Jefferson Airplane - Third Week In The Chelsea Lyrics






Sometimes I feel like i am leaving life behind
My hands are moving faster than the movement of my mind
Thoughts and generations of my dreams are yet unborn
I hope that I will find them 'fore my moving gets too worn
If only I could live to see the dawning of the dawn

So we go on moving trying to make this image real
Straining every nerve not knowing what we really feel
Straining every nerve ending and everybody sees
That what they read in the Rolling Stone has really come to be
And trying to avoid a taste of that reality

On an early New York mornin' a mirror in the hall
Showed to me a face I didn't know at all
Lines were drawn around a pair of eyes that opened wide
When I looked into the mouth there was nothing left inside
So I walked into the little room and whistled like a sigh

As dawn light closed around me my head was still in gear
Thinking thoughts of playing more and singing loud and clear
Trying to reach a friend somewhere and make that person smile
Maybe pull myself away from that old lonesome mile
That often comes to haunt me in the morning

All my friends keep telling me that it would be a shame
To break up such a grand success and tear apart a name
But all I know is what I feel whenever I'm not playin'
Emptiness ain't where it's at and neither's feeling pain

Well now what is going to happen now is anybody's guess
If I can't spend my time with love I guess I need a rest
Time is getting late now and the sun is getting low
My body's getting tired of carryin' another's load
And sunshine's waiting for me a little further down the road





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

Jefferson Airplane Third Week In The Chelsea Comments
  1. A.... I....

    Great great GREAT song!

  2. M.... J....

    Jorma played this in a local town bar in AMITYVILLE, NY in early March 1979. He asked for a request and I yelled out 3rd Week in Chelsea - I think he was impressed that I knew this song and he sang it directly to me. Awe-inspiring - still remember 40 years later.

  3. r.... f....

    Hot F_ _ _ _ _ g Tuna still touring & trucking.

  4. J.... L....

    This album wasn't considered a great Airplane lp at the time but considering the drek, they released toward the end of their run (with Diane Warren songs etc) this is a classic nonetheless. There's no comparison to songs like this with "We Built This City on Rock and Roll. None. Though to be honest, this song sounds more like what developed into the marvelous Hot Tuna with a little Grace Slick under the surface. I don't know what happened to this band -- even the early Starship was excellent -- they should've lasted far longer with the same bite and vinegar they started with. Too late now...it's all memories and continued listening.

  5. A.... I....

    How the hell do you end up at the awful We Built This City from something as good as this?

  6. A.... P....

    A beautiful song.

  7. b.... ....

    The goodbye song for Jorma. To much conflict in the band. Folk/blues/rock roots vs love songs. Bad enough earlier with relationships and hard feelings over breakups.

  8. M.... C....

    I was introduced to this album back in the early 70s at a keg party and I still play it to this day on CD best album as far as I'm concerned by Jefferson Airplane.

  9. S.... H....

    Peace!
    There's such a lack nowadays...
    -Love-

  10. S.... H....

    Please listen. A rare skill nowaday, unfortunately, but listen. Please. :)

  11. J.... K....

    First heard this song in 1971 on a drive up hiway 80 for Thursday's night-skiing fun at Boreal Ridge. Gary put the eight-track in, cranked up the volume to 11 and 3rd week in the chelsea came on like gang busters right at Emmigrant Gap with a full moon lighting up mighty Sierra snow banks. Music was never the same after that, such beauty makes me weep!

  12. T.... L....

    Jorma and Grace duetting away a beautiful song, a song of life's trials and tribulations, paths less taken, pretty song from the heart

  13. S.... F....

    Jorma just fabulous

  14. j.... ....

    What an absolute masterpiece, timeless, haunting, profoundly positive

  15. R.... M....

    I guess you could call this album the Jefferson Airplane white Album. the best songs on this album were done by Jorma

    R.... M....

    Jorma really cooked on this album but I also can't overlook Grace's "Law Man" and Paul's "War Movie"

  16. P.... S....

    Sending Much love to Tiffany......Peace be with you.

  17. R.... M....

    Joma was really back bone all the Jefferson Airplane. I have yet and I have 63 years old to hear or find anybody who could copy his guitar playing style. the Jeffersons starship may have so more records. hot tuna but out better music

  18. P.... F....

    this song is pure nostalgia. I remember upon hearing it for the first time in college ~2010 I felt like it was a song i already knew. You know when you hear a song, and just take to it automatically. For me, lots of times it takes several listenings to really enjoy a song. This one was different.

  19. T.... P....

    If only I could see the dawning of the of the dawn.

  20. M.... P....

    Gives me goosebumps every time

  21. F.... G....

    Sometimes I feel like i am leaving life behind
    My hands are moving faster than the movement of my mind
    Thoughts and generations of my dreams are yet unborn
    I hope that I will find them 'fore my moving gets too worn
    If only I could live to see the dawning of the dawn

    So we go on moving trying to make this image real
    Straining every nerve not knowing what we really feel
    Straining every nerve ending and everybody sees
    That what they read in the Rolling Stone has really come to be
    And trying to avoid a taste of that reality

    On an early New York mornin' a mirror in the hall
    Showed to me a face I didn't know at all
    Lines were drawn around a pair of eyes that opened wide
    When I looked into the mouth there was nothing left inside
    So I walked into the little room and whistled like a sigh

    As dawn light closed around me my head was still in gear
    Thinking thoughts of playing more and singing loud and clear
    Trying to reach a friend somewhere and make that person smile
    Maybe pull myself away from that old lonesome mile
    That often comes to haunt me in the morning

    All my friends keep telling me that it would be a shame
    To break up such a grand success and tear apart a name
    But all I know is what I feel whenever I'm not playin'
    Emptiness ain't where it's at and neither's feeling pain

    Well now what is going to happen now is anybody's guess
    If I can't spend my time with love I guess I need a rest
    Time is getting late now and the sun is getting low
    My body's getting tired of carryin' another's load
    And sunshine's waiting for me a little further down the road

    F.... G....

    Thank you for providing the lyrics!!!

    F.... G....

    One of J.A best & underated songs

    F.... G....

    Hinting at the coming despise of the band...

    F.... G....

    You've written the lyrics mostly accurately, with a few minor errors.
    Thus, I've rewritten them, 100℅ correct.

    F.... G....

    You are a man of impeccable taste and tremendous sensibilities.

  22. P.... S....

    The musician of this time linked Joy with Freedom.

  23. f.... s....

    anyway bark was a nice album: I can't stand long john silver..

    f.... s....

    that has incredible moments

  24. N.... H....

    last line is the best

  25. P.... S....

    This tune captures the world-weary physical and creative exhaustion of the band (and of a lot of us in the early '70s) after all the tumult of the previous decade.

  26. H.... S....

    Where is the 14 y old guy who's proud to listen to old classics?

    H.... S....

    Louve Sylvestre I'm 14 😊

    H.... S....

    i'm an old dawg and i think it's great when 14 year olds say they listen to this music

  27. z.... ....

    To me, the first few Starship albums ... (ya they were different but) were still the Airplane. Ya everyone will argue but all the way up to Dragonfly if you listen you can still hear the old wisdom, through the fluff.

    z.... ....

    i liked early Jefferson Starship from Dragon Fly to Earth.
    I thought things got strange when Mickey Thomas joined.

  28. B.... W....

    When they recorded this classic everyone pretty much knew it was over. Marty and Spencer were gone and Jorma and Jack were transitioning from the Airplane as their full time gig to Hot Tuna. Of course, it would all be over in 1973 and Grace and Paul would form Jefferson Starship.

  29. A.... S....

    Is that the album cover ^^^ above?
    I seem to remember something made of kraft paper and a fish? Now, my album was purchased in (West) Germany and my memory of those days is rather, ahem, hazy...

    A.... S....

    +Adrian Stuehler I can't remember the actual cover but mine came in a paper sleeve like the above. Great album :)

    A.... S....

    +Adrian Stuehler Yeah Adrian, the album this song was on is called BARK and the on the front cover was a picture of a large fish wrapped in butcher paper with just its head peeking out. The fish head had a set of false teeth comically/poetically placed in its mouth. I'm not sure if the fish was a tuna or not.

    A.... S....

    Yes, the cover was like broken and a fish head like coming out of it, with uman teeth. Everithing, though, was wrapped in a paper bag like this image. There was a list of "what you can do with the bag".

    A.... S....

    "Includes double sided lyric insert (folded 61x30 cm). The lyric insert contains songwriting credits with lyrics on one side, a poem "What You Can Do With The Bag" on the other.

    External packaging includes a custom-size brown paper bag, similar to grocery store quality. The bag folds to gatefold size (12-inch by 24-inch, approximately). One side of the bag matches the "JA" image shown with this release, the other side of the bag contains track listing, track credits, and reproduced hand-drawn caricatures of some of the musicians."

    https://www.discogs.com/Jefferson-Airplane-Bark/release/1173853

  30. R.... ....

    that song was the Airplane's epitaph

  31. M.... ....

    Kaoukonen is genius.

    M.... ....

    your not, it's kaukonen.

    M.... ....

    You're* not either

    M.... ....

    Ha haaaa! Great comment to a great comment!!

  32. P.... G....

    Captured the wistfulness of the times.

  33. M.... S....

    a sad, beautiful song for Airplane fans who could feel the whole thing coming to an end.

    M.... S....

    yep. Paul and Marty had alrdy left at this point. :'(

    M.... S....

    @shymama8 Only Marty had left. Paul never quitted JA : he only quitted Jefferson Starship about in 1984 and didn't was a member of Starship. 

    M.... S....

    @Alessio Impronta Spencer left also he was replaced my Joey Covington

    M.... S....

    Spencer left in early 1970 and Marty left in early 71.

    M.... S....

    I was born in 76
    My parents had great taste in music, this song makes me teary eyed sometimes tbh.but then happyreal music tho man i fn love JA and.....that time era, wish i was lucky enough to be apart of.

  34. N.... H....

    Beautiful acoustics...

  35. W.... M....

    this song really brings thoughts of life together. I'm sure Jorma was feeling something similar. Life goes on, you do the best you can, ups and downs but the answer lies within and life is good.....

  36. B.... P....

    Beautiful.

  37. g.... ....

    John LaStrada - You are talking about completely different bands.  The only member of Jefferson Airplane who was involved in "We Built this City" was Grace Slick.

    g.... ....

    and that song was not written by them.

  38. K.... G....

    Like if you think 
    . Will Scarlett should definitely have been credited!

    K.... G....

    Saw Hot Tuna with Will Scarlett, Leon Russell, and Pink Floyd at the UC San Diego baseball field think it was 71 or 72 friggin epic show put on by all....Stanley Owsley lives. Thank you Brotherhood of eternal love ( Laguna Canyon )....aloha

  39. h.... ....

    wonderul

    h.... ....

    yup... still wonderful

  40. Y.... A....

    Airplane was my favorite group in the end 60s & 70s. I even saw them Bath festival way too short because of the rain (but I saw the whole set of Hot Tuna) ... When I hear now I notes that such large groups of that time, it did not take a wrinkle, it is the mark of the greatest...

  41. j.... ....

    Of all the fanboy Grace superlatives.....her brilliance as a backing vocalist is often overlooked.

    j.... ....

    not by this fan. I've loved her backing vocals ever since
    the opening of Surrealistic Pillow with "She Has Funny Cars."

  42. J.... L....

    From "Third Week in the Chelsea," "Embryonic Journey" and "White Rabbit" and tons of other incredible tracks to "We Built This City..." what happened? Inspiration lost? Ran out of gas? Got old and lost touch with their own muse? Even Paul Kanter made fun of & ridiculed "We Built This City." His facial expression said it all. I think the record company chipped away at them to the point they lost their desire to be themselves or, maybe the times changed. Thank God there's a Hot Tuna still.

  43. P.... S....

    My pleasure, good stuff should be shared, I'm glad you had a moment to relax & enjoy........seems more rare these days. If you want to talk more, I'm at [email protected], if not, take care.

  44. 1.... ....

    I had a moment to relax & enjoy some tunes peacefully last night, & took your suggestion. Hot Tuna is wonderful! Thanks again!

  45. P.... S....

    awesome1
    Have you be treated to any "Hot Tuna?" Another piece of history to be enjoyed. Candle light or not, the same spirit dwells within. When the lights are low, and a candle burns, the heart takes over and shadows dance.
    life is change. Thanks for sharing.

  46. 1.... ....

    Agreed! :)

  47. P.... S....

    Sugar
    You're very sweet, you obviously get it. The fun of life is in the journey. (and the music)

  48. 1.... ....

    What a beautiful comment, so heartfelt & truthful. Thank you!

  49. P.... S....

    The sence I get is a reality check, coupled with the past, seeing truth, and being on a path already chosen. Emptiness ain't where it's at, nether's feeling pain. Being ready for what happens next, (what ever it might be) is the greatest gift of life! The season I'm in is early Fall at 48, my life is very blessed. As life goes on, Winter will come, I don't fear death because I was born to die. This song is part of my life and it brings me joy.

  50. 1.... ....

    One of my favorite Jefferson Airplane songs, so great!

  51. t.... ....

    Got to see this performed live in 1989. Sweet!

    t.... ....

    I was there too! Here's a little deja vu for you:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv-AB_8Hmg0

    t.... ....

    And a sampler!
    https://meemee.tv/video/1033

    t.... ....

    Just found this - a segment on the 1989 reunion tour:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q3C6iXCCWs

  52. J.... V....

    or the end of a great one

  53. O.... C....

    Great vocals arrange... Grace Slick sustain... check this out...

  54. a.... ....

    Sweet harmonica. Will Scarlett should definitely have been credited!

  55. P.... B....

    One of my favorite Jefferson Airplane songs. Can't get enough of it

  56. M.... ....

    This Song Brings a tear to My Eye ;{

  57. j.... ....

