A song that probably could have benefited from better promotion, but never destined for the Top 20.
Kronomyth 3.1: Inside information.
Despite the globe-trotting demands of a touring band, Ian Anderson seems to be something of a homebody. Several of his best songs have championed the hearth: “Fire at Midnight,” “Home” and, here, Inside. (Alive and Well and Living In also deals with staying at home, although it isn’t one of his best songs.) The single version of “Inside” is significantly shorter than the elpee version, removing the last verse for some not-good-enough reason. Also, for Jeffrey Hammond watchers, it’s one of a few Jethro Tull songs to reference Jeffrey before he joined the band.
In the US, where the single received little promotion and a cool reception, the album track A Time for Everything was pressed into service as the B side. No complaints there. “Alive and Well and Living In” was the flip side in Europe, a song that didn’t appear on the US release of Benefit. It’s a jazzy number prominently featuring the piano playing of John Evan, but not fully gelled. It later turned up on the US editions of Living in the Past.
Original 7-inch single version
A1. Inside (Ian Anderson)
B1. Alive and Well and Living In (Ian Anderson)
Original 7-inch single version (US)
A1. Inside (Ian Anderson) (2:35)
B1. A Time for Everything (Ian Anderson) (2:42)
The Plastic
Released on 7-inch single on April 24, 1970 in the UK (Chrysalis, WIP 6081) and France and the Netherlands (Chrysalis, 6040 014) and in June 1970 in the US (Reprise/Chrysalis, 0927) with regional picture sleeve. Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1970 in the US (Reprise/Chrysalis, 0927).
