Jail Bait

Album: Pilgrimage (1971)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In our interview with Andy Powell, who wrote this song with his bandmates Martin Turner, Steve Upton and Ted Turner, he explained: "It was our first tour of America and we weren't really accustomed to American girls. They were far more, should we say, mature, I suppose, in the way they looked. And you had to be careful, because these young girls would just throw themselves at bands, especially English bands. And if you were from a foreign country like England, you didn't really know the laws and you have to very careful. And this one particular girl inspired that song."

    The girl in question was named Linda.

Comments: 2

  • Roger from WisconsinJail Bait & Blowin' Free were the B-side to a non-album track, Phoenix, in early 1977 (UK single). Jail Bait was also released as a Decca US single A-side in 1971, & in Germany on MCA in 1972.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn June 15th 1973, Wishbone Ash performed "Jail Bait" on the NBC-TV program 'The Midnight Special'...
    The song was not released as a single; it was track three of side one on the British quartet's second studio album, 'Pilgrimage', and the album peaked at #14 on the United Kingdom's Albums chart and #174 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")Songwriter Interviews

Inspired by his dear friend, "Seasons in the Sun" paid for Terry's boat, which led him away from music and into a battle with Canadian paper mills.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in Rock

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in RockSong Writing

We ring the Hell's Bells to see what songs and rockers are sincere in their Satanism, and how much of it is an act.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.