White Rabbit
Janis Joplin · Other Songs - Janis Joplin
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don't do anything at all
Go ask Alice
When she's ten feet tall
And if you go chasing rabbits
And you know you're going to fall
Tell 'em a hookah smoking caterpillar
Has given you the call
Call Alice
When she was just small
When men on the chessboard
Get up and tell you where to go
And you've just had some kind of mushroom
And your mind is moving low
Go ask Alice
I think she'll know
When logic and proportion
Have fallen sloppy dead
And the White Knight is talking backwards
And the Red Queen's "off with her head!"
Remember what the dormouse said:
"Feed your head
Feed your head
Feed your head"
White Rabbit
Janis Joplin's "White Rabbit" stands as a defining moment in her brief but explosive career, showcasing her ability to transform psychedelic rock into something deeply personal and raw. The track is renowned for its dynamic structure, beginning with a hushed, intimate vocal delivery before building into a powerful, sustained crescendo that highlights Joplin's extraordinary range and emotional intensity. Drawing inspiration from Lewis Carroll's literary work, the song captures the surreal atmosphere of the late 1960s counterculture. It remains a staple of her discography, illustrating her unique fusion of blues, rock, and folk influences. The recording exemplifies her fearless approach to performance, cementing her status as a pivotal figure in American music history who could command a stage with sheer vocal power and vulnerability.