Jefferson Airplane, a rock band based in San Francisco, California, was one… Read Full Bio ↴Jefferson Airplane, a rock band based in San Francisco, California, was one of the pioneering bands of psychedelic rock. Formed in 1965, the group defined the San Francisco Sound and was the first from the Bay Area to achieve international commercial success. They were headliners at the three most famous American rock festivals of the 1960s—Monterey (1967), Woodstock (1969) and Altamont (1969)—and the first Isle of Wight Festival (1968) in England. Their 1967 break-out album Surrealistic Pillow ranks on the short list of the most significant recordings of the "Summer of Love". Two songs from that album, "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit", are among Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."

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

A Song for All Seasons
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics

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Well the word was out on the street today
All the friends that I'd met would have to say
While your records line the shelves
You're fighting amongst yourselves
That's a hell of a lot of dues for you to pay
Well the word my friend you know is on the street
It's on the lips of everyone I meet
While you're climbin' up the chart

Your band just fell apart
I guess your life just ain't really that complete

You know your car with which I was impressed
Well I hear that it's gonna be repossessed
Well I thought you had it made
But you ain't even paid
For the things that you've bought
Since the acid test
I hear you manager skipped town with all your pay
And your lead singer's bulge turns the censors grey
Wall that's really a doggone shame
But who's there left to blame
And all you ever really wanted was just to play

They say your drummer he's crazy as a loon
Last night they found him baying at the moon
As as for your lead guitar
He just cracked up his car
But he should be out of traction very soon
Well my friend it's time for me to go
I just can't be late for my evening show
You see I've written this tune

And I hope that very soon
I'll be heard on Top 40 radio

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics, the singer is talking to a friend in a band who has been struggling. The word on the street is that the band is having internal conflicts despite having records on the shelves. The singer remarks that the band has had to pay a lot of dues. Meanwhile, the band's success on the charts contrasts with their recent falling apart. The singer mentions that the lead singer's bulge turns the censors grey, meaning their lyrics may be considered inappropriate. Throughout the song, the singer expresses empathy for the band and hopes that their friend's band could capture some success soon.

A Song for All SeasonsJefferson Airplane Lyrics

A Song for All Seasons
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics