{{Short description|1968 studio album by Jethro Tull}} {{use British English|date=May 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}} {{Infobox album | name = This Was | type = studio | artist = [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]] | cover = Jethro Tull - This Was fron cover.jpg | alt = | released = 25 October 1968<ref name="jethrotullthiswas">{{cite web |title=Jethro Tull Discography: This Was (October 25, 1968) |url=http://jethrotull.com/?portfolio=this-was |website=jethrotull.com |access-date=25 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502170645/http://jethrotull.com/?portfolio=this-was |archive-date=2 May 2016}}</ref> | recorded = 13 June – 27 July 1968 | studio = [[Sound Techniques (studio)|Sound Techniques]], [[Chelsea, London]] | genre = *[[Blues rock]] *[[jazz fusion]] *[[folk rock]] | length = 38:22 | label = [[Island Records|Island]] (UK)<br>[[Reprise Records|Reprise]] (US) | producer = [[Terry Ellis (manager)|Terry Ellis]], Jethro Tull | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = [[Stand Up (Jethro Tull album)|Stand Up]] | next_year = 1969 | misc = {{Singles | name = | type = studio | single1 = [[A Song for Jeffrey]] | single1date = September 1968 <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Jethro+Tull&titel=A+Song+For+Jeffrey&cat=s|title=Jethro Tull - A Song For Jeffrey|first=Steffen|last=Hung|website=Hitparade.ch|access-date=3 June 2025}}</ref> }} }}
'''''This Was''''' is the debut studio album by the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[rock music|rock]] band [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]], released in October 1968. Recorded at a cost of £1200, it is the only Jethro Tull album with guitarist [[Mick Abrahams]], who was a major influence for the sound and music style of the band's first songs. When the album was released, the band were performing regularly at the [[Marquee Club]] in London, where other successful British groups, such as [[the Rolling Stones]] and [[the Who]], had started their careers.<ref name="jethrotullthiswas" />
Compared to the band's later discography, ''This Was'' contains significant [[blues rock]] and [[jazz fusion]] influences, owing to Abrahams' songwriting and playing style. The band would soon begin to abandon much of these influences upon Abrahams' departure after the release of the album, starting with follow up album ''[[Stand Up (Jethro Tull album)|Stand Up]]'' (1969).
==Music== While vocalist [[Ian Anderson (musician)|Ian Anderson]]'s creative vision largely shaped Jethro Tull's later albums, on ''This Was'' Anderson shared songwriting duties with Tull's guitarist [[Mick Abrahams]]. In part due to Abrahams' influence, the album incorporates more [[rhythm and blues]] and [[jazz]] influences than the [[progressive rock]] the band later became known for. In particular: ''This Was'' also contains the only Jethro Tull lead vocal not performed by Ian Anderson on a studio album, in "Move on Alone". Mick Abrahams, the song's author, provided vocals; [[Dee Palmer]] provided the horn arrangement. Abrahams left Jethro Tull following the album's completion.
The song "Dharma for One", a staple of Tull's early concerts (usually incorporating an extended drum solo by [[Clive Bunker]]), was later covered by [[Ekseption]], [[Black Widow (band)|Pesky Gee!]] and [[The Ides of March (band)|The Ides of March]]. This song featured use of the "claghorn",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rhythmingold.wordpress.com/2012/10/26/the-dharma-for-one-claghorn/ |title=The Dharma for One Claghorn |work=Rhythm in Gold |publisher=[[WordPress.com]] |date=26 October 2012 |access-date=12 March 2016 }}</ref> a hybrid instrument invented by [[Jeffrey Hammond]] which combined the body of a [[recorder (musical instrument)|recorder]], the bell of a toy [[trumpet]] and the mouthpiece of a [[saxophone]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nollen |first1=Scott Allen |author-link1=Scott Allen Nollen|title=Jethro Tull: A History of the Band, 1968-2001 |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |date=15 December 2001 |page=36 |isbn=978-0786411016 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AsvpFwKVCN4C&q=dharma+for+one+claghorn&pg=PA36 |access-date=12 March 2016 }}</ref> Anderson also claims to have invented the instrument.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tullpress.com/scot27aug01.htm |title=BBC Radio Scotland: Old Wild Men |last=Morton |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Morton |publisher=Tull Press.com |date=27 August 2001 |access-date=12 March 2016 }}</ref>
In the documentary film ''[[Woodstock (film)|Woodstock]]'', the songs "Beggar's Farm" and "Serenade to a Cuckoo" can be heard playing over the festival's PA system.
