This one of Ian Anderson's many songs about travel, the hunger to be away and yet the constant yearning to be home, the conflicting pressures and pleasures of leaving and returning. The twist here is that the singer doesn't want to leave and does so with a heavy heart. He complains that travel on a Sunday is the worse day to go because nothing functions properly; he complains about overcrowded airports, uncomfortable seats, closed stores. But at least at home, he thinks, there's someone waiting for him, someone to grant him the "brief immortality" of the loving welcome home, but this happy hope is shattered when he returns to find the family home dark, locked and cold and, shockingly, his loved one long gone. The combination of the early synth sound, searing guitars, staccato flute and the lyrics delivered in almost spoken style, a rap of rhymes and rhythm, all packs a punch while the imagery evoked by the story is grainy, black-and-white and stark. Fabulous stuff!
Black Sunday was the first song I heard live from Tull. February '81. It was still pitch dark in the hall when the song began with this dull wobbling, with a dynamic that made you afraid that the ceiling would soon fall down, and I suddenly see Eddie Jobson standing between two keyboards, facing the audience, in a glow Spotlights that came on at the same moment Eddie played the first distinctive bright note on the keys. About a month before my 14th birthday... 😮😍 ✊🏻
In 1979-80, Ian was very influenced by the band UK, who opened up for Tull during their STORMWATCH tour. Ian invited Eddie Jobson (of UK) to play on his “A” album, which obviously has a very UK sound to it.
Absolutely fantastic song and one I have never got tired of after 40+ years. Easily my favourite off the album. But, this version I had never heard before. Martin is killing it on guitar and I love the way the solo kicks in ... a mean outro for sure. For another great Tull outro, check out Wounded, Old and Treacherous. It's a got a fantastic segueway between the electric guitar and flute.
Like Heavy Horses Black Sunday is one of Jethro Tull's more technically demanding songs and is my favorite on this album. Like Heavy Horses the flute isn't featured as in a solo but in black Sunday is used more like a secondary instrument. Jobson's piano solo is brilliant and,as always, Barre's guitar is spot on. Mark Craney's drumming is also technically demanding. Well analysed JustJP!
This track highlights and doubles down on everything that's great about this great album. Happy you loved it as I do, happy to see you getting back to it, there's some great stuff yet to come. I'm loving this refresher, I think I'll spin this disk more often from it - I always loved it, but with just that bit of "not classic period" attitude. Hearing it again, it's just plain awesome.
I love your Jethro Tull reactions - it's what first brought me to your channel. I also love that you're reacting to the less well thought of tracks and albums. 'A' is one of those albums that many fans really dislike - but there's plenty of great stuff in it, it's just it was a culture clash after their folk-rock period! I look forward to seeing you react to 'Under Wraps',(equally controversial - very electronic for Tull!). Keep up the fantastic reactions.
If you've reacted to the live version of Locomotive Breath (as I think you have) you might recognise this, as JT often segue straight into this from Locomotive Breath. I live the way Ian makes the words flow around the music on this.
The time signatures are complex but manageable and clear. I'm a drummer and I loved figuring this out and then playing along. Too sad the excellent drummer, Mark Craney, passed away too young,due to an incurable illness 😢
I feel the lyrics are just about the endless touring Ian and the band were on (more than 10 years at that point) and all the emotions are presented in a fast sequence like a poetic flow of consciousness
You noted Jobson’s contribution to the intro. I believe he is credited with “additional musical contributions” or something, the first time since the Aqualung album that Ian shared writing credits with anyone.
I never got around to buying A Justin...I don't know why... But,what I've heard so far...it sounds amazing.. Black Sunday,JT. At theirs best.. brilliant track, everything is just sublime... Guitar, Keyboards... a wow..I should of bought this year's ago Justin ...♥️♥️🤘🤘
This album marks the transition from the old Tull to the new, with everyone but Martin (and newly-arrived Dave Pegg) left behind and a new band ready to take over beginning with the next album. Broadsword and the Beast carried on decently but the next album, Under Wraps, should have remained wrapped. Tull was pretty hit-or-miss after that, though their Christmas album is a treat.
Despite its very dated 80s production, I found Under Wraps more inspired and innovative than anything that followed, including their predictable Christmas Album, which reverted to the usual folky sounds already heard on other Tull albums. In my opinion, Under Wraps is the last interesting Jethro Tull album.
Great song,and-- damn solid album! First one w/o the long term band (tho Barre was still around for awhile). The musicianship remains killer. It was supposed to be an Anderson solo album,as I recall. But he cobbled together some different musos,including for just this album,Eddie Jobson (of UK). Again..very solid album! Enjoy...T
This song makes the album. The rest on side A are great but this one is a cut above the rest! I always get the image of a business trip from the lyrics. Some overworked schlub, just hustling to make a living, forced to leave his significant other for a time, all the while looking forward to the day he can come home. But when the day comes his world is shattered to find his love had abandoned him and the house while he was away.
