"Alice," the "white rabbit," the caterpillar, the "red queen," the "white knight," etc. are all references to "Alice In Wonderland" / "Through The Looking Glass." But those references to fantastical literature are being used metaphorically / allegorically for the psychedelic drug culture of 1967.
A general observation of reaction videos: I’m surprised by how much younger generations don’t know/never heard of from before their time. You would have to know the story Alice in Wonderland to get all the references for this song. Those that haven’t miss some of the true enjoyment to this song.
This song references the children's book by Lewis Carol - Alice in Wonderland. In the story, Alice is a young girl who chases a white rabbit down a rabbit hole and has a bunches of adventures in Wonderland. Did you ever see the Disney movie from 1951? Alice, the White Rabbit, The hookah smoking caterpillar, The Queen of Hearts, The dormouse are all characters from the book and the animated movie. You need to watch the movie "Alice in Wonderland" if you haven't seen it.
The reason they wrote this song, is because when they were growing up their parents would be teaching them drugs are bad and a dead end. And yet they grew up watching Alice in Wonderland or the Wizard of Oz. Both movies containing hallucinogenics. Dorothy running through the Poppy fields and passing out. So kind of a in your face towards the parents. Grace Slick herself told this story.
Polly I’m getting here late to he party but your right. As someone who grew up in the 60’s, I’ve always pointed to this as THE perfect encapsulation of the era. Regards 🤘😎
Jefferson Airplane was an American psychedelic rock band in the 60's-70's. Their lead singer Grace Slick has a very powerful voice. Their 2 biggest hits are "Somebody To Love" & "White Rabbit" but they had other good songs. Later on in 1974 Jefferson Starship was formed with many of the former members of Jefferson Airplane & they had some hits too.
I saw Jefferson Airplane in concert in 1969 and 1970. At the 1970 concert I was right up against the stage and the band was about 5 feet away. Of course, the band did this song at each concert. They were one of my favorite live bands.
Can't believe that Brad mentioned "Alice in Wonderland" without making the connection 😂 But he picked up on the clues and was on the right track. It is based on "Alice in Wonderland" which itself is full of trippy drug references (getting bigger, getting smaller, a hookah smoking caterpillar, etc) Which is why Jefferson Airplane chose the topic to do a psychedelic song. Yes, it's about both.
Makes me feel old and rather sad that younger reactors obviously never read Alice In Wonderland as children, or they would instantly know the characters mentioned. Maybe some youngsters today grow up without books, what a truly depressing thought
I was only a baby when this came out. But by the time I was old enough to hear it I understood. And I had read Alice in Wonderland. I got the references. Still gives me goosebumps.
The Bolero intro is wonderful… Grace has one of the most pure voices ever. Her performance at Woodstock is iconic and really, READ ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Im surprised people dont read the classics) This one is psychedelic and goes well with acid/mushrooms NOT promoting drug use but that is how many of us first enjoyed this music.
Yeah, Grace's voice is rare, for sure. In my mind when I hear her the comparison I come up with is Patsy Cline. They both had those pure, clear, powerful voices, even though the music they sang was somewhat different. :)
When this came out in the late 60s, the general public knew she was talking about Alice In Wonderland--the book by Lewis Carrol and the movie by Walt Disney. The hookah smoking caterpillar, the white knight, the red queen, the white rabbit, Alice taking pills that made her larger and smaller--it's all in there. That being said, we hippies knew she was singing about our psychedelic experiences we were beginning to go through--a metaphorical breakthrough for us hippies. Later, the movie The Matrix would also use Alice In Wonderland's red and blue pills and the white rabbit.
My 1st concert was the Airplane in the early 70's. I graduated from h.s. in 1970 and was well aware of the music and the San Francisco scene. I did drop acid in 1970 in my 1st year of college. I never saw all the colors. I only took it 3 times. What I do remember that one time I tried to walk but couldn't. When I looked down at my feet they were gone, I had wheels instead and just rolled along. If you heard the term "spaced out", that's what your mind feels like when your trip has ended. High school side note-- REO Speedwagon played one our dances. They were students at the Univ. of Illinois which was close to the town where I lived.
Yep, and Alice in Wonderland referenced the mathematics of Relativity, where "logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead." Where time and distance were found to be not what they had been previously thought to be not universally agreed Absolutes, but measurable entities that could stretch and shrink, depending on one's motion Relative to a different measurer. So... put that in your pipe, and smoke it!
Every time i hear this i think of alice in wonderland and i've read that lead singer grace slick got inspiration from alice in wonderland even using some of the characters. She also said that the song is about following your curiosity. Dope song dope reaction
Grace Slick is one of greatest rock singers EVER. They became "Jefferson Starship.Nothing's going to stop us Now", is an amazing 80s song, very upbeat. Voice still strong.
This is such a classic, I love, love, love this song!!! You have to read Alice In Wonderland or watch the movie. She describes the movie which comes across as a trip on drugs!!! So brilliant!!!
Sadly, the younger generations do not read books (but it's never too late to start - feed your head, indeed), nor were they taught literature in public schools (or history). It's called cultural illiteracy, and it's only getting worse. At the time, we knew the song was about Alice in Wonderland, and of course tripping. (Live version of White Rabbit is a must)
I love Grace Slick. She brought this song over from her former band The Great Society and it was in a longer form. More great songs are 1) Two Heads, 2) Rejoyce, 3) Wooden Ships, 4) Volunteers, 5) The House on Poohneil Corners, 6) Hyperdrive (Jefferson Starship), 7) Easter?, 8) Son of Jesus, 9) Twilight Double Leader, and 10) Better Lying Down (Grace solo album). Just to name a few.
My boyfriend (in the 70s) lived around the corner from them in San Francisco. They all lived in one big Victorian house across the street from Golden Gate Park in a house that was painted all black! I loved the 70s in San Francisco!!
i went to the big house on Fulton street in the 70's, a secretary for the band told me they were on tour in Europe - turns out this was the tour when an intoxicated Grace harassed the Gerrman audience about WWII - oops!
This band had so much talent. Their catalog is among the best of the era. Their guitarist, Jorma Kaukonen is one of the GOAT's, not to mention their bass player, Jack Cassady, who is one of the best to pick up an instrument.
Yes, Jefferson Airplane with the incomparable Grace Slick on Vocals. This particular track is in the Movie "Platoon" when the Vets were Partying in the Underworld. "Somebody to love & White Rabbit" had the vibe Prevelant during that time Period. They came out of the Bay Area. Awesome Track. Thank You.
I played this song for my Mom when it came out. I was a teenager and she an ex-English teacher. I said “you know this is about drugs.” She said “Well, at least you needed to have read the book to understand it”.
Love it. Thank you for actually reading and taking suggestions that are left in the comments. This says alot about your character. You appreciate your followers and care about their opinions . If you have never seen the movie or read the book check out Alice in wonderland. The song will become clear . Lol This song was performed at Woodstock.
A couple of things that I think were missed below: the song references 2 books by Lewis Carrol, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" from 1865-71. Its a pretty clever use of tiny fragments from 2 books to create a trippy, literary sort of tune. Total San Francisco vibe but also has a meaning. Also, loved it when BJ said "down the rabbit hole"!! That idiom, "down the rabbit hole," is all over the place today but originated with Lewis Carrol and Alice chasing a big white rabbit down a tiny hole. And yes, tons of drug references in the books and the song. Another fun reaction Asia and BJ!
The most lasting part of this song has been that ICONIC drum and bass groove at the beginning (what some musicians might call the "vamp"), and the solo guitar riffing over the top of it. Grace Slick is wonderful as a singer, of course, but I think the groove made this song what it is.
"White Rabbit" "is about following your curiosity. The White Rabbit is your curiosity". For her and others in the 1960s, drugs were a part of mind expansion and social experimentation. With its enigmatic lyrics, "White Rabbit" became one of the first songs to sneak drug references past censors on the radio. keep on groovin baby
"Along Came Mary" by "The Association" was another one that got pass the censors back in the 60's. Great analogy of White Rabbit. It is that curiosity that takes people "Down the Rabbit Hole" of which many have fallen sloppy dead.
An interesting review of a classic song - probably the most “trippy” of all time so definitely psychedelic. The lead singer, Grace Slick, had such a pure voice and you should listen to it without the instrumentation. Hot Springs looks good as well!
A few years ago, Grace Slick (the lead singer) was interviewed on the local public radio station. She was still just as free spirited, although age had no doubt slowed down a few of her excesses. (Also, she complained about her kids taking too long to give her grandkids.) But whenever somebody called into the show, she greeted them with a hearty "Want to get HIGGGHH???" The callers would usually answer: "Um...sure!" She talked about how lit the group was when they recorded the album. They even kept a tank of laughing gas in the studio, free for anyone to use whenever they wished. She also told the story about how she was invited to the Nixon White House (because she had gone to school with the president's daughter) and so she and Abbie Hoffman made plans to spike President Nixon's tea with LSD. They never got the chance because the Secret Service figured out who Grace Slick and Abbie Hoffman were long before the actual event and her invitation was withdrawn. She was in town to promote a showing of some of her paintings at the local public library.
A couple of truly great songs from this same album, Surrealistic Pillow, are ''Coming Back to Me'' and ''Today.'', both by Marty Balin (RIP). They are a 180 from this tune.
every song on this album is superior...3/5 of a mile in 10 secs...embryonic journey ....it's got everything - and wrapped so nicely in psychedelia, this is one of my desert island albums....coming back to me may be the highlight however..
