Beside Myself

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Beside Myself" by Jethro Tull from their 1995 album Roots to Branches, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this track’s rich backstory. This song, with its haunting lyrics about a child in the streets of Bombay, reflects frontman Ian Anderson’s experiences traveling in India, which deeply influenced the album’s world music vibe. Anderson has said the album, including tracks like "Beside Myself," was inspired by his desire to blend Jethro Tull’s classic folk-rock sound with Eastern motifs, such as Arabic and Indian scales, using bamboo flutes and synthesized Indian strings. Reviews on ProgArchives praise the song for its acoustic-driven melody and emotional depth, with one fan calling it “just beautiful” for its slow-building, introspective feel. On Reddit, fans have noted the song’s “archetypal Tull acoustics,” highlighting its place as a standout in the band’s later catalog.

Another layer to "Beside Myself" comes from its recording process, which featured session bassist Steve Bailey alongside longtime member Dave Pegg. According to a Q&A on The Jethro Tull Board, Bailey’s technical prowess added a prominent bassline that complemented Martin Barre’s exemplary guitar work. Anderson himself described Roots to Branches as a modern echo of their 1969 album Stand Up, blending flute-heavy riffs with global influences, though he later critiqued its overly ‘70s production style in an interview. The song’s lyrics, available on Lyrics.com, paint vivid street scenes, with lines like “Small child messing down in the streets of Bombay,” showcasing Anderson’s knack for storytelling. Fans on X have shared how the album, including this track, marked a creative resurgence for Tull after the uneven ‘80s.

Jethro Tull’s origins trace back to Blackpool, Lancashire, where Ian Anderson formed the band in 1967. Born in Dunfermline, Scotland, in 1947, Anderson moved to Blackpool in 1960, where he met future bandmates Jeffrey Hammond and John Evan at grammar school. A self-taught musician, Anderson picked up a Spanish guitar and was inspired by the Beatles to form a band, with Hammond on bass and Evan initially on drums before switching to keyboards. According to Wikipedia, the group started as a blues-rock outfit, playing local clubs under names like Navy Blue and Candy Coloured Rain. Their big break came when a booking agent’s history-enthusiast staffer named them after 18th-century agriculturist Jethro Tull, a name that stuck after a successful gig at London’s Marquee Club. Anderson, the band’s only constant member, developed their signature progressive rock sound, blending folk, classical, and hard rock, with his flute playing becoming a defining trait.

The band’s early days were marked by constant lineup changes, but guitarist Martin Barre, who joined in 1969, became a key figure alongside Anderson. Their debut album, This Was (1968), leaned heavily on blues, but by Stand Up (1969), they were forging a unique sound that caught the attention of bigger acts like Led Zeppelin, with whom they toured. Anderson’s charisma and multi-instrumental talent—flute, acoustic guitar, and vocals—drove the band’s rise, leading to classics like Aqualung (1971). Fans can dive deeper into Tull’s history on their official website, follow updates on Facebook, check out vintage photos on Instagram, or join discussions on X. For community vibes, The Jethro Tull Board and the Jethro Tull Fans Facebook group are great spots for Zoo Freaks to connect with fellow enthusiasts.