Psychedelic Pop Music

Well, stories differ as to which love interest Donovan refers to in this song. Some say it was Linda Lawrence, who later became his wife, and some say it was actress Sue Lyon, whom he dated briefly. However, the drug reference to LSD, aka sunshine, is not obscured by time, and the B-Side is titled “The Trip.” Anyway, “Sunshine Superman,” written and performed by singer/songwriter Donovan (born Donovan Leitch in Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland), was released in 1966. It went to #21 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #2 in the U.K., Canada, Australia, and The Netherlands. It was #4 in Ireland, #7 in Germany, #9 in France, and #11 in Belgium. On the track are Donovan (vocals, acoustic guitar, tambura); Jimmy page and Eric Ford (electric guitars); John Cameron (harpsichord); Spike Heatley (double bass) and John Paul Jones (bass); and Bobby Orr (drums) and Tony Carr (percussion). The song was also featured on Donovan’s 1966 album Sunshine Superman.

Here are the lyrics to “Sunshine Superman” by Donovan:

Sunshine came softly through my a-window today
Could’ve tripped out easy a-but I’ve a-changed my ways
It’ll take time, I know it but in a while
You’re gonna be mine, I know it, we’ll do it in style
‘Cause I made my mind up you’re going to be mine

I’ll tell you right now
Any trick in the book 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, yeah
A-you can just sit there a-thinking on your velvet throne
‘Bout all the rainbows a-you can a-have for your own
‘Cause I made my mind up you’re going to be mine

I’ll tell you right now
Any trick in the book 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.

Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
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 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, yeah
A-you can just sit there a-thinking on your velvet throne
‘Bout all the rainbows a-you can a-have for your own
When you’ve made your mind up forever to be mine.

I’ll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
When you’ve made your mind up forever to be mine
I’ll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
blow your little mind”

For other songs by Donovan: “Mellow Yellow” and “Season of the Witch.”

If you are interested in an album of music by Donovan, please click on the photo below:

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Sunshine Superman” by Donovan.