Great song and love the album "A" that it's from, even though it should have been seen as an Ian Anderson solo effort. Bought the album on cassette when it came out, great times back in the 80's.
Some people don't like Mondays, others don't like Sundays, personally I don't like either! 😁 As for the track, it's brilliant on every level (as is the rest of the album, by the way!) and as such, it deserves to be called Jethro Tull, because Ian has never done so well solo.😉
My impression of this song has always been about a domestic relationship threatened because the protagonist is a double agent of some sort not entirely revealed because the main character narrating is in such a frenzy of escape which makes this particular Sunday so dark like he knew it would arrive at some point. What do you think?
As much as like Jobson and like Tull this is not a combination I ever wanted to hear. I didn’t love it when it came out. I went to the show because gotta see Tull. Really loved the previous Stormwatch tour more. I give this album another shot every now and then. Like now once again. But so far still feel the same.
Man having an affair, caught out when his partner comes home one day too soon when he was meant to be there. That's always been my take, looking forward to everyone else's opinions.
Always thought it was Ian's reaction to John Glascock's death. Black Sunday.....last verse "Notepaper scribbles I read unbelieving Saying how sorry, how sad was the leaving one day too soon." I'm probably wrong. And the last song "And Further On"; I also always thought was about Glascock's passing.
Best song on the album. The next song on the album is Protect and Survive. I'd like to suggest a double shot of this song. There's an excellent instrumental version of it on the 25th anniversary box set disc 3. A real deep cut treat. Unfortunately, in my opinion, this is the last GOOD song on the album. All of side 2 songs are just meh.
BLACK SUNDAY is DEFINATELY in TULL'S TOP TEN ... 🙏🏻
This one of Ian Anderson's many songs about travel, the hunger to be away and yet the constant yearning to be home, the conflicting pressures and pleasures of leaving and returning. The twist here is that the singer doesn't want to leave and does so with a heavy heart. He complains that travel on a Sunday is the worse day to go because nothing functions properly; he complains about overcrowded airports, uncomfortable seats, closed stores. But at least at home, he thinks, there's someone waiting for him, someone to grant him the "brief immortality" of the loving welcome home, but this happy hope is shattered when he returns to find the family home dark, locked and cold and, shockingly, his loved one long gone.
The combination of the early synth sound, searing guitars, staccato flute and the lyrics delivered in almost spoken style, a rap of rhymes and rhythm, all packs a punch while the imagery evoked by the story is grainy, black-and-white and stark. Fabulous stuff!
Fantastic track from a fantastic album....
Black Sunday was the first song I heard live from Tull. February '81. It was still pitch dark in the hall when the song began with this dull wobbling, with a dynamic that made you afraid that the ceiling would soon fall down, and I suddenly see Eddie Jobson standing between two keyboards, facing the audience, in a glow Spotlights that came on at the same moment Eddie played the first distinctive bright note on the keys.
About a month before my 14th birthday... 😮😍 ✊🏻
Yes this is one to love.
In 1979-80, Ian was very influenced by the band UK, who opened up for Tull during their STORMWATCH tour. Ian invited Eddie Jobson (of UK) to play on his “A” album, which obviously has a very UK sound to it.
Absolutely fantastic song and one I have never got tired of after 40+ years. Easily my favourite off the album. But, this version I had never heard before. Martin is killing it on guitar and I love the way the solo kicks in ... a mean outro for sure. For another great Tull outro, check out Wounded, Old and Treacherous. It's a got a fantastic segueway between the electric guitar and flute.
Like Heavy Horses Black Sunday is one of Jethro Tull's more technically demanding songs and is my favorite on this album. Like Heavy Horses the flute isn't featured as in a solo but in black Sunday is used more like a secondary instrument. Jobson's piano solo is brilliant and,as always, Barre's guitar is spot on. Mark Craney's drumming is also technically demanding. Well analysed JustJP!
One of my favourites from the album.
My favourite song off this album. I especially like the flute solo.
This track highlights and doubles down on everything that's great about this great album. Happy you loved it as I do, happy to see you getting back to it, there's some great stuff yet to come. I'm loving this refresher, I think I'll spin this disk more often from it - I always loved it, but with just that bit of "not classic period" attitude. Hearing it again, it's just plain awesome.
I love your Jethro Tull reactions - it's what first brought me to your channel. I also love that you're reacting to the less well thought of tracks and albums. 'A' is one of those albums that many fans really dislike - but there's plenty of great stuff in it, it's just it was a culture clash after their folk-rock period! I look forward to seeing you react to 'Under Wraps',(equally controversial - very electronic for Tull!). Keep up the fantastic reactions.
Thanks nehemb! More on the way :)
If you've reacted to the live version of Locomotive Breath (as I think you have) you might recognise this, as JT often segue straight into this from Locomotive Breath. I live the way Ian makes the words flow around the music on this.
Black Sunday, fuck yeah!
I like everything about this. The impossible odd times. And the vicious bite it has.
The time signatures are complex but manageable and clear. I'm a drummer and I loved figuring this out and then playing along. Too sad the excellent drummer, Mark Craney, passed away too young,due to an incurable illness 😢
Jethro Tull..... a english farmer that invented seed drill etc.
Helped start the agricultural revolution.
Something earthy to the band
JT, always loved them.
I feel the lyrics are just about the endless touring Ian and the band were on (more than 10 years at that point) and all the emotions are presented in a fast sequence like a poetic flow of consciousness
Totally an Eddie Jobson creation, the intro theme 😂
You noted Jobson’s contribution to the intro. I believe he is credited with “additional musical contributions” or something, the first time since the Aqualung album that Ian shared writing credits with anyone.
Jobson brought a new dynamic to Tull. 😊
I never got around to buying A Justin...I don't know why...
But,what I've heard so far...it sounds amazing.. Black Sunday,JT. At theirs best.. brilliant track, everything is just sublime... Guitar, Keyboards... a wow..I should of bought this year's ago Justin ...♥️♥️🤘🤘
Glad you enjoyed it Neil!
This album marks the transition from the old Tull to the new, with everyone but Martin (and newly-arrived Dave Pegg) left behind and a new band ready to take over beginning with the next album. Broadsword and the Beast carried on decently but the next album, Under Wraps, should have remained wrapped. Tull was pretty hit-or-miss after that, though their Christmas album is a treat.
Despite its very dated 80s production, I found Under Wraps more inspired and innovative than anything that followed, including their predictable Christmas Album, which reverted to the usual folky sounds already heard on other Tull albums. In my opinion, Under Wraps is the last interesting Jethro Tull album.
Great song,Tull are very cool 🎼🎶🎶🎵🎵❤️🎧
Great song,and-- damn solid album! First one w/o the long term band (tho Barre was still around for awhile). The musicianship remains killer. It was supposed to be an Anderson solo album,as I recall. But he cobbled together some different musos,including for just this album,Eddie Jobson (of UK). Again..very solid album! Enjoy...T
I like the new studio, but it's kind of dark.
My thoughts as well.
It does look really good but I’ll agree with people. You seem to be sitting in the dark.
Easily the best song on the album and one of my favourite of all time. One of Ian's lyrics that's genuine poetry.
Pleased you liked this tune. The best part to me is the return of Ian's hard driving rock flute.
@justp, check out Pine Marten's Jig from this album, a fab instrumental, one of Tull's greatest. Mind-bending tune!
lol, 40 years and never occurred to me how Rushy it sounds. Guess that's one of the reasons we watch reactions.
Another comment today with my exact thoughts...
This song makes the album. The rest on side A are great but this one is a cut above the rest!
I always get the image of a business trip from the lyrics. Some overworked schlub, just hustling to make a living, forced to leave his significant other for a time, all the while looking forward to the day he can come home. But when the day comes his world is shattered to find his love had abandoned him and the house while he was away.
Great song and love the album "A" that it's from, even though it should have been seen as an Ian Anderson solo effort. Bought the album on cassette when it came out, great times back in the 80's.
Some people don't like Mondays, others don't like Sundays, personally I don't like either! 😁
As for the track, it's brilliant on every level (as is the rest of the album, by the way!) and as such, it deserves to be called Jethro Tull, because Ian has never done so well solo.😉
Pretty good.
I’m going with Mannheim Steamroller. And then it becomes classic Tull.
My impression of this song has always been about a domestic relationship threatened because the protagonist is a double agent of some sort not entirely revealed because the main character narrating is in such a frenzy of escape which makes this particular Sunday so dark like he knew it would arrive at some point. What do you think?
Hello.!!! put the German prog band "Ramses" on your list!!!! greetings from Brazil.!!!!
As much as like Jobson and like Tull this is not a combination I ever wanted to hear. I didn’t love it when it came out. I went to the show because gotta see Tull. Really loved the previous Stormwatch tour more. I give this album another shot every now and then. Like now once again. But so far still feel the same.
Am i first? insane stuff
Man having an affair, caught out when his partner comes home one day too soon when he was meant to be there. That's always been my take, looking forward to everyone else's opinions.
Always thought it was Ian's reaction to John Glascock's death. Black Sunday.....last verse "Notepaper scribbles I read unbelieving Saying how sorry, how sad was the leaving one day too soon." I'm probably wrong. And the last song "And Further On"; I also always thought was about Glascock's passing.
Best song on the album. The next song on the album is Protect and Survive. I'd like to suggest a double shot of this song. There's an excellent instrumental version of it on the 25th anniversary box set disc 3. A real deep cut treat. Unfortunately, in my opinion, this is the last GOOD song on the album. All of side 2 songs are just meh.