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Jethro Tull — Locomotive Breath
Album: Aqualung
Avg rating:
8.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3751









Released: 1971
Length: 4:33
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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In the shuffling madness
Of the locomotive breath
Runs the all-time loser
Headlong to his death
Oh, he feels the pistons screaming
Steam breaking on his brow
Old Charlie stole the handle
And the train. it won't stop going
No way to slow down

He sees his children jumpin' off
At stations, one by one
His woman and his best friend
In bed and having fun
So he's crawling down the corridor
On his hands and knees
Old Charlie stole the handle
And the train, it won't stop going
No way to slow down

He hears the silence howling
Catches angels as they fall
And the all time winner
Has got him by the balls
Oh, he picks up Gideon's Bible
Open at page one
I think God, he stole the handle
And the train, it won't stop going
No way to slow down

No way to slow down
No way to slow down
No way to slow down
No way to slow down
Comments (274)add comment
They represent the part of rock that proves that all of it only has to be about guitar. 
Posted 1 week ago by nelsonha    [ Reply ]
 juanmoe wrote:

And they're not in the Hall of Fame !  Disgraceful !



I hope this oversight is soon corrected! 
Posted 4 weeks ago by nelsonha    [ Reply ]
Powerful provocation, then and now. The Children Have Jumped Off
Posted 2 months ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
As yet another "10" rated track, the VOLUME must be matched to a "10" as well.  By the time Ian's done huffing out his last breath, our ears are so worn out, we forget to turn it back down!
Posted 7 months ago by freemusic    [ Reply ]
''Broadsword'' and ''Locomotive breath'' are my absolute two favorites from Jethro Tull.{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 8 months ago by johnybladex    [ Reply ]
I love Metallica but I was damn pleased at the cheek of JT taking the heavy metal Grammy that metallica thought they deserved! 
Posted 8 months ago by sidsiva737    [ Reply ]
GREAT TUNE!!  I bought the album right after it came out. I was 16yrs old. I never understood the album name.  What does it have to do with SCUBA divers? LOL! I recently found out that "aqualung" is a British slang term for a useless drunk.
Posted 9 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 everettwa wrote:

Several years ago I saw them at the Paramount in Seattle. One of the best shows I've ever seen.



I'm envious   and  the Paramount  is a great venue  even if i have to ferry across  the big  pond to get there
Posted 1 year ago by grhorn    [ Reply ]
Several years ago I saw them at the Paramount in Seattle. One of the best shows I've ever seen.
Posted 2 years ago by everettwa    [ Reply ]
 juanmoe wrote:

And they're not in the Hall of Fame !  Disgraceful !


And check out this year's inductees:

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
Duran Duran
Eminem
Eurythmics
Dolly Parton
Lionel Richie
Carly Simon

No offense to any of these folks, but it has become almost farcical.
Posted 2 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
I would crank this to maximum volume while listening in the car. Afterward, I would shut the radio off so it would stay with me for a while longer.
Posted 2 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
 kbs wrote:
I'll have to listen to my copy now...!



I thought the same thing so many times I purchased 3 different copies of the album over the years.   One being a re-release-press just a few years ago.  
Now I have 3 copies that buzz.  
Posted 2 years ago by jsd52756    [ Reply ]
Released 51 years ago just days after the Allman Bros at Fillmore East was recorded. Two favorite albums of mine. Couldn't get enough of either album back in the day. Nor now. 
Posted 2 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
Never get tired of this tune, remember stealing the cassette from my older bro when we were younger- led to dozens of live concerts
Posted 2 years ago by oofus    [ Reply ]

Saw them during the Thick As A Brick tour. It was a hell of a show. In the middle of one song a telephone that was sitting on the piano starts ringing. The band stopped, Ian went over and answered the phone. Puts the receiver down, goes to the back of the stage and yells something. He comes back out front and the band starts up again. Maybe 30 seconds later someone dressed in full snorkel gear, tank, mask and flippers, etc comes out and picks up the receiver. After a brief conversation he hangs up and goes back off stage. Like it happened all of the time.

Talk about originality…

Posted 2 years ago by dlirious    [ Reply ]
 joejennings wrote:

Best tune on the album! ...Benefit is my my favorite Tull album!




I agree with both points!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Posted 3 years ago by (former member)    [ Reply ]
Best tune on the album! ...Benefit is my my favorite Tull album!
Posted 3 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 philbertr wrote:

Who would ever have thought of a flute in heavy rock.



Due to the differing musical genres they used and the non traditional use of instruments I always considered JT to be on the periphery of prog rock.  You'll find flute on early Genesis and King Crimson also.
Posted 3 years ago by bpemby    [ Reply ]
Somewhere around 1981 the music teacher at my fifth-grade classroom played our class Jethro Tull and then asked the flute players if they would ever like to learn to play the flute that well. They were all astonished at the flute playing and said they definitely would like to learn to play like that. Looking back, he was a pretty cool music teacher.  
Posted 3 years ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
Still good 
I was looking for the flute version of this but couldn't find it

Posted 3 years ago by smartn1    [ Reply ]
 Madness1954 wrote:

I never got Jethro Tull when their albums were first released. And listening to this track again I still don't.



Give it another fifty years - it'll sink in.
Posted 3 years ago by hanssachs    [ Reply ]
 Madness1954 wrote:

I never got Jethro Tull when their albums were first released. And listening to this track again I still don't.



Brilliant. Thanks for letting everybody know  
Posted 3 years ago by geonuine    [ Reply ]
 pinto wrote:

Opening song of their 1977 concert - lovely young lady comes on stage and acts as orchestra conductor to piped in classical music. Music stops. She bows.  BANG! Martin Barre emerges from explosion and smoke and starts cranking some killer guitar.  BANG! Barriemore Barlow on drums.  BANG! Bass, piano, then the biggest BANG and explosion of all and Ian Anderson drops in from above.  Music continues frantically, changing to opening riffs of Locomotive Breath, and we're in mid-concert form just a couple of minutes in.  Those English groups were high on theatrics in concert and they could always pull it off.  Outstanding.



I'm thinking Spinal Tap.
Posted 3 years ago by Madness1954    [ Reply ]
 Propayne wrote:

That tune cooks man....



With gas!
Posted 3 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
 ai63 wrote:

Oh but that opening build with keys and guitar.......shivers



Yes, and then the end is so opposite-so powerful 
Posted 3 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
I never got Jethro Tull when their albums were first released. And listening to this track again I still don't.
Posted 3 years ago by Madness1954    [ Reply ]
A heartbreaking, crunching song for when everything goes south in your life
Posted 3 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
 kbs wrote:
I guess you have a problem with the news then: it happens! I don't think JT are promoting or glorifying it it, just commenting on and holding up a mirror to life, the universe and everything... 



IA has mentioned there is no way he could write such non-PC lyrics in this day and age, implying that they would certainly be misinterpreted by the whingers
Posted 3 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
 DuranAir wrote:

I have a problem with the under age molestation in some of JT's tunes

I guess you have a problem with the news then: it happens! I don't think JT are promoting or glorifying it it, just commenting on and holding up a mirror to life, the universe and everything... 

Posted 3 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:

I just don't get the buzzing sound that appears after the flute solo...

I'll have to listen to my copy now...!

Posted 3 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
I just don't get the buzzing sound that appears after the flute solo...
Posted 3 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
Always loved the cover painting of scruffy Ian hiding his flute!!! 



Is that what he has under his coat?
Posted 3 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
 Sloggydog wrote:
Are there other people who feel this could be a perfectly acceptable song if it didn't have the flute?

Or Ian's "singing."
Posted 3 years ago by TallCreative1    [ Reply ]
Can we just have a day without Jethro? Please?
Posted 3 years ago by Jenecho    [ Reply ]
Are there other people who feel this could be a perfectly acceptable song if it didn't have the flute?
Posted 3 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
Who would ever have thought of a flute in heavy rock.
Posted 3 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
RP plays some amazing stuff but too much Jethro Tull isn't good for anyone.
Posted 3 years ago by terryweir    [ Reply ]
Absolutely one of the greatest (and probably  most influential) rock songs of all ages! 
Posted 4 years ago by hopper99    [ Reply ]
 adrain6 wrote:
just make it stop......
 
"I'll make you stop, mister!"





The poster's legal council advises that no harm, real or imagined, shall befall any person or thing as a result of this exclusively mirthful song comment.  ; )
Posted 4 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Always loved the cover painting of scruffy Ian hiding his flute!!! 
Posted 4 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 juanmoe wrote:
And they're not in the Hall of Fame !  Disgraceful !
 
We remember them. That is what matters.
Posted 4 years ago by Nix    [ Reply ]
Janet Jackson is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Jethro Tull is not.
Nuff said. Cancel your visit
Posted 4 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
When  Jethro Tull  nails one.....God like....have to give it a "10"..
Posted 4 years ago by neptunejeff    [ Reply ]
That piano intro always always makes me smile
Posted 4 years ago by ai63    [ Reply ]
I have a problem with the under age molestation in some of JT's tunes
Posted 4 years ago by DuranAir    [ Reply ]
Oh but that opening build with keys and guitar.......shivers
Posted 4 years ago by ai63    [ Reply ]
This is one of those songs where the volume seems to go louder all by itself.  When my wife gives me that "you're going to wake up the neighborhood" look, I can only shrug and say, "it wasn't me, it was Ian."  
Posted 5 years ago by dandueck07    [ Reply ]
The most iconic gulp of air during a flute solo in the history of flute solos.
Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
 memoryboxer wrote:

I beg to differ. I've been listening to Tull since I was 11 in 1971, and have seen Tull 14 times (starting with Stormwatch tour in '79; last was Toronto about 8 years ago) and one of the things that fascinates me about their concerts is the age spread. While 98% men in the audience, and yes, the majority being an increasingly grey/bald over 50(60... 70...) crowd, there is ALWAYS a broad scattering of teenage boys in Zepplin t-shirts and RUSH baseball caps. It's somehow still a rite of passage that boys from 14-18 will need a solid dose of classic rock before they move on to whatever the current age-appropriate noise is, and Tull, especially Aqualung, seems to continue to be required listening.
 

I just saw "Ian Anderson presents Jethro Tull" last week in Saratoga (California), and I took my 14-year-old son, who liked the show very much. And of course they played this song. 
Posted 5 years ago by poetdancer    [ Reply ]
Tull are playing at the Kunstrazen in Bonn, DE this July. A very cozy outdoor temporary summer stage. Greatly looking forward to seeing them again, the first time being at the Hammy O in London ‘95 I think. A rite of passage for sure, driving at high speed through the dales of the Peak District Derbyshire from cave to climb to pub, recover, repeat with my mucker Fuzz.
Posted 5 years ago by Dundas1965    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Believe it or not, other than over-50 listeners tuning into this station and listeners of classic rock stations, there probably really aren't very many people still listening to this. Fun tune, regardless of who's listening.
 
I beg to differ. I've been listening to Tull since I was 11 in 1971, and have seen Tull 14 times (starting with Stormwatch tour in '79; last was Toronto about 8 years ago) and one of the things that fascinates me about their concerts is the age spread. While 98% men in the audience, and yes, the majority being an increasingly grey/bald over 50(60... 70...) crowd, there is ALWAYS a broad scattering of teenage boys in Zepplin t-shirts and RUSH baseball caps. It's somehow still a rite of passage that boys from 14-18 will need a solid dose of classic rock before they move on to whatever the current age-appropriate noise is, and Tull, especially Aqualung, seems to continue to be required listening.
Posted 5 years ago by memoryboxer    [ Reply ]
 SeriousLee wrote:
I hear Crazy Train from Black Sabbath, which came about 9 years later. Subtle, but it's there.
 
After a bit of research (because i'm not familiar with either band much) turns out that Tony Lommi, who formed Black Sabbath in 1968, left them for Jethro Tull for about a year before returning.
 
Interesting.
 
I'm not hearing any of that. Just an FYI. Crazy Train was an Ozzy song. Not Sabbath. Tony Iommi had nothing to do with it. 
Posted 5 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
And they're not in the Hall of Fame !  Disgraceful !
Posted 5 years ago by juanmoe    [ Reply ]
First band I ever saw - this concert - set me up for every concert since!! Always been hard to beat - few have!
Posted 5 years ago by timbo23    [ Reply ]
 skuzzfud wrote:
Cod piece at the ready....
 
all time great guitar lead intro : >
Posted 5 years ago by surfrider4life    [ Reply ]
"and...the all time winner has got him by the balls''
Posted 5 years ago by surfrider4life    [ Reply ]
Cod piece at the ready....
Posted 5 years ago by skuzzfud    [ Reply ]
Thumping rock.  It's the first time I listened to the words...and read them.. thanks

ps thx to Sam for the coke reference.  it makes more sense that way, rather than trying to figure out some directly suicidal thing.
Posted 5 years ago by markthecarp    [ Reply ]
 SchoepTone wrote:
How is it that Tull is not in the R&RHOF? 

 
So what? The Pistols ostentively gave a flying fuck about being there when they were inducted.
Posted 5 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
I hear Crazy Train from Black Sabbath, which came about 9 years later. Subtle, but it's there.
 
After a bit of research (because i'm not familiar with either band much) turns out that Tony Lommi, who formed Black Sabbath in 1968, left them for Jethro Tull for about a year before returning.
 
Interesting.
Posted 5 years ago by SeriousLee    [ Reply ]
10 is too low
Posted 5 years ago by peter.gerzner    [ Reply ]
 Propayne wrote:
That tune cooks man....
 
"...the rest of book: To Serve Man, it's a cookbook!!!"
Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
That tune cooks man....
Posted 6 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
just make it stop......
Posted 6 years ago by adrain6    [ Reply ]
 SchoepTone wrote:
How is it that Tull is not in the R&RHOF? 

 
The HOF is a private scam and it doesn't mean anything. It may be actually better not to be in it.
Posted 6 years ago by lucas1024    [ Reply ]
Excellent drummer, excellent guitarist and the special Ian Anderson.

I didn't realise at the time how good they were and with the benefit of hindsight I see why they just had to be one of the all time greats.

Same applies to Led Zeppelin (the only difference was I knew they were great at the time).

 
Posted 6 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
How is it that Tull is not in the R&RHOF? 
Posted 6 years ago by SchoepTone    [ Reply ]
10 X10!
Posted 6 years ago by dflee    [ Reply ]
 Sam_Chucklestone wrote:
Old Charlie is cocaine, Charlie in British slang means cocaine. Old Charlie stole the handle, he can't slow down. It's about a coke addict.

If you read the lyrics in this light, you can see the all time loser letting things slip away, his family his wife, his mind. He can't slow down.

Just sayin'.

It always was one of my favourite Tull tracks, even when I never used to pay attention to the lyrics. It sounds even better now.

There but for the Grace ... walks every man.

  Yes to all of the above.


Posted 7 years ago by jinxie1266    [ Reply ]
Opening song of their 1977 concert - lovely young lady comes on stage and acts as orchestra conductor to piped in classical music. Music stops. She bows.  BANG! Martin Barre emerges from explosion and smoke and starts cranking some killer guitar.  BANG! Barriemore Barlow on drums.  BANG! Bass, piano, then the biggest BANG and explosion of all and Ian Anderson drops in from above.  Music continues frantically, changing to opening riffs of Locomotive Breath, and we're in mid-concert form just a couple of minutes in.  Those English groups were high on theatrics in concert and they could always pull it off.  Outstanding.
Posted 7 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
I give it an 11 - its one better!
Posted 7 years ago by epiclectic    [ Reply ]
Cranked the piss outa it.
Posted 7 years ago by jsd52756    [ Reply ]
Chew chew!
Posted 7 years ago by SeriousLee    [ Reply ]
 ottovonb wrote:
42 years old and still smokin' hot. What music from today will they still be listening to in the year 2055?

 
Believe it or not, other than over-50 listeners tuning into this station and listeners of classic rock stations, there probably really aren't very many people still listening to this. Fun tune, regardless of who's listening.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 semolinapilchard wrote:
Most excellent, I'm standing on one foot dancing!{#Dancingbanana_2}

 
Now to work on that emboucher........
Posted 7 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
ten ten ten
Posted 7 years ago by DocStrangelove    [ Reply ]
I was watching Fargo the FX series last night and they played this song, it fit the storyline pretty well.
Posted 7 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
10. All that history!
Posted 7 years ago by bn6    [ Reply ]
Most excellent, I'm standing on one foot dancing!{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 7 years ago by semolinapilchard    [ Reply ]
turning{#Dancingbanana_2} speakers way up 
Posted 7 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]
As I pack my gear for a mountain bike ride this is just stokage "And no way to slow down... uhhhh!".  

And this isn't even the best song on this album.  Try to new remastered version on vinyl.
Posted 7 years ago by jbuhl    [ Reply ]
One of the only songs that made KLH 9s and Audio Research seem lacking. Just wouldn't safely go loud enough.
 
Posted 8 years ago by Ouachita    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:

Man, what a great album...  still have this original vinyl...  love this song...

 

 
Old comment from the always renamed one but I also have this and and a good number of others on vinyl.  Including the Genesis just played.
Posted 8 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
10 - Godlike     : )    party on
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:
Back In The Day Seque:  Genesis "The Carpet Crawlers" —>  Jethro Tull "Locomotive Breath." 

{#Notworthy} {#Clap} 

 
The good ol' days!  
Posted 8 years ago by OlderGentleman    [ Reply ]
Pretty sure that this song alone, is responsible for about 10% of my hearing loss.
Still won't go loud enough. 
Posted 8 years ago by Lindo525    [ Reply ]
Back In The Day Seque:  Genesis "The Carpet Crawlers" —>  Jethro Tull "Locomotive Breath." 

