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.
Maya
Donovan Lyrics
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See my own reflection in the water
If I concentrate, the image still
I look kind of real just like I oughta
Be just a splash and Maya's secrets spill
Can't stop this illusion that I-DO
Giving myself burdens Mighty Grim
Everything in order, evolving
All appearances can be deceiving in Maya's Dance
Feeling alter views, out of shape and out of true
Must be this illusion that makes ME-FEEL
All this pain and pleasure is my own
I-identify with duality
Whe I am the ONE to lead me home
All appearances can be deceiving in Maya's Dance
Feeling alter views, out of shape and out of true
But here I am again associating
Choosing one or the other again
While the tiny dewdrop on the blossom
Reflects my tiny image once again
All appearances can be deceiving in Maya's Dance
Feeling alter views, out of shape and out of true
Must be some good things to say about MAN
But one of them ain't that he's Aware
Alice had it right when she stepped over
Into Mirror land, the Truth is there
All appearances can be deceiving in Maya's Dance
Feeling alter views, out of shape and out of true
The song "Maya's Dance" by Donovan explores the concept of Maya, the illusionary nature of the world. Through his lyrics, Donovan describes how one's own perception of reality can be distorted and deceptive, leading to a sense of being out of shape or out of true. He acknowledges that appearances can be deceiving, encouraging listeners to look past surface-level perceptions and to dig deeper in order to find order and truth.
The song also touches on the themes of duality and self-awareness. Donovan suggests that identifying with both pain and pleasure can lead to a greater awareness of the self, and emphasizes the importance of being one's own leader on the path to enlightenment. He also references the character of Alice from Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking Glass", suggesting that one can find truth by stepping into the realm beyond appearances.
Overall, "Maya's Dance" is a thoughtful exploration of the illusory nature of reality and the importance of seeking truth beyond surface appearances.
Line by Line Meaning
See my own reflection in the water
I am looking at my own reflection in the water.
If I concentrate, the image still
Even if I focus, the reflection doesn't disappear.
I look kind of real just like I oughta
I appear entirely lifelike and like I should be.
Be just a splash and Maya's secrets spill
Just a drop of water is enough to expose Maya's secrets.
Can't stop this illusion that I-DO
I cannot resist this illusion.
Giving myself burdens Mighty Grim
I am causing heavy burdens for myself.
Let me dig and twig there's nothing TO-DO
Even if I try to investigate, there is no point.
Everything in order, evolving
Everything is progressing in a systematic manner.
All appearances can be deceiving in Maya's Dance
Things are not always as they seem in Maya's Dance.
Feeling alter views, out of shape and out of true
I am becoming more aware of different perspectives.
Must be this illusion that makes ME-FEEL
This illusion is what is causing me to feel this way.
All this pain and pleasure is my own
I am the one experiencing both pain and pleasure.
I-identify with duality
I feel connected to both good and evil.
Whe I am the ONE to lead me home
I have to be the one to guide myself home.
But here I am again associating
I find myself making the same connections.
Choosing one or the other again
I am once again picking between two things.
While the tiny dewdrop on the blossom
A small dewdrop on a flower.
Reflects my tiny image once again
Once again, I see my reflection in the water.
Must be some good things to say about MAN
There have to be some positive things to say about mankind.
But one of them ain't that he's Aware
However, one of those things is not that he is aware.
Alice had it right when she stepped over
Alice was correct when she entered the world beyond the mirror.
Into Mirror land, the Truth is there
The truth exists in the world beyond the mirror.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DONOVAN LEITCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind