Somebody to Love

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! Your groovy Zoo Crew is spinning the psychedelic vibes of "Somebody to Love" by Jefferson Airplane from their iconic album Surrealistic Pillow. This track, originally penned by Darby Slick for The Great Society, was brought to new heights when Grace Slick joined Jefferson Airplane. Did you know it was inspired by Darby’s heartbreak after his girlfriend left him, capturing the free-love ethos of 1960s San Francisco but also its emotional pitfalls? The song’s raw energy and Grace’s powerhouse vocals propelled it to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the band’s first major hit. Fun fact: the Coen Brothers used it in their film A Serious Man, with composer Carter Burwell crafting a moody intro to bridge a Yiddish tale to 1967 Minnesota. Rolling Stone even ranked it No. 274 on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time!

Another juicy tidbit: Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead had a big hand in shaping Surrealistic Pillow. He played acoustic guitar on tracks like "Plastic Fantastic Lover" and was credited as a “musical and spiritual adviser.” His suggestion that the album’s sound was “as surrealistic as a pillow” gave it its trippy title. The recording was a whirlwind, done in just two weeks on a four-track, with most rhythm tracks cut live to capture the band’s electric live energy. Grace’s vocal on "Somebody to Love" was a game-changer, described by Billboard as a “wild dance number loaded with vocal excitement.” It’s no wonder this song became an anthem of the Summer of Love!

Let’s rewind to how Jefferson Airplane took flight. Formed in San Francisco in 1965, the band was a pioneer of psychedelic rock, blending folk, rock, and mind-bending vibes. It all started when singer Marty Balin teamed up with guitarist Paul Kantner, inspired by the city’s booming folk scene and the British Invasion. They recruited guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, bassist Jack Casady, and original vocalist Signe Toly Anderson, with drummer Skip Spence. Their debut, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off, dropped in 1966 but didn’t hit big. The game changed when Grace Slick and drummer Spencer Dryden joined, bringing the lineup that defined their legendary sound. Surrealistic Pillow, released in 1967, skyrocketed them to fame, cementing their role in the San Francisco Sound.

Want to dive deeper into Jefferson Airplane’s world? Check out their official site at jeffersonairplane.com. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwback vibes. Fans, or should we say Zoo Freaks of the Airplane, can connect on the Jefferson Airplane Fans Facebook Group or explore fan sites like jeffersonairplane.net for more retro goodness. Keep groovin’, Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep the love flowing!