Donovan Philips Leitch (born May 10, 1946 in Maryhill, Glasgow), better kno… Read Full Bio ↴Donovan Philips Leitch (born May 10, 1946 in Maryhill, Glasgow), better known as simply Donovan, is a Scottish singer, songwriter, and musician. Originally a '60s folk singer, as the decade progressed Donovan cultivated his own unique eclectic sound, mixing elements of folk, pop, jazz, world music and more, often with a twinge of psychedelia. His most well-known work was suffused with altruistic political overtones, making him an iconic figure of the "flower power" counter-culture of the '60s.

Donovan came to fame in the United Kingdom in early 1965 with a series of live performances on the television pop series, Ready Steady Go!. He first hit the charts in 1965 with his single "Catch the Wind", continuing on with a string of hits, most of them produced by Mickie Most. Donovan's 1966 Sunshine Superman marked not only a transition to the burgeoning psychedelic scene, but is also viewed as a formative album in its genre, inspiring countless contemporaries. His 1967 double album A Gift from a Flower to a Garden—the first major album released as a boxed set—completed the transition from beat poet folkster to hippie troubadour.

As a close friend of The Beatles, he traveled with them to India during their stay at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and taught them the "clawhammer" finger-picking style, which is featured on several tracks on their seminal 1968 double album The Beatles, better known as "The White Album."

The decline of Donovan's commercial popularity coincides roughly with his split from Most in 1969, as well as gradually lessened interest in psychedelics by artists and the record-buying public alike. With the advent of punk rock during the mid-'70s, Donovan, now viewed as a "nice boy" '60s relic, truly fell from favor. Music critics' tastes too had changed; Donovan's new product, while still quirky and experimental, earned little but scorn and derision. As the decades progressed, Donovan would record and perform only sporadically, often separated by several years.

Donovan's career went through a revival of sorts with the emergence of Britain's rave scene in the '90s. As a result, his most famous works were reissued, and once again viewed favorably by critics. With the release of the back-to-basics Rick Rubin-produced Sutras in 1996, Donovan's career settled into a comparatively steady stream of new releases, coupled with archival material and various reissues. He was inducted into the Rock and Hall of Fame in 2012.

Black Widow
Donovan Lyrics

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From the album slow down world

Kiss me sweet lover
And linger long in ecstasy.
Mingle our fluids,
Flirt let me flame thee.
Come into my parlour,
Come sip but a droplet

Of my secret rain,
Drink up my lovely,
And ease your pain.
'Cause I'm the black widow, woe,
I'm the black widow, woe,
And I eat my love
And I eat my love
And I eat my love
And I eat my love.
I offer my pleasure
But never my love,
You may need me forever
But I don't need your love.
If you try to repel me
Your body will howl.
I set your spirit free,
You can depend on me.
'Cause I'm the black widow, woe,
I'm the black widow, woe,
And I eat my love
And I eat my love

And I eat my love
And I eat my love.

Overall Meaning

The song "Black Widow" by Donovan is a dark and seductive ballad that tells the story of a woman who devours her lovers, both physically and emotionally. The lyrics describe her as a venomous spider who lures her prey into her web, where they are subjected to her pleasure, but never her love. The song begins with a plea from the woman to her lover to kiss her and stay with her in ecstasy for as long as possible.

As the song progresses, she uses her sexuality to manipulate and control her partner, tempting him with her secret rain and promising to ease his pain. But she also makes it clear that she is not interested in love, only pleasure, and that if he tries to leave her, he will suffer emotionally and physically. In the end, the woman is depicted as a dangerous and destructive force, devouring her lovers and leaving nothing behind.

Overall, "Black Widow" is a haunting and powerful song that explores the dark side of human nature, particularly in the realm of romantic relationships. Through its vivid imagery and evocative lyrics, it invites listeners to confront their deepest desires and fears, while also offering a warning about the dangers of giving oneself entirely to another person.

Line by Line Meaning

Kiss me sweet lover
Come and kiss me, my lover.

And linger long in ecstasy.
Stay with me for a while and enjoy the pleasure.

Mingle our fluids,
Let's mix our bodily fluids.

Flirt let me flame thee.
Let me excite you with my flirting.

Come into my parlour,
Come closer to me and enter my world.

Come sip but a droplet
Drink a little bit of what I offer.

Of my secret rain,
The secret liquid that I offer you.

Drink up my lovely,
Consume my offering.

And ease your pain.
Feel pleasure and forget your sorrows.

'Cause I'm the black widow, woe,
I am a black widow, a dangerous predator.

And I eat my love
I consume my lovers.