Jefferson Airplane — Plastic Fantastic Lover
Album: Surrealistic PillowAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 468
Length: 2:30
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Her neon mouth with the blinkers-off smile
Nothing but an electric sign
You could say she has an individual style
She's part of a colorful time
Secrecy of lady-chrome-covered clothes
You wear cause you have no other
But I suppose no one knows
You're my plastic fantastic lover
Her rattlin' cough never shuts off
Is nothin' but a used machine
Her aluminum finish, slightly diminished
Is the best I ever have seen
Cosmetic baby plugged into me
I'd never ever find another
I realize no one's wise
To my plastic fantastic lover
The electrical dust is starting to rust
Her trapezoid thermometer taste
All the red tape is mechanical rape
Of the TV program waste
Data control and IBM
Science is mankind's brother
But all I see is drainin' me
On my plastic fantastic lover
Nothing but an electric sign
You could say she has an individual style
She's part of a colorful time
Secrecy of lady-chrome-covered clothes
You wear cause you have no other
But I suppose no one knows
You're my plastic fantastic lover
Her rattlin' cough never shuts off
Is nothin' but a used machine
Her aluminum finish, slightly diminished
Is the best I ever have seen
Cosmetic baby plugged into me
I'd never ever find another
I realize no one's wise
To my plastic fantastic lover
The electrical dust is starting to rust
Her trapezoid thermometer taste
All the red tape is mechanical rape
Of the TV program waste
Data control and IBM
Science is mankind's brother
But all I see is drainin' me
On my plastic fantastic lover
Comments (59)add comment
This song is NOT about sex toys! Marty Balin wrote this song about a new stereo that he had just bought! 
...and Marty, one of the better R&R voices
Ah Jorma.............THE greatest psychedelic guitarist of the period.
unclehud wrote:
This was some of the gateway music coming out of NoCal that got a lot of the folkheads smoking and tripping while following the direction bands like this were steering us. This is clearly a significant step in the evolution of a lot of great music that followed. For that and for its longevity, it should add at least a full point to whatever you thought it was, IMHO.
I love this album -- it transformed my life. And I chuckle when I compare it to today's rock and roll. Sure it is nutty, simple, and production values are for shit, but it is original and makes a statement.
This was some of the gateway music coming out of NoCal that got a lot of the folkheads smoking and tripping while following the direction bands like this were steering us. This is clearly a significant step in the evolution of a lot of great music that followed. For that and for its longevity, it should add at least a full point to whatever you thought it was, IMHO.
True then, true now but even more so.
jnocook wrote:
If you don't like it, don't listen.
exactly
If you don't like it, don't listen.
exactly
springof63 wrote:
Troll alert!
If you don't like it, don't listen.
Troll alert!
If you don't like it, don't listen.
lowelltr wrote:
Troll alert!
Hate this hippie crap...
Troll alert!
Well, I have this vinyl in mono.
Marty, Jorma, Jack, Paul, Grace and Spencer bring it on!
grahamdillabough wrote:
great story!
Groooooovy man groovy
lowelltr wrote:
Chained to a chair and repeated loops of Incense and Peppermints Born to Be Wild for you.,
Hate this hippie crap...
Chained to a chair and repeated loops of Incense and Peppermints Born to Be Wild for you.,
Marty telling it like it is! Jorma!
...to be followed by Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees"?
Typesbad wrote:
That is interesting because probably 80 - 90% of what you listen to on RP was inspired and/or influenced by this "hippie crap".
No kidding!!!
That is interesting because probably 80 - 90% of what you listen to on RP was inspired and/or influenced by this "hippie crap".
No kidding!!!
lowelltr wrote:
That is interesting because probably 80 - 90% of what you listen to on RP was inspired and/or influenced by this "hippie crap".
Hate this hippie crap...
That is interesting because probably 80 - 90% of what you listen to on RP was inspired and/or influenced by this "hippie crap".
Boom Boom Yeah OHHH yeah HmmmHmmm HMMMM! Awwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well I remember how I turned my best friend Kevin onto this around 1983 or so...blew his frickin' mind, man! And I think it STILL rocks!
