Aqualung lyrics song meanings
Hem / Kultur, Media & Underhållning / Aqualung lyrics song meanings
It reduces him to his condition and shows how people judge and label him.
Drying in the cold sun
Watching as the frilly panties run
Hey, Aqualung!
He’s sitting out in the open, likely unnoticed and ignored by most.
The reference to “frilly panties” ties back to earlier suspicions, showing how some might view him as dangerous, while he remains unmoving and exposed.
Again, this might reflect public fear more than his actual actions.
Feeling like a dead duck
Spitting out pieces of his broken luck
Whoa, Aqualung
The man feels finished, useless, and forgotten.
“Spitting out pieces of his broken luck” could be literal coughing or hacking from illness, but it also shows how worn down and hopeless he is.
His life has fallen apart, leaving only physical decline.
Verse 2: Daily Survival
Sun streaking cold
An old man wandering lonely
Taking time the only way he knows
The contrast between sunshine and cold underlines the discomfort of his reality.
He walks alone, with no goal or destination, just moving to get through the day.
Leg hurting bad
As he bends to pick a dog-end
He’s in pain, but still bends down to pick up a discarded cigarette.
This shows how little he has and how far he’s fallen.
“Another Day in Paradise” by Phil Collins
“Another Day in Paradise” sheds light on the widespread issue of homelessness and how people often look the other way. He also enjoys a cup of tea.
Salvation a la mode and a cup of tea
The term "Aqualung" is used again, addressing the man.
Aqualung, my friend, don't you start away uneasy
The speaker refers to "Aqualung" as a friend and advises him not to be uneasy or worried.
You poor old sod, you see it's only me
The speaker acknowledges "Aqualung" as an old and unfortunate person.
The lyrics ask if "Aqualung" remembers a specific event in December, likely a cold and foggy day.
Refers to the freezing weather, emphasizing the discomfort and pain it caused.
When the ice that clings on to your beard
Describes the agony of ice clinging to facial hair, underlining the harshness of the weather.
Hey and you snatch your rattling last breaths
The mention of flowers blooming like madness in the spring suggests a contrast between life and death, or the juxtaposition of beauty and chaos.
With deep-sea diver sounds
And the flowers bloom like
Sun streaking cold, an old man wandering lonely
Taking time, the only way he knows
Leg hurting bad as he bends to pick a dog end
He goes down to a bog and warms his feet
Feeling alone, the army's up the road
Salvation a la mode and a cup of tea
Aqualung my friend don't you start away uneasy
You poor old sod, you see it's only me
Aqualung my friend don't you start away uneasy
You poor old sod, you see it's only me
Eying up little girls with bad intent
Snots running down his nose
Greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes, hey Aqualung
Watching as the frilly panties run, hey Aqualung
Spitting out pieces of his broken luck, hey Aqualung
The term "Oh Aqualung" is used, possibly as a final address or emphasis on the man.
Report Submitted!
“Aqualung” Lyrics Meaning (Jethro Tull)
Jethro Tull’s “Aqualung” gives a straightforward account of homelessness and social isolation.
Like “Aqualung,” it focuses on a quiet kind of suffering that often goes unseen.
3. It simply presents the harsh reality of an older homeless person’s life and asks us to recognize the humanity often overlooked.
Check out more 1970s Song Meanings!
Lyric Stories Newsletter
Don’t miss out on our latest song interpretations and curated music lists!
Ronny is the creator and head writer at Lyric Stories.
It shows that this isn’t a stranger talking down to him. But the voice is calm and familiar. It’s about the silence and invisibility that can come with poverty and age.
Related: Songs with Female Names in the Title
2. It encourages us to consider the complexity of people who may be misunderstood or marginalized.
It’s probably someone from his past, possibly the one telling this story, who recognizes him and wants to let him know he’s not a threat.
“Old sod” is casual and familiar. The musician confirmed that the lyrics talk about the reaction to homeless people.
Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson explains the meaning of “Aqualung”:
“It’s really more about our reaction to the homeless, the embarrassment, the sense of – in some cases – hopelessness of tragedy, of sadness… But also a degree of fear, a degree of discomfort.
It shows the daily struggle of a man living outside the world most people know, facing pain and harsh judgment.
The song doesn’t explain or excuse. Like “Aqualung,” it shows how society ignores and isolates those living on the streets.
Related: “Another Day in Paradise” Song Meaning
Conclusion: A View from the Edge of Society
“Aqualung” gives an unfiltered look at homelessness.
It offers no solution, no redemption, and no hint that things will get better. It employs unsettling lyrics to illustrate how people perceive and treat those living on the margins. It reflects the idea that he is misunderstood, possibly suffering from mental or emotional distress. It describes society’s fear, judgment, and neglect of the poor, and how those people might experience the world.
Below is a full breakdown of the lyrics in “Aqualung.”
- Song: Aqualung
- Artist: Jethro Tull
- Songwriters: Ian Anderson, Jennie Anderson
- Released: 1971
- Album:Aqualung
- Genre: Progressive rock
What is “Aqualung” About?
Verse 1: The Disturbing Image
Sitting on a park bench
Eying little girls with bad intent
A homeless man sits alone, watching the world around him.
People assume he has bad intentions toward children, though it’s unclear what he is actually thinking or doing.
This suspicion shows how fear and judgment often shape how society views people like him.
Snot running down his nose
Greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes
Hey, Aqualung!
Life on the streets leaves him sick, dirty, and forgotten.
The nickname “Aqualung” mocks his heavy, wet breathing caused by illness.
It refers to the strained, mechanical rhythm of his breath as he struggles to stay alive.
And the flowers bloom like madness in the spring
The cold and pain of winter have left him broken. The song invites listeners to empathize with the plight of Aqualung, urging us not to jump to conclusions about those we perceive as different, as they may be struggling with their own burdens and humanity.
1 people found it useful
Lyrics
The lyrics describe a man sitting on a park bench.
Eying little girls with bad intent
The man is looking at young girls with harmful intentions, implying a predatory or sinister gaze.
Snots running down his nose
The man has mucus running from his nose, indicating poor hygiene or possibly illness.
Greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes, hey, Aqualung
His fingers are dirty and they're smudging his worn-out clothes.
The help is real, but it feels shallow, more like a performance than real care.
Aqualung, my friend
Don’t you start away uneasy
You poor old sod, you see, it’s only me
This is the only moment of human connection in the song.
Aqualung seems startled, maybe expecting trouble or insults.
But around him, spring arrives quickly and violently, like nothing happened.
Life moves on, even as he stays stuck with everything the season took from him.
“Aqualung” Song Meaning: Looking at the Margins of Society
“Aqualung” is a harsh look at homelessness.