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Jefferson Airplane — White Rabbit
Album: Surrealistic Pillow
Avg rating:
8.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3670








Released: 1967
Length: 2:30
Plays (last 30 days): 6
One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don't do anything at all
Go ask Alice
When she's ten feet tall

And if you go chasing rabbits
And you know you're going to fall
Tell 'em a hookah-smoking caterpillar
Has given you the call
Call Alice
When she was just small

When the men on the chessboard
Get up and tell you where to go
And you've just had some kind of mushroom
And your mind is moving slow
Go ask Alice
I think she'll know

When logic and proportion
Have fallen sloppy dead
And the White Knight is talking backwards
And the Red Queen's off with her head
Remember what the dormouse said
Feed your head
Feed your head
Comments (312)add comment
Automatic 10 here
Never to late to feed that hungry head.
too short
There are a few tracks that could do with being several minutes shorter.  This one (for me) needs to be about 5 minutes LONGER. 
 hambacon1972 wrote:

If you've never heard it, go check out George Benson's very cool jazz interpretation of this classic.  


Thank You for the info.  I will check it out.
Thanks RP! 
 Proclivities wrote:

Grace Slick had apparently said in an interview that this song was somewhat inspired by "Bolero", in terms of that crescendo build-up.



Thank You for the info!   GREAT TUNE!!
 radioparadise9 wrote:

I did .... you don't know what you missed




You don't know what you attended 
Another song that got played to death
I always thought Grace Slick sounds like the narrator on the 1960s "Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House" record.
Wow. Thanks yet again William! 
Thanks William! 
I feed my head 2 times a day, but I avoid carbs, 'cause they make me fat.
This still gives me goosebumps decades on. I want this played at my wake while the attendees get spaced out on acid :o) 
 kazoo wrote:

I think they took a little from Ravel's Bolero on this one. I'm thinking of the way it builds from a quiet beginning and slowly adds instruments and volume.


Grace Slick had apparently said in an interview that this song was somewhat inspired by "Bolero", in terms of that crescendo build-up.
Despite this song being super overplayed in the movie media lately...

I still quite enjoy this song and the imagery it provides! Definitely turning it up every time it comes on
Off. One's. Chops.
 radioparadise9 wrote:

I did .... you don't know what you missed




Yes for sure! I recreated all this in the 90's, our high school was totally into it too! And isn't it phrased "Hippy Dippy"? Never heard of hippy chicky...
Has the distinction of being the first song played by KSHE 95, St. Louis, under its new rock format.
No idea why. But hauntingly wonderful.
First time I heard this song, as a teen, I just had to stop what I was doing and sit down...
I feel like the White Rabbit, always running late, starting with my birth-date. I should have been born at least thirty years before... 
If you've never heard it, go check out George Benson's very cool jazz interpretation of this classic.  
 kazoo wrote:

I think they took a little from Ravel's Bolero on this one. I'm thinking of the way it builds from a quiet beginning and slowly adds instruments and volume.



Not an uncommon composition approach.
Where's those magic mushrooms 
I think they took a little from Ravel's Bolero on this one. I'm thinking of the way it builds from a quiet beginning and slowly adds instruments and volume.
This should be the ONE and ONLY version of this song played on RP. Please?
Superb bass intro by Jack Casady and Grace's vocal is operatic! Perhaps her finest moment. 

Feed your head indeed. 
 bobcat1963 wrote:
{#Puke}
i'm SO glad i didn't live in that hippy chicky period...
 
I did .... you don't know what you missed


 RabbitEars wrote:
 
This is one of those songs that I have always felt should never be covered because the original is just too good. But wow - Elephant Revival just changed my mind. This is certainly the best cover I have heard. Thanks for sharing this link - fantastic!!!
oh my god, the shivers this sends down my spine
We need this adjacent to Bolero. Make that happen Bill.
Great stuff but then again I am rather partial to anything with Jorma and Jack.  Thanks Bill!
Just one of those perfect songs.
Haunting,  timeless classic, have to give it a "10"....
 Jazbo wrote:


Hey. We're happy you didn't too.
bobcat1963 wrote:{#Puke}
i'm SO glad i didn't live in that hippy chicky period...



With its 8.6 rating, you seem to be vastly outnumbered by the many millions of fans of this classic and timeless 1967 happy chicky period track  

 jukes1 wrote:
She’s amazing. Would be fun if someone on the voice or ___’s got talent tried to do this a capella. I could imagine Florence Welch pulling it off.

Are we broadening the definition of a capella to cover shouting? If so, Whitney Houston would also make it to the final round.

IOW, neither sings.

This is 1 of the greats. A shame it's now been hijacked onto a TV ad for a floating playground. Appealing as that stuff may indeed look on a TV set, it CAN be highly ruinous. Avoid if alone! As you were. 

 
 dandueck07 wrote:
It is still hard to wrap my head around the fact that I was only 12 years old when this album came out, but in my 16th year it seemed brand new to me.  Most likely it was because I had entered a new "phase in life" and songs like "White Rabbit" became so much more "meaningful".  I generally wouldn't rate a song only 2:30 minutes in length a "10", but this is a song, in my humble opinion, that cannot be rated anything else.
 
Agreed...a "high" rating seems appropriate for this one....so I'll join you at the coveted 10-spot on this one...Long Live RP and Psychedelic Rock!!
ojibwe wrote:
50 years.
 
Two more.  No better since.

It is still hard to wrap my head around the fact that I was only 12 years old when this album came out, but in my 16th year it seemed brand new to me.  Most likely it was because I had entered a new "phase in life" and songs like "White Rabbit" became so much more "meaningful".  I generally wouldn't rate a song only 2:30 minutes in length a "10", but this is a song, in my humble opinion, that cannot be rated anything else.
She’s amazing. Would be fun if someone on the voice or ___’s got talent tried to do this a capella. I could imagine Florence Welch pulling it off.
 capandjudy wrote:
The alternative title should be "We advise you to take drugs."
 
As your attorney, I advise you to take a hit out of the little brown bottle in my shaving kit.
 
I came across these guys playing in a park in Austin during 2007? SxSW. What a glorious day it was.
hypnotizing from the first chord, from the first word coming out of Grace's mouth... Not many psychedelic songs have this strength.
The alternative title should be "We advise you to take drugs."
 treatment_bound wrote:
Just read Paul Kantner died.  2016 sure is off to a sad start for rock and roll deaths.

RIP, Paul.  To me, this song is your group's high water mark, even if you got it from Grace's old band. 
 
and now Marty Balin has left us too.
I ♥  "Hearts"  by Marty
RIP
Fabulous. Takes me back to those wonderful days of the late sixties.
Go ask Alice...I learned to respect m Dad so much more after I learned he had this album and after I understood the meaning of it.  Grace Slick was the s__t...probably Bill's "Neko of the 60's"...Give more props for this song of songs.
Image may contain: 7 people, text
 akaike wrote:
This song blew my mind when I first heard it.  I only wish I could recapture that "Holy $Hi!!" moment when the song ended and all I wanted was to listen to it again.

Other songs that have done that over the years:

I Am A Rock by Simon and Garfunkel
More Than a Feeling by Boston (crazy, I know)...but I was a kid
Black by Pearl Jam

You? 

 
Serenade No 10 In B Flat Major K 361 III Adagio - Mozart
Welcome To The Jungle - Guns n Roses
Blackened - Metallica
Letter To The Present - 2Pac
Jerusalem - Sinead O'Connor
Guaranteed - Eddie Vedder


 akaike wrote:
This song blew my mind when I first heard it.  I only wish I could recapture that "Holy $Hi!!" moment when the song ended and all I wanted was to listen to it again.

Other songs that have done that over the years:

I Am A Rock by Simon and Garfunkel
More Than a Feeling by Boston (crazy, I know)...but I was a kid
Black by Pearl Jam

You? 

 
When my older brother played side 2 of Abbey Road for me.  It was late at night, the house was dark (parents were out), and, yes, I was stoned.
Creem December 1977 Grace Slick.jpg
Happy belated 78th birthday, GS!
SURE it has been said : FEED YOUR HEAD !
I agree, More Than A Feeling... another song that comes to mind is  Tangled Up In Blue - Bob Dylan  it can give me goosebumps!
 
akaike wrote:
This song blew my mind when I first heard it.  I only wish I could recapture that "Holy $Hi!!" moment when the song ended and all I wanted was to listen to it again.

