Album: Surrealistic Pillow (1967)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this heartfelt love song, Marty Balin sings about discovering his best self through the love of another. It's a sentiment that made the song very popular at weddings and tributes.
  • Unlike Jefferson Airplane's debut album, which includes many songs written by Marty Balin and Paul Kantner, this is the only song on Surrealistic Pillow that is credited to both founding members. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mark - Desperate Hot Springs, CA
  • Marty Balin told Shindig magazine (issue 86, December 2018) that he wrote this song in order to get to know Tony Bennett.

    While the Airplane were recording Surrealistic Pillow in Studio B, the Rolling Stones were in Studio A and Bennett was in C. Balin and the Stones got to hanging out and decided they wanted to meet Bennett, so Balin wrote "Today" with the intention of presenting it to him.

    He never got to meet the elder musician, however, so "Today" became an Airplane song. It went on to become one of their most enduring, in fact, though it wasn't released as a single.
  • Jerry Garcia played lead guitar on this song, although he was not officially credited when the album was released. Garcia played a big role in the development of Surrealistic Pillow.
  • Jazz musician Tom Scott covered the song on his 1967 album, Honeysuckle Breeze. His version features a long saxophone solo that was sampled in the Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth song, "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" as well as by Lupe Fiasco for his 2012 single "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)."

Comments: 2

  • Rick from Great Falls, VaCheck out the killer totally electric cover of "Today" by Translator. Awesome!
  • Linc from Beaumont, TxThis song and almost all of the Surrealistic Pillow album is used in the Movie Walk on the Moon (1999) with Diane Lane, Viggo Mortensen, Anna Paquiin and Liev Schreiber
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.