Psychedelic Rock Music

The song “Somebody to Love”  was written by Darby Slick and first recorded by the folk rock band The Great Society. Darby Slick was their guitarist, and Grace Slick, his sister-in-law (at the time), was their lead vocalist on that record. Grace Slick then left The Great Society and joined Jefferson Airplane. In 1967, the Sixties psychedelic rock group Jefferson Airplane released their version of the song as a single backed with “She Has Funny Cars.” “Somebody to Love” was also on their 1967 album Surrealistic Pillow. Their version rose to #5 on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box chart. Besides Grace on lead vocals, there are Marty Balin (tambourine, backing vocals), Jorma Kaukonen (lead guitar), Paul Kantner (rhythm guitar), Jack Casady (bass), and Spencer Dryden (drums). The version by Jefferson Airplane is on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of “The  500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

The song has been featured in a number of films, including Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, A Home at the End of the World, St. Vincent, The Cable Guy, Four Brothers, A Serious Man, and American Pop.

Here are the lyrics to “Somebody to Love” by Jefferson Airplane:

“When the truth is found
To be lies
And all the joy
Within you dies

Don’t you want somebody to love?
Don’t you need somebody to love?
Wouldn’t you love somebody to love?
You better find somebody to love
Love

When the garden flowers
Baby, are dead, yes
And your mind, your mind
Is so full of red

Don’t you want somebody to love?
Don’t you need somebody to love?
Wouldn’t you love somebody to love?
You better find somebody to love

Your eyes, I say your eyes
May look like his
Yeah, but in your head, baby
I’m afraid you don’t know where it is

Don’t you want somebody to love?
Don’t you need somebody to love?
Wouldn’t you love somebody to love?
You better find somebody to love

Tears are running
They’re all running down your dress
And your friends, baby
They treat you like a guest

Don’t you want somebody to love?
Don’t you need somebody to love?
Wouldn’t you love somebody to love?
You better find somebody to love”

If you are interested in reading about and listening to another song by Jefferson Airplane, please click here for “White Rabbit.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ commercial free online music there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Somebody to Love” by Jefferson Airplane.