Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit - 1967

Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" (1967)

Jefferson Airplane was a pioneering rock band from San Francisco, known for their psychedelic rock music and as a key figure in the 1960s counterculture movement. Their 1967 song "White Rabbit" is one of their most famous tracks, often associated with the psychedelic era.

Background and Impact

"White Rabbit" was written by Grace Slick, who joined Jefferson Airplane in 1966. The song became a huge hit and is notable for its references to Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." It's known for its unique sound, featuring a bolero-style rhythm and an intense crescendo.

Musical and Lyrical Analysis

The song is distinguished by its use of Spanish scales, similar to those found in flamenco music, which contribute to its hypnotic quality. Lyrically, "White Rabbit" uses imagery from "Alice in Wonderland" as a metaphor for the psychedelic experience and the broader social changes of the 1960s.

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Quiz: Questions on the Song

What year was "White Rabbit" released? (1967) (!1965) (!1969) (!1971)

Which literary work inspired the lyrics of "White Rabbit"? ("Alice's Adventures in Wonderland") (!"The Wizard of Oz") (!"Peter Pan") (!"The Hobbit")

Who wrote "White Rabbit"? (Grace Slick) (!Marty Balin) (!Paul Kantner) (!Jorma Kaukonen)

Which band performed "White Rabbit"? (Jefferson Airplane) (!The Beatles) (!Pink Floyd) (!The Grateful Dead)

What is the primary musical influence in "White Rabbit"? (Flamenco and Spanish scales) (!Blues and Jazz scales) (!Classical and Baroque scales) (!Rock and Roll and Blues scales)

Quiz: Questions on the Performer

Who was the lead singer of Jefferson Airplane during the recording of "White Rabbit"? (Grace Slick) (!Janis Joplin) (!Joan Baez) (!Mama Cass)

In which city was Jefferson Airplane formed? (San Francisco) (!Los Angeles) (!New York) (!Chicago)

What genre is Jefferson Airplane primarily associated with? (Psychedelic rock) (!Folk rock) (!Blues rock) (!Country rock)

Which famous music festival did Jefferson Airplane perform at in 1969? (Woodstock) (!Monterey Pop Festival) (!Altamont) (!Isle of Wight Festival)

Before joining Jefferson Airplane, Grace Slick was part of which band? (The Great Society) (!Big Brother and the Holding Company) (!The Mamas & the Papas) (!The Byrds)

Quiz: Questions on the Lyrics

In "White Rabbit," who is specifically mentioned as giving good advice? (The hookah-smoking caterpillar) (!The White Rabbit) (!The Cheshire Cat) (!The Mad Hatter)

What does the song suggest happens when the "men on the chessboard go up and tell you where to go"? (You've just had some kind of mushroom) (!The world turns upside down) (!You enter a different reality) (!You realize everything is a game)

According to the lyrics, what do the dormouse and the White Rabbit represent? (Logic and proportion) (!Dreams and reality) (!Past and future) (!Hope and despair)

In the song, what does Alice do when she's "ten feet tall"? (She chases after the White Rabbit) (!She confronts the Queen of Hearts) (!She sings a lullaby) (!She dances with the Mad Hatter)

What is the final line of "White Rabbit"? (Feed your head) (!Remember what the dormouse said) (!The White Rabbit has fled) (!Alice is gone)

Memory

Grace Slick	Wrote and sang "White Rabbit"
1967	Year "White Rabbit" was released
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland	Literary inspiration for "White Rabbit"
Psychedelic Rock	Genre of Jefferson Airplane
San Francisco	City where Jefferson Airplane was formed

Open Tasks

Easy

Explore Other Works: Listen to other songs by Jefferson Airplane and compare them to "White Rabbit."
Create a Playlist: Make a playlist of songs from the 1960s psychedelic era.

Standard

Research the Era: Investigate the counterculture movement of the 1960s and its influence on music.
Write a Review: Write a review of "White Rabbit," focusing on its musical and lyrical elements.

Difficult

Analyze the Lyrics: Deeply analyze the lyrics of "White Rabbit" and discuss the themes and symbols.
Music and Society: Write an essay on how "White Rabbit" reflects the social and cultural changes of its time.

Oral Exam

Discuss the Influence: How did "White Rabbit" and Jefferson Airplane influence later music genres?
Compare Literature and Music: Compare the use of literary references in "White Rabbit" to another song that uses literary imagery.
Evolution of Music Genres: Discuss the evolution of psychedelic rock from the 1960s to present day.

OERs on the Topic

Links

Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit"

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