This is 1960s, my teenage years and yes Jefferson airplane was very popular back then and this was a big song for them! And it’s great going back to those days gone by lots of fun lots of positivity, and great music to go along with it
I'm amazed how many people don't instantly see the connection to Alice in Wonderland. White Rabbit, pills making Alice tall or small, the hookah smoking caterpillar, the chess board, the Queen saying 'off with your head'.
@@UseByDate-Expired maybe a bit later, im born 91 and everyone my age knows alice in wonderland and ive read a lot of books, but other people my age dont read too much these days.. But people my age know alice in wonderland
In modern performances, WHITE RABBIT is often considered for covers by bands with a singer skilled enough to handle it. It's almost always a crowd-pleaser, too.
The Jefferson Airplane weren't a psychedelic band of the 60's, they were THE psychedelic band of the 60's. Well, them and The Grateful Dead. The last words of the song; "Feed your head" is kind of what you two are doing with these music reactions. Good reaction.
Check out another Jefferson Airplane song titled "Comin ' Back to Me" written and performed by founding Jefferson Airplane member Marty Balin. Hauntingly beautiful song to listen to.
At the end of the song she sings "BE a HEAD" A head is someone who takes alot of drugs to expand their head!!! Yes you should read the two books, Alice in Wonderland & Alice Through the Looking Glass and watch the movie. This song is telling you to take drugs to expand your head.
They came from the Haight and Ashbury area of San Francisco. The birthplace of the 60’s Hippie culture. An ultra psychedelic band. They performed at Woodstock. Grace Slick’s voice range is incredible.
What many have overlooked, they did alot for the show. They actually came out in two sets, the band played a set as Hot Tuna - then took a break, then came out with Grace and did a set as Jefferson Airplane or Jefferson Starship. The original members many were Hot Tuna, while Jefferson Starship consist of more younger members. At some point, I recall that they tried a dual albums, one album as Jefferson Starship and another as Jefferson Airplane (original members). Grace wasn't even in Jefferson Starship anymore. Who did better: Jefferson Airplane, but both albums flopped. They even canceled the tour, just after only doing a handful of shows - extremely low turn out.
All you had to do was go ask Alice! It's one of the all time greats! The Alice in Wonderland song and now for the (Existential Blues -Tom T-Bone Stankus) which is the Wizard of Oz song . Every time is see a litter of puppies I hear "Poppies Poppies Poppies" because of that song. And then it began to snow.
One of my favorite songs from that era. The couple times I have done mushrooms (years ago) my face was so sore the next day because I literally laughed and smiled for 2-3 hours straight. No weird visions just fun times with friends. Maybe I got lucky, who knows.
I sure luv you two. Yes this was about tripping, baby. I saw Grace Slicks debut at Bill Graham’s Fillmore auditorium. Her voice was very exquisite she was considered the Ice Queen of Rock. She was anything but, priceless sense of humor. I saw them many many times & can tell you they were a great band instrumentally & Marty Balin’s vocals ruled. Please go to their future and react to Jefferson Starship “Miracles”, with Marty Balin & Grace Slick vocals. A very sexy love ballad. He passed a couple years ago but Grace is still with us.
This song imagines that in the story, Alice meets the doormouse and he gives her the wafer to make her small,it's l.s.d and the story is actually an LSD trip..in the end she sings"remember wat the doormouse said...feed ur head"
I don't know the whole history of the band but later I believe in the 70's they revamped the band and changed their name to Jefferson Starship. You guys should do a reaction video of what I believe is Jefferson Starship's best song called "Count On Me" with lead vocals by Marty Balin.
The sub-text of the song is the story of Alice in Wonderland. Watch the Tim Burton movie or the Disney cartoon movie, then listen to the song again, it’ll make more sense to you. Also, this song came out during the psychedelic era of rock of the 1960’s, it definitely has that vibe going too….
ACID trips...mushroom trips this song is CLASSIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "If the men on the chessboard get up and tell you where to go.'..........
This song was extremely deep. Using Alice in wonderland as a basis. Grace wrote this and she had a very definitive message she was trying to get across. Plus it is very trippy. That was their style. Much of this song is about the Hypocrisy of society in the treatment of the drug usage. Illegal drugs vs prescribed drugs, etc. Alice in wonderland was a kids story about drug usage, The wizard of OZ, where they crash down in a field of opium poppies, and even Peter Pan where a white powder gave the characters special powers. All these stories were pushed on toddlers as good fun entertainment.
If you want to get a definite feel of the connection of this song to psychedelics, watch their live performance of "White Rabbit" at Woodstock 1969. The band and the audience were all stoned. It helps if you know -- and have read -- "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass," as others have noted. Also check out their live performance of "Somebody to Love" at the same venue.
