Jethro Tull - My God (REACTION) First Time Hearing It

[@brooos]

Ian Anderson - vocalist, acoustic guitarist, flutist, composer, lyricist and amazing showman. His live performances where he plays flute are a wonder to behold.

[@stephentarry4475]

i cant fault your comment..... nice

[@LJA46]

One correction, self-taught flautist!

[@gregcormier2379]

More Jethro Tull to explore include Cross eyed Mary, Aqualung, Skating Away, Thick as a Brick, Passion Play, Nothing is Easy, Locomotive Breath, Living in the Past,Bungle in the Jungle. That should keep you busy for awhile.

[@RabbiSteve1]

@@gregcormier2379 I second any of those. Especially “Nothing Is Easy”, maybe my favorite Jethro Tull song.

[@alldayadventures5418]

Over 45 years hearing this tune, still sends a chill down my spine.

[@jessicahimmel7867]

So great ❤

[@doriwiljt]

This album is iconic. It was one of the first I owned as a young teen. I'm glad you started with this song. Watch some of their live videos. That's Ian on his iconic flute.

[@1955billc]

Imagine going to 8 years of Catholic school in the 60's then this song comes out in '71?!? What a kick in the head and wake-up call! There's a live version out there in the youtube universe that you need to check out, too.

[@johndavids4780]

I am 76 years old. I grew up in the golden age of rock. I have see all of the great bands of the time. Their Aqualung concert was the best concert I ever saw. Nobody else came that close. Saeed, there is no need to be modest about your achievements. They are what made you and what still makes you. You are among my favorite reactors. Late 60s and early 70s music requires attention. Ian Anderson admonished the crowd in the concert telling over boisterous people that listening to the music should be just as hard as his work creating it. I never forgot that.

[@bobb9541]

I am a couple of years younger than you and agree. The late 60's and early 70's were the golden years of great music that will never be seen again.

[@SeaMark782]

My first concert was Tull in 1971 at the Forum in LA. Still spectacular!

[@jonathansmith3742]

Can't forget Mother Goose. Over half a century old. What an album.

[@martinellis7156]

Over 50 years old, this music really stands the test of time. In the '70's we took it for granted that every week we would get another album like this. It was the best of times..

[@Newfie-zc7ug]

YUP ! :)

[@thomasmoroney1079]

Nice to watch someone who really pays attention ✌️❤️

[@RogerBartholomy]

That is Ian Anderson on the flute as well😊

[@gablen23]

Some of their biggest hits include "Aqualung", "Locomotive Breath" (both on the album "Aqualung", as well as "My God"), "Bourée", "Thick As A Brick", and many more...

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thank you for sharing these!

[@alldayadventures5418]

Thick as a Brick is one 45 minute tune, and is considered a Top 10 best produced albums of all time.

[@stevewest4994]

@@alldayadventures5418 Yes, to understand Thick as a Brick I think you need to listen to the full version--there are some shorter versions that Jethro Tull played in some of their concerts, but those are really aimed at an audience who already know what the song is about.

[@paulpalmer873]

The live version of this is jaw dropping,

[@marydlutes1792]

Saeed! This was THE Best Rxn I've ever seen. Jethro Tull IS Amazing.

[@BrianJohnson-bq9tr]

Now you know why I've been a fan for 50 years.

[@andythrush3341]

Cross Eyed Mary should be next. This is my favorite Tull song. It's a deep and thoughtful song. Im a fan, so thanks for your reaction, and thanks for all the time and effort you put into all your posts.

[@MattJaissleFilms]

Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day

[@ArnoldLayne-he9qq]

Great that you react to the original recording!

[@robertwatson2823]

One of my favorite albums of all time. I actually had 3 copies of this album, because I wore out the first two. Seeing Jethro Tull live is another eye-opening experience.

[@dwoehrma]

Great place to start! Showcasing Ian on acoustic guitar, flute, and vocals. Watching him perform live is an experience. This entire album is worth knowing.

[@SaeedReacts.]

He is doing all of those? Wow! Had no idea.

