Inviting Grace Slick into their line-up, rock band Jefferson Airplane acquired not only a bright soloist with amazing vocals and a spectacular appearance, but also got two compositions that became their most famous records. The song White Rabbit is described in the article at the link, and below we will talk about the composition Somebody to Love.
The history of creation and the meaning of the song Somebody to Love
Originally titled Someone to Love, the song was written by Darby Slick, guitarist for the psychedelic folk band The Great Society, which he co-founded with Jerry and Grace Slick. Darby claimed that the text spoke of “doubt and disillusionment”.
They released Somebody to Love as a single in 1966, but the song was not successful outside of San Francisco. In the fall of the same year, Gray Slick left the band for Jefferson Airplane, “taking” with her, as mentioned above, Somebody to Love and White Rabbit. They were released as singles and included in the new album called Surrealistic Pillow.
The listeners liked the new version of Somebody to Love much more than the previous one, and the song climbed to the fifth line of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
This success began the meteoric rise of Jefferson Airplane, which became one of the most popular rock bands of the sixties. She was invited to all the most significant musical events of those years, including the Monterey Rock Festival, Woodstock and Altamont. Of course, everywhere, among other compositions, she performed Somebody to Love.
Rolling Stone magazine ranked Somebody to Love number 279 on their list of the five hundred greatest songs of all time.
Clip Somebody to Love
Watch the music video for Somebody to Love by Jefferson Airplane featuring clips from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Cover versions
The song is still often played on American radio stations, and popular music bands continue to record Somebody to Love. Among the groups noted in this way there are also Russian ones. For example, Somebody to Love perform “Mumiy Troll” and “Sea of Rass”.
Jim Carrey performed a comic version of Somebody to Love for The Cable Guy. It was even released as a single, but failed.
Interesting Facts
- Somebody to Love also sounds in the films “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”, “A Serious Man”, “Blood for Blood” and others.
- The rock band Queen and Justin Bieber have songs with the same name.
Somebody to Love Lyrics Jefferson Airplane
When the truth is found to be lies,
And all the joy within you dies…
chorus:
Don’t you want somebody to love?
Don’t you need someone to love?
Wouldn’t you love somebody to love?
You better find someone to love
When the garden flowers baby are dead yes,
And your mind, your mind is so full of bread…
Your eyes, I say your eyes may look like his
But in your head baby I’m afraid you don’t know where it is
Tears are running ah running down your breast
And your friends baby they treat you like a guest
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
When it turns out that the truth is a lie
And inside you finally dies joy …
Chorus:
Don’t you want someone to love?
Don’t you need someone to love?
Don’t you need someone to love?
You better find someone to love
When the flower buds in the garden wither,
And your mind, your mind is clouded…
Your eyes, I say your eyes may look like his
But I’m afraid you have no idea where it is.
Tears roll, ah, roll down your chest
And friends, baby, treat you like a guest