You know I didn't even realize it but now that I think about it or analyze it it's almost like a Tango with that Rhythm on the snare and that sort of thing
You have to listen to this song with isolated vocals..Grace's voice is amazing..most of us old guys had a crush on Grace at the time..it's a shame people don't react to more of their stuff other than the two obvious one's..heard this morning Meatloaf passed away age 74 a true legend r.i.p and thank you
You guys are right. I grew up in that era . Lots of lSD ,acid, and pills. I just discovered you 2. I live in Eastern Pennsylvania. Grew up in N.C. I love the classic rock, 70s 80 soul music. I have music in my soul
The "White Rabbit" was LSD. Grace Slick said "White Rabbit" "is about following your curiosity. The White Rabbit is your curiosity." For her and others in the 1960s, drugs were a part of mind expansion and social experimentation. With its enigmatic lyrics, "White Rabbit" became one of the first songs to sneak drug references past censors on the radio. They used part of the story of Alice in Wonderland to pull this off.
Jefferson Airplane was the pioneers of psychedelic rock music....this song is about the Classic Fantasy novel "Alice In Wonderland." Also the Matrix movie borrowed some elements of this song.
This song was a for tripping, pot, and acid' I never touched either drug' but since hemp is legal here in Canada 🇨🇦 I decided to give it shot' and as a non- smoker when I first tried a joint, I started chocking and gagging. Then I'd pass out' it helped me sleep. I found thc oil with my daughter, she's very knowledgeable ' she a nursing degree. ❤️ now I take it at bedtime now' I only take 30mil' I can really feel the high for 5 to six hours' thank god my daughter was great help' I'm a migraine suffer' it sure beats these hospital trips, I've been going frequently. I would stay there for 2 days a few times during the summer' control's my stress. Hey it's all good'
I'm coming to this late, and it seems like you have already heard about this song from many others. Just wanted to add my little piece about the use of psychedelics. Tbh, they aren't for everyone, but for those like me who essentially grew up with them around, they will teach you something when you use them, especially if you use them over an extended period of time. Never had a bad experience with them, and I have used them off and on throughout my decades, 65 years old now. It's rather interesting, but we all need to find our own place. Take care, peace 💚
"Alice," the "white rabbit," the caterpillar, the "red queen," the "white knight," etc. are all references to "Alice In Wonderland" / "Through The Looking Glass." But those references to fantastical literature are being used metaphorically / allegorically for the psychedelic drug culture of 1967.
That’s the best description I’ve ever heard. I was a teenager when this came out WHAT A TIME!!!!
Guys, the song is a riff on Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland". 🤓
A general observation of reaction videos: I’m surprised by how much younger generations don’t know/never heard of from before their time. You would have to know the story Alice in Wonderland to get all the references for this song. Those that haven’t miss some of the true enjoyment to this song.
…..but with shrooms, lol
Too few read today. Everything is a Disney movie, and if it isnt, never heard of it.
@@dizastro5437 Alice in Wonderland was a Disney movie.
Of course it is but it’s a double entendre of the psychedelic times
This song references the children's book by Lewis Carol - Alice in Wonderland. In the story, Alice is a young girl who chases a white rabbit down a rabbit hole and has a bunches of adventures in Wonderland. Did you ever see the Disney movie from 1951? Alice, the White Rabbit, The hookah smoking caterpillar, The Queen of Hearts, The dormouse are all characters from the book and the animated movie. You need to watch the movie "Alice in Wonderland" if you haven't seen it.
And she has some mushrooms
@@fredtello I know the story, never read the book. There was a time in my life when I read as easily as I took breathe. Now, to my shame I just drink.
I think mistakenly or otherwise Lewis Carol knew about shrooms.
It's about trippin on mushrooms dude........that's just a front for the truth
Alice wnderland shit
The reason they wrote this song, is because when they were growing up their parents would be teaching them drugs are bad and a dead end. And yet they grew up watching Alice in Wonderland or the Wizard of Oz. Both movies containing hallucinogenics. Dorothy running through the Poppy fields and passing out. So kind of a in your face towards the parents. Grace Slick herself told this story.
“Feed your head” at the end of the song. In other words, educate yourself
This song really has the kind of vibe that defines that time!
Polly I’m getting here late to he party but your right. As someone who grew up in the 60’s, I’ve always pointed to this as THE perfect encapsulation of the era. Regards 🤘😎
Jefferson Airplane was an American psychedelic rock band in the 60's-70's. Their lead singer Grace Slick has a very powerful voice. Their 2 biggest hits are "Somebody To Love" & "White Rabbit" but they had other good songs. Later on in 1974 Jefferson Starship was formed with many of the former members of Jefferson Airplane & they had some hits too.
I saw Jefferson Airplane in concert in 1969 and 1970. At the 1970 concert I was right up against the stage and the band was about 5 feet away. Of course, the band did this song at each concert. They were one of my favorite live bands.
Can't believe that Brad mentioned "Alice in Wonderland" without making the connection 😂 But he picked up on the clues and was on the right track. It is based on "Alice in Wonderland" which itself is full of trippy drug references (getting bigger, getting smaller, a hookah smoking caterpillar, etc) Which is why Jefferson Airplane chose the topic to do a psychedelic song. Yes, it's about both.
Makes me feel old and rather sad that younger reactors obviously never read Alice In Wonderland as children, or they would instantly know the characters mentioned.
Maybe some youngsters today grow up without books, what a truly depressing thought
Surprising indeed its even worth a read as an adult.
EXACTLY what I was thinking
That and eating mushrooms..
I was only a baby when this came out. But by the time I was old enough to hear it I understood. And I had read Alice in Wonderland. I got the references. Still gives me goosebumps.
The Bolero intro is wonderful… Grace has one of the most pure voices ever. Her performance at Woodstock is iconic and really, READ ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Im surprised people dont read the classics) This one is psychedelic and goes well with acid/mushrooms NOT promoting drug use but that is how many of us first enjoyed this music.
Yeah, Grace's voice is rare, for sure. In my mind when I hear her the comparison I come up with is Patsy Cline. They both had those pure, clear, powerful voices, even though the music they sang was somewhat different. :)
They released one of the best albums of 1967 Surrealistic Pillow ,which included this song and Somebody To Love.
You guys definitely nailed the psychedelic vibes, but not enough ppl remember Alice in Wonderland!
@@fredtello 😆👍
@@fredtello there are a few movies too.
@@fredtello 🙄
You should listen to this song with Grace's vocals isolated. Stunning.
Unbelievably good.
I agree
grace was stunning too
@@dubiousdistinction6500 Indeed she was.
@@dubiousdistinction6500 a beauty in voice and looks
When this song came out, more people were familiar with the literary references.
you're right, they were talkin about drugs, but the white rabbit, red queen, etc. is a reference to Alice in wonderland
They went from Jefferson Airplane in the 70's to Jefferson Starship in the 80's to just Starship. Had a lot of great hits in each decade.
Grace slick has a great voice🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
When this came out in the late 60s, the general public knew she was talking about Alice In Wonderland--the book by Lewis Carrol and the movie by Walt Disney. The hookah smoking caterpillar, the white knight, the red queen, the white rabbit, Alice taking pills that made her larger and smaller--it's all in there. That being said, we hippies knew she was singing about our psychedelic experiences we were beginning to go through--a metaphorical breakthrough for us hippies. Later, the movie The Matrix would also use Alice In Wonderland's red and blue pills and the white rabbit.
My 1st concert was the Airplane in the early 70's. I graduated from h.s. in 1970 and was well aware of the music and the San Francisco scene. I did drop acid in 1970 in my 1st year of college. I never saw all the colors. I only took it 3 times. What I do remember that one time I tried to walk but couldn't. When I looked down at my feet they were gone, I had wheels instead and just rolled along. If you heard the term "spaced out", that's what your mind feels like when your trip has ended. High school side note-- REO Speedwagon played one our dances. They were students at the Univ. of Illinois which was close to the town where I lived.
Ahhhhh Alice in Wonderland! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️love
Yep, and Alice in Wonderland referenced the mathematics of Relativity, where "logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead." Where time and distance were found to be not what they had been previously thought to be not universally agreed Absolutes, but measurable entities that could stretch and shrink, depending on one's motion Relative to a different measurer. So... put that in your pipe, and smoke it!
Every time i hear this i think of alice in wonderland and i've read that lead singer grace slick got inspiration from alice in wonderland even using some of the characters. She also said that the song is about following your curiosity. Dope song dope reaction
Grace Slick is one of greatest rock singers EVER.
They became "Jefferson Starship.Nothing's going to stop us Now", is an amazing
80s song, very upbeat.
Voice still strong.
Nothing's going to stop me was by Starship not Jefferson Starship they were the third version of J.A.
This is such a classic, I love, love, love this song!!! You have to read Alice In Wonderland or watch the movie. She describes the movie which comes across as a trip on drugs!!! So brilliant!!!
Sadly, the younger generations do not read books (but it's never too late to start - feed your head, indeed), nor were they taught literature in public schools (or history). It's called cultural illiteracy, and it's only getting worse. At the time, we knew the song was about Alice in Wonderland, and of course tripping. (Live version of White Rabbit is a must)
I have seen so many reviews of this song and it is really sad that nobody knows of Alice in Wonderland. It is a classic. I feel old....
Me too.
I love Grace Slick. She brought this song over from her former band The Great Society and it was in a longer form. More great songs are 1) Two Heads, 2) Rejoyce, 3) Wooden Ships, 4) Volunteers, 5) The House on Poohneil Corners, 6) Hyperdrive (Jefferson Starship), 7) Easter?, 8) Son of Jesus, 9) Twilight Double Leader, and 10) Better Lying Down (Grace solo album). Just to name a few.
Great suggestions - I love Grace too
more classics from Grace: Lather, Greasy Heart, Hey Frederick, Eskimo Blue Day, Sunrise, Lawman, Silver Spoon.
