Living in the Past (song)

"Living in the Past"
Single by Jethro Tull
B-side	"Driving Song"
Released	1969
Genre	Progressive rock, hard rock
Length	3:18
Label	Island Records
Writer(s)	Ian Anderson
Producer	Ian Anderson and Terry Ellis
Jethro Tull singles chronology

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This article is about the Jethro Tull song. For other songs with the same title, see Living in the Past.

"Living in the Past" is the title of one of British progressive rock group Jethro Tull's best-known songs. It is notable for being written in the unusual 5/4 time signature. The 5/4 time signature is quickly noted from the beginning rhythmic bass pattern.

The song was originally recorded during sessions for Tull's 1969 album Stand Up, and released in the same year as a stand-alone single. It was restored as a "bonus track" for the 2001 CD reissue. However, it became even more popular after its 1972 release on Tull's compilation album, also called Living in the Past. After its release on the album, it became the band's first Top 20 hit in the US, peaking at #11.

The song, which was originally released at the peak of the Vietnam War, seems to be about people wishing to live in peaceful times (the "past" mentioned in the song) rather than at a time of war and turmoil (the "present").^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Release history

Single: Living in the Past / Driving Song (Island WIP 6056, 25 April 1969)
Single: Living in the past / A Christmas Song (Australia) (Reprise R 3578 December 1972)
Single: Living in the Past / Requiem (Chrysalis CHS 2081, 16 January 1976)
Single: Living in the Past / Hard Liner (Chrysalis CHS 3970, 1993)