==Reception== {{Music ratings | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="allmusic" >{{AllMusic |class=album |id=r10364 |tab=review |label=Jethro Tull - ''This Was'' (1968) album review |first=Bruce |last=Eder |access-date=27 March 2011}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[Record Collector]]'' | rev2Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="collector" >{{cite magazine |title=Jethro Tull - ''This Was: Collector's Edition'' (1968/Remastered 2008) |journal=[[Record Collector]] |date=June 2008 |last=Davies |first=David |issue=350 |url=http://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/this-was-collectorsedition |access-date=19 March 2016}}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[The Village Voice]]'' | rev3Score = {{Rating-Christgau|C-}}<ref name="Christgau">{{cite news|date=14 August 1969|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|title=Consumer Guide (3) (Album Reviews)|newspaper=[[The Village Voice]]|location=New York|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg3.php|access-date=5 July 2013}}</ref> | rev4 = The Daily Vault | rev4Score = A<ref name=vault>{{cite web |url= http://dailyvault.com/toc.php5?review=302 |title=The Daily Vault Music Reviews : This Was |first=Christopher |last=Thelen |work=dailyvault.com |year=2019 |access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> | rev5 = ''[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]'' | rev5Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin|title=Encyclopedia of Popular Music|year=2007|publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|edition=5th|isbn=978-0857125958|title-link=Encyclopedia of Popular Music}}</ref> }} ''This Was'' received generally favourable reviews and sold well upon its release. ''[[Record Mirror]]'' thoroughly recommended the album in 1968 for being "full of excitement and emotion" and described the band as a blues ensemble "influenced by jazz music" capable of setting "the audience on fire".<ref>{{cite journal |title=Jethro Tull LP Sets Fans on Fire |journal=[[Record Mirror]] |url=http://www.tullpress.com/rm16nov68.htm |publisher=Tull Press.com |access-date=16 October 2019 }}</ref> Allen Evans of ''[[New Musical Express]]'' wrote in his review that the album "sounds good and has a lot of humour about it" and that the band "play jazz really, in a soft, appealing way, and have a bit of fun on the side with tone patterns and singing".<ref>{{cite journal |last=Evans |first=Allen |date=26 October 1968 |title=This Was: Jethro Tull |journal=[[NME]] |url=http://www.tullpress.com/nme26oct68.htm |publisher=Tull Press.com |access-date=29 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514184048/http://www.tullpress.com/nme26oct68.htm |archive-date=14 May 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> American critic [[Robert Christgau]], on the contrary, was appalled by the success of a band that combined "the worst of [[Rahsaan Roland Kirk|Roland Kirk]], [[Arthur Brown (musician)|Arthur Brown]], and your nearest [[Student center|G.O.]] blues band."<ref name="Christgau" />
Recent reviews of the remastered edition underline the duality of Anderson and Abrahams' songwriting and stage presence, as well as the strong ties of the band to blues in their early days. Sid Smith of [[BBC Music]] wrote that "what made Tull stand out from the great-coated crowd (of touring bands) was the high-visibility of frontman Ian Anderson's on-stage Tourette's-inspired hyper-gurning and Mick Abraham's ferocious fretwork."