Jump Start
Jethro Tull Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

In the dark of the city backwoods, something stirs then slips away.
Law and order in darkest Knightsbridge.
Crime and punishment at play.
Hey, Mr. Policeman won't you come on over.
Hook me up to the power lines of your love.
Jump start, or tow me away.

And through the bruised machinery, the smoking haze of industry.
Another day with ball and chain.
I do my time, then home again.
Hey, Mrs. Maggie won't you come on over.
Hook me up to the power lines of your love.
Jump start, or tow me away.

Well, should I blame the officers?
Or maybe, I should blame the priest?
Or should I blame the poor foot soldier who's left to make the most from least?
Hey, Jack Ripper won't you come on over.
Hook me up to the power lines of your love.
Jump start, or tow me away.

You can blame the newsman talking at you on the satellite T.V.
And if you're fighting for your shipyards, you might as well just blame the sea.
Hey, Mr. Weatherman come on over.




Hook me up to the power lines of your love.
Jump start, or tow me away.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jethro Tull's "Jump Start" deal with themes of frustration and dissatisfaction with society and the powers-that-be. The verses create a sort of hazy urban landscape, with fleeting glimpses of police officers, industry, and news broadcasting. The singer appears to be asking for help from various figures, such as the police and newscasters, but also expresses a sense of bitterness towards these same authorities. The chorus, with its repeated plea to "hook me up to the power lines of your love", seems to reflect a desire for connection and meaning in a world that feels chaotic and disorienting.


The third verse in particular points towards a larger critique of societal systems that fail to support average citizens. The singer questions whether the blame for their struggles lies with the police, the priests, or the soldiers who are tasked with enforcing the status quo. Ultimately, the song seems to suggest that there are forces beyond our control that shape our lives, but that it's still possible to reach out for help and try to connect with others.


Line by Line Meaning

In the dark of the city backwoods, something stirs then slips away.
Something mysterious and unsettling is happening in the dark and hidden areas of the city, but it disappears before it can be identified.


Law and order in darkest Knightsbridge.
Even in the posh and exclusive neighborhood of Knightsbridge, there is still crime and the need for law enforcement.


Crime and punishment at play.
The constant cycle of committing crimes and being punished for them is an ongoing reality of life.


Hey, Mr. Policeman won't you come on over.
The artist is pleading with a policeman to come and help him.


Hook me up to the power lines of your love.
The artist wants to be connected to the positive force of love that the policeman represents.


Jump start, or tow me away.
The singer needs either a jump start to get his life going again, or to be taken away from his current circumstances.


And through the bruised machinery, the smoking haze of industry.
The bleak and polluted world of working in industry is described.


Another day with ball and chain.
The artist feels trapped in his monotonous daily routine.


I do my time, then home again.
The artist is resigned to the fact that he has a set pattern to his life, which involves working and going home again.


Hey, Mrs. Maggie won't you come on over.
The artist is again reaching out to someone for help, this time to a woman named Maggie.


Well, should I blame the officers?
The singer is questioning whether the blame for the state of his life lies with the authorities, such as the police.


Or maybe, I should blame the priest?
The artist is suggesting that perhaps a lack of guidance or moral support from religious figures is responsible for his situation.


Or should I blame the poor foot soldier who's left to make the most from least?
The singer is acknowledging that even those in authority can also be powerless and struggling to make ends meet.


Hey, Jack Ripper won't you come on over.
The singer is using the notorious and murderous historical figure Jack the Ripper as a metaphorical symbol for something he needs help with.


You can blame the newsman talking at you on the satellite T.V.
The singer is pointing out that the media can also be held accountable for shaping people's thoughts and opinions.


And if you're fighting for your shipyards, you might as well just blame the sea.
The artist is saying that sometimes life is hard and unfair, and it's easier to just blame things that are out of our control.


Hey, Mr. Weatherman come on over.
Once again, the artist is calling out for someone to come and help him.


Hook me up to the power lines of your love.
The singer believes that love is a powerful tool that can help him in his current situation.


Jump start, or tow me away.
The singer is still in need of a change, either through a jump start or by being taken away from his current circumstances.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: IAN ANDERSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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