[@zwieseler]

Fyi, Jethro Tull won the first ever Grammy for Heavy Metal. Watch JT live…. Ian Anderson was the most “animated” front men in rock. Martin Barre is one of the most underrated guitar players around.

[@suecook1326]

Martin Barre retired after being with Jethro Tull for 50 years! Not too many of us spend that much time with one employer! He was an outstanding musician as was the other members. I got to see them 3 times in the 70's and always a fantastic show! Ian is still playing and producing music.

[@RogerBartholomy]

You should see him perform.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Definitely want to explore more and also check out some live performances.

[@paulburton5150]

Agree. The live performances are a sight to behold. My God live from Isle of Wight is amazing

[@nancymjohnson]

You MUST watch this live from Isle of Wight! MUST! Most entertaining performance ever! ☮️❤️😎🎼

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for the recommendation! Will add it to my list.

[@stevedotwood]

That mid-eastern aroma of the acoustic guitar is so beautiful, indeed. The singer's outfit in the 70's … he looked like a court jester mixed with a medieval minstrel. Apart from his acoustic guitar sklills, he was amazing on the flute as well. And his great ways of story telling. Every song was about something deep.

[@corawheeler9355]

Ian played acoustic on this, so you see he's quite good. But story is, he heard Clapton and thought he would never be that good. So he bought a flute and taught himself to play it. He began recording less than two years after picking it up. Ian Anderson is a musical genius.

[@RJ-oy7cq]

You absolutely need to do the LIVE version of this song--it is AMAZING!

[@BridgeIV]

This whole album is awesome, Ian on his flute, magical! Love your reaction and your understanding of the lyrics, top notch! 😊

[@meyou-dv8ns]

I am not even born yet and I love Jethro Tull, this album is by far my 9th favorite Tull album!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@RobONeill-b5e]

You can't go wrong with the entire Aqualung album - the title track, Locomotive Breath, My God, and Wind up are highlights for me. But my favourite tunes are from the earlier Stand Up album - specifically Fat Man, We Used to Know and Look Into the Sun. Enjoy!

[@dandurant4845]

My absolute favorite Tull song. Haunting and deep lyrically. Thiis is a great album do indulge yourself.

[@brucecronin6396]

You picked another good one !! Anderson played the flute and acoustic guitar and vocals. Imagine hin dancing around like a whirling dervish all the while ??!!

[@Gledge9]

A few of my favorite Jethro Tull tunes are a little more obscure, they are , Teacher, Rainbow Blues, Too Old to Rock and Roll Too Young to Die, Farm on the Freeway, We Used to Know. And like others have said, a great pile of songs along with these. Enjoy your journey

[@bobschenkel7921]

Used to use the album "Aqualung" as my set up album when I had to move my stereo. I knew what was right on the album, so it worked as a set up standard. "My God" is a favorite from this iconic effort.

[@Ferretbomber]

Jethro Tull were so awesome, and a huge influence on bands like Rush, Iron Maiden, Pearl Jam, as well as Dio and Richie Blackmore from Deep Purple/Rainbow. One of the most innovative and successful bands of the 70s and they kept making great stuff in the 80s and beyond. Please listen to more. Their albums are terrific, but they are also known for their amazing live performances. Geddy Lee has said many times that Tull's album 'Thick as a Brick' is in his top 10 albums and that the live performance was his favorite concert he ever saw.

[@dominicschaeffer909]

Good choice for a Tull introduction

[@bobdelp2023]

OH WOWWWWW, YOU GOT TO THIS, COOL COOL!!! 💯😊IF YOU WANNA GET YOUR MIND BLOWN TO THIS SONG SAEED : 70 LIVE AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT 👍

[@ArnoldStirrup]

Welcome to the rabbit hole that is Jethro Tull, and well done for getting the main message of the song so early. It was good to hear the studio version for a change, most reviewers do a Live version (their live performances are great though) - but I think the studio version is a better introduction (flute solos are not as long/whacky). Anything off this album is fantastic, but their other albums are also great - each has different sound/feel to them.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks so much for watching and sharing some info. Definitely want to explore more. Such a great song!