    To take a miserable situation and create something of beauty; that's art.

    j.... ....

    It takes talent to turn a train wreck into something worthy, inspiring and timeless.
    Bravo Jorma!!

  58. e.... ....

    @zombiestars42 the 'story' was called Jefferson Airplane

  59. S.... ....

    @DrugsRasta
    You say [Some artist that's currently popular], I say [An artist that was popular in the past]
    (Repeat to show you know lot's of bands)

    A [made up high number]% of teens listen to the same crappy pop music. If your (spelt wrong to show how much soul you have) one of the [100 - number from before]% left who still listen to music that I like because I think it makes me cool then yada yada no one cares...

  60. a.... ....

    so absolutely difficult to pick a favorite with these songs. love early stuff like it's no secret. coming up the years. love the fulton st album. guess they lived there? san francisco?

  61. f.... ....

    such a peaceful song. love the lyrics, very nostalgic and meaningful. favorite song by Jefferson Airplane.

  62. J.... T....

    LOL I clicked on sean hannity on fox noise just as this started....what a hoot watching that and listening to this.

    Thank you JA

  63. B.... H....

    nothing better then a good old Jefferson Airplane song :)

  64. X.... L....

    @DrugsRasta 80% of stats are made up

  65. D.... H....

    this is one of my very favorites. i remember this song at radio city in like 1990, not sure of the date, but what a show, jorma & grace wow

    D.... H....

    August 29 & 30, 1989! Here's a review:
    https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/31/arts/review-rock-reunited-jefferson-airplane-still-loose-still-utopian.html

    D.... H....

    And a setlist (the 30th has a different Jorma section & only 1 encore song)
    https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/jefferson-airplane/1989/radio-city-music-hall-new-york-ny-2bdc7cce.html

    D.... H....

    And here's a sample of the show! More on YouTube!
    https://meemee.tv/video/1033

    D.... H....

    Just found this - a segment on the 1989 reunion tour

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q3C6iXCCWs

  66. E.... M....

    Jorma could feel that he and Grace were not the same. Interesting that she participated on the song.

  67. a.... ....

    REAL FUCKING NICE MUSIC

  68. S.... B....

    this is the JAM

  69. O.... ....

    @jtcbrown It's about the band breaking up

  70. j.... ....

    @zombiestars42 thats cos it was. "all my friends keep telling me, to break up such a grand success and tear apart a name..."its about jorma leaving.

  71. j.... ....

    @OrangeSunshine2 it sure does. great tune they made though, when they were together. this tune gives me chilly-willies.

  72. i.... ....

    Use to hang in new haven back then ....state street.....nice times... never to re- appear...the oreo

  73. l.... ....

    What a great ballad.......that is oh so tight....thanks for posting this 1971 gem!

  74. d.... ....

    Jorma wanted out, and Grace was cool with it!

    d.... ....

    Grace's background vocals in this song are so perfect -- so beautiful -- they sound to me like love.
    🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

  75. O.... ....

    This song really marks the end of the Jefferson Airplane

  76. R.... Z....

    feels like the end of a story...

  77. J.... R....

    Wow, this definately has a grateful dead feel to it.

  78. K.... A....

    @D3f11 word. I think it's because of the dynamic of Grace's bitter and Jorma's sweet tone of voice (I mean their voice specifically for this song, not in general, to be sure).

  79. j.... ....

    Jorma apparently writes songs in the middle of the night, and doesn't remember recording them/writing them down in the morning...this was one of those...amazing!

  80. L.... M....

    great jorma
    porca madonna

  81. r.... ....

    I found this LP in Vinyll at some lousy CD shop at Barcelona

  82. A.... ....

    que rica esta canción. What sweet is this song.

  83. C.... B....

    Yay!!! JORMA!!!! GRACE!!!

  84. D.... H....

    The Title is referring tot he length of time the band ahs been together and comparing it to a stay in chelsea for three weeks. The song as well as the title are about the band coming apart , the parting of the members, and its break up.

  85. a.... ....

    Great Song

  86. M.... ....

    An old friend of mine lived half his life in the Chelsea Hotel and eventually died there as well. The Chelsea was sometheing else back in the late 60's/early 70's. Jorma brings it all back with this song. Thanks for posting!

  87. S.... M....

    been want'n to hear this song for years. Even tried programming it on Pandora, but it NEVER plays there. THANKS FOR POSTING! Now I'm gonna listen to it again...........

  88. b.... ....

    i freaken love the biginig of this song
    if only i could live to see the dawning of the dawn -JA forever

  89. j.... ....

    i listened to this song for years before i noticed grace was doing the background vocal
    - completely stripped of her usual tradmarks

  90. R.... A....

    this is the best song ever