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
D.C.B.A.
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I must move away, 'n' leave you be.
It has been good to us my friend,
Wait, and see how it will end.
We come and go as we please.
(Grace: We come and go as we please)
(Paul: That's how it has to be).
Too many days I've left unstoned.
If you don't mind, happiness
Purple pleasure-fields in the sun
Ah don't you know I'm runnin' home
(Grace: Don't you know I'm runnin' home)
(Paul: To a place, for you unknown).
I take great peace in your sitting there(1).
Searching for myself, I find a place there(2).
I see the people of the world,
Where they are and what they could be.
I can but dance behind your smile
(Grace: I can but dance behind your smile)
(Paul: To [the] other world to me, for a while)
The lyrics of Jefferson Airplane's song D.C.B.A convey a sense of a farewell and the need to move on. The singer is addressing a friend or a lover, explaining that it's time for them to part ways and that they must set each other free. The line "I must move away, 'n' leave you be" explicitly implies the need for separation. However, the singer acknowledges the goodness of the relationship with the line "It has been good to us my friend", and tells the other person to "wait and see how it will end." This line implies that the singer believes their separation might lead to something beneficial for both parties.
The lyrics are ambiguous, but they suggest that the singer is searching for something. In the line "Here in this ocean, the near and holy, too many days I've left unstoned," the word "stoned" could mean drug use, but it could also be a metaphor for missed opportunities or experiences. The next line, "If you don't mind, happiness, purple pleasure-fields in the sun," seems to imply that the singer is searching for happiness in a new place, where the grass is greener. The final lines, "I see the people of the world, where they are and what they could be. I can but dance behind your smile, to [the] other world to me, for a while," suggest that the singer has found some sort of enlightenment or perspective on the world through their relationship with the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
It's time you walked away and set me free
I need you to leave me and let me be free
I must move away, 'n' leave you be.
I have to distance myself from you and move on
It has been good to us my friend,
We've had good times together, my friend
Wait, and see how it will end.
Just wait and see how things will turn out
We come and go as we please.
We have the freedom to come and go as we wish
(Grace: We come and go as we please)
We have the liberty to do as we want
(Paul: That's how it has to be).
That's just the way it is
Here in this ocean, the near and holy,
I'm in a place that's sacred and close to me
Too many days I've left unstoned.
I've wasted too many days not experiencing life to the fullest
If you don't mind, happiness
If you don't mind, let's be happy
Purple pleasure-fields in the sun
A beautiful place full of pleasure in the sunshine
Ah don't you know I'm runnin' home
Don't you know I'm returning to where I belong
(Grace: Don't you know I'm runnin' home)
I'm coming back to where I should be
(Paul: To a place, for you unknown).
To a place that you're not familiar with
I take great peace in your sitting there(1).
I feel peaceful seeing you sitting there
Searching for myself, I find a place there(2).
When I'm searching for who I am, I find a place in myself
I see the people of the world,
I observe the people around the world
Where they are and what they could be.
I see where they are in life and what they could become
I can but dance behind your smile
I can only dance behind your happy appearance
(Grace: I can but dance behind your smile)
I just follow your happy appearance
(Paul: To [the] other world to me, for a while)
I'm leaving to another world for some time
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL KANTNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@larrymiller4
This song, this track, speaks of something intangible and mystical, of stepping outside of society's norms and boundaries into an attitude and way of living that one never knew existed before. This song -- the lyrics, the interplay of Jorma's guitar with Jack's bass, the interwoven vocals of Paul and Grace (Paul has the perfect "dry" voice for this song) -- has haunted and beguiled me for decades. I can't "define" it, which makes me go back to it. Someone else commented that the only thing wrong with this track is that it isn't five hours long. True.
@mcbazzfazz
THIS... this somehow encapsulates all of JA, the summer of love, the 60's and more... haunting, beautiful, sad, powerful in an understated way... missing those long gone days but they still live on in so many hearts and minds... it is playing over and over in my head these days again...
@flapjackid
This is the song that takes me back to those times. I miss them too.
@doyleperkins4916
"...they still live on in so many hearts and minds..."
Poignantly written. Thanks.
@amandawilcox9638
I miss Marty-and Paul, (when he kept his music out of politics). Love this song; haven't heard it in a few years! Blessings to us all.
@mickeymousebiker1
Lilting guitar combined with superb vocals. This is like something out of a resplendent Summer daydream -- so long ago. This one goes out to anyone who has ever ridden a motorcycle through the Redwoods or up the CA coast Northward to SF. Many thanks to Jefferson Airplane (and to the beautiful city of SF).
@samalbaugh9321
RIP Paul Kantner
@CRAZOLA3
This song actually has me crying its so good ....
@kattalady8114
I miss California 😞
@hzilla5550
Grace Slick sounds just as good as backup as she does lead singer. She really sounds great in this one...one of the best meshed vocals in any song I have ever heard, and here it is, widely unnoticed by nearly all.