How do you rate him?
How do you rate him?
I think Mr. Anderson is a superb songwriter/musician in every facet. Composer/lyricist/arranger/instrumentalist, etc.
Maybe this is the reason why Jethro Tull has not been voted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" (sorry for bringing that place up . Jan Wenner probably is/would be too intimidated by such a talented, erudite, intelligent and insightful guy as IA.
"Wouldn't it be odd, if there really was a God, and he looked down on Earth and saw what we've done to her?" -- Adrian Belew ('Men In Helicopters')
I think he's very good. A very clever lyricist who likes to use double meanings and inventive wordplay.
Interviewer of reprobate ne'er-do-well musicians of the long-haired rock n' roll persuasion at: www.velvetthunder.co.uk and former scribe at Classic Rock Society. Only vaguely aware of anything other than music.
*** Join me in the Garden of Delights for 3 hours of tune-spinning... every Saturday at 5pm EST on Deep Nuggets radio! www.deepnuggets.com ***
He's good at coming up with "proverb-like" phrases that mean something and are memorable, like "Life's a long song" and "To be mad is a sad way to be."
One of the true greats. A monster talent.
One of the very finest. Almost never a cliche in there.
And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make.
I always enjoyed how he could give the most erotic lyrics an air of class and sophistication.
One of the best.
Steve Sly
Count me in, he's a major influence on my writing style... he wrote a few bad lyrics- ironically, APP is my favorite Tull album but it has a few of his most cringe-worthy lyrics- but overall I would also rate him as one of the best lyricists in rock.
Sometimes (rarely, mind you) I like Ian's lyrics better than his music...
So I rate him very highly indeed.
"He who binds to himself a joy doth the winged life destroy. But he who kisses the joy as it flies lives in Eternity's sunrise..." - William Blake
Ian Anderson is my favorite lyricist in prog, rock, folk, whatever. I rate him on the same level as Peter Hammill, Peart or Richard Thompson. Perhaps even above.
Ian Beabout
Mixing and mastering engineer. See ya at ProgDay !
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I can't think of anyone who writes lyrics I like better.
I don't really understand his lyrics but am still planning to found a religion based on his lyrics (The Church Of Re-regaining) to bring me in some serious $$$'s like LRH. Watch this space!
(oh, IAN Anderson, sorry...)
"My words but a whisper, your deafness a shout; I may make you feel, but I can't make you think" always struck me as brilliant.
I'd be interested to read what it is about his lyrics that people like.
Interviewer of reprobate ne'er-do-well musicians of the long-haired rock n' roll persuasion at: www.velvetthunder.co.uk and former scribe at Classic Rock Society. Only vaguely aware of anything other than music.
*** Join me in the Garden of Delights for 3 hours of tune-spinning... every Saturday at 5pm EST on Deep Nuggets radio! www.deepnuggets.com ***
He had me at "And if I sometimes sing to a cynical degree it's just the nonsense that it seems."
IA entertains you on 2 levels: musically & lyrically. An absolute winning combination in my book. Just like Al Stewart.
I've got a bike you can ride it if you like
Interviewer of reprobate ne'er-do-well musicians of the long-haired rock n' roll persuasion at: www.velvetthunder.co.uk and former scribe at Classic Rock Society. Only vaguely aware of anything other than music.
*** Join me in the Garden of Delights for 3 hours of tune-spinning... every Saturday at 5pm EST on Deep Nuggets radio! www.deepnuggets.com ***
Probably the best lyrics I've ever heard, coupled with great music, make JT an unbeatable combo.
He had me at "sitting on a park bench" already in just those 5 words he'd covered the human condition and English pastoral.
I don't really pay a lot of attention to lyrics but Ian is very clever. More than anything he's just a great, all around musician. One of the best ever in prog/classic/rock.
I'm with the chorus who think he's first rate. From his social commentary, to his pastoral observations, to his bawdy humor, the man seldom mails-in a cliche, and seldom fails to be clever. He creates great characters in his lyrics with a strong voice and wry point of view.
Let me bring you all things refined:
galliards and lute songs served in chilling ale.
Greetings well met fellow, hail!
I am the wind to fill your sail.
I am the cross to take your nail:
A singer of these ageless times.
With kitchen prose and gutter rhymes.
Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world.
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