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.

Tinker Tune
Donovan Lyrics

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(Intro whistling)

You make a raggedy dress
tatters suit you the best
I'll make a raggedy song
Then we'll travel along
Sing-a-ling along, travelling along
Sing-a-ling along, travelling along

You play the fool and spoon
Dressed in stars and moons
I'll make the morning rise
over our early day eyes
Simp-il-i-city, our philosophy
Simp-il-i-city, our philosophy

Oh how happy we will be
Happy you and me
Oh how happy we will be
Happy you and me

I'll make a lov-ely fire
Watch those flames grow higher
You cook-a me love heart
Sprinkle herbs in the pot
Yummy, yummy, yum
Gimme, gimme some
Yummy, yummy, yum
Gimme, gimme some

I'll make a bed of leaves
Under the piney, pine trees
You sing a lullaby
Here we go dreamy eye
La-la-lulaby
Hushy hushabye
La-la-lulaby
Hushy hushabye

[Whistling to end] [Fade]

Overall Meaning

The song "Tinker Tune" by Donovan is a whimsical piece about a simple and happy life. The lyrics speak about making the best of what one has and finding happiness in the small things. The song presents a picture of a life filled with music, harmony, love, and nature. The first verse talks about wearing tattered clothes and singing raggedy songs as they travel along. It is an expression of the beauty of imperfection and how a simple outlook can make life more meaningful. The second verse talks about dressing in stars and moons, and making the morning rise, which describes the magic of the world around us and how we can embrace it. The chorus expresses a deep sense of joy and happiness in togetherness, the simplicity of life, and the importance of finding contentment in the present. The third verse talks about making a fire with love and cooking a meal with herbs. It emphasizes the importance of sharing and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Finally, the song ends with the image of sleeping under pine trees, singing lullabies, and dreaming.

The song has a dreamy and whimsical quality, with a melody that seems to float through the air like the whistling in the intro. The lyrics are wonderfully poetic, and they describe the beauty of the natural world and the joys of an unpretentious life. The song is a reminder to appreciate the simple things in life, to be grateful for what we have, and to find happiness in the present moment. Overall, "Tinker Tune" is a beautiful and evocative song that celebrates the small joys of life and encourages us to cultivate a sense of wonder and gratitude.

Tinker TuneDonovan Lyrics

Rosemary Dixon

Tinker Tune
Donovan Lyrics