My boyfriend (in the 70s) lived around the corner from them in San Francisco. They all lived in one big Victorian house across the street from Golden Gate Park in a house that was painted all black! I loved the 70s in San Francisco!!
i went to the big house on Fulton street in the 70's, a secretary for the band told me they were on tour in Europe - turns out this was the tour when an intoxicated Grace harassed the Gerrman audience about WWII - oops!
The thing that makes this song is how raw Grace Slick’s voice is. No tech wizardry to make her sound pristine. They wanted that effect.
One of the most important songs in Rock and Roll history
This band had so much talent. Their catalog is among the best of the era. Their guitarist, Jorma Kaukonen is one of the GOAT's, not to mention their bass player, Jack Cassady, who is one of the best to pick up an instrument.
Oh yes. Their work as a duo ("Hot Tuna") is classic.
Yes, Jefferson Airplane with the incomparable Grace Slick on Vocals. This particular track is in the Movie "Platoon" when the Vets were Partying in the Underworld. "Somebody to love & White Rabbit" had the vibe Prevelant during that time Period. They came out of the Bay Area. Awesome Track. Thank You.
I played this song for my Mom when it came out. I was a teenager and she an ex-English teacher. I said “you know this is about drugs.” She said “Well, at least you needed to have read the book to understand it”.
Love it. Thank you for actually reading and taking suggestions that are left in the comments. This says alot about your character. You appreciate your followers and care about their opinions . If you have never seen the movie or read the book check out Alice in wonderland. The song will become clear . Lol This song was performed at Woodstock.
Alice in wonderland is all the references. Drugs. 😀
A couple of things that I think were missed below: the song references 2 books by Lewis Carrol, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" from 1865-71. Its a pretty clever use of tiny fragments from 2 books to create a trippy, literary sort of tune. Total San Francisco vibe but also has a meaning.
Also, loved it when BJ said "down the rabbit hole"!! That idiom, "down the rabbit hole," is all over the place today but originated with Lewis Carrol and Alice chasing a big white rabbit down a tiny hole. And yes, tons of drug references in the books and the song.
Another fun reaction Asia and BJ!
The most lasting part of this song has been that ICONIC drum and bass groove at the beginning (what some musicians might call the "vamp"), and the solo guitar riffing over the top of it. Grace Slick is wonderful as a singer, of course, but I think the groove made this song what it is.
That Bolero intro solo!
"White Rabbit" "is about following your curiosity. The White Rabbit is your curiosity". For her and others in the 1960s, drugs were a part of mind expansion and social experimentation. With its enigmatic lyrics, "White Rabbit" became one of the first songs to sneak drug references past censors on the radio. keep on groovin baby
"Along Came Mary" by "The Association" was another one that got pass the censors back in the 60's.
Great analogy of White Rabbit.
It is that curiosity that takes people "Down the Rabbit Hole" of which many have fallen sloppy dead.
An interesting review of a classic song - probably the most “trippy” of all time so definitely psychedelic. The lead singer, Grace Slick, had such a pure voice and you should listen to it without the instrumentation. Hot Springs looks good as well!
Ahhhhh gotta love the sixties.. I was there it was the best of all generations.. peace love
BJ’s killing me. Always love to hear what BJ has to say. He’s my man.
A few years ago, Grace Slick (the lead singer) was interviewed on the local public radio station. She was still just as free spirited, although age had no doubt slowed down a few of her excesses. (Also, she complained about her kids taking too long to give her grandkids.)
But whenever somebody called into the show, she greeted them with a hearty "Want to get HIGGGHH???"
The callers would usually answer: "Um...sure!"
She talked about how lit the group was when they recorded the album. They even kept a tank of laughing gas in the studio, free for anyone to use whenever they wished.
She also told the story about how she was invited to the Nixon White House (because she had gone to school with the president's daughter) and so she and Abbie Hoffman made plans to spike President Nixon's tea with LSD.
They never got the chance because the Secret Service figured out who Grace Slick and Abbie Hoffman were long before the actual event and her invitation was withdrawn.
She was in town to promote a showing of some of her paintings at the local public library.
Grace is a artist and she paints a lot of white rabbits and characters from Alice in Wonderland.
The Airplane's own answer to Bolero...very trippy, "feed your head".
I'm a grandma now but
i was back there. That's one rabbit hole I never fell into but I love the music. Thank you.
A couple of truly great songs from this same album, Surrealistic Pillow, are ''Coming Back to Me'' and ''Today.'', both by Marty Balin (RIP). They are a 180 from this tune.
every song on this album is superior...3/5 of a mile in 10 secs...embryonic journey ....it's got everything - and wrapped so nicely in psychedelia, this is one of my desert island albums....coming back to me may be the highlight however..
"Remember what the dormouse said: 'Feed your head.'" From Alice in Wonderland.
This was nearly criminally short.😁
"Miracles" is another great song with the late Marty Balin vocals, and "Somebody to love"
This is 1960s, my teenage years and yes Jefferson airplane was very popular back then and this was a big song for them! And it’s great going back to those days gone by lots of fun lots of positivity, and great music to go along with it
I'm amazed how many people don't instantly see the connection to Alice in Wonderland. White Rabbit, pills making Alice tall or small, the hookah smoking caterpillar, the chess board, the Queen saying 'off with your head'.
find anyone born after 1990 that ever read a novel...
@@UseByDate-Expired But, surely, they've seen the movies [either the cartoon one or the Depp one].
@@UseByDate-Expired maybe a bit later, im born 91 and everyone my age knows alice in wonderland and ive read a lot of books, but other people my age dont read too much these days.. But people my age know alice in wonderland
In modern performances, WHITE RABBIT is often considered for covers by bands with a singer skilled enough to handle it. It's almost always a crowd-pleaser, too.
Grace Slick = The voice that launched a thousand trips!
Try . Plastic Fantastic by the Jefferson Airplane! They were at Woodstock. Volunteers of America! 🤠🇺🇸🐎✌️
This was 60's but awesome! I remember tripping to this in the 80's with old hippies (our parent's generation).
Fun to watch, as usual. "That was groovy, baby"--I haven't heard that since the sixties! BJ got right into the mood. You're both groovy!
There’s a whole world to explore in the music of the sixties, seventies and eighties. So many great songs and albums.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND - possibly a reference to opiates in the book hence in the song too
You just had to hear it through 1967 Haight-Ashbury ears. In 1967. In Haight-Ashbury………
The Jefferson Airplane weren't a psychedelic band of the 60's, they were THE psychedelic band of the 60's. Well, them and The Grateful Dead. The last words of the song; "Feed your head" is kind of what you two are doing with these music reactions. Good reaction.
Check out another Jefferson Airplane song titled "Comin ' Back to Me" written and performed by founding Jefferson Airplane member Marty Balin. Hauntingly beautiful song to listen to.
Yup, psychidelic 60's, but it is also about Alice's trip in the children's story "Alice in Wonderland"
100% recommend Jefferson airplane - somebody to love ( studio version )
At the end of the song she sings "BE a HEAD" A head is someone who takes alot of drugs to expand their head!!! Yes you should read the two books, Alice in Wonderland & Alice Through the Looking Glass and watch the movie. This song is telling you to take drugs to expand your head.
Great song and reaction..song was used in the movie “Platoon”-
They came from the Haight and Ashbury area of San Francisco. The birthplace of the 60’s Hippie culture. An ultra psychedelic band. They performed at Woodstock. Grace Slick’s voice range is incredible.
Go for some of their deeper cuts, such as "3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds", "Plastic Fantastic Lover", "She Has Funny Cars".
The grooviest of the groovy, the most far out of the far out and the trippiest of the trippers!❤
What many have overlooked, they did alot for the show.
They actually came out in two sets, the band played a set as Hot Tuna - then took a break, then came out with Grace and did a set as Jefferson Airplane or Jefferson Starship.
The original members many were Hot Tuna, while Jefferson Starship consist of more younger members.
At some point, I recall that they tried a dual albums, one album as Jefferson Starship and another as Jefferson Airplane (original members). Grace wasn't even in Jefferson Starship anymore.
Who did better: Jefferson Airplane, but both albums flopped. They even canceled the tour, just after only doing a handful of shows - extremely low turn out.
Yes yes memories the live performance at Woodstock is my favorite love that voice keep on keep it on y'all peace out!
Magic (Psilocybin) mushrooms, white rabbit (LSD)... "Turn on, tune in, drop out" is a counterculture-era phrase popularized by Timothy Leary in 1966.
All you had to do was go ask Alice! It's one of the all time greats! The Alice in Wonderland song and now for the (Existential Blues -Tom T-Bone Stankus) which is the Wizard of Oz song . Every time is see a litter of puppies I hear "Poppies Poppies Poppies" because of that song. And then it began to snow.
Alice in Wonderland is th e theme to this song
One of my favorite songs from that era. The couple times I have done mushrooms (years ago) my face was so sore the next day because I literally laughed and smiled for 2-3 hours straight. No weird visions just fun times with friends. Maybe I got lucky, who knows.
One of the trippiest songs ever recorded, right up there with 'What Condition My Condition Was In' by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition.
The white rabbit hole is deep and has mysterious twists and turns💯❤❤❤
I sure luv you two. Yes this was about tripping, baby. I saw Grace Slicks debut at Bill Graham’s Fillmore auditorium. Her voice was very exquisite she was considered the Ice Queen of Rock. She was anything but, priceless sense of humor. I saw them many many times & can tell you they were a great band instrumentally & Marty Balin’s vocals ruled. Please go to their future and react to Jefferson Starship “Miracles”, with Marty Balin & Grace Slick vocals. A very sexy love ballad. He passed a couple years ago but Grace is still with us.
