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
Pretty As You Feel
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only pretty as you feel inside
You're only pretty as you feel
Just as pretty as you feel inside
When you wake up in the morning
Rub some sleep from your eye
Look inside your mirror
Don't give no vanity a second thought
No, no, no
Beauty's only skin deep
It goes just so far 'cause
You're only pretty as you feel
As pretty as you feel inside
You're only pretty as you feel
So girl, don't hang yourself up
On no plastic face
A little bit of soap will wipe away
Any grease
'Cause
You're only pretty as you feel
Say, you're only pretty as you feel inside
Strip
So now you're feeling so pretty
Now you're feeling so good
Now you're ready to face the world
Now you're feeling good
Go out there and knock them silly girl
Go out there, show them how to thrill
Go out there show them how to thrill
Oh, go
You're only pretty as you feel
Say, you're only pretty as you feel
Mama
You're only pretty as you feel (pretty as you feel inside)
You're only pretty as you feel
Feelin' pretty, feelin' pretty
You're only pretty as you feel
Feelin' so pretty, feelin' so pretty
Feelin' so pretty, feelin' so pretty
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty mama
The song "Pretty As You Feel" by Jefferson Airplane explores the idea of beauty being more than just physical appearance. The lyrics urge the listener to focus on their inner beauty and not to become obsessed with their external appearance. The song suggests that true beauty comes from feeling good about oneself, and that it is important to feel good inside in order to exude beauty on the outside. The song urges the listener to look beyond vanity and superficiality and embrace their unique inner selves.
The lyrics begin with addressing the listener directly, affirming that they are only as pretty as they feel on the inside. The song then goes on to describe a morning routine of looking in the mirror and combing one's hair, but reminds the listener not to become vain and to focus on inner beauty. The "strip" in the lyrics suggests that the listener may feel vulnerable or exposed, but that this can also be empowering and lead to feeling good.
Overall, the message of the song is to embrace one's inner beauty and to not become obsessed with physical appearance. It encourages the listener to love themselves for who they are, rather than trying to conform to societal beauty standards.
Line by Line Meaning
You're only pretty as you feel
Your level of physical attractiveness is entirely dependent on how you feel inside
Only pretty as you feel inside
Your internal state is what truly makes you beautiful
Just as pretty as you feel inside
Your perceived beauty is equal to how good you feel about yourself
When you wake up in the morning
At the start of your day
Rub some sleep from your eye
Remove the residual effects of sleep from your eyes
Look inside your mirror
Reflect upon yourself
Comb your hair
Tidy your appearance
Don't give no vanity a second thought
Do not obsess over outward appearance
No, no, no
Emphatically stating not to focus on vanity
Beauty's only skin deep
Physical attractiveness is superficial
It goes just so far 'cause
Physical beauty has limits
So girl, don't hang yourself up
Do not get caught up in the superficial standards society may portray
On no plastic face
Do not strive to look 'plastic' or fake
A little bit of soap will wipe away
A simple cleansing can do wonders
Any grease
Removing excess oil or dirt from your skin
Say, you're only pretty as you feel inside
Again, emphasizing the importance of internal feelings in regards to beauty
Strip
Remove any facades
So now you're feeling so pretty
After introspection and cleansing, you now feel good about yourself
Now you're feeling so good
Reinforcing the idea of internal feelings creating beauty
Now you're ready to face the world
With newfound confidence, you are ready to tackle what the world has to offer
Go out there and knock them silly girl
Take on the world with confidence and determination
Show them how to thrill
Set a new standard for what is truly beautiful
Oh, go
Encouragement to move forward
Feelin' pretty, feelin' pretty
Repeating the idea that feeling good about yourself is what makes you beautiful
Feelin' so pretty, feelin' so pretty
Further reinforcing the importance of internal feelings in regards to beauty
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty mama
Endearment directed towards someone being encouraged to feel good about themselves
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JACK CASSIDY, JOEY COVINGTON, JORMA L. JR. KAUKONEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sam Wa
The Airplane, also, was one of the few of the era, to make major money, and was so big, that they were actually able to fire Bill Graham, as their manager, because Slick " WAS San Francisco". They also were able to do the same with the nasty Katz, who notoriously ruined careers of others, such as Moby Grape. The Airplane's success was due to Balin's business skills; the immense talent of each member, and of course, the iconic presence of Slick. They also hold the distinction of being the only act to perform at all three major festivals- Monterey, Woodstock, and Altamont.
Russ Mathena
I was involved in the 80s with a band that never reallymade it. In North California we had a mini-WoodStock or more like a private show, and Graham and his entourage descended in a helicopter, Bill was dressed like some Egyptian pharaoh, headdress and all- never did meet him he was like a parody of power...
Justin Green
The Grateful Dead played Monterrey, Woodstock and Altamont
Michael Blum
@Bill Woo Yeah, Michael Blum is a very common name, so that's not me ( nothing against Stevie Wonder, of course).
Michael Blum
@Bill Woo I thought the movie, Quadrophenia, was outstanding and could be appreciated as art aside from the music. But that record resonates deeply and the other music they selected from that zootsuit time frame served it well. Good story about traveling to see it. I drove 400 miles to see the ABB's last stand at The Beacon in 2014. I got tickets with my oldest friend, who I saw the ABB with in Hartford, CT in 1973 with. It was supposed to be the closing night, but they added more shows. Of course, we were hoping for Betts... In the Graham book there's great stories about most of the artists/bands you mentioned. You should probably get it (if you're a reader). It's called Bill Graham Presents with Robert Greenfield. Once you get to the Fillmore years, it's vivid and immediate. Another worthwhile, but quite different read is Barney Hoskins Small Town Talk, which focuses on the history of Woodstock as an artist community and provides many intimate details about the folk scene as it developed through the 60s. Hoskins knew some of the subjects and the book covers the comings and goings of The Band, Dylan's time in Woodstock, as well as other residents: Karen Dalton, Frank C. Jackson, Van Morrison, John Martyn, Tim Buckley, among many others. A key and very enigmatic player is Albert Grossman, who managed Dylan, Richie Havens, Ian and Sylvia, Paul Buttersfield Blues and Peter Paul and Mary. It's a drier read, and as many of the subjects did not prosper for very long it has some gravity to it. But worthwhile. If you're interested in The Band, Levon Helm's balls-to-the-wall autobiography is a must. And frequently hilarious and outrageous.
Cel Mac
Beautiful song can't believe how pretty it makes me feel
mike fury
It's an August summer evening and a refreshing breeze is blowing through your bedroom window. You pick up the black disc and center the hole on the hard stainless steel spindle. You lower the hard diamond needle on on the disc. You pick up your bowl that is loaded with that sweetest of herb. A tiny spark takes you to places you have never been. Peace be with you always.
Sly Slaughter
always
Linda Thompson
What a great song. I'd forgotten how good it is, and what a good job they did in performing it.
Stanley Koskiewicz
A very obscure little known song, from a great group. It has some sensitive meaning, deep enough for people to realize how pretty, they "really", think they are!