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/m3bd |title=Jethro Tull - This Was review |last=Smith |first=Sid |author-link=Sid Smith (author) |work=[[BBC Music]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=2008 |access-date=12 March 2016 }}</ref> An [[AllMusic]] reviewer remarked how Jethro Tull on their vinyl debut appeared "vaguely reminiscent of the [[The Graham Bond Organisation|Graham Bond Organization]] only more cohesive, and with greater commercial sense".<ref name="allmusic" /> David Davies of ''[[Record Collector]]'' reminds how "''This Was'' only hints at the depth and majesty of the ensuing seven albums", but also wrote that "the direct, unfussy and predominantly blues-based" tracks of the original recordings and the extra tracks of the collector's edition "could well come as something of a surprise" and "be of the greatest interest to Tull aficionados."<ref name="collector" />
The album reached number 10 on the [[UK Albums Chart]]<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book| first= David| last= Roberts| year= 2006| title= [[British Hit Singles & Albums]]| edition= 19th| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London| isbn= 1-904994-10-5| page= 282}}</ref> and number 62 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/this-was-mw0000190507/awards |title=This Was Billboard Albums |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |access-date=13 March 2016 }}</ref> It was voted number 574 in [[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]'s ''[[All Time Top 1000 Albums]]''.<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[All Time Top 1000 Albums]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=2000|edition=3rd|isbn=0-7535-0493-6|page=194}}</ref>
==Track listings== ===Standard edition=== {{Track listing | headline = Side one | title1 = My Sunday Feeling | writer1 = [[Ian Anderson]] | length1 = 3:43 | title2 = Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You | writer2 = Anderson | length2 = 2:49 | title3 = Beggar's Farm | writer3 = [[Mick Abrahams]], Anderson | length3 = 4:19 | title4 = Move on Alone | writer4 = Abrahams | length4 = 1:58 | title5 = Serenade to a Cuckoo | writer5 = [[Roland Kirk]] | length5 = 6:07 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Side two | total_length = 38:22 | title1 = Dharma for One | writer1 = Anderson, [[Clive Bunker]] | length1 = 4:15 | title2 = It's Breaking Me Up | writer2 = Anderson | length2 = 5:04 | title3 = Cat's Squirrel | writer3 = [[Traditional music|Traditional]],{{efn|The album fails to credit the composer of this track, bluesman [[Doctor Ross|Isaiah Ross]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Enos |first=Morgan |date=2018-11-09 |title=Jethro Tull's Debut 'This Was' Turns 50: A Track-by-Track Retrospective |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/jethro-tull-debut-this-was-album-8484167/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher= |access-date=2023-07-13}}</ref>}} arranged by Abrahams | length3 = 5:42 | title4 = [[A Song for Jeffrey]] | writer4 = Anderson | length4 = 3:22 | title5 = Round | writer5 = Anderson, Abrahams, Bunker, [[Glenn Cornick]], [[Terry Ellis (record producer)|Terry Ellis]] | length5 = 1:03 }} * 1973 cassette reissue has same track order, but on opposite sides. * Sides one and two were combined as tracks 1–10 on CD reissues.
{{Track listing | headline = 2001 remaster bonus tracks | total_length = 46:40 | title11 = One for [[Marquee Club|John Gee]] | note11 = B-side of "A Song for Jeffrey" single, September 1968 | writer11 = Abrahams | length11 = 2:06 | title12 = [[Love Story (Jethro Tull song)|Love Story]] | note12 = non-album single, October 1968 | writer12 = Anderson | length12 = 3:06 | title13 = A Christmas Song | note13 = B-side of "Love Story" single, October 1968 | writer13 = Anderson | length13 = 3:06 }} * The 2001 remastered CD added three bonus tracks (which had been on the ''[[20 Years of Jethro Tull]]'' box-set) and extensive liner notes.
