Jefferson Airplane Takes Off Songs Ranked

Jefferson Airplane Takes Off is the debut studio album by the American rock band Jefferson Airplane, released in August 1966 as RCA Victor LSP-3584 (stereo) and LPM-3584 (mono). The personnel differs from the later “classic” lineup: Signe Toly Anderson was the female vocalist and Skip Spence played drums. Both soon left the group—Spence in May 1966, Anderson in October and were replaced by Spencer Dryden and Grace Slick, respectively. The album’s release drew little press attention at a time when mainstream newspapers did not normally cover rock releases and the rock press was yet in its infancy. Crawdaddy! highlighted the album on the cover of its January 1967 issue, which included a three-page review by the magazine’s assistant editor, Tim Jurgens, who called the album “faulted” yet “the most important album of American rock” of 1966. Here are all of Jefferson Airplane Takes Off songs ranked.

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11. And I Like It

“Jefferson Airplane’s debut album is usually not acknowledged, but nonetheless, it’s a stunning work of art. And not many people seem to know about Signe Anderson, their original singer before Grace Slick. She’s not quite as good as Grace (then again, nobody is), but her voice is still VERY powerful and downright stunning at times.”

10. Tobacco Road

“Tobacco Road” is highly memorable for including a GREAT vocal melody and chorus. Just a fantastic song. “Tobacco Road” is a fabulous blues tune and the album closer.”

9. Chauffeur Blues

“Signe Anderson’s voice can be heard miles away on the brilliant “Chauffeur Blues.” She relayed a great story to me for the book that during a studio session of the song a mixing board ended up exploding because the engineers had her levels too high.”

See more: Jefferson Airplane Albums Ranked

8. It’s No Secret

“It’s No Secret” (Another Balin composition) would become a staple of the band’s early stage repertoire. Balin changes gears and shows his musical diversity with the upbeat rocker.”

7. Don’t Slip Away

“Don’t Slip Away” is just the perfect song. The vocal melody drifts along in a very melodic and easy to absorb kind of way, not the least bit challenging or anything (and certainly not psychedelic- in fact, it reminds me of the country rock version of the Byrds) and the song only improves as it gets closer to the… is that a chorus? Or just an extention of the verse melody sung in a higher vocal range? Whatever. It’s awesome.”

6. Bringing Me Down

“This album is underrated as all hell. I swear this thing is as good as surrealistic pillow perhaps even better, or perhaps just sounds better considering none of these songs has ever been overplayed. Great folk rock with psychedelic edge, the bass and lead guitar are fantastic.”

5. Let’s Get Together

“Let’s Get Together” (Written by Dino Valente) yeas later would become an anthem for the Youngbloods under the name of “Get Together.” Before the well-deserved accolades were handed to them, the Airplane had done a superlative arrangement.”

See more: Jefferson Airplane Songs Ranked

4. Let Me In

“Let Me In” reminds me of the 60’s version of Neil Diamond for some strange reason. Probably the heaviest song in terms of guitar playing… and by that I mean, it actually *features* some speedy guitar work making it heavy for teenage party animals in 1966, haha.”

3. Run Around

“For me “Run Around” is the first emergence of a distinctive Jefferson Airplane sound – Balin having enough of his girly’s hands running around his brain. “Run Around” is another victim of repetition, but oh well. It’s good. Actually this is a REALLY good track. It would fit in perfectly with any oldies collection.”

2. Blues From an Airplane

“The drums and guitars of “Blues From An Airplane” may be crudely panned across the speakers but man are they clear and what a great ‘hey hey make me happy’ opening salvo – even if they do sound too dangerously close to The Byrds.”

1. Come Up the Years

“Other songs repeat like mad however, such as “Come Up the Years”. It includes a vocal melody that repeats WAY too much but hey, at least it constantly repeats a *good* vocal melody.”