Skating Away (On The Thin Ice Of The New Day)

Album: War Child (1974)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was one of the first songs to discuss climate change. However, Ian Anderson admitted to Mojo magazine that he got his facts wrong. "Based on what I was reading in scientific journals, I thought there was a mini ice age coming," he said.

    Not long after came the revelation that in fact the opposite was the case. "I had a lot of egg and indeed ice on my face," Anderson grinned.
  • There are two lines in this song that reference the 1973 Jethro Tull album The Passion Play: "Looking for a sign that the Universal Mind has written you into the Passion Play" and "Or that everybody's on the stage, and it seems like you're the only person sitting in the audience?" The Passion Play is a two-song album similar to Thick As a Brick. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jon Hefets - Commack, NY

Comments: 7

  • Paddymcq from Louisville, KyTurth from Boston, not sure when you wrote this but the song is from 1974 so... way to stay up on current events.
  • Turth from BostonActually neither is true as climate change is a complete myth. It's okay to be wrong. Still a good song.
  • Linda from Inland Empire, CaWow, I have not heard this song for many years and never with decent speakers before. Love it, especially the array of instrumentation.
  • Joe from Grants Pass, OrWAR CHILD- watta ya think ???
  • Rod from Gainesville, Fllove the vocal stylings
  • Peter Griffin from Quahog, RiAbout the Apocalypse, perhaps?
  • Andy from Rockaway , NyGreat Tull music, Anderson at his best.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.