{{Track listing | headline = 2018 bonus tracks, Steven Wilson remix | total_length = 57:54 | title11 = Love Story | writer11 = | length11 = 3:03 | title12 = A Christmas Song | writer12 = | length12 = 3:09 | title13 = Serenade to a Cuckoo (take 1) | writer13 = | length13 = 5:46 | note13 = previously unreleased | title14 = Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You (faster version) | writer14 = | length14 = 2:36 | note14 = previously unreleased | title15 = Move on Alone (flute version) | writer15 = | length15 = 2:01 | note15 = previously unreleased | title16 = Ultimate Confusion | writer16 = Anderson, Abrahams, Cornick and Bunker | length16 = 2:56 | note16 = previously unreleased }} * The 2018 edition CD added six bonus tracks (including four previously unreleased tracks).
===40th anniversary collectors' edition (2008)=== A deluxe, two-CD 40th anniversary edition was released in 2008. It contains the original mono version, a stereo version remixed from the original four-track session tapes, non-LP single tracks and the BBC sessions recorded by the band in 1968 for [[John Peel]]'s "Top Gear".
{{Track listing | headline = Disc one: Original Mono LP (Remastered) & BBC Sessions | title1 = My Sunday Feeling | length1 = 3:43 | title2 = Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You | length2 = 2:49 | title3 = Beggar's Farm | length3 = 4:23 | title4 = Move on Alone | length4 = 2:00 | title5 = Serenade to a Cuckoo | note5 = instrumental | length5 = 6:07 | title6 = Dharma for One | note6 = instrumental | length6 = 4:13 | title7 = It's Breaking Me Up | length7 = 5:01 | title8 = Cat's Squirrel | note8 = instrumental | length8 = 5:40 | title9 = A Song for Jeffrey | length9 = 3:26 | title10 = Round | note10 = instrumental | length10 = 0:59 | title11 = So Much Trouble | note11 = John Peel Session: 23 July 1968 | writer11 = [[Brownie McGhee]] | length11 = 3:19 | title12 = My Sunday Feeling | note12 = John Peel Session: 23 July 1968 | length12 = 3:49 | title13 = Serenade to a Cuckoo | note13 = John Peel Session: 23 July 1968 - instrumental | length13 = 3:37 | title14 = Cat's Squirrel | note14 = John Peel Session: 23 July 1968 - instrumental | length14 = 4:38 | title15 = A Song for Jeffrey | note15 = John Peel Session: 23 July 1968 | length15 = 3:13 | title16 = Love Story | note16 = John Peel Session: 5 November 1968 | length16 = 3:04 | title17 = [[Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad)|Stormy Monday]] | note17 = John Peel Session: 5 November 1968 | writer17 = [[T-Bone Walker]] | length17 = 4:09 | title18 = Beggar's Farm | note18 = John Peel Session: 5 November 1968 | length18 = 3:22 | title19 = Dharma for One | note19 = John Peel Session: 5 November 1968 - instrumental | length19 = 3:46 | }} {{Track listing | headline = Disc two: New Stereo Album Mix + Additional New Stereo Mixes & Original Mono Recordings (Remastered) | total_length = 126:30 | title1 = My Sunday Feeling | length1 = 3:42 | title2 = Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You | length2 = 2:47 | title3 = Beggar's Farm | length3 = 4:21 | title4 = Move on Alone | length4 = 1:57 | title5 = Serenade to a Cuckoo | note5 = instrumental | length5 = 6:05 | title6 = Dharma for One | note6 = instrumental | length6 = 4:13 | title7 = It's Breaking Me Up | length7 = 5:03 | title8 = Cat's Squirrel | note8 = instrumental | length8 = 5:39 | title9 = A Song for Jeffrey | length9 = 3:23 | title10 = Round | note10 = instrumental | length10 = 1:00 | title11 = Love Story | note11 = New Stereo Mix | length11 = 3:05 | title12 = Christmas Song | note12 = New Stereo Mix | length12 = 3:13 | title13 = Sunshine Day | note13 = A-side of single MGM 1384 released in February 1968, original mono recording | length13 = 2:26 | title14 = One for John Gee | note14 = B-side of "Song for Jeffrey" single, original mono recording, instrumental | length14 = 2:05 | title15 = Love Story | note15 = A-side of single WIP 6048 released in November 1968 on Island, original mono recording | length15 = 3:05 | title16 = Christmas Song | note16 = B-side of "Love Story" single, original mono recording | length16 = 3:05 }}
===50th anniversary collectors' edition (2018)=== {{Track listing | headline = CD1: A Steven Wilson Stereo Mix and Associated Recordings | title1 = My Sunday Feeling | note1 = New Stereo Mix | writer1 = Anderson | length1 = 3:43 | title2 = Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You | note2 = New Stereo Mix | writer2 = Anderson | length2 = 2:49 | title3 = Beggar's Farm | note3 = New Stereo Mix | writer3 = Abrahams, Anderson | length3 = 4:23 | title4 = Move on Alone | note4 = New Stereo Mix | writer4 = Abrahams | length4 = 2:00 | title5 = Serenade to a Cuckoo | note5 = Instrumental - New Stereo Mix | writer5 = Kirk | length5 = 6:07 | title6 = Dharma for One | note6 = Instrumental - New Stereo Mix | writer6 = Anderson, Bunker | length6 = 4:13 | title7 = It's Breaking Me Up | note7 = New Stereo Mix | writer7 = Anderson | length7 = 5:01 | title8 = Cat's Squirrel | note8 = Instrumental - New Stereo Mix | writer8 = Traditional, arranged by Abrahams | length8 = 5:40 | title9 = A Song for Jeffrey | note9 = New Stereo Mix | writer9 = Anderson | length9 = 3:26 | title10 = Round | note10 = Instrumental - New Stereo Mix | writer10 = Abrahams, Anderson, Bunker, Cornick | length10 = 0:59 | title11 = Love Story | note11 = New Stereo Mix | writer11 = Anderson | length11 = 3:03 | title12 = A Christmas Song | writer12 = Anderson | note12 = New Stereo Mix | length12 = 3:50 | title13 = Serenade to a Cuckoo | note13 = Instrumental - Take 1 - New Stereo Mix | writer13 = Kirk | length13 = 5:46 | title14 = Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You | note14 = Faster Version - New Stereo Mix | writer14 = Anderson | length14 = 2:36 | title15 = Move on Alone | note15 = Flute Version - New Stereo Mix | writer15 = Abrahams | length15 = 2:01 | title16 = Ultimate Confusion | writer16 = Abrahams, Anderson, Bunker, Cornick | note16 = John Peel Session: 5 November 1968 - New Stereo Mix | length16 = 2:56 }}
{{Track listing | headline = CD2: Further Associated Recordings, Original Mixes and Radio Adverts | title1 = So Much Trouble | note1 = BBC Top Gear Session, 23 July 1968 | writer1 = McGhee | length1 = 3:19 | title2 = My Sunday Feeling | note2 = BBC Top Gear Session, 23 July 1968 | writer2 = Anderson | length2 = 3:50 | title3 = Serenade to a Cuckoo | note3 = BBC Top Gear Session, 23 July 1968 | writer3 = Kirk | length3 = 3:37 | title4 = Cat's Squirrel | note4 = BBC Top Gear Session, 23 July 1968 | writer4 = Traditional, arranged by Abrahams | length4 = 4:39 | title5 = A Song for Jeffrey | note5 = BBC Top Gear Session, 23 July 1968 | writer5 = Anderson | length5 = 3:13 | title6 = Love Story | note6 = BBC Top Gear Session, 5 November 1968 | writer6 = Anderson | length6 = 3:05 | title7 = Stormy Monday | note7 = BBC Top Gear Session, 5 November 1968 | writer7 = Walker | length7 = 4:09 | title8 = Beggar's Farm | note8 = BBC Top Gear Session, 5 November 1968 | writer8 = Abrahams, Anderson | length8 = 3:22 | title9 = Dharma for One | note9 = BBC Top Gear Session, 5 November 1968 | writer9 = Anderson, Bunker | length9 = 3:47 | title10 = A Song for Jeffrey | note10 = Mono Single A-Side | writer10 = Anderson | length10 = 3:23 | title11 = One for John Gee | note11 = Mono Single B-Side | writer11 = Abrahams | length11 = 2:07 | title12 = Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You | note12 = Faster Version | writer12 = Anderson | length12 = 2:37 | title13 = Love Story | note13 = Mono Single A-Side | writer13 = Anderson | length13 = 3:06 | title14 = A Christmas Song | note14 = Mono Single B-Side | writer14 = Anderson | length14 = 3:07 | title15 = Sunshine Day | note15 = Mono MGM Single A-Side - credited to "Jethro Toe" | writer15 = Abrahams | length15 = 2:23 | title16 = Aeroplane | note16 = Mono MGM Single B-Side - credited to "John Evan Smash" | writer16 = Anderson, "Les Barnard" (Cornick) | length16 = 2:26 | title17 = Blues for the 18th | note17 = Studio Outtake - credited to "John Evan Smash" | writer17 = Anderson, "Les Barnard" (Cornick) | length17 = 2:53 | title18 = Love Story | note18 = 1969 US Promo Stereo Mix for FM Radio Airplay | writer18 = Anderson | length18 = 3:03 | title19 = US FM Radio Spot #1 | length19 = 0:52 | title20 = US FM Radio Spot #2 | length20 = 0:56 }}
{{Track listing | headline = CD3: Original 1968 UK Stereo Mix (Direct Transfer), Original 1968 UK Mono Mix (2018 Remaster) | title1 = My Sunday Feeling | note1 = Original 1968 UK Stereo Mix | writer1 = Anderson | length1 = 3:42 | title2 = Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You | note2 = Original 1968 UK Stereo Mix | writer2 = Anderson | length2 = 2:48 | title3 = Beggar's Farm | note3 = Original 1968 UK Stereo Mix | writer3 = Abrahams, Anderson | length3 = 4:22 | title4 = Move on Alone | note4 = Original 1968 UK Stereo Mix | writer4 = Abrahams | length4 = 1:59 | title5 = Serenade to a Cuckoo | note5 = Instrumental - Original 1968 UK Stereo Mix | writer5 = Kirk | length5 = 6:08 | title6 = Dharma for One | note6 = Instrumental - Original 1968 UK Stereo Mix | writer6 = Anderson, Bunker | length6 = 4:13 | title7 = It's Breaking Me Up | note7 = Original 1968 UK Stereo Mix | writer7 = Anderson | length7 = 5:01 | title8 = Cat's Squirrel | note8 = Instrumental - Original 1968 UK Stereo Mix | writer8 = Traditional, arranged by Abrahams | length8 = 5:40 | title9 = A Song for Jeffrey | note9 = Original 1968 UK Stereo Mix | writer9 = Anderson | length9 = 3:23 | title10 = Round | note10 = Instrumental - Original 1968 UK Stereo Mix | writer10 = Abrahams, Anderson, Bunker, Cornick | length10 = 0:52 | title11 = My Sunday Feeling | note11 = Original 1968 UK Mono Mix | writer11 = Anderson | length11 = 3:44 | title12 = Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You | note12 = Original 1968 UK Mono Mix | writer12 = Anderson | length12 = 2:49 | title13 = Beggar's Farm | note13 = Original 1968 UK Mono Mix | writer13 = Abrahams, Anderson | length13 = 4:24 | title14 = Move on Alone | note14 = Original 1968 UK Mono Mix | writer14 = Abrahams | length14 = 2:00 | title15 = Serenade to a Cuckoo | note15 = Instrumental - Original 1968 UK Mono Mix | writer15 = Kirk | length15 = 6:07 | title16 = Dharma for One | note16 = Instrumental - Original 1968 UK Mono Mix | writer16 = Anderson, Bunker | length16 = 4:14 | title17 = It's Breaking Me Up | note17 = Original 1968 UK Mono Mix | writer17 = Anderson | length17 = 5:02 | title18 = Cat's Squirrel | note18 = Instrumental - Original 1968 UK Mono Mix | writer18 = Traditional, arranged by Abrahams | length18 = 5:40 | title19 = A Song for Jeffrey | note19 = Original 1968 UK Mono Mix | writer19 = Anderson | length19 = 3:26 | title20 = Round | note20 = Instrumental - Original 1968 UK Mono Mix | writer20 = Abrahams, Anderson, Bunker, Cornick | length20 = 0:52 }}
