Jefferson Airplane: Have You Seen The Saucers

Typically, I rather hear the studio release rather than a live version; however, Jefferson Airplane’s “Have You Seen the Saucers” is an exception to the rule. The live version, which received some album rock airplay, came from the album “Thirty Seconds Over Winterland” which was released in the spring of 1973. All of the albums cuts came from shows at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. “Have you Seen the Saucers” was recorded on September 21, 1972.

Unlike the original, Papa John Creech was a member of the band during 1972 and his electric fiddle makes the cut. It is said that Paul Kantner, who wrote the tune, had been a fan of science fiction since his preteen years. It was the first sci-fi themed song that Kantner had penned.

Studio Version from 1970

Originally released as the “B” side to “Mexico” – a non-album single in 1970, the studio version versions of both tunes would later appear on the compilation album “Early Flight” that was released in 1974. “Mexico” only charted at #102.