Jethro Tull — Nothing Is Easy
Album: Stand UpAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2584
Length: 4:20
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Nothing is easy.
Though time gets you worrying
My friend, it's OK.
Just take your life easy
And stop all that hurrying,
Be happy my way.
When tension starts mounting
And you've lost count
Of the pennies you've missed,
Just try hard and see why they're not worrying me,
They're last on my list.
Nothing's easy.
Nothing is easy, you'll find
That the squeeze won't turn out so bad.
Your fingers may freeze, worse things happen at sea,
There's good times to be had.
So if you're alone and you're down to the bone,
Just give us a play.
You'll smile in a while and discover
That I'll get you happy my way
Nothing's easy.
Though time gets you worrying
My friend, it's OK.
Just take your life easy
And stop all that hurrying,
Be happy my way.
When tension starts mounting
And you've lost count
Of the pennies you've missed,
Just try hard and see why they're not worrying me,
They're last on my list.
Nothing's easy.
Nothing is easy, you'll find
That the squeeze won't turn out so bad.
Your fingers may freeze, worse things happen at sea,
There's good times to be had.
So if you're alone and you're down to the bone,
Just give us a play.
You'll smile in a while and discover
That I'll get you happy my way
Nothing's easy.
Comments (276)add comment
This is classic. Holds up so well after all these years!
Can you blame them for not wanting to end this great song?
nerakdon wrote:
I had a really cool music teach way back when I was in elementary school in the late 70's/early 80's. Somewhere around 5th grade, we were starting to play musical instruments and everybody considered the flute to be generally silly and girly. Our cool music teacher played Jethro Tull for us, let us sit there for a minute, and then asked if we'd like to learn to play the flute like that. Suddenly it was cool to be a flute player!
I hate flutes. Hate them. A lot.
Well, *normal* flutes.
This isn't one of those. This lights my soul on fire. 10.
I had a really cool music teach way back when I was in elementary school in the late 70's/early 80's. Somewhere around 5th grade, we were starting to play musical instruments and everybody considered the flute to be generally silly and girly. Our cool music teacher played Jethro Tull for us, let us sit there for a minute, and then asked if we'd like to learn to play the flute like that. Suddenly it was cool to be a flute player!
Mighty, mighty, mighty fine album.
Always loved the guitar riffs in this one. I dont let the flute ruin the song for me.
Why does the flute always get lost on the Jethro Tull tunes?
joejennings wrote:
The concept of having a favorite is challenging me.
GREAT TUNE!! My 2nd favorite JT album. My favorite is Benefit! Thanx RP! 
The concept of having a favorite is challenging me.
I will honestly admit, I didn't know I liked Jethro Tull until I heard them on RP...at the age of 55...and was like, "What is this I am hearing!?!?"
Ten for those drums.
GREAT TUNE!! My 2nd favorite JT album. My favorite is Benefit! Thanx RP!
Edweirdo wrote:
Surely the consensus among serious music fans and musicians is that not being a member is itself a badge of honour, since the whole circus is so preposterously lame and self-important.
I Agree comletely! Very well stated!
Surely the consensus among serious music fans and musicians is that not being a member is itself a badge of honour, since the whole circus is so preposterously lame and self-important.
I Agree comletely! Very well stated!
Most excellent
mgtom wrote:
Surely the consensus among serious music fans and musicians is that not being a member is itself a badge of honour, since the whole circus is so preposterously lame and self-important.
So another year goes by and no JT nomination for Rock Hall today.
Surely the consensus among serious music fans and musicians is that not being a member is itself a badge of honour, since the whole circus is so preposterously lame and self-important.
So another year goes by and no JT nomination for Rock Hall today.
cosmicjoe54 wrote:
Same time frame, the Omni, Atlanta, under a thick smoky cloud. Ears didn't function properly for days.
If I remember correctly, you opened this two-leaf album and an image of the band stood up like some children's books do today.
Maple Leaf Gardens around 1971-2. Aqualung tour. VERY stoned.
Same time frame, the Omni, Atlanta, under a thick smoky cloud. Ears didn't function properly for days.
If I remember correctly, you opened this two-leaf album and an image of the band stood up like some children's books do today.
ColdMiser wrote:
I hadn't rated this and was pondering a 9 but got lost in the drums and bass groove and went with a what the hell 10.
Best line-up of Tull - wow they are good!
I hadn't rated this and was pondering a 9 but got lost in the drums and bass groove and went with a what the hell 10.
Best line-up of Tull - wow they are good!
Maple Leaf Gardens around 1971-2. Aqualung tour. VERY stoned.
terryweir wrote:
Congratulations! The first step is knowing that you need help. I'm here to move you forward in your path to rock and roll enlightenment.
This Was your cry for help, and it shows that you're not Thick as a Brick.
Hey, Aqualung... you would Benefit if you Stand Up, put on A Passion Play, perhaps play some Songs from the Wood. The Minstrel in the Gallery will be quite impressed. After all, you're not Too old to Rock 'n' Roll, are you?
You'll be alright, War Child.
One day...just one day without a Jethro Tull song and I'll be a much happier RP listener. There must be a therapist that can help with this painful addiction.
Congratulations! The first step is knowing that you need help. I'm here to move you forward in your path to rock and roll enlightenment.
This Was your cry for help, and it shows that you're not Thick as a Brick.
Hey, Aqualung... you would Benefit if you Stand Up, put on A Passion Play, perhaps play some Songs from the Wood. The Minstrel in the Gallery will be quite impressed. After all, you're not Too old to Rock 'n' Roll, are you?
You'll be alright, War Child.
Hearing this on RP got me listening to "Stand Up" again after all these years. I had forgotten how terrific it is - OK by me to play every song on this album Bill.
"Reasons For Waiting" is the standout for me.
"Reasons For Waiting" is the standout for me.
it is so obvious why JT was a major influence on Iron Maiden. Up the Irons!
Anyone who can stand balanced on one foot and play a flute to a rock 'n roll tune is more than okay in my books.
I can't do either one of those two feats!
I can't do either one of those two feats!
RedTopFireBelow wrote:
Amen. I fell in love to that.
Tunes like Reason for Waiting, which has some of the best lyrics ever written,
Amen. I fell in love to that.
One day...just one day without a Jethro Tull song and I'll be a much happier RP listener. There must be a therapist that can help with this painful addiction.
Jethro Tull one of the most original bands ever. Rock, flute, countryside rock, I like them very much.
gregmu8370 wrote:
Twenty years of salmon farming is quite enough, don't you think?
Virgilian husbandry I stand correctef
Twenty years of salmon farming is quite enough, don't you think?
I don't remember when I discovered Jethro Tull. Surely it was the 1970's and their hard rock stuff like Locomotive Breath and Aqualung. It was cool then but I was listening to more mellow stuff like Cat Stevens and Chicago. In the 80's I discovered their softer, more folky style music and fell in love. Tunes like Reason for Waiting, which has some of the best lyrics ever written, and Dun Ringal or Mayhem Maybe... I was bitten by the Tull bug never looked back.
I still don't like the hard stuff, and now that I'm living in Scotland, and find myself educating local folk about the cool music of Jethro Tull...
Well... not sure where I'm going with this but I love their music and though Nothing is Easy is NOT among my favorites, the skill, style, and talent of this group of Scottish guys can never be matched.
((ok.. maybe I've had too much gin but fuck it! I'm living my dream in Angus and life if brilliant!!))
I still don't like the hard stuff, and now that I'm living in Scotland, and find myself educating local folk about the cool music of Jethro Tull...
Well... not sure where I'm going with this but I love their music and though Nothing is Easy is NOT among my favorites, the skill, style, and talent of this group of Scottish guys can never be matched.
((ok.. maybe I've had too much gin but fuck it! I'm living my dream in Angus and life if brilliant!!))
All this hard rock nonsense of the later years is dwarfed by the skills of the early blues years. In the later years the acoustic live sets were the best part of the shows
Tull was the first band I ever saw live. I was 14 and it was 1977 or 78 in Toronto. Must have been the Heavy Horses Tour. Also the first time I got stoned...
