Artists
Ian Anderson – lead vocals, flute, acoustic guitar, mandolin, harmonica, percussion
Martin Barre – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Dave Pegg – bass guitar, mandolin
David Mattacks – drums, percussion, glockenspiel, keyboards
Written by Ian Anderson. Produced and mixed by Ian Anderson, recorded live in Ankara, Turkey, on 16 May 1992 by Leon Phillips. The seventh track (4:43) on A Little Light Music (Chrysalis, 14 September 1992).
A semi-acoustic live version of the title song from the band’s 1976 concept album, which tells the story of Ray Lomas, an aging biker who refuses to change with the times and clings to his lifestyle. Ian Anderson has said the title came from a flight he took in the United States, and he built the song’s story around it. The original studio single from March 1976 didn’t chart, but the song stayed in the live set for years, appearing on Bursting Out, Live at Hammersmith ‘84, and this 1992 album.
Jethro Tull – Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll- Too Young to Die! Lyrics
The old Rocker wore his hair too long,
wore his trouser cuffs too tight.
Unfashionable to the end — drank his ale too light.
Death’s head belt buckle — yesterday’s dreams —
the transport caf’ prophet of doom.
Ringing no change in his double-sewn seams
in his post-war-babe gloom.
Now he’s too old to Rock’n’Roll but he’s too young to die.
He once owned a Harley Davidson and a Triumph Bonneville.
Counted his friends in burned-out spark plugs
and prays that he always will.
But he’s the last of the blue blood greaser boys
all of his mates are doing time:
married with three kids up by the ring road
sold their souls straight down the line.
And some of them own little sports cars
and meet at the tennis club do’s.
For drinks on a Sunday — work on Monday.
They’ve thrown away their blue suede shoes.
Now they’re too old to Rock’n’Roll and they’re too young to die.
So the old Rocker gets out his bike
to make a ton before he takes his leave.
Up on the A1 by Scotch Corner
just like it used to be.
And as he flies — tears in his eyes —
his wind-whipped words echo the final take
and he hits the trunk road doing around 120
with no room left to brake.
And he was too old to Rock’n’Roll but he was too young to die.
No, you’re never too old to Rock’n’Roll if you’re too young to die.
To listen to other songs from the the Teleskop 26 program click here.