[@erikahlander3489]

During the 70s they produced their best albums of which at least five are really top notch all way through. But my personal favourite song is probably "Songs from the wood" ... at least this week. The first Tull album and the second album ever I bought was Stand Up in 1971.

[@SavageGrace]

One of my top 10 favourite bands ever. A massive catalogue of stuff from the early Jazz/Blues stuff, to the Prog stuff to the folkier stuff. The live version of this from the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 is absolutely mega.

[@jthaw]

You might want to check out Jethro Tull at the Isle of Wight Festival from 1970. They perform this song.

[@stephentarry4475]

welcome to the Tull family,,,,,,,

[@aagesen4]

You need to see a live performance.

[@aagesen4]

“Locomotive Breath” live is a good start.

[@KevinRCarr]

Others can recommend songs. I'll recommend watching a live recorded video at some point. Ian Anderson has been a complete entertainer. When he was on stage back then he was a wild and manic presence, a force of nature that needs to be seen as well as heard, so you can then visualize him/them while listening to their beautiful studio recordings. In this song he plays acoustic guitar and flute, and sings.

[@olathestanwalker6717]

This was the best analysis of this song ever. You got the whole thing. Musically, vocally and most important, the message. Do yourself a favor and go back to Tull sooner than later. Great suggestions down below. Great reaction. Thanks.

[@sandybourdeau9300]

Locomotive Breath is their most recognizable songs. This is one of solo road trip albums. The volume cranked way up!!!

[@jessicahimmel7867]

Probably my favorite Tull sing, so hard to pick one though ❤ Thank you for diving in! My parents were fanatics for Tull lol My first concert at 10

[@jima6545]

The blues flavor is there. They began as a blues band in the 60s, then became their very own genre.

[@bobmessier5215]

Please go down the Jethro Tull rabbit-hole. Still performing in 2025, since 1968. I think you'll find this band ranks up there with The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin and The Stones. My God!!!

[@daveking9393]

Interesting place to start. Really happy you are here! So much to enjoy on this journey. I am such a big fan. Looking forward to it. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@gingerbaker_toad696]

Almost can't believe you have never heard it before, spot on reaction 👌 you already got it and I still am at your first pause :)

[@Lexwell_Lavers]

The amazing Ian Anderson. Great live band. Crazy great songs, unique band.

[@JustMe-vk4fn]

:) Thanks for your reactions. This music was the best part of growing up for me. :D Take your time young man with all these reactions. It's a lot to absorb all at once. it's taken a lifetime for me so far. :D What a lyric: "You'll be praying to next Thursday to all the Gods that you can count". :D I read recently that the amount of "gods" in the world now stands at 8 *thousand* these days. Yikes.

[@sandybourdeau9300]

This just makes me smile and think HOW could anyone think any other decade’s music could possibly compare in quality!!!!

[@JustMe-vk4fn]

@@sandybourdeau9300 :) I've always felt I was lucky to live during all the changes thru the years and it makes me happy that people can now enjoy what mesmerized me so long ago. MTV dragged a lot of these songs back into the spotlight by adding video and here we go again with all these digital reactions. Talent can't express itself unless we watch and listen and we're so easily distracted. :D

[@karenmandeville7116]

i would strongly suggest a live performance. Thick As a Brick live at Madison Square Garden is a must see! Ian Anderson (the singer) is the flute player. it's a regular flute.

[@traceymcintire7754]

Awesome! So glad you have discovered the world of Jethro Tull and the most amazing flute rock ever! Ian Anderson is a genius. My favorite is Skating Away On the Thin Ice of a New Day. And since you just did a song from the Aqualung album, any other song from that masterpiece will amaze you. Enjoy!

