A Psychedelic Critique of Society and War

Jefferson Airplane's song "Rejoyce" is a complex tapestry of vivid imagery, social critique, and literary references. The song opens with a metaphorical description of a chemical change, likened to a laser beam, suggesting a sudden and intense transformation. This could be interpreted as a reference to the psychedelic experiences that were a hallmark of the 1960s counterculture, which Jefferson Airplane was a significant part of. The mention of an 'amber light' and 'moving everything over' evokes a sense of awakening and change, possibly hinting at the social and political upheavals of the time.

The lyrics then shift to a more critical tone, addressing societal norms and expectations. The repeated mention of 'white shirt and tie' and 'wedding ring' symbolizes conformity and the traditional roles imposed by society. The reference to 'Mulligan stew for Bloom' and 'the only Jew in the room' are nods to James Joyce's

Share on social media Share as link
  1. 3/5 Of a Mile In 10 Seconds
  2. Somebody to Love
  3. Embryonic Journey
  4. White Rabbit
  5. The Ballad Of You And Me And Pooneil
  6. Today
  7. Tobacco Road
  8. Plastic Fantastic Lover
  9. She Has Funny Cars
  10. Leaving On A Jet Plane
View all Jefferson Airplane songs

Most popular topics in Jefferson Airplane songs

Related artists

  1. Grateful Dead
    Grateful Dead
  2. The Velvet Underground
    The Velvet Underground
  3. Iron Butterfly
    Iron Butterfly
  4. Janis Joplin
    Janis Joplin
  5. The Doors
    The Doors
  6. The Animals
    The Animals
  7. Jethro Tull
    Jethro Tull
  8. Pink Floyd
    Pink Floyd