Man, remember back in the day when LP's were either mono or stereo and you had to check to be sure which you were buying? Many were produced in mono because record players back then came with a single speaker built in. Stereo equipment at home was cutting edge technology at the time. Many thanks to Rick Turner, Ron Wickersham and the late Owsley Stanley for developing the concert stage equipment to blow out our ears all those years ago. My tinnitus is the price I paid.
lowelltr wrote:
I guess you had to be there . Sorry you missed it.
Hate this hippie crap...
I guess you had to be there . Sorry you missed it.
So cool, I just listened to Surrealistic Pillow in its entirety and no sooner did it finish playing than I bring up RP to hear Plastic Fantastic Lover. If you were a fan from back in the day, perhaps familiar with San Francisco you might enjoy these:
https://jormakaukonen.com/cracksinthefinish/?p=5343
https://coffee.caffetrieste.com/in-memoriam-paul-kantner-1941-2016
https://jormakaukonen.com/cracksinthefinish/?p=5343
https://coffee.caffetrieste.com/in-memoriam-paul-kantner-1941-2016
Hate this hippie crap...
Great story! Your Mom bought you two of my most favorite albums.
Isabeau wrote:
Isabeau wrote:
I turned 10 in 1967. My Mom had grown desperately sick of my Monkee records. She turned to me before my 10th bday party and said with a nearly pleading look on her face, "Honey, wouldn't you like to have some new music to play for your party?" I looked at her as if she had three heads. She sighed, shook her head and said, "Well, let me see what we can do."
A few days later, carrying a large, white paper bag. With a big smile she said "The man at the record store said these were good for parties."
I pulled out the albums "The Doors: The Doors" and "Jefferson Airplane, Surrealistic Pillow." Two of the most acid rock albums in music history.
At the tender age of 10, I went from "Last Train to Clarksville" to "White Rabbit." I clearly remember her expression when I asked her, "What's a 'Backdoor man?"
In the succeeding 47 years, My Mother has never, ever purchased music for me again.
A few days later, carrying a large, white paper bag. With a big smile she said "The man at the record store said these were good for parties."
I pulled out the albums "The Doors: The Doors" and "Jefferson Airplane, Surrealistic Pillow." Two of the most acid rock albums in music history.
At the tender age of 10, I went from "Last Train to Clarksville" to "White Rabbit." I clearly remember her expression when I asked her, "What's a 'Backdoor man?"
In the succeeding 47 years, My Mother has never, ever purchased music for me again.
Great to hear this blast from the past again! It's been a long time.
Isabeau wrote:
Out-fuckin'-standing story! Did your ma listen to the Oedipal bit of "The End"? That alone might have flipped her lid. You'd think that the title "Surrealistic Pillow" might have flashed a warning light in her head. Did anyone at the party say anything?
Those 60s: full of epiphanies, reversals and pratfalls...
Hey, the Monkees rocked in their own bubblegum way but I can sympathize with your mom. Kids that age lock into a song or movie and the groove in their heads doesn't easily wear out.
I wonder if she ever went back to the record store and gave that guy a piece of her mind...
I turned 10 in 1967. My Mom had grown desperately sick of my Monkee records. She turned to me before my 10th bday party and said with a nearly pleading look on her face, "Honey, wouldn't you like to have some new music to play for your party?" I looked at her as if she had three heads. She sighed, shook her head and said, "Well, let me see what we can do."
A few days later, carrying a large, white paper bag. With a big smile she said "The man at the record store said these were good for parties."
I pulled out the albums "The Doors: The Doors" and "Jefferson Airplane, Surrealistic Pillow." Two of the most acid rock albums in music history.
At the tender age of 10, I went from "Last Train to Clarksville" to "White Rabbit." I clearly remember her expression when I asked her, "What's a 'Backdoor man?"
In the succeeding 47 years, My Mother has never, ever purchased music for me again.
A few days later, carrying a large, white paper bag. With a big smile she said "The man at the record store said these were good for parties."
I pulled out the albums "The Doors: The Doors" and "Jefferson Airplane, Surrealistic Pillow." Two of the most acid rock albums in music history.
