White Rabbit:Jefferson Airplane and the Psychedelic '60s

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Theme Music by Pracs: / pracs
00:00 Intro
01:00 Title Card
01:08 Davis and LSD
03:46 Summer of Love
04:21 Alice in Wonderland
05:02 Protest Song
05:30 Musical Structure
05:56 Feed Your Head
07:24 Conclusion

[@neugey]

That moment when your guitarist tells you he's leaving for India to learn sitar.

[@Zeldarw104]

Whaaaa.... If a person practices with George Harrison that sounds cool, but, I don't know if being a "Sitar" player was in great demand at the time? 🤔😁

[@willsmath]

should've just gone to skillshare smh

[@matg5523]

Lmfaoo thats the most hippie thing u can do.

[@shaneconnelly1769]

😂😂😂

[@Mattavilasa]

Look up Darby Slick. He’s one of the people they’re talking about, and he wrote a book about his adventures in India.

[@HotStrange]

Every time I hear “let’s take a closer look” and that beat drop that follows I get so ridiculously hyped.

[@hootbutler]

Original song: soundcloud.com/pracs/fourban

[@MrMikesdaddy]

You aren’t the only one....lol.....

[@JimzAuto]

‘Feed Your Head’

[@cacen180]

Hard to believe this is technically the same band that made “we built this city”

[@thevfxmancolorizationvfxex4051]

Or the same band that guest-starred on The Star Wars Holiday Special

[@Zeldarw104]

I like that song "We built this city" (on rock and roll) the video was a little suckie, but, other than that the song was pretty, good, most times people get the song, and the video mixed-up! I also love the song "Jane" now that's my jam, talk, about rock and roll perfection! 😍 Jefferson Starship.

[@bltvd]

I enjoy all eras about equally. Michey Thomas is one rock’s greatest vocalists!

[@welcometothejazz]

I get what you're saying, BUT, without Jack and Jorma it's hardly comparable

[@jasonblalock4429]

@@Zeldarw104 Yeah, "We Built This City" takes too much crap. It's a good song. Or at least far better than the "worst mainstream pop song ever" reputation it's somehow picked up.

[@francis6489]

I want you to throw that radio into the tub when the White Rabbit peaks!

[@mladenristic1]

Fear and Loathing :)

[@MrSagarcool14]

As your attorney I say that's a good idea

[@noeditbookreviews]

That'll blast you right through the wall. You'll be stone dead in ten seconds, they'll make me explain things!

[@peazeralus]

Shit, man... what are friends for?

[@jessemontano6399]

Who said anything about cutting you up?? I just wanted to cut a little z on your forehead!!! Lmao

[@-XTD-]

what im getting from this is i should take acid

[@nedisahonkey]

If you do I reccomend you do it by yourself, take as much as possible (three hits or more) and then watch Schindler's list.

[@nonononononono5426]

Nononono no schniders list

[@DatBoi-mo9vc]

@@nedisahonkey while he shouldnt do any of that, god damn that would be fun to watch from like a cctv camera or some shit

[@aricohen283]

Midget Clone - Tripping acid is not just a way to have a good time seeing funny images (although it does do that too lol). It’s a way to explore the inner confines of your head and learn things about yourself and the world that you never would have stumbled upon otherwise. If you decide to trip, be safe and always remember to respect the psychedelics. Happy tripping ✌🏼✌🏼

[@judgegiant8951]

Try it, in company that you trust. Outdoors is preferable to indoors. Never double drop for your first experience. Never ever triple drop or your future might resemble Sid Barrett circa 72 onwards

[@sebastianelytron8450]

Did you hear about the guy in 1981 that got LSD and LDS mixed up? Instead of going on a trip, he went on a mission.

[@CJbrinkman602]

*M I S S I O N T R I P*

[@mikereynolds1368]

Lmao that poor, poor bastard

[@thesavvyrose5453]

Lol 😂

[@davidhowell5585]

lol that was actually me haha.

[@jameshall6399]

Was he born from original sin?

[@MarcEtMichele]

I didnt know it was originally six minutes. 6 mins of White Rabbit would be heavenly

[@sadieanastasio1615]

for real😩 wish we had it

[@conduite6721]

@@sadieanastasio1615 I know it's been a long time, but here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bn2zdXaaqc-erpI

[@somemusicnerd2000]

@@sadieanastasio1615 Technically we do. There’s a recording of the full version of the song from her original group The Great Society.

[@hannahmoran3660]

Oh my gosh, the isolated vocals of Grace Slick give me chills! She truly is one of the most unique and powerful voices in rock.

[@donaldgehre5964]

You should have seen her in the flesh. A more electric, charismatic human you will not find. THE icon of the '60s for my money.

[@jasonblalock4429]

I'm glad you brought up drug use among 50s parents, because that's something that tends to get glossed over when talking about the psychedelic movement. These kids grew up watching daddy get drunk after work (if he wasn't already) while mommy popped prescription pills - either downers like Valium or else "diet pills" that were basically speed. Not to mention all the marital infidelity going on. The hippies just did openly and proudly all the same things their parents did quietly and shamefully. Which is probably why the older generation hated them so much.

[@funkymonk2893]

good point, people in the 50s also smoked a lot more hash than what everyone thinks.

[@jasonblalock4429]

@@funkymonk2893 Yep. And as far as the marital infidelity goes, it was commonplace to the point that goddamn DISNEY felt it was fair game to put a "the wife is sleeping with the milk man" joke into a Goofy cartoon. It's blatant, too. No one over the age of 12 would miss the implication.

[@SteeleZack]

This song, Iron Butterfly's "In -A- Gadda-Da-Vida" and Strawberry Alarm Clocks's "Incense and Peppermints" are the three songs I think when I think of Psychedelic rock songs.

[@juliaalves4035]

thank you for the songs recommendations

[@Dr170]

Remember what the Dormouse said: *Feed me, Seymour*

[@iamgodbringmecake]

XD

[@uremawifenowdave]

Dr170 “FEED ME NOW!!!”

[@ElektronikzTV]

Its about time for a new summer of love

[@EclecticoIconoclasta]

It would be the third since the Second Summer of Love was in England with the birth of Rave culture in the late 1980s

[@bassman3235]

Gaaay

[@miguelhernandez4975]

It's spooktober. A lil' late for summer, man B/

[@ElektronikzTV]

@free citizen01 goals

[@ianprescott7924]

Ecléctico Iconoclasta Definitely not. Rave culture is garbage

[@Goatchild90]

FINALLY someone mentions Sketches of Spain's influence on White Rabbit

[@paisleyprincess7996]

Never knew...

[@roystonmason9125]

Grace has many times in interviews !

[@Enevan1968]

For sure on the Great Society version. JA's has a Bolero (Ravel) drum pattern

[@curiousnomad]

And, that Grace was open to even listen to one of Miles’s masterpieces. That, in itself was deep.

[@c.s.s.1723]

The drums. That’s what I will never forget. 10 years old, cloudy dark morning, cold, midwinter, ride to school by dad. The starkness of the beginning of White Rabbit hits me hard on the car stereo and matches the mood of the morning. My first listen to this powerful song right then...

[@kuntreefan08]

"We were riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave...."

[@azhurelpigeon]

So weird, I’ve had White Rabbit stuck in my head out of nowhere this week and all of the sudden there’s this!

[@azhurelpigeon]

Betty Page-Crocker I literally looked at articles on Grace Slick today right before going on KZbin and seeing this, how trippy

[@oanaalexia]

@@azhurelpigeon Don't we love her?

[@michaelguerrero7196]

Same thing happened to me a couple weeks ago, I couldn't get Redbone out of my head and all of the sudden there's a polyphonic video about the song

[@miguelhernandez4975]

No joke, just yesterday I was at a laundry mat that was blasting 'White Rabbit". Then I saw today that this came out. Trip.

[@jdbhatts2912]

me too!!!!!! I've been obsessed with it for the past week and then this video came out wow

[@fishypaw]

I am a 60's child and I love Alice in Wonderland, SO I can't help but love this song. It also reminds me of my Mother, she used to rely on Valium and similar drugs to help her deal with life, yet when I started smoking as a teenager, she thought I was taking a devil drug and was on a slippery slope to class A abuse, which just wasn't true. I did dabble with some class As and hallucinogens, but I never suffered from addiction. It's a shame really that she didn't understand.

[@firemarshal2629]

Paul Tello Amen to that

[@ironhokie8764]

How many movies was this in? Such a classic

[@stevencooper4422]

It is so stereotypical hahahahaha. Especially since the 60s were way more conservative than they paint it! Top selling movie in 1965: The sound of music

[@amistry605]

I remember it from an episode of The Simpson's too!

[@kingboobs20]

Yeah it's become one of those songs that HAS to be played in any scene related to the 60s along with California Dreamin, For What It's Worth, Turn! Turn! Turn!, Time of the Season, The Times They Are a-Changin, Fortunate Son and All Along the Watchtower.

[@dwarfchicken]

Also books 😚

[@ProMrLecoq01]

Brie Russell because they’re classics

[@msenecal]

I saw Grace Slick with Jefferson Airplane when she was eight months pregnant. Then I saw her again with Jefferson Starship. What a powerful singer and intense personality. Her stare can bore holes in your soul.

[@borisstudios366]

White rabbit reminds me of childhood car journeys with my dad. I used to listen to that song all the time with my dad. Brings me tears listining to it now.

[@davidellis5141]

Love white 🐇 ! But for me Marty's " Today " & " Coming Back To Me " are the 2 best tracks on a Desert Island Disc , Surrealistic Pillow. An iconic album & song.

[@shivaumesh1129]

Best video ever!!!! Please do more videos about the 1960’s rock music.

[@atomicpatra943]

One of my favorite songs ever made.

[@jackhagberg4545]

It’s crazy how you’re always spot on with what I’m listening to every week, with Clapton, Dylan, The Doors, and now this. Keep up the good work.

[@noeldivad]

thumbs up for LSD!!!

[@sikguy9939]

no

[@dpa12]

No

[@mikelyoloson2743]

@@dpa12 yes

[@Diesel257]

But like... what ARE thumbs even?..

[@rebeccam3989]

Was literally learning about this song/ the psychedelic era yesterday in my rock history class, it's like you read my mind! Great video as always

[@GaryT1952]

Love this channel...always so informative and interesting. Great job Polyphonic!

[@kylecrary963]

This IS THE MOST informative music youtube channel. I get chills from the epicness and power the commentary gives in every video.

[@samuelfreeman5483]

Wow. What a great video. As usual this was very well produced, full of great information and interesting perspectives. You keep making awesome stuff. Keep up the good work.

[@ayangangopadhyay7500]

Your editing is so beautiful, it matches your content perfectly. You are one of the greats out there, keep it up!

[@nannyalberte]

This was fantastic! One of my top all-time favorite songs. Thank you for making all these amazing musical essays!

[@uremawifenowdave]

7:59 Grace Slick was beautiful in the 60s.

[@skyllalafey]

This video is one of the most gorgeously edited/animated yet!

[@oanaalexia]

Thank you so much for making this, I've been waiting for ages. My dream has come true!

[@Jay-go4vw]

Could we get a video on Erykah Badu? Not requesting anything specific but I feel like she is a relatively large and, very unique artist. Yet there seems to be very little about her music on KZbin. Another suggestion is Rachelle Ferrell. From a technical standpoint, she may be the best singer ever. However, she never got super famous. But she is well known and respected by many other singers. Jennifer Hudson, Peabo Bryson, Ledisi, Anita Baker, Lalah Hathaway, Patti Labelle and and many more.

[@kangarool]

Thank you for all the incredible effort you put in, especially the design work. As lovely as it always is, this is the perfect song for your style of analysis, including visually.

[@CaesiusX]

I have never been one to pin down a favorite song. Or a favorite color for that matter. Colors, like music, depending on the context. Anyway, there's just too much. My audio library has nearly 30,000 files in it. Sadly, some inevitably get lost in that vast expanse. Even though I was born only a few months after this song was released, I can _definitely_ say that *_White Rabbit_* has always been at least *_one_*_ of my favorite songs._ Thanks for the time and effort. This is a great video. *Edit:* It was late 1986 when I had my first (and only) hit of acid. My friend cued up this song, of course. Once the song ended, we went to see _Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home._ And when the Enterprise crew took that Klingon bird-of-prey back in time, _we went with them!_

[@veronikasher1408]

Whoever create animation for this video, great job! I had great time listening and watching this video, thank you.

[@hoisin75]

Another mini masterpiece. Kudos

[@peterkizer6163]

Love your analysis of a song I have enjoyed since it first came out - and still listen to, today.

[@davehandelman2832]

Such a great video! As ALWAYS!!!

[@soumyajyotimukherjee4752]

Ah.. the song that i play almost every week or so. #Polyphonic , I hope you don't mind me saying this is my favourite video out of all the ones in your channel I've seen. This song is special.

[@cgirl111]

If you want to be reminded just how good Grace Slick was search youtube for "white rabbit isolated vocals" and click the top link. Another Airplane favorite of mine is Volunteers.

[@stephenlitten1789]

Album or song?

[@cgirl111]

@@stephenlitten1789 Song

[@skaterdudeprodutions]

The whole airplane discography is great, I also recommend her solo song, "let it go". Some good airplane songs are high flying bird, wooden ships, Mexico, volunteers, and we can be together to name a few.

[@cgirl111]

@@skaterdudeprodutions I remember going to Tower Record on E 4th St in Manhattan to buy each on the release day. We lived on E 31st so it wasn't much of a walk for a kid. It always seemed a longer walk home because I was so anxious to drop that needle.

[@skaterdudeprodutions]

cgirl111 ahh, sounds like a good time to be alive, I envy you.

[@madelinebeatlesgirl]

Seeing this video in my feed made me so happy!!

[@badabing4814]

Everytime I become addicted to a song he immediately makes a video about it

[@scottkasper6378]

This channel is a dopamine hit every time

[@mikeymorrison272]

Favorite time of music is between 67-73. Especially 67-69. Hendrix, Doors, Stones, Jefferson Aiprlane, Cream, etc. Also need to try LSD.

[@kamrynrist6049]

hahaha you boomer, those are some pretty good bands though.

[@brandonpage7087]

I'm a millinenial who is deeply fascinated with the '60s & how the world changed so much, in one decade, helped along by some of the greatest music of the mid to late 20th century!

[@christianadrian28]

Dude your channel is just gold

[@theoyrage]

yay ive been waiting for this one for ages!

[@gardenboydon]

Fantastic journalistic docu piece. The visuals are phenomenal!

[@julianfehling6984]

when you say "lets take a closer look" and the polyphonic intro kicks in i know im home again

[@poweroffriendship2.0]

*_And let's not forget that time that the Caucus-Race is actually based on the true event with Alice Liddell as the protagonist, Lewis Caroll as the Dodo, Canon Duckworth as the Duck, and Lorina and Edith as Lory and Eagle on a boat party._*

[@DatBoi-mo9vc]

What in the god damn fuck does any of that mean

[@notorioustampaton]

Your video came at the perfect time. Tonight me and my cousin are taking mushrooms and having a jam, this is excellent inspiration.

[@Johnny-mb9vy]

So she basically wrote this to say “ok boomer” all they way back in the 60s?

[@rowboat5294]

She IS the boomer

[@aeschafer1]

Back then it was, "Okay Greatest."

[@brandonpage7087]

Johnny, the so called hippie generation are the boomers.

[@Zachariaz]

that would be The Who’s ‘My Generation’

[@nikki1339]

Everytime I see a polyphonic video I almost always get introduced into something new and fall in love. I don’t know if you like requests, you can ignore this if so, but if you do, consider sublime. Whether it be the tragic pre-fame death of Bradley and many fans not even knowing, how they were many of the big names of the 3rd wave of ska (and how we’re supposedly supposed to be coming up on the 4th soon), or just the way they blatantly said exactly what they were talking about but managed to hide it through the music.

[@satsumasalanewt4007]

*lets take a closer look* *beat drop* *me: gets excited*

[@kevcthulu4576]

I love the woodstock live version of this song

[@GlockPro4]

I'd love to see an episode about the misifts

[@brandonpage7087]

Me too!!

[@screamingtrees9619]

Another amazing video idea.

[@Subparanon]

"When it peaks, and the rabbit eats it's own head, throw the radio in" You can turn your back on a person but NEVER turn your back on a drug. I am AHAB!

[@armanandredude]

I just love these videos so much

[@anweshsarangi220]

Wowww!!!! Was waiting for a video on the psychedelic movement

[@TheConquesttintin]

brilliant visual presentation!

[@MizzNoire]

Whenever I think of the Vietnam protests I get tears in my eyes. Some kids fought a war at home, some were forced to kill other children for no tangible reason at all, just because the government said so. I know the cause went way-ward pretty fast, but damn they were brave and forceful while it lasted. We can't even imagine the torment the draft would have caused for these poor youth.

[@brandonpage7087]

It was a crazy, dark, & amazing time, from what I've read & heard. We're in an equally dark & crazy time now, & I keep hoping for some kind of new musical revolution.

[@TheLaziiness]

Yoooo poly-P is back with another banger!!!

[@dimsum4528]

love your vids man learned a lot from ur vids

[@mikegrady5669]

I always thought her influence was Kind Of Blue... That's why I like your vids. Learn something new every day

[@d.michaelmcbridedc1082]

Music is a big part of opening our creative minds and stimulating the feelings that bring healing. As I’m blooming in my 60’s now, I am inspired and without drugs or alcohol I have found a high that is enduring and genuine. Thanks for your insights and comments on this epic journey.

[@sarang_dandge]

Thank you. POLYPHONIC 💙🙏🏽✈️

[@luizamoura3947]

You're making a really good job here

[@gogoitv9329]

I was just listening to it a few moments ago, the intro riff is amazing and vocals damn, feels like She is chanting mantras

[@Bayareakid_]

The great society released one 45 on north beach records. A Early version of “somebody to love” backed with “free advice”

[@HotStrange]

Idk why I never heard it before but Bjork had to have been heavily influenced by Grace Slick.

[@UnwrittenSpade]

One of my all time favorite songs

[@LyraFay12]

I admit only knew this song from the recent covers from Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland and Suckerpunch. But I love it in any form!

[@waynejohanson1083]

Right from the start I get hooked with that haunting bass line.

[@libertybitesback]

Always have to listen to Jefferson Airplane! Such a fan!

[@ProMrLecoq01]

This is such an amazing song

[@KnoxBronson]

Grace said "Feed your head" meant "read books." I'm sure she was aware of other interpretations. :)

[@paisleyprincess7996]

Sure.

[@mikelyoloson2743]

agree reading books is good for society. i would have never fount it necessary tho if I didn't have a magical journey that made me think otherwise.

[@aviratthakor8974]

This channel needs a Nobel.

[@nickomez7827]

Very underated band, other cool tracks to check include "Somebody To Love", "Today", "Crown of Creation", & "House at Pooneil Corners". Personnel include Paul Kantner on backing vocals 12-String Rickenbacker, Marty Balin on vocals, Spencer Dryden on drums; the song "Lather" was written by Slick about Dryden. The glue that kept it all together, Jorma Kaukonen on lead guitar & bassist Jack Casady played bass on Hendrix Electric Ladyland's "Voodoo Chile". Also the track "Volunteers" was in Forrest Gump.

[@LordSkella]

I love Sketches of Spain so this was fascinating to learn!

[@Wyllies11]

Well after this I feel like I need to go take some LSD and listen to Sketches of Spain

[@andrewharper1609]

Til the Earth Moves Again is my favourite Jefferson Airplane track. Gloriously ragged.

[@stratowhore9051]

VERY VERY COOL VIDEO!

[@-XTD-]

this is high quality

[@OpaqueVisions47]

One of the best songs from the absolute best genre of rock.

[@lrwguitar]

Been listening to psychedelic rock since I was 17 started with floyd the doors jefferson airplane, 52 now and since Internet started been trawling through an endless pile of psychedelic music and sometimes feel like I've died and gone to heaven, discover new bands every week, some amazing some not so.

[@cheif10thumbs]

The 60's? I barely remember them. Now I'm in my 60's and I'm trying to forget them......

[@TheFancifulFish]

Jefferson Airplane is probably the band that best represents the hippy culture and counterculture of San Francisco in the late 1960s

[@kkay3784]

I would love to hear you delve into the story of Skip Spence, guitar player, original Airplane drummer, co-founder of Moby Grape, whose only solo effort Oar is considered, by many, an important album.

[@PSETojo1]

Nice!

[@zac9311]

>playing with the dead at the filmore Yea they fooled around gigging

[@kamrynrist6049]

I think it would be great to talk about the genres that were inspired by psychedelic rock, like acid house, shoegaze, Britpop, trip-hop, and ambient (to an extent).

[@haynescommabrooke]

This was the fastest I’ve ever clicked on a polyphonic video

[@xericxcostax8521]

bruh the beat for the polyphonic intro its just so hard and soft at the same time

[@JamoboBorg]

If you haven't already, it'd be great to see vids on Fiona Apple, Jackson C. Frank, Nick Drake, Jason Molina and Joanna Newsom. They each created their own sound within one album and, apart from Frank, made even greater music with further releases.

[@EclecticoIconoclasta]

No dude. Better make it abou the song that defined the other Woodstock generation. "Nookie" by Limp Biskit during Woodstock 99

[@johnclifford1537]

Greatest..song..ever - and from someone born 4 years after its release !!

[@santaclase3410]

get well everbody 🥰🥰🥰 Thanks forn sharing🥰🥰🥰Thanks forn sharing🥰🥰🥰

[@jackhubbard4234]

Just a quick note, on screen lyrics say "remember what the door mouse said" I'm sure that line is door knob in reference to the talking doorknob from Alice. Great video though. keeping up the excellent standard

[@stephenlitten1789]

Nope, is dormouse. He does say a few odd things.

[@Dank_Dank]

4:38 Bland 50s? Mafia II was lit doe 😳