[@guacamolekid3899]

Tull had 2 number one albums- Thick as a Brick, and A Passion Play. Thick as a Brick is a 45-minute opus- One of the best pieces of music ever written, in my opinion. The poem supposedly won a literary contest and was written by 8-year-old child prodigy Gerald 'Little Milton Bostock- To get the full effect you have to listen to it all the way through without pausing. Your reviews are interesting because you obviously have a good background in poetry and literature, and you understand historical implications, etc. I saw this group play in 1973 when I was 13 years old. Ian still plays but his voice is shot, which is a shame. Martin Barre also has a band that I saw play a couple years ago a bar that's a mile from my house.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks you so much for sharing some info and recommendations. Sounds very interesting!

[@obiwanbenobi4943]

@@SaeedReacts. As a writer you will enjoy it, plus the album cover is full of gags, etc. :)

[@scottyscot8]

Love this song 👍👍🎼🎵🎵🎶🎶🎧❤️💥🙏🙏

[@boothy201]

Over the Christmas break I heard 'Minstrel in the gallery' for the first time, probably, this century and was stunned once again by how good it is.

[@fredjohns1869]

Thick as a Brick Live at Madison Square Garden!!! Gotta do that one!! Promise you'll love it! Thanks!!

[@mftoms59]

Jethro Tull, by far my Favorite Band, I love the studio version of this song because of the Gregorian Chants which give me chills EVERY TIME. That being said, the LIVE version is a MUST. I'd also recommend the live version of Songs From the Wood, they always are fun to see live. Like your reactions. 👍👍

[@SaeedReacts.]

Yes! Those chants, i loved those and was thinking i need to mention this and totally forgot. Thanks for reminding me!

[@Newfie-zc7ug]

DAMN.......this group was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good ! :)

[@falcon215]

Check out their epic live performance of this song at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970..

[@bobschenkel7921]

Ian Anderson on Vocals and Flute, and Martin Barre on Acoustic and Electric Guitar.

[@Ferretbomber]

Ian played the acoustic on all songs unless he was busy and Martin needed to take those parts.

[@RusselRezaie]

That was a good reaction, and this song is great. Thank you.

[@umpdaddy1]

Jethro Tull was the first successful prog rock band. Ian Anderson is a genius. He's still writing and performing.

[@jhallberry]

Ian is genious. Composer, lyrisist, vocals, acoustic guitar, flute, ballet dancer, mesmerizing front man that you love and yet feel uncomfortable with simultaniously. Humorous and serious and always a little tongue in cheek.. Luckyto have seen him 3 times. First time in a small club, Paul's Mall. Then twice in Boston Garden, Thick as a Brick and Passion Play tours. PS, the rest of the band is awesome too!

[@HawklordLI]

It will be half a century on the 28th of January of this year (2025) that I saw them live in KCMO at the Kemper Arena. Still the best concert I've ever attended.

[@mkissin493]

Something about this one hits with me. Great reaction.

[@AliasMark69]

Ian Anderson is famous for standing on one leg during a performance. It started early in the bands history when they were in a not so clean rest room of the place they were playing and Ian lifted the toilet seat with his foot while he was peeing, the guitarist Martin laughed and asked.... can you stand on one leg during an entire song?... So during the show Ian stood on one leg and several photographs were taken and made famous, so the pose became the band's Logo since then.

[@RalphSpoiledsport]

one of my favorites

[@Rackelhane]

Ian Anderson looks like Marty Feldman a little . Fantastic muscician with a stage precence like nobody else. Jethro Tull one of the great prog/folkmusic bands ever. I saw them in Västerås Sweden for 2 years ago..maby 3. Ian over 70 years..is still going strong. Thank you.

[@AliasMark69]

My Favorite song from the mind of Ian Anderson.... Brilliant.

[@breakingdad8]

Fantastic reaction. Took me a little while to appreciate JT. You nailed it the first time. A masterpiece

[@hongfang2348]

Ian Anderson plays the opening acoustic guitar line, at least in concert. But he's best known for the flute. Jethro Tull is not in the US rock hall of fame. Which is a crime!!!

[@freddiejupiter442]

Considering it took Rush and Yes so long (courtesy of Jan Wenner) anything is possible. More notable snubs: Boston, Styx, Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden, Soundgarden, Joy Division, Smashing Pumpkins, Warren Zevon, Kansas, King Crimson, Dio, Sonic Youth, Alice in Chains, Brian Eno. It's all a very unfunny joke.

