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.
seasons
Jefferson Starship Lyrics
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The sky is cold and it throws down icy snow
The lakes are glass the rivers all a frozen mass
The trees are bare and the northwind blows the air
But the children dance and sing as if the time were spring
When the seasons change everything they find a joy in what it brings
The summer air so hot it melts the Russian snow
The fields are brown there's no rain to make them grow
And the old ones sigh, the heat has made them tired and slow
But the children dance and sing as if the time were spring
When the seasons change everything they find a joy in what it brings
The children dance and sing as if the time were spring
When the seasons change everything they find a joy in what it brings
September leaves are falling through the autumn haze
And the school bells tell everyone there'll be no more summer days
Warm nights are gone, all the leaves are turning brown
Then the windows close again when the winter comes around
But the children dance and sing as if the time were spring
When the seasons change everything they find a joy in what it brings
So I will laugh and dance and watch the children sing
Then I will have the chance of finding joy in everything
The lyrics of Jefferson Starship's song "Seasons" portray the cyclical and changing nature of the seasons and how they affect both the natural world and human emotions. The song begins with a description of winter, with the low sun, cold sky, and frozen landscapes. Despite these harsh conditions, the children in the song "dance and sing as if the time were spring," finding joy in the changing seasons.
As the song progresses, it moves on to describe spring and summer. The arrival of the sun and spring rains bring new life to the land, melting the snow and rejuvenating the fields. However, the heat of summer takes a toll on the older generations, making them feel tired and slow. Still, the children continue to dance and sing, finding joy in the transformations that each season brings.
The song concludes with a reflection on autumn, as leaves fall and school begins. The warm nights are gone, and the windows close again as winter approaches. Despite this, the children still dance and sing, finding joy in everything. The singer also expresses a desire to join in this joy, laughing, dancing, and watching the children sing.
Line by Line Meaning
When the winter comes the sun is low upon the fields
During winter, the sun hangs low in the sky, casting a cold and dim light over the fields.
The sky is cold and it throws down icy snow
The frigid sky releases snow, falling in the form of icy flakes.
The lakes are glass the rivers all a frozen mass
The lakes display a smooth, glass-like surface, while the rivers transform into solid blocks of ice.
The trees are bare and the northwind blows the air
The trees stand without foliage as the chilly northwind blows through the air.
But the children dance and sing as if the time were spring
Despite the harsh winter, the children find joy and happiness, behaving as if it were the vibrant and lively springtime.
When the seasons change everything they find a joy in what it brings
The arrival of different seasons brings various changes, and the children discover delight in embracing these transformations.
Then the sun comes high and the spring rains come and go
As the sun rises higher in the sky, spring showers arrive intermittently.
The summer air so hot it melts the Russian snow
During summer, the scorching air warms up to such an extent that it causes the snow from Russia to melt.
The fields are brown there's no rain to make them grow
The fields turn brown due to lack of rain, hindering their growth and productivity.
And the old ones sigh, the heat has made them tired and slow
The elderly individuals sigh with weariness as the heat exhausts them, reducing their energy and slowing their movements.
September leaves are falling through the autumn haze
In September, leaves descend, gently gliding through the hazy atmosphere of autumn.
And the school bells tell everyone there'll be no more summer days
The ringing school bells serve as a reminder to everyone that the enjoyable days of summer have come to an end.
Warm nights are gone, all the leaves are turning brown
The once-pleasant warm nights have disappeared, and the leaves undergo a transformation, changing their color to brown.
Then the windows close again when the winter comes around
With the arrival of winter, the windows shut once more, shielding against the cold and harsh weather.
So I will laugh and dance and watch the children sing
In response, the singer expresses their intention to laugh, dance, and observe the children's singing with joy.
Then I will have the chance of finding joy in everything
By adopting this positive outlook, the artist believes they will have the opportunity to discover happiness in every aspect of life.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Grace Wing Slick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind