Miracles

Miracles is a song by the American rock band Jefferson Starship. Written by vocalist Marty Balin, it was released in August 1975 as the lead single from the band's second studio album, Red Octopus (1975). The song became the highest-charting single in the history of Jefferson Starship (or its predecessor, Jefferson Airplane), peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

A soft rock ballad with psychedelic and soulful elements, "Miracles" features Balin's emotive lead vocals, backed by Grace Slick and other band members. The album version runs 6:52, while the edited single version was shortened to 3:25 for radio play. It remains one of the band's signature songs and a staple of classic rock radio.

Background and Recording

Marty Balin, a founding member of Jefferson Airplane who had left the group in 1971, rejoined the newly formed Jefferson Starship in the mid-1970s. He contributed "Miracles" to the Red Octopus sessions. Balin has described the song as being inspired by his girlfriend at the time as well as the Indian spiritual figure Sathya Sai Baba, blending romantic themes with spiritual elements drawn from Persian poetry and chanting.

The track was recorded in February 1975 in San Francisco. It was produced by Jefferson Starship and Larry Cox. The full band lineup on the recording included:

Marty Balin – lead vocals
Grace Slick – vocals
Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
David Freiberg – vocals, keyboards
Pete Sears – bass, keyboards
Craig Chaquico – lead guitar
John Barbata – drums
Papa John Creach – violin (on some tracks, though primarily featured elsewhere on the album)

Balin reportedly wrote the song relatively quickly, and initial band reactions were mixed before they agreed to record it. The success of "Miracles" helped propel Balin back into a prominent role as a lead vocalist for the group.

Composition and Lyrics

"Miracles" is a mid-tempo ballad characterized by its lush production, melodic piano and guitar work, and layered harmonies. The lyrics mix themes of love, belief, and transcendence, with lines such as "If only you believe like I believe, baby / We'd get by" and more sensual imagery (some of which was edited out of the radio single to avoid controversy).

The song's arrangement incorporates elements of soft rock, pop, and the band's psychedelic roots, creating a smooth, radio-friendly sound that marked a shift toward more commercial territory for Jefferson Starship.

Release and Chart Performance

The single was released in August 1975 on Grunt Records (catalog FB-10367), with the B-side "Ai Garimasu (There Is Love)". It entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #82 and climbed steadily, peaking at #3 for three consecutive weeks in October 1975. It spent 17 weeks on the chart overall.

Additional chart positions:

Canada (RPM Top Singles) – #2
US Easy Listening – #17
US Cash Box Top 100 – #4

The single's success significantly boosted Red Octopus, which reached #1 on the Billboard 200 and achieved multi-platinum certification. "Miracles" remains Jefferson Starship's highest-charting single under that name (or as Jefferson Airplane). In 1998, Marty Balin was awarded a plaque by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) for the song reaching two million U.S. radio performances.

Legacy

"Miracles" is widely regarded as one of the band's defining hits and a classic 1970s love ballad. It has been praised as "pop pillow talk" and continues to receive airplay on classic rock and adult contemporary stations. The song has been performed live by various iterations of Jefferson Starship, including the Kantner-led revival and the current lineup under David Freiberg.

It appears on numerous compilations and has been covered or referenced in popular culture. Balin performed it throughout his solo career until his death in 2018.

Track Listing

7" Single (1975)

"Miracles" (Single Edit) – 3:25
"Ai Garimasu (There Is Love)" – (length varies by pressing)

Album Version

"Miracles" – 6:52 (on Red Octopus)

Personnel

Marty Balin – lead vocals
Grace Slick – vocals
Paul Kantner – rhythm guitar, vocals
Craig Chaquico – lead guitar
Pete Sears – bass, keyboards
John Barbata – drums
Additional contributions from David Freiberg and others as per the full album credits.

External Links

[Official Lyric Video](https://www.jeffersonstarship.com/videos/v/miracles)
[Official Audio on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m8izf-oXY4)
[Miracles on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracles_(Jefferson_Starship_song))

This page can be expanded with full lyrics (under fair use guidelines), additional chart data, or live performance details. For more on the album, see Red Octopus.