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
Come Up the Years
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I shouldn't stay here and love you
More than I do
'Cause you're so much younger than I am
Come up the years, come up the years
And love me, love me, love me
A younger girl keeps hanging around
Blowin' my mind, stealin' my heart
Somebody help me 'fore I fall apart
I ought to get going
I shouldn't stay here and love you
More than I do
'Cause you're so much younger than I am
Come up the years, come up the years
And love me, love me, love me
The things she's doing keep turning me on
And I've been happy to go right along
I know it's time that I said goodbye
I know I can't leave no matter how hard I try
I ought to get going
I shouldn't stay here and love you
More than I do
'Cause you're so much younger than I am
Come up the years, come up the years
And love me, love me, love me
(I ought to get going)
Love me (come up the years, come up the years)
Love me (I ought to get going
Won't you love me (come up the years, come up the years)
The lyrics of Jefferson Airplane's "Come Up The Years" is about a man who is conflicted about his love for a much younger woman. He is charmingly hesitant to be with her because of their age difference. The song opens with the man confessing his desire to leave the relationship because of his apprehension, but he cannot leave because he loves her too much.
As the song progresses, the man admits that he is in love with a younger woman who keeps hanging around. She is "one of the loveliest" he has ever found and is "blowing his mind" and "stealing his heart." He knows it's time to say goodbye, but he can't leave no matter how hard he tries. The chorus of the song repeats the man's message that she must grow up and develop into a woman who can love him back, despite the vast age difference.
The song perfectly captures the innocence, fear, and excitement of a relationship when two people are of varying ages. The lyrics are poetic and honest, exploring timeless themes of love, age, and desire in a way that is relatable and authentic.
Line by Line Meaning
I ought to get going
I need to leave
I shouldn't stay here and love you
It's not a good idea to stay and love you
More than I do
I am already loving you too much
'Cause you're so much younger than I am
Your age difference from me is significant and it's becoming an issue
Come up the years, come up the years
Age up a little bit, mature with me
And love me, love me, love me
Stay with me and love me more
A younger girl keeps hanging around
There's a younger girl that keeps being near to me
One of the loveliest I've ever found
She is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen
Blowin' my mind, stealin' my heart
She is taking over my feelings
Somebody help me 'fore I fall apart
I need some help before I go crazy
The things she's doing keep turning me on
She keeps making me fall in love with her
And I've been happy to go right along
I have been following along with my feelings for her
I know it's time that I said goodbye
I know it's time for me to move on
I know I can't leave no matter how hard I try
Even though I want to leave, I am finding it hard to do so
Love me
Stay and love me
Won't you love me
Please stay and love me
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Marty Balin, Paul Kantner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeannie E. H
Great video and sound. One of my favorite Airplane tunes; Gracie's voice has so much power and beauty.
Long live 1967 ☮
c.a. sixties and more
yes great year, glad you enjoyed.
Arex
Great song and band my friends !
Happy days:)
c.a. sixties and more
yes not as happy now it seems, they were a top band arex, thanks a lot, regards,jane and brian.
Nipstersongs1
Classic Airplane, for sure, Jane and Brian. Huge hit here. Thank You! Best regards.
Jim
c.a. sixties and more
psychedelic era sure gave us some classics jim, thanks a lot,jane and brian.
clairelille
I really like this song . Thank you so much my friends for video and great sound .
Warm friendship
Claire
c.a. sixties and more
thanks Claire,glad you like the sound,have a great day,jane and brian.
783nata
Excellent video and unusual, bewitching beauty music! Thank you very much, dear Jane and Brian! Best wishes! Hugs and kisses!
c.a. sixties and more
big hit this one in its day Natalia, very psychedelic sixties. thanks very much, all the best,jane and brian.