The Jefferson Airplane song Marty Balin wrote when he “couldn’t find my legs”
The unmistakable sounds of Jefferson Airplane provide probably the greatest argument for the use of drugs as a means of creative inspiration. Icons of the San Francisco psychedelic scene, the group produced some of the defining tracks of the counterculture ‘peace and love’ era, including the likes of ‘Somebody to Love’ and ‘White Rabbit’. It is not shocking to learn, then, that some of their songs were constructed while the band were less than sober, including one particularly emotional effort from Surrealistic Pillow.
Released at the height of the psychedelic golden age, in 1967, Surrealistic Pillow was a defining moment for Jefferson Airplane. Featuring some of their most loved tracks, the album essentially acted as a manifesto for the band’s youthful rebellion and artistic expression. Much to the disgust of the older generation at the time, the band were openly discussing themes of sex, drugs, and a plethora of other traditionally taboo topics that the youth of the 1960s were interested in. Despite claims made by Grace Slick later in her career, that entire album was largely fuelled by mind-altering substances.
With songs detailing mushrooms, psychedelic trips and getting stoned, it is difficult to ignore the influence of drugs on Surrealistic Pillow. Reportedly, one unsuspecting song was created for the record while under the influence of some particularly strong marijuana. The track in question is the emotionally affecting masterpiece of ‘Comin’ Back To Me’, a stand-out track on the album. Written and performed by Mary Balin, the song seems at odds with the rock and roll stylings of the group, but it certainly speaks to Balin’s writing talents.
Much more mellow than any other song on the album, the track has a distinctive whiff of depressants about it. According to the liner notes of Surrealistic Pillow’s 2003 reissue, “the song was created while he indulged in some primo-grade marijuana given to [Balin] by blues singer Paul Butterfield”. As Balin would often note during live performances of the tune, the acid-riddled Grateful Dead leader Jerry Garcia was also present for this smoke session, witnessing Balin put the song together in a matter of minutes.
During a 2018 interview with Shindig the songwriter expanded further on the making of the track, recounting, “I was in my room and I tell you, I couldn’t find my legs, I got up and went to the guitar. Bam! In five minutes the song came out”. The song was recorded more or less immediately, and in one take, featuring Jerry Garcia on guitar and Grace Slick resigned to the recorder.
Given the mellow nature of the song, Balin assumed that not much would come of it; it certainly wouldn’t fit into the raucous live set of Jefferson Airplane. However, the song proved to be an unexpected favourite among fans, and the group would often perform it under their later incarnation as Jefferson Starship.
There seems to be no getting away from the fact that Jefferson Airplane were largely fuelled by drugs. I mean, imagine having a vocalist as unbelievably talented as Grace Slick in your band, and opting to sing ‘Comin’ Back to Me’ on your own; that is a decision that would not have been made by a group of sober people.