{#Notworthy} {#Clap} 
Posted 8 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 
{#Hearteyes}
raga wrote:
10, no way to slow down

 


Posted 8 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
 Me too. All I have is Thick as a Brick.

And this is great. High school daze.

Ahnyer_Keester wrote:
I'm not sure why I like Tull so much but ever time I hear one of their songs I think I should own more. Thanks for reminding me. {#Cool}

 


Posted 8 years ago by dkwalika    [ Reply ]
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:
Sophomoric

 
8.2 lol stick that in your sophomoric pipe and smoke it,  {#Nyah}
Posted 8 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]
10, no way to slow down
Posted 8 years ago by raga    [ Reply ]
Huge Tull fan but mostly like the folk-type tunes.  This, however, is one of the few exceptions.  Love it!
Posted 8 years ago by RedTopFireBelow    [ Reply ]
Was never one of my fave cuts off this record, but still a '6'.
Posted 9 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
Sophomoric
Posted 9 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
I'm not sure why I like Tull so much but ever time I hear one of their songs I think I should own more. Thanks for reminding me. {#Cool}
Posted 9 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Wooo Hooo
Great Track. This is another we used to cover in one of my old bands.
Used to love playing it - we had some fun with it too(!) & hearing it always makes me smile!!

Maybe give the live Jethro Tull version a spin sometime perhaps? that really rocks!
cheers.
Posted 9 years ago by springof63    [ Reply ]

Ian gives a little tull to jeff the brotherhood! https://www.stereogum.com/1739564/jeff-the-brotherhood-black-cherry-pie/mp3s/
Posted 9 years ago by CMax    [ Reply ]
Oh yes he had him by the balls.
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
High school Art class — the teacher's out of the room, and we're talking about Music. I'd played it on the way to school; so did 2 others!
Posted 9 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Nice piano intro, followed by one of the catchiest guitar riffs ever.



 
The song so great it needs an intro for its intro.
 
Posted 10 years ago by rsfc_carp    [ Reply ]
 ottovonb wrote:
42 years old and still smokin' hot. What music from today will they still be listening to in the year 2055?

 
Not much - Porcupine Tree perhaps?
Posted 10 years ago by ianmoff    [ Reply ]
 Steve_Mcl wrote:
This was the second album I purchased and this track has always been my favourite.

 
Snap!
Posted 10 years ago by ianmoff    [ Reply ]
 CMax wrote:
At Tommy's surprise birthday party, Paul says he's going to be in charge of the music, and Gina yells to him, "No Jethro Tull!" Three guesses as to what plays in the next scene... what film?

 
Beautiful Girls?  A fine cast, with perhaps Ms. Portman's breakout role portraying an adult. 
Posted 10 years ago by hwcarter    [ Reply ]
GodLike !{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 10 years ago by philipr    [ Reply ]
 oldfart48 wrote:
allways time for TULL{#Sunny}

 
Agreed 100%
Posted 10 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
allways time for TULL{#Sunny}
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
I'll hear this one live (again) this Tuesday... 10.
Posted 11 years ago by whomhow    [ Reply ]

Simple licks, played LOUD.  A teenager's dream, and still one of my favorites.


Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
This was the second album I purchased and this track has always been my favourite.
Posted 11 years ago by Steve_Mcl    [ Reply ]
It's a good one. Unforgetable!
Posted 11 years ago by megaboogieman    [ Reply ]
OH YEA!!  {#Clap}
Posted 11 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
42 years old and still smokin' hot. What music from today will they still be listening to in the year 2055?
Posted 11 years ago by ottovonb    [ Reply ]

Man, what a great album...  still have this original vinyl...  love this song...

 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
At Tommy's surprise birthday party, Paul says he's going to be in charge of the music, and Gina yells to him, "No Jethro Tull!" Three guesses as to what plays in the next scene... what film?
Posted 11 years ago by CMax    [ Reply ]
This is a classic, like it or not! {#Clap} Never really got the credit they deserved in my view...
Posted 11 years ago by hidey    [ Reply ]
Good Lord, I'd forgotten just how good this song was...
Posted 11 years ago by Slipstream    [ Reply ]
overplayed
Posted 12 years ago by dkwalika    [ Reply ]
 joelbb wrote:
Drop dead, Fred.
 
Gee, thanks Joe. Aren't you the milk of human kindness. Perish the thought that folk could post honest comments without having death wished upon them by other listeners. Well, just go blow, Joe {#Nyah}
Posted 12 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Drop dead, Fred.
Posted 12 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]