Song 170 (Jethro Tull--"Rocks On The Road")

For those unaware, I've been picking a song from each of Jethro Tull's "eras" from beginning to present on Sundays. This is what is the 11th era of Jethro Tull for me, the previous eras picks can be found in this blog on songs: 100, 107, 114, 121, 128, 135, 142, 149, 156, and 163.

I noticed that many bands and artists that started in the 60's and '70s had their "back to our roots" era around this time, (the early '90s); Jethro Tull was no different. The album title Catfish Rising was in reference to the Blues from the early years coming to resurface. Most of the band remained unchanged from the previous era, however a few changes happened in the lineup on keyboard: Foss Paterson, John Bundrick, and Andy Giddings (who would be their keyboardist for the next 15 years) shared duties on Catfish Rising. David Mattacks also filled in on tour on keyboards and some drums. For me this period is from 1990 to about 1994 and consists of only two albums that I would consider to be new sounding: Catfish Rising and A Little Light Music, with the latter being a live album. While the material on the live album for the most part was old material, it was brought forth in a very new sounding way. They also had a couple of other albums during this period that were either greatest hits albums or an album that consisted of unreleased material called Nightcap; there was also a boxed set as well. The album Catfish Rising was the main album from this time and is actually an excellent offering by the band. The highlights of this album to me are: "This is Not Love," "Occasional Demons," Rocks on the Road," Thinking Around Corners," "Doctor to my Disease," "Like a Tall Thin Girl," and "White Innocence." It's a very good album very much worth a listen.

This song is about a traveling salesman, which some believe is Ian himself peddling his goods; which would be his music. The song describes what he sees looking out the hotel room window and what is going through his mind as he is in the room, going down to the bar and such. I really like how the song starts repeating the first verse at the end to symbolize that this person is constantly on the road. Mostly I believe that this song is about a longing for home when on the road and being sick of your surroundings and trying to find something good and entertaining.

Here is a fan video with the studio version on YouTube.
Here is the song from A Little Light Music on YouTube.
Here is the music video on YouTube.

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