The "classic" lineup of Jefferson Airplane, from October 1966 to February 1970, was Marty Balin (vocals), Paul Kantner (guitar, vocals), Grace Slick (vocals), Jorma Kaukonen (lead guitar, vocals), Jack Casady (bass), and Spencer Dryden (drums). Marty Balin left the band in 1971. After 1972, Jefferson Airplane effectively split into two groups. Kaukonen and Casady moved on full time to their own band, Hot Tuna. Slick, Kantner, and the remaining members of Jefferson Airplane recruited new members and regrouped as Jefferson Starship in 1974, with Marty Balin eventually joining them. Jefferson Airplane was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and was presented with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
Spencer Dryden died on January 11, 2005.
Both Signe Anderson and Paul Kantner died on January 28, 2016.
Marty Balin died on September 27, 2018
3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do away with people wastin' my precious time
Take me to a simple place
Where I can easily see my face
Maybe baby, I'll see that you were kind
Know I love you baby, yes I do
Know I love you baby, yes I do
Do away with people frownin' on my precious cares
Take me to a circus tent
Where I can easily pay my rent
And all the other freaks will share my cares
Know I love you baby, yes I do
Know I love you baby, yes I do
Do away with things that come on obscene
Like hot rods, pre-cleaned real fine nicotine
Sometimes the price is sixty-five dollars
Prices like that make a grown man holler
'Specially when it's sold by a kid who's only fifteen
Know I love you baby, yes I do
Know I love you baby, yes I do
The lyrics of Jefferson Airplane's song "3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds" express a desire for simplicity and freedom from societal pressures. In the first verse, the singer longs for a world without people who "blow [their] mind[s]" and "waste [their] precious time." They seek a "simple place" where they can see their own reflection and hopefully find kindness in others. The chorus reiterates a declaration of love to the unknown person the singer is addressing, with the repetition emphasizing the sincerity of the emotion.
The second verse continues with a similar yearning for acceptance and understanding, as the singer bemoans others' judgmental attitudes. They want to retreat to a "circus tent," which symbolizes the freedom to live outside societal norms and express oneself fully. This place can bring together "freaks" who share in each other's struggles and joys. The final verse veers into a critique of consumer culture, condemning "things that come on obscene" and exorbitant prices sold by young vendors. Once again, the chorus serves as a reminder of love and connection amidst these challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Do away with people blowin' my mind
Eliminate individuals who are causing confusion and chaos in my life.
Do away with people wastin' my precious time
Get rid of those who are wasting my invaluable time.
Take me to a simple place
Bring me to somewhere with less complexity.
Where I can easily see my face
A place where self-reflection and understanding are easily accessible.
Maybe baby, I'll see that you were kind
Perhaps, I'll finally realize your good intentions and virtues.
Know I love you baby, yes I do
I am absolutely certain of my love for you.
Do away with people laughin' at my hair
Eliminate those who mock my appearance.
Do away with people frownin' on my precious cares
Get rid of those who oppose and criticize my interests.
Take me to a circus tent
Bring me to a place of amusement and escape.
Where I can easily pay my rent
Somewhere I can afford without financial stress.
And all the other freaks will share my cares
Others who are similarly different will understand my problems and worries.
Do away with things that come on obscene
Get rid of anything distasteful and indecent.
Like hot rods, pre-cleaned real fine nicotine
Examples of items that are both expensive and unhealthy.
Sometimes the price is sixty-five dollars
The cost can be shockingly high.
Prices like that make a grown man holler
The cost can cause an adult to shout in outrage.
'Specially when it's sold by a kid who's only fifteen
Especially when such overpriced goods are sold by a young, inexperienced teenager.
Know I love you baby, yes I do
Reiterating the previous point about my certain love for someone.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARTY BALIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind