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
The Farm
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
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Took to growin' lettuce milkin' cows and honey
Bought myself a farm (way out in the country)
Bought myself a farm way out in the country
Spent time in the hayloft with the mice and the bunnies
Spent time in the country
Yes it's good livin' on the farm
Yes it's good livin' on the farm
Here comes my next door neighbour comin' down the road
He always looks so regal ridin' on his toad named Lightnin'
The toad's name is Lightnin' he's ten hands at the shoulder
And if you give him sugar you know he'll whinny like a boulder
Yes he will
Well I gotta get back to work now and clear away some logs
Ah the sun is shinin' westwards yeah I think I'll saddle up my frog and
Get outta here
The song "The Farm" by Jefferson Airplane is a whimsical depiction of a life away from the hustle and bustle of urban city life. The lyrics talk about an individual who has bought a farm for themselves, out in the countryside. The individual is happy to be living on a farm, where they are growing crops, milking cows, and making honey. They spend their free time in the hayloft with mice and bunnies, enjoying the quiet and peaceful surroundings. The song refers to the simplicity of farm life and how it can offer a sense of fulfillment and serenity.
The song's imagery is vivid and lively, as the lyrics describe the individual's neighbor riding on his toad named Lightnin', who is ten hands at the shoulder and whinnying like a boulder. The picture painted by the song is of a quirky and eccentric community living in harmony with nature. The song's overall message is about finding happiness in the simple things in life and being content with what one has.
Line by Line Meaning
Bought myself a farm way out in the country
I purchased land in a rural area, far from the urban settings
Took to growin' lettuce milkin' cows and honey
I started planting lettuce, milking cows, and producing honey
Spent time in the hayloft with the mice and the bunnies
I have been spending time in the hayloft with small animals like mice and bunnies
Yes it's good livin' on the farm
I find that living on a farm is good and rewarding
Here comes my next door neighbour comin' down the road
My next-door neighbor is approaching my farm along the road
He always looks so regal ridin' on his toad named Lightnin'
He appears elegant riding on his toad named Lightnin'
The toad's name is Lightnin' he's ten hands at the shoulder
The toad named Lightnin' is ten hands tall at the shoulder
And if you give him sugar you know he'll whinny like a boulder, yes he will
If you feed sugar to Lightnin', he will create a sound like a boulder's noise
Well I gotta get back to work now and clear away some logs
I have to go back to work and remove some logs from the farm
Ah the sun is shinin' westwards yeah I think I'll saddle up my frog and get outta here
The sun is shining towards the west, so I am thinking of leaving by riding my frog
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GUY JAMES MICHAEL FARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind