Repeat: The Best Of Jethro Tull

Bourée (Instrumental)

Thick As A Brick (Edit #4)

A Passion Play (Edit #9)

Too Old To Rock 'n'Roll: Too Young To Die!

Oh, we'll put your name up in lights, put you down on Glory Row.
Would you be the star of ages to light your own way at night?
Might be a former beauty queen with your high smile stuck on so tightly.
They come and they go down on Glory Row.
It's the same old story yes, it the same old show.
Well, hello all you gentlemen, I fear I'm a lot like you.
We're wearing the same school tie but a different pair of shoes.
How did you get to be who you are? Will your children share the blame?
Is it really worth the time it takes to carve your name on Glory Row?
Down on Glory Row. It's the same old story yes, it the same old show.

Rise up all you fine young ladies and take arms for the show.
Oh, we'll put your name up inlights, put you down on Glory Row.
Would you be the star of ages to light your own way at night?
Might be a former beauty queen with your high smile stuck on so tightly.
They come and they go down on Glory Row.
It's the same old story yes, it the same old show.
Well, hello all you gentlemen, I fear I'm a lot like you.
We're wearing the same school tie but a different pair of shoes.
How did you get to be who you are? Will your children share the blame?
Is it really worth the time it takes to carve your name on Glory Row?
Down on Glory Row. It's the same old story yes, it the same old show.

Annotation:

I see the Glory Row the journey’s end for the would-be stars: actors, singers, writers and businessmen alike. Their aspiration to put themselves apart from everyone else is ridiculed by this song, suggesting that life is just the “same old show” as it is for everyone else.

The line “We're wearing the same school tie but a different pair of shoes” shows the almost bitter comment of someone who didn’t do as well in the race for fame as their old, maybe academically inferior, classmate.

Ian’s lyrics could be seen as self-deprecating, or even a plea to those who were envious of his success, by saying “look, I am the same as you”.

* Bernie Matthews