Chrysalis Records: Bungle in the Jungle

Only two songs by Jethro Tull ever made it into the Top 40 and both were released by Chrysalis Records. The highest charting of the two, “Living in the Past,” was a reissue of a 1969 single release on Reprise. It peaked at #11 the second time around in 1972. Two years later, “Bungle in the Jungle,” charted at the #12 position. Recorded in late 1972 or early 1973 in Paris for an ill fated project and film, “Bungle in the Jungle” eventually found its way onto Tull’s 1974 LP “War Child.” It was a good thing, as it was the album’s best known track.

Lead singer and flautist Ian Anderson is quoted as saying that Jethro Tull was probably the catalyst for Chris Wright and Terry Ellis to form Chrysalis Records. Jethro Tull was having difficulty securing an album deal with a major label and the only single release that the band had up to this point was on MGM. Even with that, the label failed to get the band’s name correct, as the single, “Sunshine Day” backed with “Aeroplane,” was credited to “Jethro Toe.” Their management company, the Ellis-Wright Agency, rose to the occasion and started its own label and the rest is musical history.

While “Living in the Past” charted slightly higher, “Bungle in the Jungle” is probably the better known song of the two. Enjoy this blast from the past.