Beastie (song)

'Beastie' is a song on English rock band Jethro Tull's studio concept album, The Broadsword and the Beast, released in 1982. Written by Ian Anderson, it is a dark, brooding rock song, featuring synthesizer mixed with guitar power chords.

Overview
The lyrics are full of angst dressed in Scottish folklore, and relates to the band's frustration of recording the album (taking over 12 months of preparation and recording) and trying to get back into the musical spotlight dominated by New Wave music. Peter Vettesse's synthesizer heralds a new sound, signalling a different aural direction for the band's future. Backed-up by the steady of drumming of Gerry Conway, providing a platform for Martin Barre's best power chord playing on the album.

Although never realeased as a single, it did receive appreciable airplay, and reached number 50 on the US airplay chart. The song itself influenced the artwork for the album, with a 'Beastie' appearing on the cover, and in live performances (The Broadsword Tour), a Beastie mock-up was used as a stage prop hovering above Ian Anderson's shoulder.