By 1973, after the breakup of Jefferson Airplane, with Kaukonen and Casady now devoting their full attention to Hot Tuna, several of the musicians who worked on Kantner, Slick, and Freiberg's album "Baron von Tollbooth & the Chrome Nun" formed the core of a new lineup that was formally reborn as "Jefferson Starship" in 1974. Kantner, Slick, and Freiberg were charter members. The line-up also included late-Airplane holdovers drummer John Barbata, Marty Balin,and fiddler Papa John Creach (who also played with Hot Tuna), along with Pete Sears (who, like Freiberg, played bass and keyboards) and twenty-year-old guitarist Craig Chaquico.
Eventually, Slick's alcoholism became a problem, which led to two nights of disastrous concerts in Germany in 1978. The first night, fans ransacked the stage when Slick failed to appear. The following night, Slick, in a drunken stupor, shocked the audience by using profanity and sexual references throughout most of her songs. She also reminded the audience that their country had lost during World War II , repeatedly asking "Who won the war?", and implied that all residents of Germany were responsible for the wartime atrocities. After the debacle, she left the band.
The band soon cribbed vocalist Mickey Thomas from the popular Elvin Bishop Group. After the 1979 release of 'Freedom at Point Zero' (which spawned the hit single "Jane"), Slick returned to the band. She joined in time to contribute one song, "Stranger", on the group's next album, Modern Times (1981). Modern Times also included the notorious "Stairway to Cleveland," in which the band defended the numerous changes it had undergone in its musical style, personnel, and even name. One noted personnel change in the group was when Dunbar left and was replaced by Donny Baldwin (also of the Elvin Bishop Group). Slick remained in the band for Jefferson Starship's final two albums, Winds Of Change (1982) and Nuclear Furniture (1984).
Around this time, the band began enthusiastically embracing rock's video age. Grace Slick would appear frequently on MTV and such music-oriented television shows as Solid Gold, giving the band a high visibility in the MTV era. However, the Jefferson Starship albums of this era were only modestly successful, yet the band remained a gold-selling (and thus commercially credible) act, and a popular concert draw.
In 1984, Kantner (the last remaining founding member of Jefferson Airplane) left the group, but not before taking legal action over the Jefferson name against his former bandmates, who wanted to continue as Jefferson Starship. Kantner settled out of court and signed an agreement that neither party would use the names "Jefferson" or "Airplane" unless all members of Jefferson Airplane, Inc. (Bill Thompson, Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady) agreed. The band used the titles "Starship Jefferson" and "Jefferson Starship" during the proceedings, but ultimately settled on the shortening 'Starship'.
In 1992, Kantner restarted Jefferson Starship as Jefferson Starship - The Next Generation before returning simply to Jefferson Starship after a couple of years. This incarnation of the band continues to perform and record to this day.
Fast Buck Freddie
Jefferson Starship Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'll show you something funny
It's only a fast buck, but
It's so hard to make that kind of money.
Now it's hard to get serious when the joker
Is laughing
And by now the joker is wild
Reflection
Looks like a gun that's gonna smile
What's going on, I ask you
What's going on, can you see?
What's going on, I ask you and
Who's coming on, is it you or me?
Coming on while it's still soft and warm
Burn it dry before the fiery storm
Sing it now while you still have a song
Grab on now while you're still feeling strong.
How long, how long would you like it
How long, how long will it be
How long, how long can we take it?
How long before we take it back, you and me
Think fast.
I was thinking that I should be singing along
Think fast I think he's coming through
Think fast, he thinks he's running you
I was thinking that I should be singing along
Think fast, he thinks he's coming in
Think fast, I think he's wearing thin
I was thinking that I should be singing along
Think fast, he's taking all your time
Think fast, you know he's out of line
But who cares, you know you can, you will, you
Know you can.
Sing it now while you still
Sing it now while you still
Sing it now while you still have a song.
The lyrics of Jefferson Starship's "Fast Buck Freddie" explore themes of money, power, and the struggle to maintain one's identity and values in the face of material success. The song begins with a description of a dollar bill held up to a mirror, suggesting the illusory nature of wealth and the difficulty of earning it. Freddie, the titular character, is presented as a symbol of the hustle and drive necessary to succeed in a capitalist society, but also as a cautionary figure whose relentless pursuit of riches can lead to loss of self.
As the song progresses, the joker becomes a metaphor for the corrupting influence of wealth, and the rich man's reflection is likened to a gun that is about to smile, suggesting the insidious nature of power and the dangers of unchecked greed. The chorus repeats the refrain "Think fast," urging listeners to be proactive and vigilant in the face of these forces.
The final verses suggest a call to action, encouraging people to seize the day and make the most of their opportunities before they disappear. The line "sing it now while you still have a song" can be read as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life and the need to make the most of the time we have.
Overall, "Fast Buck Freddie" is a commentary on the complexities of modern capitalism and the need for individuals to be conscious of the forces that shape their lives and the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
He said hold a dollar bill up to the mirror
He advised to hold a dollar bill up to the mirror.
And I'll show you something funny
He stated that he can show something funny.
It's only a fast buck, but
He acknowledged that it's only a quick profit, but
It's so hard to make that kind of money.
He emphasized that it's challenging to earn such money.
Now it's hard to get serious when the joker
He explained that it's challenging to be serious when the joker
Is laughing
He pointed out that the joker is laughing.
And by now the joker is wild
He mentioned that the joker is now out of control.
It's hard to keep laughing when a rich man's
He observed that it's difficult to keep laughing when a wealthy person's
Reflection
He identified that the reflection
Looks like a gun that's gonna smile
He compared the reflection of a rich man to a gun that's about to shoot.
What's going on, I ask you
He expressed his curiosity about what's happening.
What's going on, can you see?
He asked if others can see what's happening.
What's going on, I ask you and
He repeated his question about what's happening.
Who's coming on, is it you or me?
He questioned who will be successful.
Coming on while it's still soft and warm
He advised to begin working while the situation is favorable.
Burn it dry before the fiery storm
He suggested working hard before challenges arise.
Sing it now while you still have a song
He encouraged to enjoy life while one can.
Grab on now while you're still feeling strong.
He advised to seize opportunities while one is capable.
How long, how long would you like it
He asked the duration of one's desires.
How long, how long will it be
He wondered about the length of time for something to happen.
How long, how long can we take it?
He questioned how much longer one can endure something.
How long before we take it back, you and me
He proposed taking back control.
Think fast.
He gave a quick warning to be alert.
I was thinking that I should be singing along
He was considering joining in the singing.
Think fast I think he's coming through
He warned to be ready as someone is coming through.
Think fast, he thinks he's running you
He warned to be aware of someone trying to control you.
Think fast, he thinks he's coming in
He urged to be alert as someone is coming in.
Think fast, I think he's wearing thin
He commented that someone is becoming impatient.
Think fast, he's taking all your time
He observed someone taking up all the time.
Think fast, you know he's out of line
He reminded that someone is acting unacceptably.
But who cares, you know you can, you will, you
He reassured that one can and will succeed.
Know you can.
He encouraged self-confidence.
Sing it now while you still
He repeated his earlier advice to sing.
Sing it now while you still
He repeated his earlier advice again to sing.
Sing it now while you still have a song.
He reiterated his earlier advice to enjoy life while one can.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Craig Chaquico, Grace Slick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
metaltomotown
Grace Slick is a freaking Goddess. And has never been given her proper both amazingly and unfortunately. A true force for "Women that Rock." And music in general. AMJ metaltomotown
Nick Byrne
Always appreciate her honestly and candor. She never sugar coats
ralph shelley
Love in her book when she calls Keith Richard an asshole for burning down houses in the valley because of a cigarette butt discard!
Rick Williamson
I saw them at Alexander Colosseum in 1981. Grace looked amazing, her voice was so powerful and she OWNED that stage. As good as she was early on, she was even better in the later years when she was cleaned up.
exactmerob
Red Ryder opened...
Rick Williamson
@exactmerob Yup..And they had to play with borrowed instruments because theirs had been stolen.
slw15
I saw this tour. I remember because Pete Sears had a broken leg and played bass in a chair! They were great from '74 - '78.
ClassicTVMan1981X
It's Papa John Creach's violin we miss on the live versions! I'd like to think those parts are being played by the keyboardist, on his synthesizer.
dolphinbear
I think I just discovered the first punk song. Wow. It has such a punk cadence. Love it
jeff58
j adore ce groupe. Red Octopus est un super album de musique