the group, which was formed by Ian Anderson.

According to Wikipedia:
Band names were often supplied by their booking agents' staff, one of whom, a history enthusiast, eventually christened them "Jethro Tull" after the 18th-century agriculturist. The name stuck because they happened to be using it the first time a club manager liked their show enough to invite them to return.I find this kind of funny.  Jethro Tull invented the seed drill machine, in the 17th century.  If you read further . . .

         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuck

. . . you'll learn that :
Yet another possible etymology is from the Old High German word pfluog, meaning "to plow, as in a field."
So the group is named after the inventor of the first pfluoging machine.


Thanks for the lesson, but it was all quite obvious, with or without wiki. 


 daniel_rusk wrote:
We need to hear more Tull here. Heavy Horses anyone??

 

Heavy Horses, side one (of vinyl) is as good as Tull gets
1. "...And the Mouse Police Never Sleeps" 
2. "Acres Wild" 
3  "No Lullaby"
4. "Moths" 
5. "Journeyman"
We need to hear more Tull here. Heavy Horses anyone??
 Quovademus wrote:
one of my Jethro Tull's favorite song

 
Every time I hear a song from this album I go off to iTunes to buy it. Right now I'm torn between buying the standard version of the album and deluxe version of it.  
one of my Jethro Tull's favorite song
Sounds so much like 'aqualung' - in fact, you can sing the first few lines of aqualung to it, works perfect.

Still, good song - love the Tull ! :) 
so very much appreciated!
 gemtag wrote:
Love Mr Tull. Best waa-waa peddle use.
 
"Mr Tull"  ?

There is no Mr. Tull in the group, which was formed by Ian Anderson.

According to Wikipedia:
Band names were often supplied by their booking agents' staff, one of whom, a history enthusiast, eventually christened them "Jethro Tull" after the 18th-century agriculturist. The name stuck because they happened to be using it the first time a club manager liked their show enough to invite them to return.
I find this kind of funny.  Jethro Tull invented the seed drill machine, in the 17th century.  If you read further . . .

         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuck

. . . you'll learn that :
Yet another possible etymology is from the Old High German word pfluog, meaning "to plow, as in a field."

So the group is named after the inventor of the first pfluoging machine.
 lemmoth wrote:
This is how JT got nominated for and one the heavy metal Grammy{#Tongue}
 

Even JT was confused by the nomination and win.
 bluedot wrote:
The Eagles supposedly stole this song's chord progression from Jethro Tull for "Hotel California."
 
If I recall, chord progressions are not copyrightable.  So, you could write a song with the chord progression from Stairway To Heaven with different lyrics and melody.  I don't know why someone would do that, but it's legal, AFAIK.  Although Coldplay was recently sued over a chord progression come to think of it.
Sitting in my dorm room on a cold wintry day, listening to this album. Good times!
I love the early Tull stuff!
The Eagles supposedly stole this song's chord progression from Jethro Tull for "Hotel California."

a great one from a great band


A wonderful band called White Denim has come up with a terrific amalgam of early Tull, some Grateful Dead and various other influences.

There latest album is called "D" and worth a listen.
 lemmoth wrote:
This is how JT got nominated for and one the heavy metal Grammy{#Tongue}
 
It was the first year for the award.  Seems the voting went a bit awry, and Jethro Tull "won" the Heavy Metal Grammy.
Their first few albums are great stuff, though.
YEAH!  Takes me back to Engineering School days — or should I say daze? 'cuz we sure had views through the best windowpane, mushrooms were one of our main food groups, and weed was a staple crop to many of us...  At almost every house party, this band and this record spun its spell from upon the exalted altar of sound.  Loved it then and still dig it now!  Way to go with the Playlist, RP!
Love Mr Tull. Best waa-waa peddle use.
 Businessgypsy wrote:
 rosedraws wrote:
If I was someone who got high, I would think that being high is the way to listen to this song...
 With no thought for my personal safety and in the interests of science, I conducted a field lab on your thesis and found...is that a butterfly? Butterflies are so cool. I have some scarlet milkweed growing by my...whoa, my dog just licked my foot! It was like God...wait - Dog...God...

 
wuh?
lovely dense rock sound...these guys just kick ass!
 eddief wrote:


Well, Alaska comes to mind.
 

Not Alaska for salmon farming.  British Columbia, British Isles, Norway, Iceland, Washington State, Chile, Atlantic Canada. Probably missed a few.

 

Eat farmed Atlantic salmon occasionally.    (Frequently for you fish haters.)

I also eat commercially caught wild or ocean-ranched salmon.  The commercial (sic) industry has to be one of the worst managed fisheries in history.  Sucks dollars out of taxpayer pockets.  Hurts Aboriginals.   Some of the more mouthy commercial fishermen would surprise working class Afrikaners during the Apartheid era.  Well maybe not.

And I still eat commercially canned fish.




This is how JT got nominated for and one the heavy metal Grammy{#Tongue}
Was privileged to have seen them a number of times.
One of my favorite bands.
So glad they had few top 10 hits.
That often seems to ruin the good ones. (Genesis)

My all-time favourite band...
 Businessgypsy wrote:
 rosedraws wrote:
If I was someone who got high, I would think that being high is the way to listen to this song...
 With no thought for my personal safety and in the interests of science, I conducted a field lab on your thesis and found...is that a butterfly? Butterflies are so cool. I have some scarlet milkweed growing by my...whoa, my dog just licked my foot! It was like God...wait - Dog...God...
 
me too {#Roflol}
 Businessgypsy wrote:
 rosedraws wrote:
If I was someone who got high, I would think that being high is the way to listen to this song...
 With no thought for my personal safety and in the interests of science, I conducted a field lab on your thesis and found...is that a butterfly? Butterflies are so cool. I have some scarlet milkweed growing by my...whoa, my dog just licked my foot! It was like God...wait - Dog...God...

 

{#Roflol}

 rosedraws wrote:
If I was someone who got high, I would think that being high is the way to listen to this song...
 With no thought for my personal safety and in the interests of science, I conducted a field lab on your thesis and found...is that a butterfly? Butterflies are so cool. I have some scarlet milkweed growing by my...whoa, my dog just licked my foot! It was like God...wait - Dog...God...

 rosedraws wrote:
If I was someone who got high, I would think that being high is the way to listen to this song...

(JT was really great live though... even in his "old" age!)

 
Old Tull is good at all levels of conscienceness.  

First time I got to see them live was at the Forum in LA for the Aqualung tour.  Sat behind the stage, 10th row.  Up high enough to see over everything.  What a treat to see a show from the stage perspective looking out.

i'd really like more classic rock songs like this!!Very cool!!

we ran the race, the race was won
by running slowly

Ian Anderson is an exteremly underappreciated genius
Just love it! {#Music}

Jethro Tull 1969 by ~JSaurer
©2009-2010 ~JSaurer

JT in their 69-line up from the "Stand Up" period.
Painting for the cover of the german JT-fanzine "Beggar's Farm News",
pencils, water colors and some airbrush, 2009


 romeotuma wrote:


This is soooo good for the ears...
 
...of someone in Robin Hood's band of merry men in green tights.
If I was someone who got high, I would think that being high is the way to listen to this song...

(JT was really great live though... even in his "old" age!)

Cool track. My dad used to have the gatefold lp with it's stand up centre piece.
All JT flute solos sound exactly the same: breathy and boring.
Stand up and rate this great song...
I keep hoping Bill will someday play "Back to the Family" - a personal favourite of mine from this album.
 megisi wrote:
Ian Anderson is now a salmon farmer in the UK.

I just thought someone would like to know.

 
Thanks, I'll stick with the wild salmon. This is premium quality JT however.

{#Drummer}

Remember Bloodwin Pig...?
EXELLENT GUITAR WORK TOO!

And SUPER COVER.

POSSIBLY THEIR BEST ALBUM, EVER.
And they had - how many...? 56 without the
compilations and "BEST OF's"....?

 Nuvola_Rossa wrote:
This song in my opinion is the grandmother's 'Hotel California' by Eagles
 
I heard this song just now for the first time and desperately tried to figure out if I knew if it in another version....  ....thank you for solving this riddle for me, it just sounds a lot like Hotel California (or vice versa)
 megisi wrote:
Ian Anderson is now a salmon farmer in the UK.

I just thought someone would like to know.

 

If only he had taken up that occupation forty years ago.  God how I loathe this band.
 megisi wrote:
Ian Anderson is now a salmon farmer in the UK.

I just thought someone would like to know.

  I'm just thankful he has been stopped

{#Mrgreen}