Donovan stands out as one of the most resilient of British Invasion artists. The Scotland-born singer/songwriter overcame early criticism that he was a kind of Bob Dylan clone to strike out with a unique series of singles and albums that left those comparisons far behind.
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His 1966 smash hit “Mellow Yellow” remains one of his most iconic achievements. Over the years, interpretations of it have varied, but it’s actually more autobiographical than most people realized at the time.
Emerging From the Folk Tradition
When Donovan Leitch released his debut single in 1965, he was only 18 years old. That age contributed to making that debut single, “Catch the Wind,” such a sensation. How was this young kid writing with such maturity, eloquence, and sensitivity?
Since “Catch the Wind” and several follow-up hit singles stuck to an acoustic, folky template, the press immediately started comparing him to Bob Dylan. The fact Dylan’s meeting Donovan is one of the catalyzing events of the documentary Don’t Look Back only played into that notion.
While the insinuation that Donovan was somehow riding Dylan’s coattails was always asinine, Leitch showed savvy by avoiding that dead end and switching gears. His 1966 single “Sunshine Superman” found him innovating with psychedelic sounds. “Mellow Yellow” doubled down on that style and gave him another monster hit.
Making “Mellow”
“Mellow Yellow,” featuring a jaunty, horn-filled arrangement and Donovan singing with mischief darting in and out of his voice, has engendered some fascinating interpretations over the years. Some were way off base, such as the idea the song referred to smoking banana skins for a high.
Some folks were on-point, however, such as those that speculated the phrase electrical banana referred to a vibrator. But even that’s mostly misdirection. Instead, Donovan was simply writing about his own cool demeanor, one which, as he explained to Songfacts, didn’t require drugs to achieve:
“To be ‘mellow’ is to be cool, to be laid back, but it doesn’t have to be with a smoke. It can be through meditation. And it was meditation that became more serious for The Beatles and me, and presenting that in our music.”
Behind the Lyrics to “Mellow Yellow”
They call me mellow yellow, Donovan sings, and then he answers himself to accentuate the point: Quite rightly. Don’t go looking for any deep message in “Mellow Yellow” beside that. We find he digs saffron and fourteen, and the feelings are mutual. Those statements refer more to his genial, welcoming outlook than to any specifics.
About the closest Donovan comes to diving into the reasons for his calm comes in the bridge, when he explains he was Born-a high forever to fly. He exudes benevolence to all around him: If you want, your cup I will fill. Later, we find out about the electrical banana, which he chose just for the cool sound of the phrase.
Donovan delivered a string of hits in the ’70s, but you could argue “Mellow Yellow” is his signature song. More than anything, it seemed to define his outlook and his place in the music scene. Charming and confounding all at once, the song is very much of its time, even while its message of coolness remains timeless.
Photo by Ivan Keeman/Redferns
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