This song imagines that in the story, Alice meets the doormouse and he gives her the wafer to make her small,it's l.s.d and the story is actually an LSD trip..in the end she sings"remember wat the doormouse said...feed ur head"
BJ nailed it on the head. This is a song about Alice in Wonderland
Surrealistic Pillow is a must-have album from the 60's....!
Yes more GRACE SLICK !!! and Jefferson Airplane !
There’s also a book and a movie called Go Ask Alice. And yes, it references Alice in Wonderland
The moving colors behind her were done by having acetate over an old type overhead projector glass and colored oils being moved on the acetate.
I don't know the whole history of the band but later I believe in the 70's they revamped the band and changed their name to Jefferson Starship. You guys should do a reaction video of what I believe is Jefferson Starship's best song called "Count On Me" with lead vocals by Marty Balin.
The sub-text of the song is the story of Alice in Wonderland. Watch the Tim Burton movie or the Disney cartoon movie, then listen to the song again, it’ll make more sense to you. Also, this song came out during the psychedelic era of rock of the 1960’s, it definitely has that vibe going too….
ACID trips...mushroom trips this song is CLASSIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "If the men on the chessboard get up and tell you where to go.'..........
This song was extremely deep. Using Alice in wonderland as a basis. Grace wrote this and she had a very definitive message she was trying to get across. Plus it is very trippy. That was their style. Much of this song is about the Hypocrisy of society in the treatment of the drug usage. Illegal drugs vs prescribed drugs, etc. Alice in wonderland was a kids story about drug usage, The wizard of OZ, where they crash down in a field of opium poppies, and even Peter Pan where a white powder gave the characters special powers. All these stories were pushed on toddlers as good fun entertainment.
If you want to get a definite feel of the connection of this song to psychedelics, watch their live performance of "White Rabbit" at Woodstock 1969. The band and the audience were all stoned. It helps if you know -- and have read -- "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass," as others have noted. Also check out their live performance of "Somebody to Love" at the same venue.
You know I didn't even realize it but now that I think about it or analyze it it's almost like a Tango with that Rhythm on the snare and that sort of thing
You have to listen to this song with isolated vocals..Grace's voice is amazing..most of us old guys had a crush on Grace at the time..it's a shame people don't react to more of their stuff other than the two obvious one's..heard this morning Meatloaf passed away age 74 a true legend r.i.p and thank you
I'm a new subscriber today!
Love this song!
You want 60s psychadelic? take a look at Vanilla Fudge "Keep Me Hangin' On" on The Ed Sullivan Show.Brilliant song as well.
You guys are right. I grew up in that era . Lots of lSD ,acid, and pills. I just discovered you 2. I live in Eastern Pennsylvania. Grew up in N.C. I love the classic rock, 70s 80 soul music. I have music in my soul
The "White Rabbit" was LSD. Grace Slick said "White Rabbit" "is about following your curiosity. The White Rabbit is your curiosity." For her and others in the 1960s, drugs were a part of mind expansion and social experimentation. With its enigmatic lyrics, "White Rabbit" became one of the first songs to sneak drug references past censors on the radio. They used part of the story of Alice in Wonderland to pull this off.
Grace slick has an amazing voice. Unmatched.
"Feed your head" is a slogan from the 1960s, means exactly what you think it means
Jefferson Airplane was the pioneers of psychedelic rock music....this song is about the Classic Fantasy novel "Alice In Wonderland." Also the Matrix movie borrowed some elements of this song.
Thank you for sharing this with me
This song was a for tripping, pot, and acid' I never touched either drug' but since hemp is legal here in Canada 🇨🇦 I decided to give it shot' and as a non- smoker when I first tried a joint, I started chocking and gagging. Then I'd pass out' it helped me sleep. I found thc oil with my daughter, she's very knowledgeable ' she a nursing degree. ❤️ now I take it at bedtime now' I only take 30mil' I can really feel the high for 5 to six hours' thank god my daughter was great help' I'm a migraine suffer' it sure beats these hospital trips, I've been going frequently. I would stay there for 2 days a few times during the summer' control's my stress. Hey it's all good'
I'm coming to this late, and it seems like you have already heard about this song from many others. Just wanted to add my little piece about the use of psychedelics. Tbh, they aren't for everyone, but for those like me who essentially grew up with them around, they will teach you something when you use them, especially if you use them over an extended period of time. Never had a bad experience with them, and I have used them off and on throughout my decades, 65 years old now.
It's rather interesting, but we all need to find our own place. Take care, peace 💚
As I recall, “Go Ask Alice” was the title of a popular book of the psychedelic era, as well.
The psychodelic 60's. 1967. Paul Cantor( Guitarist) Grace Slick ( Singer)