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
Tobacco Road
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mother died and my daddy got drunk
Left me here to die or grow
In the middle of Tobacco Road
Grew up in a dusty shack
And all I had was a-hangin' on my back
Only you know how I loathe
But it's home
The only life I've ever known
Only you know how I loathe
Tobacco Road
I'm gonna leave and get a job
With the help and the grace from above
Save some money, get rich I know
Bring it back to Tobacco Road
Bring dynamite and a crane
Blow you up, start all over again
Build a town be proud to show
Give the name Tobacco Road
Cause it's home
The only life I've ever known
Oh, I despise and disapprove you
But I love ya 'cause it's home
The lyrics of Jefferson Airplane’s “Tobacco Road” depict the life experience of a person born and raised in a poor family in a rural area of North Carolina, known as Tobacco Road because of its proliferation of tobacco farms. The lyrics start with the singer explaining their unprivileged background. They were born in a bunk, and their mother died, and their father turned to alcoholism abandoning them to struggle for survival on their own. The singer goes on to lament the place that created such a challenging childhood with only hanging on their back. Despite the hardships and the unfavorable situations, Tobacco Road remains their home, and it's the only place they've ever known; they love and loathe it all the same.
The lyrics then take a turn, expressing the singer's hope for change. He shares his plan of leaving Tobacco Road in search of a job and a way out. With help from above, he will save some money and bring it back home to start a new life. The singer expresses their pain and disappointment with the place but goes back to their love and loyalty to Tobacco Road, as it’s the only place they call home. In an ironic twist, he sees only one way out of Tobacco Road, and that is to blow it up and rebuild a town that people can be proud to show, even if its name is still Tobacco Road.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born in a bunk
My birthplace was a humble and uncomfortable living arrangement.
Mother died and my daddy got drunk
After my mother passed away, my father fell into alcoholism.
Left me here to die or grow
My father abandoned me with the choice to survive or perish.
In the middle of Tobacco Road
This forsaken area is where I was left stranded.
Grew up in a dusty shack
My upbringing was in a rundown, dust-filled dwelling.
And all I had was a-hangin' on my back
I had nothing more valuable than what I carried with me.
Only you know how I loathe
Only those who have experienced similarly can understand the discontent I feel towards this place.
This place called Tobacco Road
The location where I spent my childhood and youth was known as Tobacco Road.
But it's home
Despite my reservations, this is the only home I've ever known.
The only life I've ever known
The entirety of my existence has taken place in this one location.
Only you know how I loathe
Only those who have experienced similarly can understand the discontent I feel towards this place.
Tobacco Road
The place that I grew up in is referred to as Tobacco Road.
I'm gonna leave and get a job
I plan to depart in search of employment.
With the help and the grace from above
I will require some form of divine aid to achieve success in my endeavors.
Save some money, get rich I know
By saving funds, I will gain prosperity and better my life.
Bring it back to Tobacco Road
Following my success, I plan to return and make a life here.
Bring dynamite and a crane
In order to revitalize the area, it may require drastic actions such as controlled demolition and construction equipment.
Blow you up, start all over again
Destroy everything here and begin anew.
Build a town be proud to show
Rebuild Tobacco Road into a location of pride and prosperity.
Give the name Tobacco Road
Maintain the name of this location to honor its history.
Cause it's home
Despite my discontent, this is the only home I've ever known.
Oh, I despise and disapprove you
I strongly dislike and find fault in my hometown.
But I love ya 'cause it's home
Despite my reservations, I have a sentimental attachment to this location, as it is where I spent my formative years.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John D. Loudermilk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JimGettman
The lyrics I hear -
:24
I was born in a dump
My mama died yeah my daddy got drunk
Left me here, to die or grow
In the middle of Tobacco Road
:43
I grew up in here rusty shack
And all I owned was a'hangin' on my back
Lord knows how much I loathe
This place called Tobacco Road
:58
Cos it's home
The only life I've ever known, yeah
And the Lord knows I loathe
Tobacco Road. yeah...
1:17
I'm gonna leave now, get me a job
With the help and the grace of God
I'm gonna save my money, very rich I know
Bring it back to Tobacco Road
1:35
Bring dynamite hear, big ol' crane
Blow it up, tear it down, start all over again
Build me a town, be very proud to show
Keep the name Tobacco Road
1:51
Cos it's home
The only life I ever known, yeah,
And the Lord knows I loathe
Tobacco Road, yeah...
2:23
I'm gonna leave now and get me a job, yeah
With the help and the grace of God
I'm gonna save my money, get very rich I know
Bring it back to Tobacco Road
2:42
Bring dynamite here, big ol' crane
Blow it up, tear it down, start all over again
Build me a town, be very proud to show
Keep the name of Tobacco Road
2:55
Cos it's home
The only life I've ever known, yeah,
And the Lord knows I loathe
Tobacco Road
Tobacco Road
yeah yeah
@smeagolhobbit6831
One of the best cover songs ever!
@enricorigon1925
incredible version....maybe the best..
@SuperAnimelover100
The UK's Nashville Teens made it the Best !
@sebradfield
I owned this album when it came out (1966). It's still one of my favorite albums, and this is one of the best songs on it.
@girlgeorgeberk
Let the tragic death of Paul Kantner not overshadow the loss of yet another member and Original female singer of the Jefferson Airplane.
SIGNE TOLY ANDERSON ETTLIN passed away at 12:28 AM on Thursday.... same day that Paul left us.
Although she was with the Airplane for just a short time during their beginnings, (1965-1966) she certainly won't be forgotten by the folks that saw them play back in the day. RIP Sweet songbird! heart emoticon
🌼September 15, 1941-January 28, 2016🌼..... Professor Poster..
@zampieritto
Why his death was tragic?
@pholzer5
Wonderful rendition of this classic song. Originally a folk song by John Loudermilk. The song describes growing up in the impoverished area of East Durham, North Carolina. Lou Rawls also made great renditions of this song.
@MatthewHillMusician
Great track by Jefferson Airplane!
❤️
@ponchoman49
Love it! Really captures the era beautifully
@danielelliott4670
Signe , Marty, Paul....RIP