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
Comin' Back to Me
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The winter looked the same, as if it never had gone
And through an open window where no curtain hung
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
One begins to read between the pages of a look
Through the rain upon the trees, the kisses on the run
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
You came to stay and live my way
Scatter my love like leaves in the wind
You always say you won't go away
But I know what it always has been
It always has been
A transparent dream beneath an occasional sigh
Most of the time I just let it go by
Now I wish it hadn't begun
I saw you, yes, I saw you
Comin' back to me
Strolling the hills overlooking the shore
I realized I've been there before
The shadow in the mist could have been anyone
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
Small things like reasons are put in a jar
Whatever happened to wishes wished upon a star?
Was it just something that I made up for fun?
I saw you, I saw you comin' back to me
The lyrics to Jefferson Airplane's song "Comin' Back To Me" describe the mixed emotions of seeing an ex-lover return after an uncertain amount of time. The opening lines suggest the passing of time brings no change, as the summer still lingers and the winter remains the same. The singer then sees their ex-lover through an open window, invoking a sense of surprise and nostalgia. The second verse builds on this experience, noting the allure of an old memory and the suddenness with which it can captivate you. The lyrics then shift to their ex-lover's return, evoking a mix of hesitant openness and embittered memories. The final lines of the song bring everything full circle, as the singer realizes they've been down this path before and perhaps there's no escaping it.
Overall, the lyrics to "Comin' Back To Me" explore the universal feelings of love, loss, and longing. The song describes the cycle of emotions that one goes through upon reuniting with an ex-lover. The lyrics are evocative and imagery-rich, painting a vivid picture of the struggle to move on from past relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
The summer had inhaled and held its breath too long
The summer had lasted longer than expected.
The winter looked the same, as if it never had gone
The winter felt like it never left.
And through an open window where no curtain hung
The singer saw something unexpected through an open window.
I saw you
The artist saw someone they recognized.
I saw you
The artist saw someone they recognized.
Comin' back to me
The person the singer recognized was returning to them.
One begins to read between the pages of a look
The singer started to understand something based on someone's expression.
The shape of sleepy music, and suddenly you're hooked
The sound of the music caused the artist to become invested in the situation.
Through the rain upon the trees, the kisses on the run
The artist experienced a romantic moment in the rain.
I saw you
The artist saw someone they recognized.
I saw you
The singer saw someone they recognized.
Comin' back to me
The person the artist recognized was returning to them.
You came to stay and live my way
The person the singer recognized came to live with them.
Scatter my love like leaves in the wind
The singer gave love freely and abundantly.
You always say you won't go away
The person the singer recognized promised never to leave.
But I know what it always has been
The artist was uncertain about the future of their relationship.
It always has been
The situation had always been uncertain and unstable.
A transparent dream beneath an occasional sigh
The singer had a dream that seemed fragile and fleeting.
Most of the time I just let it go by
The singer often ignored their dreams and desires.
Now I wish it hadn't begun
The artist regretted starting something they couldn't control.
I saw you, yes, I saw you
The artist saw someone they recognized.
Comin' back to me
The person the artist recognized was returning to them.
Strolling the hills overlooking the shore
The singer was walking and reflecting on their life.
I realized I've been there before
The artist had experienced a similar situation in the past.
The shadow in the mist could have been anyone
The singer was uncertain about who they saw in the distance.
I saw you
The singer saw someone they recognized.
I saw you
The singer saw someone they recognized.
Comin' back to me
The person the artist recognized was returning to them.
Small things like reasons are put in a jar
The artist stored little details in their memory.
Whatever happened to wishes wished upon a star?
The singer wondered about the fate of their dreams.
Was it just something that I made up for fun?
The singer questioned the validity of their own desires.
I saw you, I saw you comin' back to me
The person the artist recognized was returning to them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marty Balin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
porcelain
LYRICS
The summer had inhaled and held its breath too long
The winter looked the same, as if it never had gone
And through an open window where no curtain hung
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
One begins to read between the pages of a book
The shape of sleepy music, and suddenly you're hooked
Through the rain upon the trees, the kisses on the run
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
You came to stay and live my way
Scatter my love like leaves in the wind
You always say you won't go away
But I know what it always has been
It always has been
A transparent dream beneath an occasional sigh
Most of the time I just let it go by
Now I wish it hadn't begun
I saw you, yes, I saw you
Comin' back to me
Strolling the hills overlooking the shore
I realized I've been there before
The shadow in the mist could have been anyone
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
Small things like reasons are put in a jar
Whatever happened to wishes wished upon a star?
Was it just something that I made up for fun?
