20 Landmark Songs Of The 60s

20. Jefferson Airplane €“ White Rabbit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WANNqr-vcx0 Jefferson Airplane's Grace Slick created an incredible dynasty; artists from Patti Smith, PJ Harvey to Florence Welch have surely been influenced by her style, vocal gymnastics and ethereal lyrics. Alongside Janis Joplin, Grace Slick carried the flag for female pioneers in the rock music of the 60's, which was no mean feat for an arena that was very much the playground of the boys. But Jefferson Airplane were by no means a one woman show, and the band made wonderfully weird music that you could somehow hum along to. 'Somebody to love' became their most famous song, but 'White Rabbit' was their masterpiece, a subversive and not at all subtle reference to the effects of hallucinogenic drugs that were the source of inspiration for many musicians of the mid to late 60's. What makes 'White Rabbit' such an important song is the way it juxtaposes two key elements that came to sum up 60's music as the decade came to a close €“ innocence and menace. The innocence is executed wonderfully, using a children's story as the basis for the lyrics, however the musical setting is anything but, it could have been the theme tune to a Hammer Horror film. This innocence and menace literally came to life in the festivals at the end of the decade, and Jefferson Airplane played 'White Rabbit' at both of them - Woodstock with its wide-eyed exuberance and fun versus the darkness and tragedy of Altamont. So here's a song that provides a synopsis of the late 60's for you to analyse to your hearts content, or alternatively you can just sit back and listen to a wonderful piece of music and enjoy.