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.
Jennifer Juniper
Donovan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jennifer Juniper, sitting very still
Is she sleeping? I don't think so
Is she breathing? Yes, very low
Whatcha doing, Jennifer, my love?
Jennifer Juniper, rides a dappled mare
Is she dreaming? Yes, I think so
Is she pretty? Yes, ever so
Whatcha doing, Jennifer, my love?
I'm thinking of what it would be like if she loved me
And how just lately this happy song, it came along
And I like to somehow try and tell you
Jennifer Juniper, hair of golden flax
Jennifer Juniper, longs for what she lacks
Do you like her? Yes, I do, sir
Would you love her? Yes, I would, sir
Whatcha doing, Jennifer, my love?
Jennifer Juniper
Jennifer Juniper
Jennifer Juniper
Jennifer Juniper, vit sur la colline
Jennifer Juniper, assise très tranquille
Dort-elle? Je ne crois pas
Respire-t-elle? Oui, mais tout bas
Qu'est-ce que tu fais, Jenny, mon amour?
Jennifer Juniper
Jennifer Juniper
Jennifer Juniper
The song Jennifer Juniper by Donovan is a love song about a girl named Jennifer who lives on a hill and captures the attention of the singer. In the first verse, Donovan wonders if Jennifer is sleeping or breathing, showing his interest in her well-being. He then asks what she's doing, expressing his longing for her. In the second verse, he describes Jennifer riding a horse with lilacs in her hair and wonders if she's dreaming. He thinks she's pretty and asks again what she's doing. In the third verse, Donovan describes Jennifer as having hair of golden flax and longing for something she lacks. He expresses his love for her and asks what she's doing once again.
The song has a dreamy, whimsical quality to it that reflects the singer's infatuation with Jennifer. The repetition of the question "What are you doing, Jennifer, my love?" demonstrates his fascination with her every move. The poetic descriptions of Jennifer's hair, riding a horse, and wanting something she lacks add to the romanticism of the song.
Overall, Donovan's Jennifer Juniper is a charming love song that captures the fluttery feeling of falling in love. Its whimsy and dreaminess make it a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Jennifer Juniper, lives upon the hill
The subject of the song, Jennifer Juniper, resides on top of a hill in some isolated area
Jennifer Juniper, sitting very still
Jennifer Juniper is positioned without moving, perhaps lost in thought or deep in contemplation
Is she sleeping? I don't think so
It is unlikely Jennifer is sleeping, as her position is more likely attributed to contemplation
Is she breathing? Yes, very low
While she is not sleeping, Jennifer is taking very shallow breaths
Whatcha doing, Jennifer, my love?
The artist is curious as to what Jennifer Juniper is thinking about or doing in her stillness
Jennifer Juniper, rides a dappled mare
Jennifer is depicted as riding a horse with a spotted coat
Jennifer Juniper, lilacs in her hair
Jennifer has adorned her hair with lilacs
Is she dreaming? Yes, I think so
The artist thinks that Jennifer is likely daydreaming while riding her horse
Is she pretty? Yes, ever so
The artist finds Jennifer to be exceedingly beautiful
Whatcha doing, Jennifer, my love?
The artist still seeks to know what Jennifer is doing or thinking
I'm thinking of what it would be like if she loved me
The singer is considering the possibility of a romantic relationship with Jennifer Juniper
And how just lately this happy song, it came along
The artist recently happened upon a cheerful tune which has him contemplating Jennifer even more
And I like to somehow try and tell you
The singer wishes to express his feelings to Jennifer in some way
Jennifer Juniper, hair of golden flax
Jennifer is described as having hair that is of a light golden color
Jennifer Juniper, longs for what she lacks
Jennifer is desiring something that currently is missing or unattainable
Do you like her? Yes, I do, sir
The artist is positively enamored with Jennifer Juniper
Would you love her? Yes, I would, sir
The artist reveals he would certainly fall in love with Jennifer if given the chance
Jennifer Juniper
The repeated and punctuated utterance of Jennifer's name reinforces her importance and prominence in the singer's thoughts
Jennifer Juniper
Jennifer Juniper
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DONOVAN LEITCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jennifer Kozlowski
Jennifer Juniper, lives upon the 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?
Jennifer Juniper, rides a dappled mare
Jennifer Juniper, lilacs in her hair
Is she dreaming? Yes, I think so
Is she pretty? Yes, ever so
Whatcha doing, Jennifer, my love?
I'm thinking of what it would be like if she loved me
How just lately this happy song, it came along
And I like to somehow try and tell you
Jennifer Juniper, hair of golden flax
Jennifer Juniper, longs for what she lacks
Do you like her? Yes, I do, sir
Would you love her? Yes, I would, sir
Whatcha doing, Jennifer, my love?
Jennifer Juniper
Jennifer Juniper
Jennifer Juniper
Jennifer Juniper, vit sur la colline
Jennifer Juniper, assise très tranquille
Dort-elle? Je ne crois pas
Respire-t-elle? Oui, mais tout bas
Qu'est-ce que tu fais, Jenny, mon amour?
Jennifer Juniper
Jennifer Juniper
Jennifer Juniper
Songwriters: Donovan Leitch
Jennifer Gunia
I was named after this song as well. Minus the Juniper. My dad insisted I be name Jennifer because of this song. He would sing this song to me all the time. He even recorded himself singing it in a recording studio. Love this song. Lots of memories. RIP Dad
Jacinta Rodriguez
Same here. I actually never liked the name Jennifer either. Still not to keen 😮
Lynette Blackburn
Sweet
Barrycuda
Jennifer is a lovely name ' your father obviously loved you very much ' I had that same love from my mother and father as well ' it's tough losing them.
Jennifer Sarreal
Hey name twins! My dad named me after this song by Donovan and my sister after the song “Aubrey” by Bread. My dad is also passed like yours but what wonderful memories and legacies they leave behind with their children. Total daddy’s girl here; I miss him. Big love to all my fellow Jenns out there! 🫶🏼
Juniper Huner
Juniper here swinging in... I think our dads would have vibed
MissJensk1
My name is Jennifer & when I was a little girl my brother,who was a big fan of Donovan, used to play this to me. He died aged 17 & I always think of him when I hear Donovan.
James
A beautiful song to remember someone's soul by. Kindest wishes and prayers for you and the memories of your brother. You are both beautiful souls 😃
Kenneth Hutto
I’m sorry.
JudgeJulieLit
@Meschell La Roche And what a wonderful way Jennifer's brother honored her as a little girl, singing this Donovan song to her. A kindred sweet soul.