Ian Anderson defends “Fat Man” by Jethro Tull from the Wake culture

During an interview with Classic Album Review the frontman of Jethro Tull Ian Anderson He faced the criticisms surrounding the controversial song of his band entitled “Fat Man”. The British musician defended the song from modern cultural sensitivity by explaining what his intentions were behind the writing of the song and how the cultural standards have naturally evolved since it was written.

So he argued the 77 -year -old Anderson: “‘Fat Man’ was in a certain sense a song that defended the cause of Obese people. It is in no way a negative song. It is simply use in the title of a term to which, of course, it would be necessary to pay close attention nowadays”.

Starting from that point of view Ian Anderson He has expanded his perspective on contemporary cultural expectations and their impact on artistic expression. “But then there are probably many things that I have written over the years that they would be considered incorrect in the so -called world Woke today. I use the term ‘right on’ because in the 70s the equivalent of Woke was the people who said ‘Right on!’ To do whatever it seemed a cause, and that it was, you know, progressive and politically leftist or anything else, ‘right on’.

Very honestly the leader of
Jethro Tull
He admitted that even when he wrote it he was aware that the song could arouse controversy. “I think I was a little aware of it when I wrote it. It was probably at the limit even then in terms of what was acceptable. It probably played rather offensive for many people, but did not want to be an offensive song. I didn’t want to ridicule or make fun of Obese people in any way. In a certain sense, I was saying ‘hey, it’s okay.”

The defense of
“Fat Man”
Anderson is part of Anderson in the context of ongoing discussions on artistic expression and cultural sensitivity. These discussions focus in particular on works of the previous decades that may not be in line with what are the standards of contemporary sensitivity.

“Fat Man”
It was released on the second album of
Jethro Tull
of 1969
“Stand up”
. The disc marked a crucial moment in the evolution of the band. The album represented a significant removal from their blues-rock origins. He incorporated Celtic folk influences and classical -inspired structures that would become distinctive of Anderson’s compositional style.