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
In Time
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Things I've seen here make me want to go running home
Lean close put your lips next to my face
Look further on past the surface
Orange, blue, red & green
Are the colors of what I feel
To know your flesh layin' by my skin
And I wonder whenever I'm in
Warm, soft, nice & now
Are the word things of what I know
And my body why'know it's so in time
I see you at the same place that I play
Ah darlin' tell me what can I say
Dance, sing, sleep& dream
Is the music of what I feel
Among the many things whenever you're near in time
Come with me my friend
Come on now and take my hand
You can be my friend
Soon be in another country
Jefferson Airplane's "In Time" is a song that touches on the idea of perspective and how our experiences shape the way that we see the world. The singer notes how it has been a long time since they have been in this particular place, but the things they have seen here make them want to run back home. It is as if their newfound knowledge and understanding of the world has made it harder for them to stay in one place, as they have a greater awareness of the issues and tensions that are present.
Later, when the singer is joined by their lover, they ask them to get closer and "look further on past the surface". This could be interpreted as the singer wanting their lover to see them for who they truly are, beyond the superficial layers that we all present to the world. As the chorus kicks in, the singer describes the colors that they are feeling - orange, blue, red, and green. It's interesting to note that these colors are all quite vibrant and intense, which could be reflective of the emotions that the singer is experiencing. They note that their mind is starting to reel in time, which could imply that they are becoming overwhelmed with all of these intense emotions and sensations.
The second verse focuses more on the physical sensations that the singer is feeling. They describe how they are thinking about their lover's flesh laying beside their skin, and how it makes them wonder whenever they are in that kind of position. They use words like "warm, soft, nice, and now" to describe these physical feelings, which once again are quite intense and vivid. The singer notes that their body knows that this is all happening in time, which could be interpreted as them acknowledging the fleeting nature of physical intimacy and how it is just one part of the larger cycle of life. The final verse is somewhat more optimistic, as the singer invites their friend to come with them and take their hand. They are going to a new country, which could symbolize a new chapter or a fresh start. The chorus kicks in one more time, as the singer describes how being around this friend makes them feel like dancing, singing, sleeping, and dreaming. It is clear that they see their friend as a source of joy and inspiration, and they are excited to embark on this new journey together.
Line by Line Meaning
Long time since I climbed down this mountain before
I haven't walked down this hill in ages.
Things I've seen here make me want to go running home
What I've observed here makes me yearn to leave and head back home.
Lean close put your lips next to my face
Please move closer and whisper softly into my ear.
Look further on past the surface
See beyond the obvious.
Orange, blue, red & green
The colors I associate with my emotions.
Are the colors of what I feel
These colors represent how I feel.
And my mind why'know it starts to reel in time
My brain can hardly keep up with my emotions.
To know your flesh layin' by my skin
I feel your body next to mine.
And I wonder whenever I'm in
I contemplate this every time I'm here.
Warm, soft, nice & now
The attributes of comfort and presentness.
Are the word things of what I know
These are the words I use to describe my current experience.
And my body why'know it's so in time
I am physically experiencing this in the present moment.
I see you at the same place that I play
I notice that you're always at the same place I frequent.
Ah darlin' tell me what can I say
Oh sweetheart, what is there for me to say?
Dance, sing, sleep& dream
These are the activities that make me feel alive.
Is the music of what I feel
This is the rhythm of my emotions.
Among the many things whenever you're near in time
Being around you is just one of the many things that I experience in the present moment.
Come with me my friend
Please join me, my pal.
Come on now and take my hand
Won't you come and hold my hand?
You can be my friend
I would love for us to be friends.
Soon be in another country
We'll relocate to a different nation before long.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Marty Balin, Paul Kantner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
230968
I totally, completely, absolutely, extremely, frantically, permanently adore the sound of JA. Balin, Kantner, Slick, Cassidy, Jorma, and Dryden were all great. They knew the art of creating sound so beautiful that it is just out of this world. Nobody had done it before. Nobody has done it since. One and only JA.
Michael Molz
JA not only captured the feeling of the times they were from, w the Summer of Love, anti-war & anti-rascism protests and the emergence of a truly novelle musical expressions; they cemented themselves into a lasting benchmark and touchstone of this remarkable age in history. So glad I saw them in December 1970, just before they slowly disintegrated..
230968
@Gary Dion Yes, Casady (thank you). I did listen to quarantine concert on YouTube. Great, long duration concert.
Gary Dion
Totally agree. (can't help myself - Casady). HT/Jorma not bad either. Check out Jorma's quarantee concert streams every Saturday night if you haven't already.
Laurensnl
Jefferson Airplane in my opinion one of the greatest American bands from the hippie era. Would have loved to see a The Doors and Jefferson Airplane concert. The two best bands at the time. Shame that JA is so underrated nowadays, people only know Somebody To Love or White Rabbit.
Raphael Luz
Maybe the Best
Chops Raintoieri
@Chris Morfas you left out the best "hippy" band. The grateful dead
luis
@Laurensnl those are also my 2 favourite bands!
Laurensnl
Guys don't google flixzone. It's a hoax and they're trying to steal your personal information. The comments are posted by bots.
maxsnafu
Hot tuna