For the love of rock
Vol IX, Issue 2 – Sunshine superman (01 Apr 2024)
www.intheloveofrock.com
Name of song– Sunshine Superman
Singer- Donovan
Writer– Donovan
Album- Sunshine Superman
Release year– 1966
Peak chart positions
# 1 – US Cash Box Top 100
# 1 – US Billboard Hot 100
# 2 – Netherlands (Single Top 100)
# 2 – Canada RPM Top Singles
# 2 – Australia (Go-Set Top 40)
# 2 – UK (Official Charts Company)
# 3 – New Zealand (Listener)
# 4 – Irish Singles Chart
# 5 – Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
# 7 – West Germany (Official German Charts)
# 9 – France (SNEP)
# 11 – Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)
Resources– Wikipedia.org
Sunshine superman
Donovan is a British singer and writer, whom many people confuse with or consider as Dylan clone. However, his unique style of British folk rock projected him as the prototype psychedelic hippie generation emblem during the sixties. Although he resembled Dylan, his optimistic view and vibrant outlook of life resonated in his music which was totally in contrast to more shady, introspective, profound approach shared by Dylan. With numerous hit numbers like “Season of the witch”, Catch the wind”, “Sunshine superman”, “Mellow yellow”, “Hurdy gurdy man” to his credit, Donovan has remained a quintessential star of the flower power era and an inspiration for the generations of musicians ahead.
“Sunshine Superman” is Donovan’s third album released in 1966. The album is one essential album representing the hippie culture of the sixties. This album is considered as one of the early psychedelic albums which showcases Donovan’s talent as a remarkable musician. The title song of the album “Sunshine superman” is the most notable song in the album. Most musicians consider this song as the first psychedelic rock song ever recorded. The song represents the optimism and bright weather full of romance in a background of immensely talented musicians like Donovan himself, along with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones.
The song begins with a catchy bass by Spike Heatley and John Paul Jones, who had been the session guitarist for Donovan during that time. Soon, Donovan starts to sing about the dreamy romanticism intrigued in the acid trip. With ecstatic fantasy, the lover is determined to make his lover forever his. In between, Jimmy Page’s master guitar lead intrigues the song further. John Cameron’s harpsichord and Bobby Orr’s drums further escalates the song to the higher world. All in all, this song is a package bomb full of psychedelia, romance, optimism, melody and poetry, all rammed together gracefully.
It’s true that Donovan may not have received the commercial and critical fame and name which he deserved; However, he is one eminent figure of the hippie era who can never be forgotten. With songs like “Sunshine superman”, he shall forever be shining like a super sun…!!
Happy listening!!!
Resources- Wikipedia.org, allmusic.com
Sunshine superman
Sunshine came softly through my a-window today
Could’ve tripped out easy, but I’ve a-changed my way
It’ll take time, I know it, but in a while
You’re gonna be mine, and I know it, we’ll do it in style
‘Cause I made my mind up
You’re goin’ to be mine
I’ll tell you right now
Any trick in the book and now baby
All that I can find
Superman or Green Lantern ain’t got a-nothin’ on me
I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea, yep!
A-y-y-you can just sit there a-thinkin’ on your velvet throne
About all the rainbows a-you can a-have for your own
‘Cause I made my mind up
You’re goin’ to be mine
I’ll tell you right now
Any trick in the book and now baby
All that I can find
Everybody’s hustlin’ just to have a little scene
When I say we’ll be cool, I think that you know what I mean
We stood on a beach at sunset, do you remember when?
I know a beach where, baby, a-it never ends
When you’ve made your mind up
Forever to be mine
Mm-mm-mm-mm
I’ll pick up your hand and slowly
Blow your little mind
‘Cause I made my mind up
You’re going to be mine
I’ll tell you right now
Any trick in the book, a-now, baby
All that I can find
Superman or Green Lantern ain’t got a-nothin’ on me
I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea, yep!
A-y-y-you can just sit there a-thinkin’ on your velvet throne
About all the rainbows a-you can a-have for your own
When you’ve made your mind up
Forever to be mine
Mm-mm-mm-mm
I’ll pick up your hand and slowly
Blow your little mind
[Outro]
When you’ve made your mind up
Forever to be mine
I’ll pick up your hand
I’ll pick up your hand and slowly
Blow your little mind
Lyrics link – https://genius.com/Donovan-sunshine-superman-lyrics
Video link –