==Personnel== '''Jethro Tull'''
* [[Ian Anderson]] – [[lead vocals]] (all except track 4), [[flute]], [[harmonica]], claghorn (track 6), [[piano]] (track 10) * [[Mick Abrahams]] – [[electric guitar]], [[nine-string guitar|nine-string]] [[acoustic guitar]], lead vocals (track 4), co-lead vocals (track 2), [[backing vocals]] * [[Glenn Cornick]] – [[bass guitar]] * [[Clive Bunker]] – [[drums]], [[percussion]] hooter, charm bracelet '''Additional musicians''' * [[Dee Palmer]] – [[French horn]] and orchestral arrangements
'''Production''' * [[Terry Ellis (record producer)|Terry Ellis]] – producer * Victor Gamm – engineer
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (1968–1969) ! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position |- ! scope="row"| Finnish Albums ([[The Official Finnish Charts]])<ref name=FINI>{{cite book|last=Pennanen|first=Timo|title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972|edition=1st|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|year=2006|isbn=978-951-1-21053-5| language= fi}}</ref> | align="center"| 13 |- {{album chart|UK2|10|date=19681110|rowheader=true|access-date=20 June 2024}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|62|artist=Jethro Tull|rowheader=true|access-date=20 June 2024}} |- |}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2018) ! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position |- {{album chart|Flanders|181|artist=Jethro Tull|album=This Was|rowheader=true|access-date=20 June 2024}} |- {{album chart|Germany|28|id=33950|artist=Jethro Tull|album=This Was|rowheader=true|access-date=20 June 2024}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|41|date=20181116|rowheader=true|access-date=20 June 2024}} |- {{album chart|Spain|78|artist=Jethro Tull|album=This Was|rowheader=true|access-date=20 June 2024}} |- {{album chart|UKRock|2|date=20181116|rowheader=true|access-date=20 June 2024}} |}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r10364|label=Jethro Tull - ''This Was'' (1968) album review by Bruce Eder, credits & releases}} * [https://www.discogs.com/Jethro-Tull-This-Was/release/1727092 Jethro Tull - ''This Was'' (1968) album releases & credits] at [[Discogs|Discogs.com]] * [http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=2015 Jethro Tull - ''This Was'' (1968) album credits & user reviews] at ProgArchives.com * [https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/4368/Jethro-Tull-This-Was/ Jethro Tull - ''This Was'' (1968) album review by Ian (Storm)] at SputnikMusic.com * [https://play.spotify.com/album/4YAzYO6b4v2b36KddwtCUj Jethro Tull - ''This Was'' (1968/2008 Remastered 40th Anniversary Collectors' Edition) album to be listened] as stream at [[Spotify|Play.Spotify.com]] * [https://play.spotify.com/album/5IRzZUl3M29VCuNL1BHdyF Jethro Tull - ''This Was'' (1968/2001 Remastered Version) album to be listened] as stream at [[Spotify|Play.Spotify.com]]
{{Jethro Tull}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Jethro Tull (band) albums]] [[Category:1968 debut albums]] [[Category:Island Records albums]] [[Category:Reprise Records albums]] [[Category:Chrysalis Records albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Terry Ellis (record producer)]]