At the tender age of 10, I went from "Last Train to Clarksville" to "White Rabbit." I clearly remember her expression when I asked her, "What's a 'Backdoor man?"
In the succeeding 47 years, My Mother has never, ever purchased music for me again.
Out-fuckin'-standing story! Did your ma listen to the Oedipal bit of "The End"? That alone might have flipped her lid. You'd think that the title "Surrealistic Pillow" might have flashed a warning light in her head. Did anyone at the party say anything?
Those 60s: full of epiphanies, reversals and pratfalls...
Hey, the Monkees rocked in their own bubblegum way but I can sympathize with your mom. Kids that age lock into a song or movie and the groove in their heads doesn't easily wear out.
I wonder if she ever went back to the record store and gave that guy a piece of her mind...
Awesome. Incredible. Historic...
joelbb; You have missed out The better version of this song (IMHO) was on the Bless It's Pointed Little head album. Also, check out Bathing at Baxters, and Crown of Creation. P.S. One of the best live shows I have witnessed.
Bumped from 8 to 9
What was I thinking?
What was I thinking?
Isabeau wrote:
I would have loved to see your mom's face when you asked her that!
I turned 10 in 1967. My Mom had grown desperately sick of my Monkee records. She turned to me before my 10th bday party and said with a nearly pleading look on her face, "Honey, wouldn't you like to have some new music to play for your party?" I looked at her as if she had three heads. She sighed, shook her head and said, "Well, let me see what we can do."
A few days later, carrying a large, white paper bag. With a big smile she said "The man at the record store said these were good for parties."
I pulled out the albums "The Doors: The Doors" and "Jefferson Airplane, Surrealistic Pillow." Two of the most acid rock albums in music history.
At the tender age of 10, I went from "Last Train to Clarksville" to "White Rabbit." I clearly remember her expression when I asked her, "What's a 'Backdoor man?"
In the succeeding 47 years, My Mother has never, ever purchased music for me again.
A few days later, carrying a large, white paper bag. With a big smile she said "The man at the record store said these were good for parties."
I pulled out the albums "The Doors: The Doors" and "Jefferson Airplane, Surrealistic Pillow." Two of the most acid rock albums in music history.
At the tender age of 10, I went from "Last Train to Clarksville" to "White Rabbit." I clearly remember her expression when I asked her, "What's a 'Backdoor man?"
In the succeeding 47 years, My Mother has never, ever purchased music for me again.
I would have loved to see your mom's face when you asked her that!
I turned 10 in 1967. My Mom had grown desperately sick of my Monkee records. She turned to me before my 10th bday party and said with a nearly pleading look on her face, "Honey, wouldn't you like to have some new music to play for your party?" I looked at her as if she had three heads. She sighed, shook her head and said, "Well, let me see what we can do."
A few days later, carrying a large, white paper bag. With a big smile she said "The man at the record store said these were good for parties."
I pulled out the albums "The Doors: The Doors" and "Jefferson Airplane, Surrealistic Pillow." Two of the most acid rock albums in music history.
At the tender age of 10, I went from "Last Train to Clarksville" to "White Rabbit." I clearly remember her expression when I asked her, "What's a 'Backdoor man?"
In the succeeding 47 years, My Mother has never, ever purchased music for me again.
A few days later, carrying a large, white paper bag. With a big smile she said "The man at the record store said these were good for parties."
I pulled out the albums "The Doors: The Doors" and "Jefferson Airplane, Surrealistic Pillow." Two of the most acid rock albums in music history.
At the tender age of 10, I went from "Last Train to Clarksville" to "White Rabbit." I clearly remember her expression when I asked her, "What's a 'Backdoor man?"
In the succeeding 47 years, My Mother has never, ever purchased music for me again.
joelbb wrote:
I'm not sure the band was actually as good as this LP. It seemed like a piece of the popular culture was deflected from its course, just for a short time rotating about the axis that was this album.
Free show Central Park NY
wow - When the rain started the band kinda disappeared one by one until only Kantner was left jamming not giving a shit if he fried or not
totally surreal
what a show
I'm not sure the band was actually as good as this LP. It seemed like a piece of the popular culture was deflected from its course, just for a short time rotating about the axis that was this album.
Free show Central Park NY
wow - When the rain started the band kinda disappeared one by one until only Kantner was left jamming not giving a shit if he fried or not
totally surreal
what a show
right on coloradojohn! Peace!!!
I think that this record changed a lot of things, even for me as a little kid, when it came out. It scared the older generation, and it was funny, seeing my parents and their friends hiding joints in drawers and swilling drinks at parties, then telling us, "We don't want you doing ~~" Well, I knew what to do when I had the chance, and I still believe: Enjoy what you can, do no harm to others, and groove on the good stuff!
unclehud wrote:
Oh yeah!
I love this album -- it transformed my life. And I chuckle when I compare it to today's rock and roll. Sure it is nutty, simple, and production values are for shit, but it is original and makes a statement.
Oh yeah!
dpvest wrote:
Yes! Acid and maybe a booster shot of testosterone. Well caught, sir.
strikes me as what an early paul simon might sound like on acid...
Yes! Acid and maybe a booster shot of testosterone. Well caught, sir.
I love this album -- it transformed my life. And I chuckle when I compare it to today's rock and roll. Sure it is nutty, simple, and production values are for shit, but it is original and makes a statement.
my plastic fantastic lover is my surrealistic pillow
woweee churchES! congrats on the expansion
Lazarus wrote:
Everybody in my churches loves this plastic fantastic surrealistic song...
Lazarus wrote:
Everybody in my churches loves this plastic fantastic surrealistic song...
Everybody in my churches loves this plastic fantastic surrealistic song...
joelbb wrote:
I'm not sure the band was actually as good as this LP. It seemed like a piece of the popular culture was deflected from its course, just for a short time rotating about the axis that was this album.
Then you never heard them live. They cooked.
I'm not sure the band was actually as good as this LP. It seemed like a piece of the popular culture was deflected from its course, just for a short time rotating about the axis that was this album.
Then you never heard them live. They cooked.
gatorade wrote:
I'm not sure the band was actually as good as this LP. It seemed like a piece of the popular culture was deflected from its course, just for a short time rotating about the axis that was this album.
Still one of the BEST LPs in decades and decades.
I'm not sure the band was actually as good as this LP. It seemed like a piece of the popular culture was deflected from its course, just for a short time rotating about the axis that was this album.
nagsheadlocal wrote:
Money is an illusion.
Oh, gosh, one of my first surfboards was a Plastic Fantastic - I've always wondered if there was a connection.
Sold that board for $10 some time in the early 70s, now I see them on Ebay priced in thousands. The things that collectors pay for always mystify me.
Sold that board for $10 some time in the early 70s, now I see them on Ebay priced in thousands. The things that collectors pay for always mystify me.
Money is an illusion.
k-man wrote:
JORMA
What can one say.
But...
JACK !!!
But...
JACK !!!
JORMA
Still one of the BEST LPs in decades and decades.
strikes me as what an early paul simon might sound like on acid...
What can one say.
But...
JACK !!!
But...
JACK !!!
This is bad... and not in a good way
Oh hell's yeah.
What a great song from a great album. One of the first albums I ever bought. Still have it.
Has aged very well.
9 to 10
Has aged very well.
9 to 10
Such a different generation....DIGGIT! *********************
Oh, gosh, one of my first surfboards was a Plastic Fantastic - I've always wondered if there was a connection.
Sold that board for $10 some time in the early 70s, now I see them on Ebay priced in thousands. The things that collectors pay for always mystify me.
Sold that board for $10 some time in the early 70s, now I see them on Ebay priced in thousands. The things that collectors pay for always mystify me.
Some good tunes today. Haven't heard this one in a while!
A curio, right enough, and kudos to the Airplane for always experimenting. This is quirky enough, but I for one much prefer it when Grace Slick is singing 
My favorite JA LP - Lots of great music on this...
I've always liked this album and this song, quirky, offbeat, and fun. . .
A top ten island album.
I love this version—more than the live version I heard a few days ago. Oh those misty days listening to this album . . .