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Fun Music Information -> Donovan
This is the most recent information about Donovan that has been submitted to amIright. If we have more information about Donovan, then we provide a link to the section where it appears (the actual page whenever possible).
Our newest site, amIwrong has an albums order quiz where you need to put this performer's albums in order of release.
Possible Misspelled Names:
These are the alternate spellings of the performer's name we've had to correct in submissions to amIright.
Wouldn't You Like to Know...Quotes:
He's five feet two and he's six feet four He fights with missiles and with spears He's all of 31 and he's only 17 He's been a soldier for a thousand years He's a Catholic, a Hindu, an atheist, a Jain a Buddhist and a Baptist and a Jew and he knows he shouldn't kill and he knows he always will kill you for me my friend and me for you - Donovan - Universal Soldier Submitted by: LucidLupin
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Music Performer Pseudonyms:
Also known as: Donovan Leitch. Submitted by: groove
Music Performer Nicknames:
Known informally as: Prince of Flower Power. Submitted by: KL Fan
Weird Names of Music Performer's Children:
- Astrella Celeste - Astrella is another typically earthly name for one of Donovan's kids. He did write a song named "Celeste", so I imagine that is where the name came from. Submitted by: Eric Andrews
- Oriole - For a perennial flower child like him, something "nature" sounding is not too unusual for Donovan. Submitted by: Eric Andrews
- Ione Skye - Submitted by: shawn50272
Singers Who Act:
Notable Acting Credits | Comments & Submitter Name |
| "The Pied Piper, The Secret Policeman's Ball" | also composed the music for Brother Sun Sister Moon and The Pied Piper. - KL Fan |
Vainity Songs:
Song Name | Comments & Submitter Name |
| "Invincible Donovan University" | Donovan rewrote the song "Universe Am I" for his new university of meditation and arts in Scotland. He never recorded it but the song can be found on YouTube in a live performance. - KL Fan |
Former Career:
Name | New Career | Comments & Submitter Name |
| "Donovan" | "Drummer" | Before he was a guitarist, he played drums in his high school band "The Macabres". His sax player was Ron "Dippy" Gale and the song "Epistle to Dippy" was dedicated to him. - KL Fan |
Song Titles Not Used as Lyrics:
Song Name | Comments & Submitter Name |
| "Colours" | The world "color" is in the song but never as a plural. ("Yellow is the color of my true love's hair... Blue's the color of the sky... Green is the color of the sparkling pond...") - KL Fan |
| "Poor Cow" | Originally titled "Poor Love", this was the theme for the movie of the same name. The song originally included a Lord of the Rings reference. "Oh I did dwell in the northern part of the country, Faramir far from here". - KL Fan |
| "Breezes of Patchulie" | Originally to be named "Darkness of my Night"...and that was used in the lyrics! - Paul Warren |
| "Sunshine Superman" | Opening line is "Sunshine came softly through my window today". And other verses open with the word "Superman". But the two words never come together anywhere in the lyrics to create the title phrase "Sunshine Superman". - Melissa Conway |
| "Epistle to Dippy" | Why it was called 'Epistle to Dippy' is way beyond me. - Paul Warren |
New Song Names:
Original Song Name | New Song Name | Submitter Name |
| "Wear Your Love Like Devon" | "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" | Leopard Seal |
| "Young Girl Booze" | "Young Girl Blues" | Sonya Raynos |
| "Universal Shoulder" | "Universal Soldier" | Ned MacCamden |
| "Mellow Hello" | "Mellow Yellow" | Lydia Idyl |
| "Mellow Cello" | "Mellow Yellow" | Lydia Idyl |
There are additional Donovan new song names available. | ||
Literally Impossible Song Titles:
Song/Performer | Comment | Submitter Name |
| "Brother Sun, Sister Moon," | Neither celestial body has a sibling. | Brit Boxx |
| "Ballad Of A Crystal Man," | No person is a crystal or made of crystals. | Candy Welty |
| "Hurdy-Gurdy Man," | Once again, man cannot be a musical instrument, | Brit Boxx |
| "Universe Am I," | He is not the universe | KL Fan |
| "The Sun Is A Very Magic Fellow," | Since when does the sun do magic or be a fellow? | KL Fan |
There are additional Donovan literally impossible song titles available. | ||
Use a Song Title to Answer a Different Song:
Song & Band Name | Song & Band Name | |
| "What's Your Favorite Color?," Living Colour | "Mellow Yellow," Donovan | |
| "Who Are You?," The Who | "Jennifer Juniper," Donovan | |
| "Sister, Do You Know My Name?," The White Stripes | "Jennifer Juniper," Donovan | |
| "I'm Going Home," Ten Years After | "To Susan On The West Coast Waiting," Donovan | |
| There are additional songs titles that answer other songs available. | ||
Remove a Letter From a Song Title:
"Catch the Win" originally "Catch the Wind"
Bob
"Ballad Of A Crystal Ma" originally "Ballad Of A Crystal Man"
Candy Welty
"Wear Your Love Like Haven" originally "Wear Your Love Like Heaven"
Wendy Torrance
"Wear Your Love Like Heave" originally "Wear Your Love Like Heaven"
Wendy Torrance
"Wear Our Love Like Heaven" originally "Wear Your Love Like Heaven"
Candy Welty
There are additional Donovan song titles with a letter removed available.