Other songs that have done that over the years:

I Am A Rock by Simon and Garfunkel
More Than a Feeling by Boston (crazy, I know)...but I was a kid
Black by Pearl Jam

You? 

 


Everything older is new again. Classic buzzed out poetry for jurassic fucked up Trump propa-porn. 
When the men on the chessboard
Get up and tell you where to go
 
When logic and proportion
Have fallen sloppy dead 
50 years.
The only version that I like even more that this is the Great Society's live version recorded at The Matrix before Grace bolted for J.A. San Fran-meets-Coltrane.
That's the year we had the last strawberry moon, the summer of love, 1967
A bit of wishful thinking  

              
                                       Honestly,  I couldn't see
                    She's driving a volkswagen, and the man is sleeping.
                     Guess what! the exotic bird on the passanger seat
                         Is only in your head du du du vögel she said.
                                                    Oh

                         I was so glad she'd called me by my name
              All of a sudden, I knew what's meant by mambo talk whisper
                                         Oh  ya ha ah ahhh
 

                     

What a treat to hear this one again.
This was Grace's baby, but Paul, Marty, Jorma and Jack knew just what to do with it!  Paul's vision and passion will forever inspire me!
Just read Paul Kantner died.  2016 sure is off to a sad start for rock and roll deaths.

RIP, Paul.  To me, this song is your group's high water mark, even if you got it from Grace's old band. 
Jorma Kaukonen (lead guitar) and Jack Casady (bass) became my instant rock idols when I bought this album the first month of its release... and they're still performing together and still making great music as Hot Tuna. Love 'em!
I remember when this first came out as I was mesmerized.  Incredible tune followed by Somebody to Love on the charts from one of the best rock LPs of all time.  My brothers and I would play the song, trying to figure out the lyrics and what it all meant.  We'd play it over and over and over again until we got the lyrics (or at least what thought were the lyrics).  Too young to get the full 'hooka' and 'feed your head' references but I always pause when I hear it as it brings a huge smile to my face (singing along to its unique lyrics/melody).  Grace Slick at her best.  Had a very similar feeling when first hearing A Whiter Shade of Pale.  I knew music was changing for the better.  Then, hearing New York Mining Disaster 1941 just cemented what an incredible year of music from 1967.  Some oldies never die, nor should they.
 akaike wrote:
This song blew my mind when I first heard it.  I only wish I could recapture that "Holy $Hi!!" moment when the song ended and all I wanted was to listen to it again.

Other songs that have done that over the years:

I Am A Rock by Simon and Garfunkel
More Than a Feeling by Boston (crazy, I know)...but I was a kid
Black by Pearl Jam

You? 

 

"Why" by Annie Lennox.
Sitting in the back of a rented minivan in the parking lot of The Fess Parker hotel in Santa Barbara, cleaning lenses, labeling film, and loading cameras on a photo shoot. 
The three of us were silent and still for the whole song, and for several minutes afterward.
I still feel that sensation when that song plays, partly because I've managed to never overplay it. 
Where it all started. Best selling album of the year that included some spectacular albums. Not just drugs but the whole feeling of growing, learning and becoming feeling that hits the 17-22 period of everyone's life. So many books to read. So much wisdom from ages past. So much to learn from one another... Whole album catches that period of life when everything seems possible, befor reality and responsibilities arrive. 

M,y favorite from the album is 'Coming Back to Me" best relationship song that does not make the guy a wimp or woman a witch...

Thank you.

If you look at this really close and cross your eyes a bit, interesting things happen in your phenomenal field.

Image source: https://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/26269/1286032/itw1.jpg



I remember hearing a story long ago about how there are double and triple meanings to each line. Like:

   And the ones that mother gives you
   Don't do anything at all

Well, there was a well-known San Francisco drug dealer named "Mother." And so on.
Time to retire this song Bill.
EVERYONE IN MY CHURCH    IS DEAD
First heard this on a "sampler" album - "The Rock Machine Turns you On", probably about '66 or '67. Still amazing to this day.
{#Good-vibes}  höre ich immer noch gerne  Ein geiler Song!!
I know heresy is forbidden by the purists here at RP (see the response to Red Light Kings' "Old Man" remix - the scythes were out!), but find the remix to "White Rabbit" by Collide. It plays over the closing credits to one of the Resident Evil movies.
 Misterfixit wrote:


Hah!  She DID have them straightened!  Not to bad looking either for being -- what -- 70-something.  And she is giving the "finger the female way.  Men give it with the first and third fingers curled closely into the palm.

 

That is Grace?

Time is not fair....


Be right back.  Gonna throw this grapefruit into the bathtub.  
LOVE the band - but not this song!
 Misterfixit wrote:
Wonder if Grace ever had her snaggle teeth fixed?  And what happened to one of her kids she named "God"?

Still loving this track after a lot of years.

 

 
She only had one child, China Kantner. The "God" name rumor came from an smart-aleck remark she made to a nurse at the hospital. As for what China is doing, check Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Kantner
 meinthecorner wrote:

" The Who's "Stairway to Heaven" "... that would be something!

 
No thanks, I could go without ever hearing any version of "Stairway..." anymore, but Zeppelin's version of "Alone Again, Naturally" is interesting.
 ambrebalte wrote:

Same blowing effect
As for the other songs, Pink Floyd, the first time I listened to "Wish you were here", The Who's "Stairway to Heaven" , "Say it ain't so" by Murray Head I think, Rolling Stones' Angies, Lou Reed's perfect day...oh I realise this list could be endless. These first times all occured in the seventies. Some of them lasted, others didn't as if time erased their power. Or may be going from teen age to adult hood changes the ears? Repetition is a factor too.

I had the same effect with some classical music too Casta Diva by La Callas, Mozart Concerto for Clarinet & Oboe Adagio(Out of Africa made it famous), Astor Piazzola, Coltrane, ...and so MANY more!

Nice call

 
" The Who's "Stairway to Heaven" "... that would be something!
Just saw a rockumentary on The Airplane. I forgot how good they were, Grace and Marty were incredible together. He still tours! I love his voice.
Yes sir it is a great set. Thanks.
Great set Bill! 
 treatment_bound wrote:
    
 Here's what she thinks about your "snaggle teeth" comment.


 

Hah!  She DID have them straightened!  Not to bad looking either for being -- what -- 70-something.  And she is giving the "finger the female way.  Men give it with the first and third fingers curled closely into the palm.
 gillespp wrote:
 They talk way too much on XM and they are really banal.
 
Could not agree MORE!!!  Everytime I hear Ms. LSQ or that darn Duck I want to bonk someone over the head. Mel Karmazin polluted XM with his Clear Channel garbage.    Let's hope the new CEO fixes things soon. 


Flashback!  Love it!


 Misterfixit wrote:
Wonder if Grace ever had her snaggle teeth fixed? 
     
 Here's what she thinks about your "snaggle teeth" comment.

still love it . after how many years?{#Dancingbanana}
Wonder if Grace ever had her snaggle teeth fixed?  And what happened to one of her kids she named "God"?

Still loving this track after a lot of years.

 

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 
 rdo wrote:
 
 

I have been listening for several years, usually during work, and I know exactly what you mean. The first years the playlist for me always sounded fresh and exotic with a great mix of classic and new songs. Now it has become very repetitive for me. When I listen to XM's Loft I am constantly hearing new songs. I only listen to that in the car though. The selections on The Loft are not that great but at least they are new. They talk way too much on XM and they are really banal. I think your critique is helpful and I hope others make this point. RP needs to pick more cuts off more albums, even albums from the past, it doesn't matter. Just as long as I have not heard it before.  I often think we are limited to hearing only what Bill likes. His skill is what makes this a great station but it could be improved by trying out some other songs that he may not like so much and letting us decide via the rating.




 
I've been listing to RP for, what—12 years?—and I can't disagree more. RP is always fresh. In the car, I'd rather the frequent dropouts on RP from the poor cell coverage in the Portland hills than anything on XM, including The Loft. It's missing something essential that is definitely there in RP—no doubt Bill's magic touch.
Amazing how well this song holds up decades later...
 LongGoneDaddy wrote:
"throw the radio in the bathtub when White Rabbit peaks!!"
as your attorney, I'd advise against this.  


 
What a scene
Awesome, one of those songs that always resonates in my head. And Stairway to Heaven is LedZep, not the Who.
" 'But what did the Dormouse say?' one of the jury asked."
" 'That I can't remember', said the Hatter."
... when logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead.

It took me all of these past 46 years to finally hear this lyric for what it is.

Yes, indeed ...
 ambrebalte wrote:

Same blowing effect
As for the other songs, Pink Floyd, the first time I listened to "Wish you were here", The Who's "Stairway to Heaven" , "Say it ain't so" by Murray Head I think, Rolling Stones' Angies, Lou Reed's perfect day...oh I realise this list could be endless. These first times all occured in the seventies. Some of them lasted, others didn't as if time erased their power. Or may be going from teen age to adult hood changes the ears? Repetition is a factor too.

I had the same effect with some classical music too Casta Diva by La Callas, Mozart Concerto for Clarinet & Oboe Adagio(Out of Africa made it famous), Astor Piazzola, Coltrane, ...and so MANY more!

Nice call
 
Bohemian Rhapsody, Sultans of Swing, lust for life, common people, it's a long way to the top... 
 akaike wrote:
This song blew my mind when I first heard it.  I only wish I could recapture that "Holy $Hi!!" moment when the song ended and all I wanted was to listen to it again.

(...)

You? 
 
Same blowing effect
As for the other songs, Pink Floyd, the first time I listened to "Wish you were here", The Who's "Stairway to Heaven" , "Say it ain't so" by Murray Head I think, Rolling Stones' Angies, Lou Reed's perfect day...oh I realise this list could be endless. These first times all occured in the seventies. Some of them lasted, others didn't as if time erased their power. Or may be going from teen age to adult hood changes the ears? Repetition is a factor too.

I had the same effect with some classical music too Casta Diva by La Callas, Mozart Concerto for Clarinet & Oboe Adagio(Out of Africa made it famous), Astor Piazzola, Coltrane, ...and so MANY more!

Nice call
This song is very short and totally magical and can not get tired of it. I guess they made it on some magical thing too :).
This song blew my mind when I first heard it.  I only wish I could recapture that "Holy $Hi!!" moment when the song ended and all I wanted was to listen to it again.

Other songs that have done that over the years:

I Am A Rock by Simon and Garfunkel
More Than a Feeling by Boston (crazy, I know)...but I was a kid
Black by Pearl Jam

You? 
 Mandible wrote:

A friend told me this is about MK Ultra

 
KU/MOTHER and AE/RIFLE
 johnjconn wrote:


I wonder what she's taking to celebrate?
 
Funniest post in ages!

Leave it to a Chicagoan to cut to the core with humor.  (Yes, I'm a native.)
At their best!
Wore out the grooves on this album.
Dated.
 

godspeed wrote:
Timeless Classic!
 


According to the newspaper Grace Slick turned 73 on two days ago. (October 30th.)  Belated Happy Birthday!

 Thanks, JJ, this
gave me a good laugh on this drizzly day...
JalapenoJoe wrote:
Wet Rabbit
I see your White Rabbit and raise you a Wet Rabbit.
 

Wet Rabbit
I see your White Rabbit and raise you a Wet Rabbit.
as a bonus the vinyl has that tube dynamic range and grain-less sound that lets you turn it up and up w/o distortion
Timeless Classic!
"throw the radio in the bathtub when White Rabbit peaks!!"
as your attorney, I'd advise against this.  

Updated to a 10 - perfect!
Ageless ... musically and lyrically ... b.r.a.v.o. {#Clap}
 

 Jim Marshall - Grace and Janis -  by johningham42
https://www.flickr.com/photos/48693130@N03/

Copyright All rights reserved

.
 


 Tippster wrote:
I'd also like to ask you when the last time was that the US military actually defended against an attack on the USA from an outside force.  Some say its the current War on Terror, but that's a rather shallow argument.  I think it was the war of 1812.
 
Just to nitpick, the War of 1812 was initiated by the US so arguably one might have to go back even further. Although, the fighting did happen on North American soil and obviously there were military attacks on the US over the course of events.

Still, I agree with the overall thrust of your post. Interesting insight re: freedoms.
I got this album for my 16th birthday
IMPORTANT BAND,....first!