Said She Was a Dancer

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Said She Was a Dancer" by Jethro Tull from their 1987 album Crest of a Knave. This track is a smooth, slow-burning ballad with a touch of Dire Straits-esque vibe, as noted by some fans and critics for its laid-back guitar riffs and Ian Anderson’s reflective vocals. The song tells a story of a mysterious woman in Moscow, possibly a dancer, who captivates the narrator with her enigmatic charm. According to lyrics found on collecting-tull.com, the song paints a vivid picture of a cold Moscow night, with lines like “It was snowing outside and in her soul” and references to vodka and a samovar, blending a sense of place with a playful, almost flirtatious narrative. The track stands out for its lack of flute, a signature Jethro Tull element, which gives it a more straightforward rock feel compared to their usual prog-folk fusion.

One juicy piece of trivia comes from the album’s broader context: Crest of a Knave famously won the 1989 Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance, a controversial upset over Metallica’s ...And Justice for All. Alice Cooper, who presented the award, later recalled in a 2021 interview on Meltdown, Talkin’ Rock how he thought it was a mistake when he read Jethro Tull’s name, expecting Metallica to win. The Grammy win sparked such a backlash that Jethro Tull’s label, Chrysalis, ran an ad proclaiming, “The flute is a heavy metal instrument,” poking fun at the controversy. While “Said She Was a Dancer” itself wasn’t the heavy track that fueled the Grammy debate (that honor goes to songs like “Steel Monkey”), its inclusion on the album ties it to this wild moment in rock history. Fans on Jethro Tull’s ProBoards forum still debate the album’s merits, with some calling this song a highlight for its storytelling, though others find its lyrics, like the quirky “I’m your Pepsi-Cola, but you won’t take me out the can,” a bit clunky.

Let’s dive into how Jethro Tull got their start. Formed in Blackpool, Lancashire, in 1967, the band began as a blues-rock outfit with a knack for blending jazz and folk influences. Frontman Ian Anderson, known for his wild flute-playing and theatrical stage presence, has been the heart and soul of the group since its inception. According to their bio on Last.fm, the band initially played under various names before settling on Jethro Tull, inspired by an 18th-century agriculturalist. Their early gigs in London’s underground scene helped them build a following, and by 1968, their debut album This Was showcased a raw, bluesy sound. Anderson’s unique flute work and guitarist Martin Barre’s riffs, after he joined in 1969, set them apart, evolving their style into the progressive rock sound that defined classics like Aqualung and Thick as a Brick. Despite lineup changes over the decades, Anderson and Barre remained the core, steering the band through various musical shifts, from folk to hard rock and even electronic experiments in the 1980s.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Jethro Tull’s legacy through their official channels. Check out their website at jethrotull.com for tour dates, news, and merch. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for throwback photos and updates, though their X account is less active. Fans gather at places like tullianos.com, a dedicated fan site with deep dives into the band’s history, and the Jethro Tull Board for lively discussions. There’s also a vibrant Jethro Tull Facebook group where fans share memories, rare recordings, and love for tracks like “Said She Was a Dancer.” So, crank up the volume, Zoo Freaks, and let this tune take you on a snowy Moscow adventure!