Ian Anderson - Toad In The Hole

Another track off of Walk Into Light.

Lyrics - (The back door's open.)

I walk along the Strand to catch the late ride home.
Shuttle through the evening gloom knowing I forgot to phone.
The back door's open. There's a chill blowing in.
Take your warm hands off me. Let the night begin.
Shush your mouth. Listen to me.
I won't say nothing just let me be your
toad in the hole.

Kicking through the wet leaves lying all along the Station Road.
Past tired graffitti wailing, raw emotion to unload.
There's coal in the fireplace and money in the bank too.
Deep-pile carpets, tinsel wallpaper. Still got the back room to do.
But don't be late. Got a day's work behind me.
Feel a little devastated but my nights are assigned to you.
Toad in the hole.

No tom-cat creeping, now could ever be so bold
to hang around our place tonight when I come in from the cold.
There's a straight-six in the garage and some fine wine to cool.
Labour-savers in the kitchen, room in the garden for a pool.
Shush your mouth. Let imagination run
here in bed-sit heaven where all the best wishing's done
to warm toad in the hole.
Toad in a hole. Toad in a hole.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ian
• Anderson
• Walk
• Into
• Light
• Solo

[raydenthetullgod]

Oh wow. Ashamed to admit it being a hard-core Tullophile, but I've never heard any of the Walk Into Light tracks until now. Thanks for posting!

[Aqualung71]

Yes I have posted other tracks form this album as well. Also if your into Tull please check out my other videos!

[WankershireEngland]

I forgot about this one. I used to think "toad in the whole" was something dirty, knowing Anderson's penchant for bawdy humour. I learned many years later that it was simply a slice of bread fried with an egg in the middle.

Then again, it may have a double meaning...?

[Aqualung71]

Knowing Ian it probably does!

[gothling1955]

"Will someone PLEASE close that freakin' back door?!" This is one of my top favs from "Walk Into Light" (along w/ "Black & White Television"), sounding just as ominous as it did the very first time I heard it. Ian's first attempt at a solo album ("A") was also very heavy on electronic keyboards, so it only follows that this project would be, too. My former girlfriend gave me this LP for my birthday in 1983, and at first glance I didn't know it was Ian on the cover. (Roddy's comments are golden!)

[Aqualung71]

Yeah, great album. Interesting that this was his first solo album, but it was the 80s of course! Yes his comments are and so are yours! Always enjoy reading them!

[siggisongs1]

For too many people Ian is reduced to the flute player. In fact he´s a genius in composing, arranging, and a great lyricist. But moreover his musical facilities are unique for he´s an underrated guitar player and a multi - instrumentalist, too.

[gaspode18]

@WankershireEngland In my part of the World (Kent), a toad in the hole is a sausage (or if you are rich, a lamb chop) cooked in batter.

[sunboyfun]

@roddy76to86

Yes, I agree that your comments are enlightening, Roddy. I bought this LP back in "83 and it took a bit to get into it but this song stood out. I think the mention of the "straight six" is just one of many creature comforts(as well as flesh) the character Ian is singing about (in the first person). Domestic life, coming home after a hard day and indeed, the double meaning of Toad In The Hole. I always learn something from Ian's lyrics.

[AZUFO1123]

THE BEST!!!!!!!

[funk7000]

listen to carefuly. there is a lot of intricate stuff going on here. and this song has a funk element to it...lkiste to the beat and when the bass line comes in and out.

[dreamerberlin]

When this came out, Tull fans hated it, because Ian drop his flute, and electronic fans hated it, because how can a rockmuican dare to change his direction. But when I hear it today, its real good stuff, still. Kind of unique. A pretty brave step in those days.