Jefferson Airplane White Rabbit

[aior]

Born in the heart of the counterculture movement in San Francisco, Jefferson Airplane was a symbol of psychedelic rock that took the world by storm in the late 1960s. Among their numerous hits, "White Rabbit" stands out as an emblem of the band's ethos and a benchmark of the era's music. As a part of the band's 1967 album, "Surrealistic Pillow," "White Rabbit" became a classic song, often recognized for its unique fusion of literature and psychedelic rock.

A Glimpse into the Origins

Grace Slick, the band's lead vocalist, penned "White Rabbit," inspired heavily by Lewis Carroll's timeless works, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass." The song served as an allegory, incorporating elements of the books to portray a metaphorical journey of self-discovery and consciousness expansion, much like the psychedelic experience.

The Song’s Composition

"White Rabbit" begins with a hypnotic, rhythmic drum pattern, reminiscent of a marching beat, before launching into an escalating bass riff that is memorable in its simplicity and intensity. The song's tempo steadily builds up, lending a surreal and hypnotic quality, reflecting the song's subject matter. The sparse use of Spanish-style guitar and eerie keyboards adds to the otherworldly feeling.

Grace Slick's powerful vocals are the song's driving force, commanding attention with her lyrics' darkly poetic imagery. The lyrics echo Carroll's fantastic narratives, such as Alice chasing the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole, chewing on a mushroom, and meeting various characters from the novels.

Interpreting the Lyrics

The lyrics of "White Rabbit" convey a multi-layered message. At the surface level, they retell the story of Alice in Wonderland with all its whimsy and mystery. However, when examined through the lens of the late 1960s, they offer a deeper exploration of altered states of consciousness and experimentation with mind-altering substances, which was widespread in counterculture at the time.

Phrases such as "one pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small" draw a clear parallel to the experimentation with psychedelics. The song challenges traditional norms, urging listeners to "feed your head" — a call to broaden horizons, question authority, and seek enlightenment.

The Impact and Legacy

"White Rabbit" was a game-changer. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, establishing Jefferson Airplane as one of the key players in the burgeoning psychedelic rock scene. The song's lyrical depth and musical complexity demonstrated the potential of rock music as a form of artistic expression.

"White Rabbit" had a profound impact on popular culture, beyond just the music industry. Its psychedelic themes resonated with the '60s counterculture, and its blend of literary references and musical experimentation influenced a generation of artists.

Over five decades after its release, "White Rabbit" remains an essential listen for any fan of rock music. Its unique blend of storytelling, musicality, and psychedelic ideology continues to captivate audiences, making it one of Jefferson Airplane's most enduring and iconic tracks.

 

[aior]

To listen this great song just type youtube

Jefferson Airplane -White Rabbit-​

 

[aior]

The Evocative Rebirth of "White Rabbit" in 'The Matrix Resurrections' Official Trailer

You can simply search youtube this before reading:

White Rabbit (Full Epic Trailer Version) | The Matrix Resurrections Official Trailer Song Music​

Introduction:

In the world of film, music plays an irreplaceable role in setting the tone, driving emotion, and highlighting critical moments. The choice of soundtrack can dramatically alter the audience's perception of a scene, the characters, and the narrative. This power of music is perhaps nowhere more apparent than in the epic trailer version of "White Rabbit" featured in the official trailer of 'The Matrix Resurrections'.

A Sonic Wonderland: White Rabbit and The Matrix Resurrections:

"White Rabbit," originally by Jefferson Airplane, is an iconic psychedelic rock song that first graced the airwaves in 1967. The song, known for its kaleidoscopic lyrics and distinctive sound, has been reborn and reimagined in the official trailer of 'The Matrix Resurrections'. This new version, while still maintaining the heart of the original, has been dramatically repurposed to introduce the long-anticipated continuation of the Matrix franchise.

The song's inclusion is not just a throwback to the psychedelia of the 60s, but also a strategic move that intertwines the narrative of the Matrix series with the themes of the song. The original "White Rabbit" was a trippy homage to Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland', which has always played a significant role in the Matrix narrative, symbolizing the discovery of a reality behind reality and the choice to embrace or reject the truth.

An Epic Version for an Epic Return:

The full epic trailer version of "White Rabbit" starts with a haunting, slow-paced piano rendition of the song's familiar melody. This melodic backdrop sets the tone for the return to a world that audiences haven't visited in decades, while also introducing the new narrative twists that lie ahead.

The trailer begins with a sense of disorientation, mirroring the bewilderment of Neo, played by Keanu Reeves, who finds himself back in the Matrix without memory of his previous life. As the song progresses and the tempo builds, we are introduced to a montage of familiar faces and mind-bending action sequences. By the time the full orchestration kicks in, the song, much like the movie itself, promises a cinematic experience that is simultaneously fresh and nostalgic.

Interpreting the Musical Layers:

As the trailer unfolds, the lyrics of "White Rabbit" resound eerily, "And you've just had some kind of mushroom, and your mind is moving low...Go ask Alice, I think she'll know." Here, the song serves as a metaphor for the dislocation from reality that characters in the Matrix universe undergo. As in Alice's adventures, they are confronted with the challenge of navigating a world that operates on a completely different set of rules.

The musical score then shifts to a grandiose orchestration, signaling the onset of the epic, gravity-defying battles that the Matrix franchise is known for. The raw intensity of the orchestral version underscores the gravity of the challenges that Neo and his allies face, while the familiar strains of "White Rabbit" remind us of the ongoing struggle to distinguish reality from illusion.

Conclusion:

Music and film share a symbiotic relationship where each medium enhances the other. The epic trailer version of "White Rabbit" in 'The Matrix Resurrections' serves as a testament to this relationship, breathing new life into an iconic song while simultaneously setting the stage for a grand return of one of the most influential science fiction sagas in cinematic history. In marrying the legendary track with a visual spectacle, the creators promise an exploration of reality that is just as thrilling, if not more so, than the original. Only time will tell if the actual film lives up to the promise of its hauntingly beautiful trailer.

 

[aior]

One of my favorite covered version of White Rappit is that olease search from youtube:

Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit -umami re -edit​

In the world of music, re-edits, remixes, and reinterpretations are common ways that contemporary artists pay homage to, re-examine, and reinterpret classic songs. Given umami's unique style of weaving organic and electronic sounds, it's an intriguing concept to imagine how the Berlin-based DJ and producer might approach a re-edit of Jefferson Airplane's psychedelic rock classic, "White Rabbit."

Released in 1967, "White Rabbit" is one of the defining anthems of the psychedelic era. With Grace Slick's powerful vocals leading a hypnotic rhythm inspired by Ravel's Boléro, the song has been sampled and covered numerous times. It offers a distinctive blend of rock and psychedelic elements, mixed with surrealist lyrical references to Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass."

Umami, known for his fusion of house and techno with diverse world music influences, would potentially bring a fresh approach to "White Rabbit." Umami's music often creates a rich tapestry of sound that interlaces electronic beats with various organic elements. His re-edit might emphasize the hypnotic nature of the original track, perhaps looping and enhancing the song's distinctive bassline while building additional layers of rhythmic complexity.

Given umami's penchant for incorporating vocal cuts into his tracks, Grace Slick's powerful and haunting vocals could take on a new life. He might opt to manipulate and sample her voice in unexpected ways, using modern production techniques to further deepen the psychedelic vibes.

Additionally, umami might choose to enhance the song's surreal elements by intertwining snippets of the original lyrics with otherworldly synths or sound effects, adding an additional layer of depth and modernity. His approach to the Lewis Carroll-inspired lyrics could lean into the narrative's dreamlike and fantastical elements, amplifying the song's hallucinatory atmosphere.

The actual re-edit, if it does exist, will sound significantly different, as an artist's interpretation is subject to their individual style and creativity. It would be interesting to see how umami would approach and interpret such an iconic song.

Thanks to umami for this great song cover.