Aqualung by Jethro Tull

Here’s proof that the inspiration for a classic song can come from just about anywhere. Jethro Tull mainman Ian Anderson was living in London during 1970, when his then-wife came home with photographs she had taken of the local homeless. Struck by one of the subjects Anderson wrote a song around him, dubbing him “Aqualung” because of the noises he was imagined to make while breathing.

This became the opener and title track of Jethro Tull’s fourth album, whose lyrics pondered the singer’s relationship to God and to the downtrodden. This led many critics to call it a concept album—which happened so often that Anderson got slightly miffed and swore he’d get truly conceptual on the followup. As a result, Tull’s next two albums, “Thick As a Brick” and “A Passion Play,” each featured one song for 40-plus minutes.

Legend holds that Tull guitarist Martin Barre plays so well on this track because Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, who was recording in an adjacent studio, stood watching while Barre laid down the solo.

Ian Anderson later confirmed that Page only waved to Barre as he passed by. It’s true, however, that Barre played this massive solo in just one take.

Don’t run out of breath or energy too soon. This song has a three-part structure, and unless you’re singing, most of the heavy work comes in the instrumental third part. This is where Tull guitarist Martin Barre plays all his flashy licks, and drummer Clive Bunker responds with some nifty cymbal work leading into each phrase.

Drummers will have to prepare for the shift of gears, as the song gives three distinct changes of rhythm. Singers are advised to use their best Scottish accent, and to avoid giggling on the phrase “Snot running down his nose.”

Jethro Tull did a 40th anniversary tour in the summer of 2008, with Anderson and Barre remaining from the “Aqualung”-era lineup.