Paddy_Hannan wrote:
My sentiments exactly.
A great song from my favourite Tull album and my favourite Tull line-up.
My sentiments exactly.
A great song from my favourite Tull album and my favourite Tull line-up.
Great song and never was a truer word said: "Nothing is easy!
I could never get into Jethro Tull, then and now, but they had a very big following in the 70s, such that Ian Anderson became as rich as creosote and bought a good chunk of South Skye. I did like the spoof newspaper which came with the Thick as a Brick LP which was funny :o)
Can't help but think of Anchorman whenever I hear jazz flute!
When I listen closely to Ian Anderson's voice on this track it is noticeable to me how 'straight' his singing style was in the early years.
He clearly exaggerated his quirky vocal style in subsequent years.
For me I much prefer the early vocals and it shows that underneath all the buffoonery he really does have a good singing voice.
He clearly exaggerated his quirky vocal style in subsequent years.
For me I much prefer the early vocals and it shows that underneath all the buffoonery he really does have a good singing voice.
Virgilian husbandry I stand correctef
It’s too bad Jethro Tull rejected Virginian husbandry
crogers wrote:
I hadn't rated this and was pondering a 9 but got lost in the drums and bass groove and went with a what the hell 10.
As of this writing, almost 6% of those who took the time to rate this tune gave it a one. Wow.
Hell, for me it's a 9 for Bunker's drums alone.
Hell, for me it's a 9 for Bunker's drums alone.
I hadn't rated this and was pondering a 9 but got lost in the drums and bass groove and went with a what the hell 10.
buddy wrote:
Judging by the playlists and the top-rated songs list, it's unlikely there are very many "young millennial kids" listening to this station, but feel free to rant into the echo chamber - it can be cathartic.
Sorry all you young millennial kids out there, just about any song by Jethro Tull is a 10 for me. I mourn for you having grown up in the corporate music era where genius' like Ian Anderson would never make it past the suits that dictate what you can download from iTunes.
Sorry for the rant....now YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!
Sorry for the rant....now YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!
Judging by the playlists and the top-rated songs list, it's unlikely there are very many "young millennial kids" listening to this station, but feel free to rant into the echo chamber - it can be cathartic.
Classic Tull, this album and Benefit
my theme song
Proclivities wrote:
That is a great illustration - a woodcut by James Grashow, who is a brilliant artist and sculptor.
Indeed, he's still working. The Cameron Museum had one of his pieces in a show a couple years ago.
His math is a bit off, though. Ian Anderson has 11 fingers on the cover.
That is a great illustration - a woodcut by James Grashow, who is a brilliant artist and sculptor.
Indeed, he's still working. The Cameron Museum had one of his pieces in a show a couple years ago.
His math is a bit off, though. Ian Anderson has 11 fingers on the cover.
nagsheadlocal wrote:
That is a great illustration - a woodcut by James Grashow, who is a brilliant artist and sculptor.
One of the greatest album covers of all time - the popup inside was amazing.
Ah, for the days of 12" x 12" covers, all that space! And artists who didn't mind paying other artists to make it awesome.
Ah, for the days of 12" x 12" covers, all that space! And artists who didn't mind paying other artists to make it awesome.
That is a great illustration - a woodcut by James Grashow, who is a brilliant artist and sculptor.
One of the greatest album covers of all time - the popup inside was amazing.
Ah, for the days of 12" x 12" covers, all that space! And artists who didn't mind paying other artists to make it awesome.
Ah, for the days of 12" x 12" covers, all that space! And artists who didn't mind paying other artists to make it awesome.
Misterioso wrote:
Segue, dammit!
Nice segway from Indian music to Jethro Tull
Segue, dammit!
MARTIN BARRE
.
Ian is the man
Nice, anytime.
Misterioso wrote:
Nice segway from Indian music to Jethro Tull
Agreed. Nice seque.
Rockit wrote:
Maybe you'd prefer a banana!
Maybe you'd prefer a banana!
Nice segway from Indian music to Jethro Tull
I just bumped my rating up to 10.
Was watching a killer vintage War live performance on youtube that had a great flute solo and I thought about all you rock & roll flute haters.
Live at the Isle of Wight 1970 - check out Tull's performance of this.
Was watching a killer vintage War live performance on youtube that had a great flute solo and I thought about all you rock & roll flute haters.
Live at the Isle of Wight 1970 - check out Tull's performance of this.
Thanks. I needed that this morning.
Just amazing rock from when rock was ROCK. Thanks Bill! And thanks for the Clever commentary below guys! Get off my frickin' lawn!
buddy wrote:
Sorry all you young millennial kids out there, just about any song by Jethro Tull is a 10 for me. I mourn for you having grown up in the corporate music era where genius' like Ian Anderson would never make it past the suits that dictate what you can download from iTunes.
Sorry for the rant....now YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!
Sorry for the rant....now YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!
buddy wrote:
Sorry all you young millennial kids out there, just about any song by Jethro Tull is a 10 for me. I mourn for you having grown up in the corporate music era where genius' like Ian Anderson would never make it past the suits that dictate what you can download from iTunes.
Sorry for the rant....now YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!
Sorry for the rant....now YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!
Webfoot wrote:
We wouldn't try, you are beyond redemption and fated to listen to J Bieber cover bands for the rest of your natural :-)
It's a 10 from me.
I don't like the rock and roll flute and you can't make me! 
We wouldn't try, you are beyond redemption and fated to listen to J Bieber cover bands for the rest of your natural :-)
It's a 10 from me.
Sorry all you young millennial kids out there, just about any song by Jethro Tull is a 10 for me. I mourn for you having grown up in the corporate music era where genius' like Ian Anderson would never make it past the suits that dictate what you can download from iTunes.
Sorry for the rant....now YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!
Sorry for the rant....now YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!
As of this writing, almost 6% of those who took the time to rate this tune gave it a one. Wow.
Hell, for me it's a 9 for Bunker's drums alone.
Hell, for me it's a 9 for Bunker's drums alone.
I don't like the rock and roll flute and you can't make me!
Oh Tull, you're so good. I'm lucky to heave seen you twice, spectacular musical performances both times! :D
Will62 wrote:
Too fast for some people, I guess.
Gadzooks!!
'7'?!! Come now. One of the most inventive and intriguing outfits to ever grace the airwaves.
Tried for a 9 to get the ratings up.
Long may your flute toot Mr Anderson.
'7'?!! Come now. One of the most inventive and intriguing outfits to ever grace the airwaves.
Tried for a 9 to get the ratings up.
Long may your flute toot Mr Anderson.
Too fast for some people, I guess.
Gadzooks!!
'7'?!! Come now. One of the most inventive and intriguing outfits to ever grace the airwaves.
Tried for a 9 to get the ratings up.
Long may your flute toot Mr Anderson.
'7'?!! Come now. One of the most inventive and intriguing outfits to ever grace the airwaves.
Tried for a 9 to get the ratings up.
Long may your flute toot Mr Anderson.
Always one of my favourite bands, but after Passion Play I did not care for all of the songs on all of the albums. I read somewhere that one of the guitarists left the band because he only wanted to practice 7 days a week, Ian Anderson is a perfectionist, good for us. I won't sign off with a :)
Sick rythym...and can't deny that rockin flute!!
Summertime excerpt?
Had this album and Benefit on either side of a homemade 90-minute Dolbyized Maxell cassette. It accompanied me on many trips through the woodlands of Northern Lower Michigan back in the late '60s. It still hits home.
Excellent tune, sounds like they were having a lot of fun!
Clive Bunker plays drums on this.
Amazing percussion ... and this track never seems to age... for those interested ...
Scott Hammond- Drums, percussion
Scott Hammond- Drums, percussion
Scott was born in Bristol (UK) in 1973. After starting his musical journey on the piano when he was six, he went on to play the drums when he was fourteen in his first band "Half Decent" - and that they were!
