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
Plastic Fantastic Lover
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
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Is nothing but electric sign
You could say she has an individual style
She's a part of a colorful time
Super-sealed lady, chrome-color clothes
You wear 'cause you have no other
But I suppose no one knows
Your rattlin' cough never shuts off
Is nothing but a used machine
Your aluminum finish, slightly diminished
Is the best I've ever seen
Cosmetic baby, plug into me
And never, ever find another
And I realize no one's wise
To my plastic fantastic lover
The electrical dust is starting to rust
Her trapezoid thermometer taste
All the red tape is mechanical rape
Of the TV program waste
Data control and I.B.M.
Science is mankind's brother
But all I see is draining me
On my plastic fantastic lover
The lyrics of Jefferson Airplane's song Plastic Fantastic Lover describe a futuristic and technological world where even lovers are made of plastic. The first two lines introduce us to the neon mouth of the singer's lover which seems to be a mere electric sign. This creates an image of artificiality and superficiality that is further explored throughout the song. The next lines depict the lady as a "super-sealed" and "chrome-color" figure that seems to have no other clothes to wear. This creates the image of a robotic figure that lacks human emotions and individuality. It is implied that she is a product of the colorful time that the singer is a part of.
The chorus refers to the lady as "my plastic fantastic lover." The term "plastic fantastic" was a popular phrase in the 1960s to describe anything that was artificial and had no real substance behind it. This suggests that the singer's lover is not a real person, but rather a constructed figure with no emotional depth. The second verse describes the lady's physical appearance as a used machine with an aluminum finish. The word "cosmetic" further reinforces the idea that her appearance is a superficial construct.
The third verse refers to the "electrical dust" that is starting to rust and the "trapezoid thermometer taste" that seems to come from the lady. These lines are difficult to interpret, but they suggest that the lady is not functioning properly and has started to deteriorate. The last two lines of the song describe science as mankind's brother, but also suggest that it is draining the singer. This might be a comment on the dehumanizing effects of technology and how it is eroding human emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Her neon mouth with a bleeding talk smile
Her glowing lips seem to be bleeding with words she speaks through them.
Is nothing but electric sign
It is only an illuminated board that displays the message like a signboard.
You could say she has an individual style
It can be said that her manner of appearance is unique and different from everyone else.
She's a part of a colorful time
She is a remnant of a vibrant period in history.
Super-sealed lady, chrome-color clothes
She is entirely encapsulated in a metallic dress of chrome colour.
You wear 'cause you have no other
You have no better clothing to wear other than the one you are wearing now.
But I suppose no one knows
Nobody is aware of this fact.
You're my plastic fantastic lover
In your artificiality, you have become my ideal lover.
Your rattlin' cough never shuts off
Your wheezing coughing never stops.
Is nothing but a used machine
You are nothing more than a worn-out mechanism.
Your aluminum finish, slightly diminished
Your metallic appearance has faded a little.
Is the best I've ever seen
I have no better view of you than the present one.
Cosmetic baby, plug into me
You are just an artificially groomed baby, and I am your power source.
And never, ever find another
You will never find someone else to satisfy your needs as I do.
And I realize no one's wise
I understand that no one is aware of my true feelings.
To my plastic fantastic lover
You, my fake but idealistic partner, are the subject of my love.
The electrical dust is starting to rust
The electric filth on you is beginning to corrode like rust.
Her trapezoid thermometer taste
The flavour of your food tastes like a trapezoidal temperature measuring device.
All the red tape is mechanical rape
All the bureaucratic obstacles seem like an assault by machines.
Of the TV program waste
It is a waste of time to watch television programs.
Data control and I.B.M.
The control of information lies in the hands of big corporations like IBM.
Science is mankind's brother
Science can be considered a companion of humanity.
But all I see is draining me
The reality, though, is that it is slowly sucking out the life in me.
On my plastic fantastic lover
In the arms of my artificial partner, I am slowly losing my essence.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARTY BALIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind