Why Jefferson Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit’ Doesn’t Quote ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Directly

Many traditional rock songs had been impressed by books. For instance, Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” was impressed by Alice in Wonderland. As well as, Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick stated she ripped off one other type of music when she wrote the monitor.

Alice, the March Hare, the Dormouse and the Mad Hatter from ‘Alice in Wonderland’ by Lewis Carroll | Rischgitz/Getty Photographs

Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane wrote music utilizing {a partially} damaged piano she purchased for $50

Throughout a 2016 interview with Forbes, Slick mentioned the origin of “White Rabbit.” “I wrote it on a piano that cost me $50 at a place in San Francisco where they sold used furniture,” she recalled. “It was a tiny, 88-key upright, and 10 keys weren’t working. It was really a piece of junk.”

Slick stated the writing of “White Rabbit” was collaborative. “I’m not a great musician, but I had something in mind,” she stated. “All I need is a keyboard or guitar and I pluck around until I can hear what I hear in my head. Then I put it on tape or play it for the band. It was always fascinating to hear what they would come up with.”

Slick mentioned the recognition of “White Rabbit.” “‘White Rabbit’ is very short, so radio liked it because they could get a lot of commercials in,” she remembered. “Why it got so popular is amazing because it’s not rock ‘n’ roll. It is a Spanish march. The music is weird.” 

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Grace Slick stated Jefferson Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit’ ripped off a Cuban type of music

Slick stated the monitor drew on different artworks. “The lyrics paraphrase — if you don’t paraphrase you’ll get sued — Alice in Wonderland,” she stated. “And I sort of ripped off bolero, too.” For context, bolero is a Cuban type of dance music.

Slick’s claims about Alice in Wonderland are doubtful. Lewis Carroll printed Alice in Wonderland in 1865 and Jefferson Airplane launched “White Rabbit” in 1967. By the point “White Rabbit” was written, Alice in Wonderland was in the general public area.

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How ‘White Rabbit’ and its mother or father album carried out on the charts in the USA

“White Rabbit” was successful in the USA. The track hit No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for 10 weeks. Aside from “Somebody to Love,” not one of the band’s songs had been extra common in the U.S.

Jefferson Airplane launched “White Rabbit” on the album Surrealistic Pillow. The album reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for 56 weeks. Not one of the band’s different albums had been as profitable on the Billboard 200.

“White Rabbit” is a traditional track — and it helped cement Alice in Wonderland‘s place in common tradition.

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