He went on to study the drums with Dave Hassell on a three-year jazz degree course at Leeds College of music. It was here that he met his wife, Ruth, who plays saxophones, keyboards, piano, Hammond organ and sings. They are now based in Bristol and regularly gig all over the UK with The Scott Hammond Quartet and other projects as freelance musicians.
macbags wrote:
Not as annoying as all caps (shouting).
I FIND THE LITTLE YELLOW BALLS ON COMMENTS ANNOYING.
Not as annoying as all caps (shouting).
macbags wrote:
Maybe you'd prefer a banana!
I FIND THE LITTLE YELLOW BALLS ON COMMENTS ANNOYING.
Maybe you'd prefer a banana!
I FIND THE LITTLE YELLOW BALLS ON COMMENTS ANNOYING.
FWIW, the new remastered Aqualung sounds simply amazing. Who knew there was such a great sounding recording hiding beneath all that compressed grunge?...apparently Steve Wilson (Mr Porcupine Tree) did as he got access to the original tracks and did a fantastic job of rebuilding it. Highly recommended.
Nothing is Easy, except cross-eyed Mary.
1969 and a great guitar break and flute interaction. Can't beat that. - 10
j7 wrote:
Love the Tull for sure.........um........ except isn't Ian Anderson like 90 ?
He was born in 1947 - he's younger than Linda Ronstadt and Jimmy Buffet.
Love the Tull for sure.........um........ except isn't Ian Anderson like 90 ?
He was born in 1947 - he's younger than Linda Ronstadt and Jimmy Buffet.
Ian just did a duet with someone on the space station....awsome!!
j7 wrote:
Love the Tull for sure.........um........ except isn't Ian Anderson like 90 ?
Sure he's older than me, but he knows how to entertain, the band are even better than a year ago
I saw them on their last tour, possibly my bestest concert this year
Ian must have his bus pass by now?
Love the Tull for sure.........um........ except isn't Ian Anderson like 90 ?
Sure he's older than me, but he knows how to entertain, the band are even better than a year ago
I saw them on their last tour, possibly my bestest concert this year
Ian must have his bus pass by now?
Everything's just easy. Thanks...
NB: It's not. Not at all really. But this helps grease the ways. Thanks again.
NB: It's not. Not at all really. But this helps grease the ways. Thanks again.
I hate flutes. Hate them. A lot.
Well, *normal* flutes.
This isn't one of those. This lights my soul on fire. 10.
Well, *normal* flutes.
This isn't one of those. This lights my soul on fire. 10.
Friends and I were just talking about Tull tonight by candlelight. What a group! (us *and* Tull)
Would be tempted stand on one leg, if there was a cod piece to hand.
sdn wrote:
indeed!
It's always a good time for some Jethro Tull.
indeed!It's always a good time for some Jethro Tull.
That drummer kicks ass!
Brilliant stuff.
Not one of Ian's better songs, but it's a classic and worth hearing now and then.
Music to my ears
Another song I still look forward to hearing regularly. Always sounds good and welcome to the ears. Not bad for a 41 yo track.
RP needs to swap this song out for My God, then there would be no complaints. 
I'm gonna have to throw some love Tulls way.
Watch them do this song live at the Isle of Wight in 1970. Excellent drumming by Clive Bunker.
Watch them do this song live at the Isle of Wight in 1970. Excellent drumming by Clive Bunker.
Enough already, pretty annoying...
Hannio wrote:
Really. And that Beethoven guy has been dead for over a hundred years, at least. Forget the past!
Jethro Tull and Beethoven?? A rather extreme example of "exaggeration for the sake of clarity."
Really. And that Beethoven guy has been dead for over a hundred years, at least. Forget the past!
Jethro Tull and Beethoven?? A rather extreme example of "exaggeration for the sake of clarity."
j7 wrote:
Love the Tull for sure.........um........ except isn't Ian Anderson like 90 ?
He's a few years younger than Mick Jagger, and Mick still seems to be doing... something.
Love the Tull for sure.........um........ except isn't Ian Anderson like 90 ?
He's a few years younger than Mick Jagger, and Mick still seems to be doing... something.
gumbo73039 wrote:
Love the Tull for sure.........um........ except isn't Ian Anderson like 90 ?
AAAAH Bliss!
Been a long time Tull fan, going to see them again early next year, should be good.
Been a long time Tull fan, going to see them again early next year, should be good.
Love the Tull for sure.........um........ except isn't Ian Anderson like 90 ?
Instant college flashback
This is how I feel today. Nothing is easy. 
AAAAH Bliss!
Been a long time Tull fan, going to see them again early next year, should be good.
Been a long time Tull fan, going to see them again early next year, should be good.
OnYerLeft wrote:
Really. And that Beethoven guy has been dead for over a hundred years, at least. Forget the past!
Enough with the Jethro Tull already. Let's move on, shall we?
Really. And that Beethoven guy has been dead for over a hundred years, at least. Forget the past!
tulfan wrote:
I didn't know this album until RP started playing cuts from it. "Nothing is Easy" got a LOT of airtime in the 70s, but it's great to hear it again. Must have this disc.
Likely my personal favorite off this gem of a disk.
LowPhreak wrote:
LowPhreak wrote:
Old Tull never gets old!
Bill, how about tossing "Back To The Family" into the rotation as well?!
Bill, how about tossing "Back To The Family" into the rotation as well?!
I didn't know this album until RP started playing cuts from it. "Nothing is Easy" got a LOT of airtime in the 70s, but it's great to hear it again. Must have this disc.
Yes, that particular song really resonates with me, too!
tulfan wrote:
tulfan wrote:
Likely my personal favorite off this gem of a disk.
LowPhreak wrote:
LowPhreak wrote:
Old Tull never gets old!
Bill, how about tossing "Back To The Family" into the rotation as well?!
Bill, how about tossing "Back To The Family" into the rotation as well?!
Enough with the Jethro Tull already. Let's move on, shall we?
paulpaar wrote:
exactly!
t dweebs who do not give this a 7-8 have not been on the drugs I have : and their earphones are non-existent or weak.
exactly!
i love me some yazz flute...
pass the quaaludes, Prog rock is in town! THANK YOU SEX PISTOLS!!!!
Hmm, it's a Jethro Tull song, and yet I don't have an uncontrollable urge to rip off the headphones and smash my speakers....I must ponder this more closely. In the mean time, the Tull may proceed.
Likely my personal favorite off this gem of a disk.
LowPhreak wrote:
LowPhreak wrote:
Old Tull never gets old!
Bill, how about tossing "Back To The Family" into the rotation as well?!
Bill, how about tossing "Back To The Family" into the rotation as well?!
t dweebs who do not give this a 7-8 have not been on the drugs I have : and their earphones are non-existent or weak.
This music is very much "of a time" and out of context it can seem a tad overwrought, but when it first came out it was so spectacularly original!!
Tomulas wrote:
Thats your opinion. Fortunately only that. You mean you don't like it!
If Spinal Tap had a flute player, they'd sound something like this boring dreck.
Thats your opinion. Fortunately only that. You mean you don't like it!
Old Tull never gets old!
Bill, how about tossing "Back To The Family" into the rotation as well?!
Bill, how about tossing "Back To The Family" into the rotation as well?!
ThePoose wrote:
I knew that songs could move you, but I didn't know they could f*ck you!
Anyways, the song was underage, so you are lucky they didn't throw you in jail.
It's the weird tempo that does it!
I knew that songs could move you, but I didn't know they could f*ck you!
Anyways, the song was underage, so you are lucky they didn't throw you in jail.
It's the weird tempo that does it!For those of you who did'nt think TULL COULD ROCK!!!!!
Those boys could stand on their heads and RIP!!!!
Those boys could stand on their heads and RIP!!!!
Bill! Stay outta my iTunes files!!!
More TULL!!! This song is the story of my life and definitely could be no better song for a panic attack/depressive day. Nothing was easy when he wrote this and nothing is easy still... Nothing. Is. Easy!