Jefferson Airplane’s Mesmerizing “White Rabbit” Performance

“White Rabbit” is a psychedelic rock song by the American band Jefferson Airplane. It was released in 1967 on their album “Surrealistic Pillow” and quickly became an anthem of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Written by Grace Slick, the band’s vocalist, the song is known for its cryptic and surreal lyrics, which draw inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”

Lyrically, “White Rabbit” is a vivid and hallucinogenic exploration of Alice’s journey through Wonderland, drawing parallels to the counterculture’s embrace of mind-altering substances. The song’s refrain, “One pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small,” is a reference to the contrasting effects of different drugs, reflecting the era’s experimentation with psychedelics.

Musically, “White Rabbit” features an enigmatic and captivating arrangement. Grace Slick’s powerful and haunting vocals are complemented by a sparse, pulsating rhythm and a prominent, eerie flute melody played by band member Paul Kantner. The song’s gradual build-up and intensity mirror the psychedelic experience it aims to convey.

“White Rabbit” remains one of Jefferson Airplane’s most iconic and enduring tracks, and it played a significant role in shaping the sound and culture of the 1960s. Its combination of thought-provoking lyrics and hypnotic music captures the spirit of the era and continues to be celebrated as a classic example of psychedelic rock and countercultural artistry.