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.
Layin' It on the Line
Jefferson Starship Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We all hear the same routines
They all say that it's okay
Just let us take care of everything
So we lay it on the line
Layin' it on the line, layin' it on the line
Just layin' it on the line, layin' it on the line
Layin' it all, we're livin on the front line
I can see it in the faces
We got trouble in the streets tonight
And power keeps us in our places
And it doesn't matter if you're left or right
You lay it on the line
Layin' it on the line, layin' it on the line
Just layin' it all, right on the line
Layin' it on the line, layin' it on the line
Layin' it all, right on the line
Take it to the wilderness
Into the jungle sun
Lookin' for the voice of reason
Inside this Babylon
Got U.S. boys on foreign soil
Spillin' their blood to keep the peace
Cities will vanish in turmoil
While the sheiks lay sleepin' on the beach
We lay it on the line
Layin' it on the line, layin' it on the line
Layin' it all, right on the line
Just layin' it on the line, layin' it on the line
Layin' it all, right on the line
Layin' it on the line
Just layin' it all
Layin' it on the line
Just layin' it all
The song "Layin' It on the Line" by Jefferson Starship is a powerful commentary on the state of the world and the way in which society is controlled by those in power. The opening lines of the song talk about how we hear the same routines every day, with those in power telling us that everything is okay and that they will take care of everything. The song acknowledges that this is not the case, and that we are all living on the front line, with trouble in the streets and power keeping us in our places.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "layin' it on the line", which suggests that the singer is taking a bold and courageous stand against those in power. They are putting everything on the line, risking everything to fight for what they believe in. The second verse of the song talks about taking this fight to the wilderness, looking for the voice of reason in the chaos of the world. The final verse references US soldiers fighting on foreign soil, while those in power sit back and watch, indifferent to the turmoil and suffering that their actions have caused.
Overall, "Layin' It on the Line" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to take action and fight against the injustices in the world. It acknowledges the risks involved in taking a stand, but also highlights the importance of putting everything on the line in order to create change.
Line by Line Meaning
You see it every day in every way
We observe the same routines on a daily basis
We all hear the same routines
Everyone is subjected to the same repetitive messages
They all say that it's okay
The messages we receive tell us that everything is fine
Just let us take care of everything
We are told to relinquish control to those in power
So we lay it on the line
We express ourselves honestly and directly
I can see it in the faces
The problems are evident in people's expressions
We got trouble in the streets tonight
The current situation is tense and volatile
And power keeps us in our places
Those in authority keep us oppressed and controlled
And it doesn't matter if you're left or right
Political ideologies are irrelevant when it comes to oppression
Layin' it on the line, layin' it on the line
We continue to be honest and direct
Layin' it all, right on the line
We speak openly and candidly
Just layin' it on the line, layin' it on the line
Our forthright expression continues
Layin' it all, we're livin on the front line
We are living in the midst of danger and confrontation
Take it to the wilderness
Escape to a place of solitude and reflection
Into the jungle sun
Venture into the unknown, where danger and growth can be found
Lookin' for the voice of reason
Searching for logic and truth in the midst of chaos and confusion
Inside this Babylon
In the midst of this corrupt and fallen society
Got U.S. boys on foreign soil
American soldiers are fighting in another country
Spillin' their blood to keep the peace
They are sacrificing themselves to maintain order
Cities will vanish in turmoil
The consequences of this conflict will be great
While the sheiks lay sleepin' on the beach
The wealthy and powerful are not affected by the violence and destruction
Just layin' it all
Continuing to be honest and forthright
Layin' it on the line
Expressing ourselves openly and candidly
Just layin' it all
Continuing to be honest and forthright
Layin' it on the line
Expressing ourselves openly and candidly
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: GRACE SLICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@palmbeachasmr
Mickey and Slick are truly talented singers. The 80s were definitely a time to remember. No Facebook. No twirking. No Twitter. No iPhones or iPads. No swearing. No people getting offended easily. No COVID and no shootings. It’s too bad that music like this isn’t made anymore. Good job Mick and Slick. 👍
@creoleviking8433
I agree.
Except for the shootings?
That’s always been here.
@TraderRobin
@@creoleviking8433 But not in school mass shootings.
@michaelosullivan8413
❤
@connecticuttreecare-jk2kn
Slick still rocking in her 80s. I always had a “thing” for her since Airplane. Great voice.
@veronaraven3099
Mickey Thomas has some SERIOUS pipes!!
@owenjackman426
The lyrics are still meaningful even today!
@roberttompkins6489
As I have grown older and consider the truly great bands of the rock era-clearly Jefferson Airplane/Starship is one that deserves that honor. They have gone through many line-up changes but for decades remained relevant. The totality of their catalog and influence is immense.
@ancientofdaysministries2136
What an amazing voice Mickey Thomas has!! He belts out those highly notes like it's nobody's business!!
@irafranklin5370
I know , Mickey Thomas has been called " Rock n Roll's best kept secret " !!! So is Steve Perry for that matter !!! Mickey and Steve , two of the best voices in rock !!!