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 House At Pooneil Corners
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the bullshit around us
You try and keep your mind on what's going down
Can't help but see the rhinoceros around us
And you wonder what you can be
And you do what you can
To get bald and high
And you know I'm still goin' need you around
Somebody's dealing, somebody's stealing it
You say you don't see and you don't
You say you won't know and you won't let it come
Everything someday will be gone except silence
Earth will be quiet again
Seas from clouds will wash off the ashes of violence
Left as the memory of men
There will be no survivor my friend
Suddenly everyone will look surprised
Stars spinning wheels in the skies
Sun is scrambled in their eyes
While the moon circles like a vulture
Some stood at a window and cried
'One tear I thought that should stop a war
But someone is killing me'
That's the last hour to think anymore
Jelly and juice and bubbles, bubbles on the floor
Castles on the cliffs vanish
Cliffs like heaps of rubbish
Seen from the stars hour by hour
As splintered scraps and black powder
From here to heaven is a scar
Dead center, deep as death
All the idiots have left
The cows are almost cooing
Turtle doves are mooing
Which is why a poo is pooing
In the sun
Sun
The House At Pooneil Corners by Jefferson Airplane is a song that explores the state of societal and individual disillusionment amidst a backdrop of war and destruction. The lyrics reflect a sense of despair and helplessness towards the chaos and violence that surround us, with the singer struggling to maintain some semblance of hope and purpose in a world that seems to be falling apart. The opening lines, "You and me we keep walkin' around and we see all the bullshit around us" sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the rhinoceros being a metaphor for the danger and destruction that people have become blind to.
The chorus, "Everything someday will be gone except silence, Earth will be quiet again" is a powerful reminder of the transience of human existence and our impact on the world. The lines, "Seas from clouds will wash off the ashes of violence, Left as the memory of men" evoke a sense of cleansing and renewal, with the destruction caused by human conflict ultimately being washed away and forgotten by the natural world.
The final verses of the song are perhaps the most haunting, with the vivid imagery of "Castles on the cliffs vanish, Cliffs like heaps of rubbish" conveying the sense of destruction and decay that has taken hold. The cows and turtle doves, normally symbols of peace and tranquility, are reduced to almost comical sounds in the face of such devastation. The reference to "poo" in the final line is perhaps a nod to the absurdity of it all, as well as a reminder of the basic biological functions that remain even in times of chaos.
Overall, The House At Pooneil Corners is a thought-provoking and poignant exploration of humanity's struggle to find meaning and hope in a world marked by violence and destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
You and me we keep walkin' around and we see
The singer and the listener are observing the world around them as they go about their lives.
All the bullshit around us
There is a lot of nonsense and negativity in the world.
You try and keep your mind on what's going down
The listener is attempting to stay aware of significant events or changes happening around them.
Can't help but see the rhinoceros around us
Even though they're attempting to focus on what's important, they can't escape the danger and chaos in the world.
And you wonder what you can be
The listener is questioning their purpose or potential.
And you do what you can
They are doing their best to make a difference or achieve something worthwhile.
To get bald and high
The singer is using humor to indicate how difficult it is to find meaning or escape the chaos.
And you know I'm still goin' need you around
The singer is expressing their reliance on the listener for support and companionship.
You say it's healing but nobody's feeling it
The listener is aware of attempts to heal or improve the world, but those efforts aren't having a significant impact.
Somebody's dealing, somebody's stealing it
Others are taking advantage of the chaos and using it to their own advantage.
You say you don't see and you don't
The listener is aware of what's going on, but they're trying to avoid getting too deeply involved or hurt by it.
You say you won't know and you won't let it come
They're refusing to acknowledge or accept the chaos around them.
Everything someday will be gone except silence
The chaos and negativity will eventually fade away, leaving behind peace.
Earth will be quiet again
The world will become calm and peaceful once more when the chaos is over.
Seas from clouds will wash off the ashes of violence
Nature will heal the scars of violence and destruction.
Left as the memory of men
However, the impact of the violence will remain in the memories of those who witnessed it.
There will be no survivor my friend
No one will escape the chaos and destruction uncontaminated.
Suddenly everyone will look surprised
People will be caught off guard when the chaos and destruction come to an end.
Stars spinning wheels in the skies
The natural world will continue to turn and revolve despite the chaos on Earth.
Sun is scrambled in their eyes
The chaos is disorienting and affects even the natural order.
While the moon circles like a vulture
Even the moon seems like it's waiting for the end.
Some stood at a window and cried
People are watching the chaos from a distance and feeling helpless and emotional.
'One tear I thought that should stop a war
One person hoped that their tears could bring an end to the chaos, but it didn't work.
But someone is killing me'
The chaos is so intense that it's taking a toll on the person's mental or emotional health.
That's the last hour to think anymore
The chaos is reaching its final moments, leaving no time to contemplate or consider options.
Jelly and juice and bubbles, bubbles on the floor
The chaos has degraded to absurdity, with strange and meaningless things happening.
Castles on the cliffs vanish
Even seemingly strong and sturdy things can be destroyed by chaos and violence.
Cliffs like heaps of rubbish
The destruction is so great that even natural landforms are reduced to piles of debris.
Seen from the stars hour by hour
The natural order observes the chaos from afar and tracks its progress.
As splintered scraps and black powder
The destruction is so complete that it's reduced to mere scraps and dust.
From here to heaven is a scar
The impact of the destruction and violence has left a permanent mark on the world and beyond.
Dead center, deep as death
The scar runs through the center of the world like a permanent wound.
All the idiots have left
Those who caused the chaos and destruction are gone, leaving the world to rebuild and heal.
The cows are almost cooing
Even the animals seem to sense the shift from chaos to peace.
Turtle doves are mooing
The natural world is returning to peaceful, balanced sounds and textures.
Which is why a poo is pooing
Humor returns to the world as chaos fades away and healing begins.
In the sun
The world is bathed in warm, healing light as it moves on from the chaos.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARTY BALIN, PAUL KANTNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tropicwave1
The House At Pooneil Corners
Jefferson Airplane
You and me we keep walkin' around and we see
All the bullshit around us
You try and keep your mind on what's going down
Can't help but see the rhinoceros around us
And you wonder what you can be
And you do what you can
To get bald and high
And you know I'm still goin' need you around
You say it's healing but nobody's feeling it
Somebody's dealing, somebody's stealing it
You say you don't see and you don't
You say you won't know and you won't let it come
Everything someday will be gone except silence
Earth will be quiet again
Seas from clouds will wash off the ashes of violence
Left as the memory of men
There will be no survivor my friend
Suddenly everyone will look surprised
Stars spinning wheels in the skies
Sun is scrambled in their eyes
While the moon circles like a vulture
Some stood at a window and cried
'One tear I thought that should stop a war
But someone is killing me'
That's the last hour to think anymore
Jelly and juice and bubbles, bubbles on the floor
Castles on the cliffs vanish
Cliffs like heaps of rubbish
Seen from the stars hour by hour
As splintered scraps and black powder
From here to heaven is a scar
Dead center, deep as death
All the idiots have left
The cows are almost cooing
Turtle doves are mooing
Which is why a poo is pooing
In the sun
Sun
Written by Marty Balin, Paul Kantner • Copyright © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing
netr8dr
Lyrics:
You and me we keep walkin' around and we see
All the bullshit around us
You try and keep your mind on what's going down
Can't help but see the rhinoceros around us
And you wonder what you can be
And you do what you can
To get bald and high
And you know I'm still goin' need you around
You say it's healing but nobody's feeling it
Somebody's dealing, somebody's stealing it
You say you don't see and you don't
You say you won't know and you won't let it come
Everything someday will be gone except silence
Earth will be quiet again
Seas from clouds will wash off the ashes of violence
Left as the memory of men
There will be no survivor my friend
Suddenly everyone will look surprised
Stars spinning wheels in the skies
Sun is scrambled in their eyes …
netr8dr
You & me we keep walkin' around & we see
All the bulshit around us
You try & keep your mind on what's going down
Can't help but see the rhinoceros around us
& you wonder what you can do
& you do what you can
To get bald & hi
& you know I'm still goin' need you around
You say it's healing but nobody's feeling it
Somebody's dealing - somebody's stealing it
You say you don't see & you don't
You say you won't know & you won't let it come
Everything someday will be gone except silence
Earth will be quiet again
Seas from clouds will wash off the ashed of violence
Left as the memory of men
There will be no survivor my friend
Suddenly everyone will look surprised
Stars spinning wheels in the skies
Sun is scrambled in their eyes
While the moon circles like a vulture
Someone stood at a window & cried
'One tear I thought that should stop a war
But someone is killing me'
& that's the last hour to think anymore
Jelly & juice & bubbles - bubbles on the floor
Castles on the cliffs vanish
Cliffs like heaps of rubbish
Seen from the stars hour by hour
As splintered scraps & black powder
From here to heaven is a scar
Dead center - deep as death
All the idiots have left
Epitaph
The cows are almost cooing
Turtle doves are mooing
Which is why a poo is pooing
In the sun
Sun.
