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.
Museum
Donovan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smiled a little in the silence deciding on where to go.
"Meet me under the whale in the Natural History Museum,"
I think that's what she said, a little bit sad about having to leave them.
Yawning in the sun, like a child I run.
But don't do it if you don't want to, I wouldn't do a thing like that.
No, don't it if you don't want to, I wouldn't do a thing like that.
How little do you speak of beauty, isn't it a shame, what ho
Maybe you should go get a power ring, you'd make all your troubles go.
There she stood in drag, just-a lookin' cool in astrakhan.
She's lookin' just a little wiped out, she said I looked like Peter Pan.
Yawning in the sun, oh baby, like a child I run.
But don't do it if you don't want to,
I wouldn't do a thing like that.
Oh no, no, don't do it if you don't want to,
I wouldn't do a thing like that.
Don't do it
"Museum" by Donovan is a whimsical and dreamy song that vividly describes the singer's morning routine and a spontaneous encounter with a woman in the Natural History Museum. The song opens with the singer drinking sweet wine for breakfast and having only an hour of sleep. He is smiling in silence, trying to decide where to go next. Suddenly, a woman's voice echoes in his mind, asking him to meet her under the whale in the Natural History Museum. The singer reflects on her voice, which carries a tinge of sadness about having to leave "them," possibly hinting at a lost love or past experiences.
The second verse begins with the singer commenting on the lack of appreciation for beauty in society, encouraging someone to get a power ring to "make all your troubles go." As he enters the museum, he sees a woman dressed in drag, looking cool in an astrakhan coat. She seems tired but tells the singer he looks like Peter Pan. The chorus repeats, warning the listener not to do anything they don't want to do, as the singer wouldn't either.
The song is a beautiful ode to the joys of life and the unexpected connections people can make in the most random circumstances. The singer's childlike wonder and spontaneity contrast with the sadness and weariness of the woman they meet, showcasing the complexity of human emotions. The song's playful tone and unusual imagery create a dreamlike atmosphere that invites the listener to let go and enjoy the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
I drink sweet wine for breakfast, I slept about an hour or so
Starting the day with a sweet wine and barely any sleep.
Smiled a little in the silence deciding on where to go.
Contemplating where to go next, feeling a bit of contentment in the silence.
"Meet me under the whale in the Natural History Museum,"
Arranging a meeting location within the museum.
I think that's what she said, a little bit sad about having to leave them.
Reminiscing on the conversation and feeling sorrow for leaving someone or something.
Yawning in the sun, like a child I run.
Feeling a sense of childlike joy and energy while yawning in the sun.
But don't do it if you don't want to, I wouldn't do a thing like that.
Expressing that one should not do something if they do not want to, and acknowledging that he would not either.
How little do you speak of beauty, isn't it a shame, what ho
Noticing how little someone speaks of beauty and finding it a shame.
Maybe you should go get a power ring, you'd make all your troubles go.
Suggesting that someone should acquire a power ring to alleviate their troubles.
There she stood in drag, just-a lookin' cool in astrakhan.
Describing a person looking cool in their outfit of choice.
She's lookin' just a little wiped out, she said I looked like Peter Pan.
Observing that someone looks a little tired and acknowledging that he himself looks youthful.
Yawning in the sun, oh baby, like a child I run.
Repeating the feeling of childlike joy and yawning in the sun.
But don't do it if you don't want to, I wouldn't do a thing like that.
Repeating that one should not do something if they do not want to, and he would not either.
Oh no, no, don't do it if you don't want to,
I wouldn't do a thing like that.
Reiterating that one should not do something if they do not want to, and he would not either.
Don't do it
Final advice to not do something if it is not desired.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DONOVAN LEITCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind