Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody to Love" was the first hit song to break out of the San Francisco psychedelic music scene in 1967. Originally recorded by Great Society in 1965 and written by Darby Slick, that band included singer Grace Slick, who was Darby's sister-in-law. When she left to co-found the Airplane, Grace took "Somebody to Love with her. It appeared on their debut album Surrealistic Pillow; the song peaked at No. 5 on the charts, establishing the Airplane as a band to be reckoned with. They followed with Grace's "White Rabbit" (No. 8, 1967). Their early-morning Woodstock set in 1969 forever etched the Airplane in counterculture history.
The German electonic duo Boogie Pimps covered of "Somebody to Love" in 2003. It was a hit in Europe, but never dented the U.S. charts.
A new version of "Somebody to Love" has been recorded by Lauren Murphy on her Psychedelics album. Formerly with Zero, Murphy fronts the Psychedelics.
"Somebody to Love" Lyrics
When the truth is found to be lies
And all the joy within you dies
Don't you want somebody to love
Don't you need somebody to love
Wouldn't you love somebody to love
You better find somebody to love
Love, love
When the garden flowers, baby are dead, yes and
Your mind, your mind is so full of red
Don't you want somebody to love
Don't you need somebody to love
Wouldn't you love somebody to love
You better find somebody to love
Your eyes, I say your eyes may look like his
Yeah, but in your head, baby
I'm afraid you don't know where it is
Don't you want somebody to love
Don't you need somebody to love
Wouldn't you love somebody to love
You better find somebody to love
Tears are running down
They're all running down your breast
And your friends, baby
They treat you like a guest
Don't you want somebody to love
Don't you need somebody to love
Wouldn't you love somebody to love
You better find somebody to love