[@genegibson1690]

That's just one song on this album!

[@Prone2Thrill]

I am particularly thankful for Jethro Tull because they are like no other band and almost didn't exist. BTW = I learned that at one point JT invited Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath to join the band. He asked Sabbath if he should, when they all said yeah - he said well if they want to get rid of me I'll stay! lol

[@endapian]

"Aqualung", "songs from the wood" and "A" are in my top three of jethro tull albums........

[@RandyHall324]

Lots and lots of great Jethro Tull songs - there's a reasonable chance you've heard a few other tunes from this breakthrough album, Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, and maybe Hymn 43. They're all great, and definitely worth checking out. Minstrel in the Gallery is another song, that like this one, starts off with a beautiful acoustic motif, and changes up into a solid rocker. My introduction to the band was the album, Thick as a Brick, but that'll be tricky because the entire album is one song (still probably my favorite of theirs)...If you want to sample it, there are some edited cuts of it that they included in a greatest hits package. Happy exploring!

[@bazkeen]

Ian Anderson is an incredible frontman. Multi instrmentalist. Mainly known for his flute playing. The most popular song would be Aqualung. Strangely he doesn't play the flute on that one, but it does have a killer guitar solo. Another one that is really popular is Locomotive Breath. That one is my favourite 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻 Saw them back in the early 80s. What a show 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 😂😂After nearly 50 years, I never new his middle name was Scott 😂😂😂 Martin Barre on lead guitar. He is incredible 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@daveking9393]

My favorites come from anything off of the LP "songs from the wood' or the next LP they did "heavy horses" both of them are phenomenal I listen to them from start to finish all the time...

[@RabbiSteve1]

A great reaction to one of my favorite Tull songs. Thank you. Ian Anderson, in addition to being the vocalist, and acoustic guitar also is the flute player. He is playing a classical “silver flute”, a traverse side flute played in orchestras and a lot of jazz. Tull started as a blues band before they went “prog”, and some of that bluesy and jazzy nature never left. But they went through various stages, getting even more into classical type structures, as well as British folk music. While what you said is true for Eastern philosophy and religion, it’s also in Western religion also. It’s just that it is often buried and hidden. I know this as I am a rabbi. Dogma and doctrine in almost all religions often wins out over experiential spirituality with prayer and mediation, not only because of financial issues as well as other forms of power and control, but even at its most benign, it’s just easier to pass on dogma and doctrine than it is to get people to actually practice things, where they’ll experience some of the things he’s talking about in the song. Anyways, a great reaction. Thank you.

[@Kick278]

Welcome to the genius of Ian Anderson Saeed! He's not holding back on those lyrics, is he... Thanks for sharing!!

[@JimiBurleigh]

It's a pleasure to see you discover the 🎶 music 🎶 that has been the soundtrack to my life and times 🤘💯 "Aqualung" "Cross-eyed Mary" "Living In the Past" "Bungle In the Jungle" "Fat Man" "Skating Away (On the Thin Ice of A New Day)" Nice to see that you are aware that the band is called Jethro Tull, the front man is Ian Anderson. Here's a bit of trivia for you: the namesake of the band was an English agriculturalist who was born in 1674. Jethro Tull developed the horse drawn seed drill 😅in 1701. This improved and standardized the planting process. Which increased crop yields, making food more plentiful as well as more nutritious 🎉💯

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thank you so much for sharing that info! I love to learn about these things. Looking forward to discover more.

[@jamesvomsaal]

Ian writes,sings plays acoustic guitars,flute. and you name it . great reaction

[@jsixtvf]

I love Minstrel in the Gallery too, Every 60s, 70s stuff

[@Dave-hb7lx]

Good job, was interested in your take on this one.

[@spadams999]

This entire album is fantastic. I recommend you listen to Locomotive Breath from the same album. BTW - it's a regular flute. And it was Henry VIII that left Catholicism and established the Church of England so he could get an annulment from Catherine of Aragon.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks so much for taking the time to shed some light on the questions i had. Much appreciated!

