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
Share A Little Joke
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where has he been
Where is he now?
I said he'd been set free
Shares a little joke with the world somehow
Sounded like he'd make a halo
When I heard his laughter floating
He said he just let go
Shares a little joke with the world
World around you
Never catches up with you
How can I make you as happy as I am
I feel like you're running
I know we could fly
Your eyes are never tired
Your mind is on fire
Your heart has never been satisfied
Oh
Some people are in love
Some know everything can be done
I think you're joking
I believe half of you
I want to journey
I want to laugh with you
After you
Share a little joke with the world
World around you
Never catches up with you
The song Share a Little Joke by Jefferson Airplane is about a friend who has found inner peace and happiness through letting go of the burdens and stresses of the world. The singer of the song is asked where their friend has been and where they are now, and they respond by saying that their friend has been set free and now shares a little joke with the world. The friend's laughter is described as floating and having the power to make a halo.
The singer expresses their desire to make their friend as happy as they are, and they believe that their friend's mind and heart are always in a state of excitement and inspiration. However, they also note that their friend's energy and enthusiasm for life is not matched by the world around them, and they urge their friend to share their joy and humor with others.
The overall message of the song is that happiness and peace can be found within oneself, and that by sharing positivity and laughter with others, one can make the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
A friend of mine asked me
My acquaintance questioned me
Where has he been
Where did he go, my friend?
Where is he now?
Where can he be found currently?
I said he'd been set free
I retorted that he had been emancipated
Shares a little joke with the world somehow
He conveys humor to the masses
Sounded like he'd make a halo
His laugh was angelic
When I heard his laughter floating
Upon hearing his chortle carried by the wind
It's all for fun you know
It's purely amusement, you understand
He said he just let go
He revealed that he released his inhibitions
Shares a little joke with the world
He imparts mirth to the planet
World around you
The cosmos enveloping you
Never catches up with you
It can never keep pace with you
How can I make you as happy as I am
In what manner can I mirror my elation unto you
I feel like you're running
I sense that you are fleeing
I know we could fly
I am aware that we have the potential to soar
Your eyes are never tired
Your vision is never fatigued
Your mind is on fire
Your intellect is aglow
Your heart has never been satisfied
Your heart has not ever been contented
Oh
Expression of emotion
Some people are in love
Certain individuals are enamored
Some know everything can be done
Some are cognizant that everything is possible
I think you're joking
I surmise that you are jesting
I believe half of you
I trust half of your statements
I want to journey
I yearn for an expedition
I want to laugh with you
I desire a moment of hilarity with you
After you
I concede to you
Share a little joke with the world
Disperse some comedy to humanity
World around you
The cosmos surrounding you
Never catches up with you
It can never match your speed
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Marty Balin, Paul L. Kantner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Toontown Crew
Eckart Bohm Here you go...
A friend of mine asked me
Where has he been?
Where is he now?
I said he'd been set free
Shares a little joke with the world somehow
Sounded like he'd make a halo
When I heard his laughter floating
It's all for fun you know
He said he just let go
Shares a little joke with the world
The world around you
Never catches up with you
How can I make you as happy as I am?
I feel like you're running
I know we could fly
Your eyes are never tired
Your mind is on fire
Your heart as never been satisfied
Some people are in love
Some know everything can be done
I think you're joking
I believe half of you
I want to journey
I want to laugh with you
But after you
Share a little joke with the world
The world around you
Never catches up with you
Glenn Martin
One of my favorite Airplane songs. I especially love Jack's bass playing on this whole album. He's the reason I started playing bass back in 1969. Thank you Jack!
Barbara Cornetto
Me too...
Strangersname
Hallelujah Marty Balin!! This song is a world in itself -- and it never catches up with you !! Beauty flowing in sound .....
bendbadgersteve
Jack isn't the only one that's all over the place. Listen to Spencer on drums. This band was soooo good that it makes me cry sometimes. They just completely understood the time in which they were living their youth.
Strangersname
They let it happen
C
I wish there were more bands like this in my generation.
Shaun Kelly-Kenyon
as much as Grace gets credit, Marty was truly the voice
Strangersname
And the Soul
derby1884
Wonderful track. Casady especially. He's off on a tangent all of his own.
Strangersname
Always