Add a Letter to a Song Title:
"Ballad Of A Crystal Manx" originally "Ballad Of A Crystal Man"
Candy Welty
"Ballad Of A Crystal Main" originally "Ballad Of A Crystal Man"
Main, as in water main
Candy Welty
"Ballad Of A Crystal Mane" originally "Ballad Of A Crystal Man"
Candy Welty
"Ballad Off A Crystal Man" originally "Ballad Of A Crystal Man"
Candy Welty
"Texas" originally "Teas"
Samantha Wayland
There are additional Donovan song titles with a letter added available.
Change a Letter:
"Ballad Of A Crystal Max" originally "Ballad Of A Crystal Man"
Jessica Childress
"Ballad Of A Crystal Maw" originally "Ballad Of A Crystal Man"
Jessica Childress
"Ballad Of A Crystal Tan" originally "Ballad Of A Crystal Man"
Jessica Childress
"Ballad Of A Crystal Ran" originally "Ballad Of A Crystal Man"
Ballad Of A Crystal ran on for a long time?
Jessica Childress
"Ballad Of A Crystal Nan" originally "Ballad Of A Crystal Man"
Jessica Childress
There are additional Donovan song titles with a letter changed available.
Song Parody Lyrics:
Original Song Name | Parody Song Name | Parody Author |
| "Mellow Yellow" | "Augie Doggie" | Porfle Popnecker |
| "Josie" | "Dozy" | Donna VanLeitch |
| "Catch The Wind" | "Get Some Z's" | Donna VanLeitch |
| "Mellow Yellow" | "Yellow Jell-O" | Donna VanLeitch |
| "Goldwatch Blues" | "Cold Broth Blues" | Donna VanLeitch |
| "Hurdy Gurdy Man" | "Hurly-Burly Man" | Donna VanLeitch |
| "Colours" | "Dullard" | Donna VanLeitch |
| "Jennifer Juniper" | "Men With Nerve, Dudes In Skirts" | Donna VanLeitch |
| "Sunshine Superman" | "Punch Lines, Stupid Fans" | Donna VanLeitch |
| "Atlantis" | "Arcana" | Donna VanLeitch |
There are additional Donovan song parodies available. | ||
Songs for Commercials, That Haven't Been Done Yet:
Song Name | Product | Submittor |
| Mellow Yellow | The Simpsons | Rich |
| Mellow Yellow | "The Simpsons" tv series new episode promos | BlueEYE |
| Mellow Yellow | Mello Yello | crazydon |
| Intergalactic Laxative | Dulco-lax (laxative) | pickle* |
Bad Choices for On Hold Music:
Song Name | Company/Organization | Submittor |
| Atlantis | New Orleans Chamber of Congress | British Bullcrap |
| The War Drags On | The Anti-War Campaign | Paul Warren |
| Mellow Yellow | The Makers Of Mountain Dew | crazydon |
| Atlantis | Galveston, TX/Johnstown, PA Chamber of Congress | oldschool |
Songs for Duets, That Haven't Been Done Yet:
First Band/Song Name | Second Band/Song Name | New Song Name | Submittor |
| Big Yellow Taxi Joni Mitchell | Mellow Yellow Donovan | Big Mellow Yellow Taxi | Edward |
| One Tin Soldier Coven | Universal Soldier Donovan | One Tin Universal Soldier | Peter |
| The Unknown Soldier The Doors | Universal Soldier Donovan | The Unknown Universal Soldier | Peter |
| Let Me Be The River Willie Nile | River Song Donovan | Let Me Be The River Song | Gretchen Wieners |
| There are additional Donovan duets that haven't been done yet available. | |||
If Groups Combined, Their Names Might Be:
Madonovan
Madonna combined with Donovan
Submitted By: nally
Bonovan
Bono combined with Donovan
Two one-named male singers combine their names.
Submitted By: nally
Misheard Lyrics:
"Wear Your Love Like Heaven"
Misheard Lyrics: Wear your love like leather
Original Lyrics: Wear your love like heaven
| "Mellow Yellow"
Misheard Lyrics: They call me Henrietta
Original Lyrics: They call me Mellow Yellow
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"Sunshine Superman"
Misheard Lyrics: It'll tick-tock
Original Lyrics: It'll take time
| "Happiness Runs"
Misheard Lyrics: Happiness runs in a virtual motion
Original Lyrics: Happiness runs in a circular motion
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| There are additional Donovan misheard lyrics available. | |
Misheard Lyrics Stories:
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"Mellow Yellow"
Misheard Lyrics: They call me Hello Bello
Original Lyrics: They call me Mellow Yellow
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Story about this misheard lyric by: Cody Finke I heard this in a Hello Bello commercial that spoofs this song. |
| There are additional Donovan misheard stories available. | |
Funniest Song Lyrics:
"Mellow Yellow"
The Funny Lyrics: Electrical banana
Why They're Funny: I was listening to my dad's albums, and when this line came up, I started cracking up and couldn't stop. It's mostly in the way it's said. Eee-lektrical banaaaah-naaaaaaah
Submitted by: SpongeBob SquarePants' Lady Friend
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Repetitive Song Lyrics:
"Hurdy Gurdy Man"
The Repetitive Lyrics: Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, gurdy he sang.
Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, gurdy he sang. Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, gurdy he sang Why They're Repetitive: Shut up, shut up, shut up I sang!
Submitted by: sXe LeXi 5X2
| "First There Is A Mountain"
The Repetitive Lyrics: First there is a mountain,
then there is no mountain, then there is. Why They're Repetitive: its says it for the whole song, except for about 4 lines.
Submitted by: Hurricane64
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| There are additional Donovan repetitive lyrics available. | |
Nonsensical Song Lyrics:
"Sunshine Superman"
The Nonsensical Lyrics: You can just sit there, thinking, on your velvet throne,
'Bout all the rainbows you can have for your own, When you make your mind up forever to be mine. Why They're Nonsensical: Could ANY amount of sitting and thinking on a velvet throne cause one to think up anything on Earth more IMPOSSIBLE for one to possess than rainbows? I think not.
Submitted by: Karen Smith
| "Hurdy Gurdy Man"
The Nonsensical Lyrics: Then when the Hurdy Gurdy Man Comes singing songs of love
Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, gurdy he sang Here comes the roly poly man and he's singing songs of love Roly poly, roly poly, roly poly, poly he sang Why They're Nonsensical: What is all this 'hurdy gurdy' and 'roly poly' nonsense and what's the point of it?!
Submitted by: sXe LeXi 5X2
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| There are additional Donovan nonsensical lyrics available. | |
Insulting Song Lyrics:
"The Intergalaxtic Laxative"
The Insulting Lyrics: The intergalaxtic laxative will get you here to Mars.
Why They're Insulting: Truly an insult to astronauts, but funny in a way!
Submitted by: KL Fan
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Inappropriate Song Lyrics:
"Sunshine Superman"
The Inappropriate Lyrics: Sunshine came softly through my a-window today
could've tripped out easily but I knew m' way Why They're Inappropriate: At the time the song was written "sunshine" was a slang term for lsd. "tripped out" could also refer to taking a "trip" through lsd. donovan wrote this for his girlfriend whom he just split up with and would marry a few years later. in his autobiography he says he remembers giving her an lsd trip so...
Submitted by: Kl Fan
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Dirty Song Lyrics:
"Mellow Yellow"
The Dirty Lyrics: Electrical banana Is gonna be a sudden craze
Why They're Dirty: I first heard that song when I was a teen, and I didn't know what that means. An 'electrical banana' was a vibrator, that is shaped like a penis.
Submitted by: Abc
| "Pee Song"
The Dirty Lyrics: How much of a pee do you wee?
When you're little and you're only three Can you wiggle and wash Does it tickle and splotch Can you do like a dog on a tree? Why They're Dirty: the lyrics say it all, this was on an album for kids!
Submitted by: KL Fan
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| There are additional Donovan dirty lyrics available. | |
Song Lyrics That Name Check Celebrities:
"Lalena"
The Lyrics: That's your lot in life Lalena
Who They Mention: The name "Lalena" is a variation on German actress Lotte Lenya who was often cast in the role of prostitutes.
Submitted by: Sara
| "Joe Bean's Theme"
The Lyrics: When I hear Astrud, jasmine fills the air.
Who They Mention: Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto. "Joe Bean" is a wordplay on Antonino Carlos Jabim, the famous Brazilian songwriter.
Submitted by: KL Fan
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| There are additional Donovan celebrity lyrics available. | |
Song Lyrics That Mention Other Songs:
"Writer in the Sun"
The Song Lyrics: The Days of Wine and Roses are distant days for me.
Song They Mention: Days of Wine and Roses by Henry Mancini
Submitted by: Paul Warren
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Songs That Open With Their Titles:
"Jennifer Juniper"
Opening Lines: Jennifer Juniper lives upon the hill
Comments: Submitted by: Candy Welty
| "Atlantis"
Opening Lines: The continent of Atlantis was an island that lay before the great flood
Comments: Donovan's Top 10 hit of 1969 about the legendary lost continent of Atlantis. He speaks the first part and then the chorus sings "Way down below the ocean, where I wanna be she may be".
Submitted by: KL Fan
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Made Up Words in Songs:
"Barabajagal"
The Made Up Words: Barabajagal
Comments: This song is a good jam song.
Submitted by: Paul Warren
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Song Title Space Change:
"La Lena" originally "Lalena"
Submitted by: Blake Dreary
"Weary Our Love Like Heaven" originally "Wear Your Love Like Heaven"
Submitted by: Yvette Bristle
"Mellow Yell Ow!" originally "Mellow Yellow"
Sounds a bit contradictory.
Submitted by: George Straitjacket
"Sun Shines Up Erma N." originally "Sunshine Superman"
Submitted by: Emmy Kay Butanone
Band Name Anagrams:
Avon Nod Submitted by: Lorraine Thoanjer
Don Avon Submitted by: Lorraine Thoanjer
Don Nova Submitted by: Susie Creamcheese
Could be some guy's first and last name.
No Do Van Submitted by: George Straitjacket
Does that mean he doesn't hold concerts in a van?
Song Title Anagrams:
"Dry Hungary Mud" originally "Hurdy Gurdy Man"
Submitted by: Frederick Gale
"Our Weary Heaven-like Love" originally "Wear Your Love Like Heaven"
How could something heaven-like grow weary?
Submitted by: Kimberly Townsend
"Hints Manager" originally "Earth Sign Man"
Submitted by: Ring Around The Rosie O'Donnell Abu Dhabi
"His Ant Manger" originally "Earth Sign Man"
Submitted by: Ring Around The Rosie O'Donnell Abu Dhabi
"Anger This Man" originally "Earth Sign Man"
Submitted by: Alyssa Jayne
There are additional Donovan Song Title Anagrams available.
Real Places Mentioned in Songs:
"Atlantis"
The Lyrics: The continent of Atlantis was an island that lay before the great flood in the area we know call the Atlantic Ocean
Why: The legendary lost continent of Atlantis which may or may not have existed. Located in the Atlantic Ocean it also mentions Africa as a neighbor and South and North America.
Submitted by: KL Fan
| "Sand and Foam"
The Lyrics: I dug you diggin' me in Mexico
Why: The song is inspired by a trip Donovan took to Mexico in 1966. The song is often subtitled "Mexico".
Submitted by: KL Fan
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| There are additional Donovan Real Places Mentioned in Songs available. | |
Lyrics Pronunciation:
"Mellow Yellow"
The Lyrics: I'm just mad about Fourteen
And Fourteen's a mad about me Why: He says "fourteen" as "faurting" or "Fontine". Donovan was originally from Scotland and sometimes his grammar is incorrect
Submitted by: KL Fan
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Super Long Pop Songs:
"Legend of a Child Girl Linda" Length: 6:50
Probably Donovan's longest song ever.
Submitted by: Paul Warren
Super Short Pop Songs:
"Oh Gosh" Length: 1:47
It's a very nice jazz-style song which only lasts less than two-minutes.
Submitted by: Paul Warren
Song Title Acrostics:
US: "Universal Soldier"
Submitted by: Candy Welty
COTS: "Celia Of The Seals"
Submitted by: Candy Welty
MY: "Mellow Yellow"
Submitted by: hamp
Song Title Spoonerisms:
"Young Burl Glues" originally "Young Girl Blues"
Submitted by: Sonya Raynos
"Young Burl Glues" originally "Young Girl Blues"
Submitted by: Sonya Raynos
"Yellow Mellow" originally "Mellow Yellow"
Reverses the order of the two words!
Submitted by: Melissa Leo the Lion
"Thirst Mare Is A Fountain" originally "First There Is A Mountain"
Submitted by: D. Melody Dole, MD
"Thirst Fare Is A Mountain" originally "First There Is A Mountain"
Submitted by: D. Melody Dole, MD
There are additional Donovan Song Title Spoonerisms available.
Foreign Language in English Songs:
"Jennifer Juniper"
The Lyrics: Jennifer Juniper, vis sur la colline,
Jennifer Juniper assie trs tranquille. Dort-elle? Je ne crois pas. Qu'est-ce que tu fais, Jenny mon amour? Why: This is the French version of the first verse of the song , which goes like this.... Jennifer Juniper, lives upon a hill, Jennifer Juniper, sitting very still. Is she sleeping? I don't think so. Is she breathing? Yes, very low. Whatcha doing, Jennifer my love?
Submitted by: Paul Warren
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Upbeat Songs With Depressing Lyrics:
"Sunshine Superman"
The Lyrics: Sunshine came softly through my window today.
Why: The music of this song is upbeat but the lyrical content has a lot to be desired.
Submitted by: Celeste
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Onomatopoeia in Lyrics:
"Ceila of the Seals"
The Lyrics: Voyna, voyna voyna
Why: The cries of seals lifted from an earlier song
Submitted by: KL Fan
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Crime Records:
"Drug Posession"
In 1967, there was a drug bust that was popular in London and Donovan was one of the many musicians that got caught.
Submitted by: Paul Warren
Performers with Handicaps:
"Childhood polio"
He has one leg that limps due to this.
Submitted by: KL Fan
Lighter Side of Serious Bands:
"The Intergalatic Laxative"
Considered to be Donovan's worst song about toliet arrangements for astronauts, from 1973.
Submitted by: KL Fan
"I Love My Shirt"
This song is about clothing that you love even when they become tattered and torn.
Submitted by: Paul Warren
Hidden Messages:
"There Is A Mountain"
In the background you can hear him saying "That's nice" over and over.
Submitted by: KL Fan
Movies Named After Song Titles:
"Happiness Runs"
2010 Drama
Submitted by: Raphael
"Universal Soldier"
1992 Jean Claude Van Damme film
Submitted by: KL Fan
"Season of the Witch"
2010 fantasy adventure starring Nicolas Cage
Submitted by: Raphael
TV and Movies Mentioned in Lyrics:
"People Call Me The Pied Piper"
The Lyrics: People call me the Pied Piper...
Why: 1972 movie in which Donovan played the title role.
Submitted by: KL Fan
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