A Passion Play is the sixth studio album by Jethro Tull, released in 1973. Like its predecessor, Thick as a Brick (1972), it is a concept album comprising a single continuous song (which is split into two parts on the original vinyl LP release). The theme of the concept is apparently the spiritual journey of one man in the afterlife. Upon its original release, it received generally negative reviews. Nevertheless, it sold well enough to reach No. 1 on the charts in the United States. In the United Kingdom it reached only No. 13.