Bob Lang
harmonies, dischordant, wisdom, :Somebodys dealing, somebodys stealing,
The earth will be quiet again.
Suddenly everyone will look surprised,
Stars spinning wheels in the skies,
Sun is scrambled in their eyes
And circleslike a vulture.
Someone stood at the window and cried one tear.
I thought that would stop the war, but someone is killing me.
Jelly and juice and bubblesbubbles on the floor.
As splinters, dust, and black flowers.
From here to heaven is a scar,
Dead center, deep as death.
All the idiots have left.
Read more: Jefferson Airplane - The House At Pooneil Corners Lyrics | MetroLyrics
Stuart Walker
You and me, we keep walking around and we see
All the bullshit around us.
You try and keep your mind on what's going down,
Can't help but see the rhinoceros around us.
Then you wonder what you can be,
And you do what you can to get balled and high.
And you know I'm still gonna need you around.
And you know I'm still gonna need you around.
You say it's healing, but nobody's feeling it.
Somebody's dealing, somebody's stealing,
And you say you don't see and you don't.
You say you won't know and you won't, when it comes.
Everything someday will be gone except silence.
The earth will be quiet again.
Seas from clouds will wash off the ashes of violence
Left as the memory of men.
There will be no survivors, my friend.
Suddenly everyone will look surprised,
Stars spinning wheels in the skies,
Sun is scrambled in their eyes
While the moon circles like a vulture.
Someone stood at the window and cried one tear.
I thought that would stop the war, but someone is killing me.
That's the last hour to think anymore.
Jelly and juice and bubbles
bubbles on the floor.
Castles on cliffs vanished
Just like heaps rubbish
Seen from the stars hour upon hour
As splinters, dust, and black flowers.
From here to heaven is a scar,
Dead center, deep as death.
All the idiots have left.
The idiots have left.
Cows are almost cooing,
Turtle doves are mooing;
Which is why a Pooh is poohing
In the sun
Sun
Only love is mighty enough to eliminate hate and pollution off this precious living planet. LET THE TRUTH BEGIN.
Laura Cevering
Amazing song! Marty Balin was such a stud 💕 people tend to forget that him and Paul started the band. He was very talented and doesn't get enough credit.
Shane Mitchell
Yep. I'm 53 and even I know that.
Gary Partain
I've always loved this song and album. I'm 59 years old now, and I bought my first JA album (Surrealistic Pillow) when I was 16. I still remember the day.
bharat namburi
Surrealistic pillow at 16.😮 Jeez man . I first heard it when I was 20 yrs old In 2015 😂
sdushdiu
Jack's bass playing is amazing
bill wesley
Notice the bass is the primary instrument in every song, it gives the whole album a classical sound
stephan telm
You say that like it’s a surprise. 😁
Kenneth Palmowski-Wolfe
His nickname back then was "God" and for good reason.
adure
such a heavy song. saw them on rooftop in 1968 and then at woodstock 1969. both free concerts.
lastofthefinest
adure Wow, please tell me what that was like?