About the song
“White Rabbit,” a seminal track written by Grace Slick and performed by Jefferson Airplane, is a cornerstone of 1960s rock music. Featured on the band’s 1967 album *Surrealistic Pillow*, the song draws heavily from Lewis Carroll’s whimsical novels *Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland* and *Through the Looking-Glass*. Its blend of surreal imagery and a hypnotic musical arrangement has cemented its place in rock history.
The song’s creation is a fascinating story of artistic evolution. Grace Slick originally wrote “White Rabbit” while she was with her previous band, the Great Society. When she joined Jefferson Airplane, she brought this distinctive piece with her, along with “Somebody to Love,” another song that became a hit with the band. The Great Society’s version of “White Rabbit” was lengthier, but Jefferson Airplane’s version, with its punchy and aggressive style, became a defining hit. The song reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and was one of Jefferson Airplane’s significant top-10 successes.
Musically, “White Rabbit” is notable for its dramatic crescendo and dark, Spanish-inflected rhythm, a style inspired by Miles Davis’s *Sketches of Spain*. The song features a hypnotic, bolero-like progression that builds tension, mirroring the psychedelic experiences of the era. Grace Slick composed the music on a red upright piano she had bought cheaply, missing several keys but still capable of producing the haunting sound she envisioned.
Lyrically, “White Rabbit” is a metaphor for curiosity and self-discovery, encapsulating the spirit of the countercultural movement of the 1960s. Slick used references from Carroll’s tales—such as the White Rabbit, the hookah-smoking caterpillar, and the Red Queen—to comment on societal norms and drug culture. The song’s enigmatic lyrics and relentless rhythm evoke the hallucinogenic experiences associated with psychedelics, making it one of the first songs to subtly bypass radio censors with its drug allusions.
In interviews, Slick has explained that “White Rabbit” serves as a wake-up call to those who might criticize drug use while enjoying fairy tales that also feature transformative experiences. The song reflects Slick’s belief in following one’s curiosity and using literature and psychedelic experiences to expand one’s mind.
Upon its release, “White Rabbit” was met with critical acclaim. It was ranked 478th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004 and has since moved up in subsequent rankings, demonstrating its lasting impact on music. In 1998, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, further solidifying its legacy.
The track’s influence extends beyond music; it has been used in various cultural contexts to suggest or enhance psychedelic states. Its iconic status is a testament to its ability to capture and reflect the spirit of its time. With its innovative use of imagery and music, “White Rabbit” remains a powerful and provocative piece in rock history.
Video
Lyrics
One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don’t do anything at all
Go ask Alice
When she’s ten feet tall
And if you go chasing rabbits
And you know you’re going to fall
Tell ’em a hookah-smoking caterpillar
Has given you the call
Call Alice
When she was just small
When the men on the chessboard
Get up and tell you where to go
And you’ve just had some kind of mushroom
And your mind is moving low
Go ask Alice
I think she’ll know
When logic and proportion
Have fallen sloppy dead
And the White Knight is talking backwards
And the Red Queen’s off with her head
Remember what the dormouse said
Feed your head
Feed your head