Volunteers (song)

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“Volunteers”
Single by Jefferson Airplane from the album Volunteers
B-side	We Can Be Together
Released	September, 1969
Format	Vinyl record (7") 45 RPM
Recorded	1969
Genre	Psychedelic Rock, Acid Rock
Length	A-Side: 2:03 B-Side: 5:50
Label	RCA
Writer(s)	Marty Balin / Paul Kantner
Producer	Al Schmitt
Jefferson Airplane singles chronology
"The Other Side of This Life" "We Can Be Together" "Mexico"

Contents 1 A-Side "Volunteers" 2 B-Side "We Can Be Together" 3 Personnel 3.1 Additional Personnel 4 Notes

[edit] A-Side "Volunteers"

"Volunteers" is a Jefferson Airplane single that was released to promote the album Volunteers two months before its release. It was written by Marty Balin and Paul Kantner together. Marty was woken up by a truck one morning, which happened to be a truck with Volunteers of America painted on the side.^[1] Marty started writing lyrics down and then asked Paul to help him with the music.

[edit] B-Side "We Can Be Together"

"We Can Be Together" is the B-side of the "Volunteers" 45 and the first track on Volunteers. The song's music and lyrics were written by Paul Kantner. Kantner was inspired by the Black Panther Party's use of the phrase "Up against the wall, motherfucker" and included it in the chorus.^[1] The Airplane performed "We Can Be Together" uncensored on The Dick Cavett Show on August 19, 1969, and this performance is purported to be the first time the word "fuck" was ever uttered on network television.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Personnel

• Grace Slick - Piano / Vocals
• Paul Kantner - Rhythm Guitar / Vocals
• Marty Balin - Guitar / Vocals
• Jorma Kaukonen - Lead Guitar
• Jack Casady - Bass
• Spencer Dryden - Drums / Percussion

[edit] Additional Personnel

• Nicky Hopkins - Piano

[edit] Notes