[@kennydixson7851]

Not going to rehash the other songs that have been commented on. Just to say Bungle in the Jungle is an interesting listen, amongst many others. Just another interesting note, Ian Anderson was self taught to play the flute if I’m not mistaken. One interesting cat for sure.

[@goldenhorn15]

Might shoulda watched the live video of one of Tull's most fantastic songs!

[@thepogue]

LMAO...i loved watching your face...lol

[@gablen23]

Ian Anderson wrote the song, played the acoustic guitar, the flute, and did sing it too!

[@Gothondra]

The rock & roll hall of fame are criminally inept for not having Jethro Tull inducted.

[@timithius]

"Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day", even though it has an annoyingly long intro. 🙂 "Aqualung" and "Living in the Past" were early favorites, but "Songs From the Wood" and "War Child" became my favorite Tull albums.

[@johncollier9280]

Now that you've reacted to the amazin' studio version o' My God! I highly recommend you also react to the live version-a year before the song was released-from the Isle O' Wight Festival, 1970. I saw them perform it live on that tour. Believe me when I tell you nothin' could prepare me or the audience for that unbelievable performance. Ian pulled out all the stops 'n blew everybody's mind! You have to see it to believe it!

[@arnesaknussemm7294]

Next song, same album, same arguments... Wind Up. Masterpiece!

[@gustavogutierrez9086]

Great reaction as always. There is a live performance of this song from 1970 at the Isle of Wight in KZbin which is a must see "Jethro Tull - My God (Nothing Is Easy) - Live At The Isle Of Wight"

[@bobdelp2023]

THAT'S ( IAN ) ON THE ALBUM COVER , ILLUSTRATED OF COURSE!💯HE WAS NEVERRRR AGAINST RELIGION SAEED😊 BUT HE WAS ALWAYS AGAINST ORGANIZED RELIGION! 😮MUSICAL VIRTUOSO SAEED, ACOUSTIC, TAMBOURINE, AND HE HAD TO SET HIMSELF APART FROM HENDRIX & CLAPTON THAT HE PICKED UP A FLUTE AND THE REST BECAME HISTORYYYY MY FRIEND! 👍NOT MUCH ON THE FM RADIO BUT THERE WERE A FEW SONGS, 2 FROM THIS EPIC ( 71 ) ALBUM AQAUALUNG, THE TITLE TRACK & LOCOMOTIVE BREATH, ANOTHER HUGE RADIO HIT WAS : BUNGLE IN THE JUNGLE, AS I TOLD YOU IN A POST, PART OF MY TOP 3 : ELTON, NEIL & TULL FOR OVER A HALF CENTURY NOW! YIKESSSS😮

[@Wayne-v3k]

You need to listen to the rest of that album it will blow your mind

[@timithius]

All of a sudden I'm back in highschool. This album was another soundtrack to my youth. Be sure to check out the title track. You'll probably recognize it from the opening riff. 🙂

[@gingerbaker_toad696]

You can literally just see him as a medieval Jester with his well equipped band of wandering rock musicians marching down some place in front of a church, blasting this in all them monks faces on his way to his execution.. Or maybe that's just me 😅

[@maggieshevelew1693]

An interesting bit of trivia - Ian Anderson is the father-in-law of Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead).

[@erictownsend8870]

Ian Anderson plays the flute, and well, it's a long one with many keys. The Aqualung album was my first Jethro Tull album back in 1971 while at college. I was blown away, a fan ever since. 23 studio albums, 2 since 2023, and constantly touring. My wife and I saw Ian with his current Jethro Tull band in 2023 near Chicago. Try a live video. "Jethro Tull - Locomotive Breath - (Live 1977)" or "Jethro Tull - Thick As A Brick (Sight And Sound In Concert: Jethro Tull Live, 19th Feb, 1977)" on KZbin. The Thick As A Brick one is excerpts from the full 44 minute piece released in 1972.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks so much for sharing some info and recommendations. Definitely want to explore more.

[@erictownsend8870]

@@SaeedReacts. Oops we also saw them in 2024!