I saw you, I saw you comin' back to me
SRSOS
RIP Marty
The summer had inhaled and held its breath too long
The winter looked the same as if it never had gone
And through an open window where no curtain hung
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
One begins to read between the pages of a look
The shape of sleepy music and suddenly you're hooked
Through the rain upon the trees that kisses on the run
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
You came to stay and live my way
Scatter my love like leaves in the wind
You always say you won't go away
But I know what it always has been
It always has been
A transparent dream beneath an occasional sigh
Most of the time I just let it go by
Now I wish it hadn't begun
I saw you
Yes I saw you
Comin' back to me
Strolling the hills overlooking the shore
I realize I've been here before
The shadow in the mist could have been anyone
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
Small things like reasons are put in a jar
Whatever happened to wishes, wished on a star?
Was it just something that I made up for fun?
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
Στυλιανός Θεοχαρόπουλος
The summer had inhaled and held its breath too long
The winter looked the same, as if it never had gone
And through an open window where no curtain hung
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
One begins to read between the pages of a book
The shape of sleepy music, and suddenly you're hooked
Through the rain upon the trees, the kisses on the run
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
You came to stay and live my way
Scatter my love like leaves in the wind
You always say you won't go away
But I know what it always has been
It always has been
A transparent dream beneath an occasional sigh
Most of the time I just let it go by
Now I wish it hadn't begun
I saw you, yes, I saw you
Comin' back to me
Strolling the hills overlooking the shore
I realized I've been there before
The shadow in the mist could have been anyone
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
Small things like reasons are put in a jar
Whatever happened to wishes wished upon a star?
Was it just something that I made up for fun?
I saw you, I saw you comin' back to me
Michael Donovan
A marty balin classic from jefferson airplane...
The summer had inhaled and held its breath too long
The winter looked the same, as if it never had gone
And through an open window where no curtain hung
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
One begins to read between the pages of a book
The shape of sleepy music, and suddenly you're hooked
Through the rain upon the trees, the kisses on the run
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
You came to stay and live my way
Scatter my love like leaves in the wind
You always say you won't go away
But I know what it always has been
It always has been
A transparent dream beneath an occasional sigh
Most of the time I just let it go by
Now I wish it hadn't begun
I saw you, yes, I saw you
Comin' back to me
Strolling the hills overlooking the shore
I realized I've been there before
The shadow in the mist could have been anyone
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
Small things like reasons are put in a jar
Whatever happened to wishes wished upon a star?
Was it just something that I made up for fun?
I saw you, I saw you comin' back to me
donald colucci
Marty balin could really come up with some great music
If u like this style checkout
Tom Rush
Wtf , airplane,grt dead, quicksilver,country joe,doors,Moby grape,santana,credence cw,beautiful day,Youngbloods,
Byrds,buffalo springfld,
Jimi Hendrix,Janis J, Joni m
Judy Collins,tower o power,
Paul butterfied,mike Bloomfield,buddy miles,
Zappa,beach boys,eagles poco,outlaws,loggins Messina
Vai,Jan n dean,steppenwolf,
P. Metheny,Gary burton,
Mamas and papas just to name some of the west coast music
BB713
One of very few songs so achingly beautiful, that I almost want to avoid it. But it's with me in my heart always. Reminds me of the impermanence of life, and so many people I have loved and wish were still with me. "Like the rain upon the trees that kisses on the run..."
RIP, Marty Balin. And Jerry Garcia on guitar!
QBAN2010
Well said BB713
QBAN2010
Forces me to reflect on my life...mostly against my will!
Donna Harvey
Yes!!!
Si digs
❤️ your comment
Guilherme Garcia
I'm from Brazil and I'm 31 years old. I listen this song since 2008, when I was 16. I have the same opinion. Thank you for the words. Hugs from Brazil!
Christopher Mar
This song was playing when my dad passed last summer. I believe that he was reuniting with my mom, his parents, and other ancestors and loved ones when it happened. He loved this song, and there couldn't have been a more appropriate song to play as he transcended this realm.
Kevin Clarke
Bless your love!
Reggie Henderson
I'm playing this at my Dad's memorial service and I want it played at mine
porcelain
LYRICS
The summer had inhaled and held its breath too long
The winter looked the same, as if it never had gone
And through an open window where no curtain hung
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
One begins to read between the pages of a book
The shape of sleepy music, and suddenly you're hooked
Through the rain upon the trees, the kisses on the run
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
You came to stay and live my way
Scatter my love like leaves in the wind
You always say you won't go away
But I know what it always has been
It always has been
A transparent dream beneath an occasional sigh
Most of the time I just let it go by
Now I wish it hadn't begun
I saw you, yes, I saw you
Comin' back to me
Strolling the hills overlooking the shore
I realized I've been there before
The shadow in the mist could have been anyone
I saw you
I saw you
Comin' back to me
Small things like reasons are put in a jar
Whatever happened to wishes wished upon a star?
Was it just something that I made up for fun?
I saw you, I saw you comin' back to me