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.
To Susan On The West Coast Waiting
Donovan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Donovan
Dear Susan, I know you love me so
But I want to hear it in my ear.
You know I'd be there working at my craft
Had it not been for the draft.
You're here with me like I'm there with you.
To Susan on the West Coast waiting,
From Andy in Vietnam fighting.
To Susan on the West Coast waiting,
From Andy in Vietnam fighting.
I'm writing a note beneath a tree,
The smell of the rain on the greenery.
Our fathers have painfully lost their way,
That's why, my love, I'm here today
Hear me when I say there will come a day
When Kings will know and love can grow.
To Susan on the West Coast waiting,
From Andy in Vietnam fighting.
To Susan on the West Coast waiting,
From Andy in Vietnam fighting.
To Susan on the West Coast waiting,
From Andy in Vietnam fighting.
To Susan on the West Coast waiting,
From Andy in Vietnam fighting.
Susan, I know you love me so
But I'd like to hear it in my ear.
You know I'd be there working at my craft
Had it not been for the draft.
Dry up your tear and feel no fear,
You're here with me like I'm there with you.
To Susan on the West Coast waiting,
From Andy in Vietnam fighting.
To Susan on the West Coast waiting,
From Andy in Vietnam fighting.
To Susan on the West Coast waiting,
From Andy supposedly hating.
To Susan on the West Coast waiting,
From Andy in Vietnam fighting.
In Donovan's song "To Susan on the West Coast Waiting," he is writing a letter to his girlfriend Susan who is waiting for him back in California while he is fighting in the Vietnam War. Donovan knew that Susan loved him but was hoping to hear it more often from her. He reassures her that even though he is not physically present, she is always with him and he is always with her. Donovan alludes to the fact that he would be back in California working on his craft if he had not been drafted, and he hopes that their fathers will find their way so that they can be together again. The song is a poignant reflection on the complexities of war and its effects on loved ones left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear Susan, I know you love me so
Andy speaks to Susan, telling her that he understands that she loves him
But I want to hear it in my ear.
Andy wants Susan to express her love to him while he's away at war
You know I'd be there working at my craft
Andy expresses his desire to work on his artistic skills if not for his military obligation
Had it not been for the draft.
Andy acknowledges that he wouldn't have enlisted if not for the draft
Dry up your tear and feel no fear,
Andy tells Susan not to worry, to stop crying, and to remain calm
You're here with me like I'm there with you.
Despite their physical separation, Andy wants Susan to know that he feels connected to her
I'm writing a note beneath a tree,
Andy describes his current situation while writing a letter to Susan
The smell of the rain on the greenery.
Andy shares sensory details with Susan to help her envision his surroundings
Our fathers have painfully lost their way,
Andy reflects on the failures of earlier generations and its impact on his own
That's why, my love, I'm here today
Andy cites the past as a motivation for his current actions and presence in Vietnam
Hear me when I say there will come a day
Andy assures Susan that the future will bring positive change and peace
When Kings will know and love can grow.
Andy envisions a future world where love and enlightenment reign supreme
From Andy supposedly hating.
The word 'supposedly' implies that Andy may not actually hate Susan, despite being in the midst of a violent war
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DONOVAN LEITCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Atkya Aziza
Lyrics:
Dear Susan, I know you love me so
But I want to hear it in my ear
You know I'd be there working at my craft
Had it not been for the draft
Dry up your tear and feel no fear
You're here with me like I'm there with you
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
I'm writing a note beneath a tree
The smell of the rain on the greenery
Our fathers have painfully lost their way
That's why, my love, I'm here today
Hear me when I say there will come a day
When kings will know and love can grow
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
Susan, I know you love me so
But I'd like to hear it in my ear
You know I'd be there working at my craft
Had it not been for the draft
Dry up your tear and feel no fear
You're here with me like I'm there with you
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy supposedly hating
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
Neville6000
Here's an updated version:
Dear Susan, I know you love me so
But I want to hear it in my ear
You know I'd be there working at my craft
Had it not been for this poverty draft
Dry up your tear and feel no fear
You're here with me like I'm there with you
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
I'm writing a note under the hot sun
The sand blowing around everyone
Our fathers have painfully lost their way
That's why, my love, I'm here today
Hear me when I say there will come a day
When kings will know and love can grow
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
Susan, I know you love me so
But I'd like to hear it in my ear
You know I'd be there working at my craft
Had it not been for this poverty draft
Dry up your tear and feel no fear
You're here with me like I'm there with you
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy supposedly hating
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
Sascha Cajandig
This track makes me feel for my grandparents while my grandpa was in Vietnam and my grandma had JUST had my mom. No phones, just faith, living two different realities but bound by love. It’s a crazy reality that I can only imagine.
John LaStrada
Truly a brilliant song. The concept, arrangement, instrumentation and how it was so well recorded. You can almost hear Donovan's breath as he sings. This kind of songwriting today is a lost craft. This isn't something tossed together in five minutes. This was planned, thought out and despite oldies radio ignoring it -- it's a classic.
Faye Simerly
my husband who is a Vietnam vet, cry's when hears this song. Powerful for those left behind.
Jesse G
One of my best freinds went ot Vietnam and came back, but he really wasn't ever quite the same afterwards. He died earlier than he should have, probably from agent orange.
Jan Simmelman
@Jesse GOne of my cousins went to Vietnam. When he came back,he was addicted to drugs and died of Hepatitis C.His whole unit had gotten it because they used the same syringe.
Atkya Aziza
Lyrics:
Dear Susan, I know you love me so
But I want to hear it in my ear
You know I'd be there working at my craft
Had it not been for the draft
Dry up your tear and feel no fear
You're here with me like I'm there with you
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
I'm writing a note beneath a tree
The smell of the rain on the greenery
Our fathers have painfully lost their way
That's why, my love, I'm here today
Hear me when I say there will come a day
When kings will know and love can grow
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
Susan, I know you love me so
But I'd like to hear it in my ear
You know I'd be there working at my craft
Had it not been for the draft
Dry up your tear and feel no fear
You're here with me like I'm there with you
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy supposedly hating
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Vietnam fighting
Neville6000
Here's an updated version:
Dear Susan, I know you love me so
But I want to hear it in my ear
You know I'd be there working at my craft
Had it not been for this poverty draft
Dry up your tear and feel no fear
You're here with me like I'm there with you
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
I'm writing a note under the hot sun
The sand blowing around everyone
Our fathers have painfully lost their way
That's why, my love, I'm here today
Hear me when I say there will come a day
When kings will know and love can grow
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
Susan, I know you love me so
But I'd like to hear it in my ear
You know I'd be there working at my craft
Had it not been for this poverty draft
Dry up your tear and feel no fear
You're here with me like I'm there with you
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy supposedly hating
To Susan on the west coast waiting
From Andy in Iraq fighting
fancifulfilly
This was an evocative song in my youth. Odd, but at first I could not remember the name of the young guy in the song. When I looked up the lyrics, the first ones I found said "from Andy in Vietnam fighting", but the name "Randy" popped into my head. I had always thought the guy's name is Randy. And listening to it with headphones for extra clarity, it sounds very clearly like "Randy" through most of the iterations of the chorus. But then, in the very first chorus, it sounds like Donovan is saying "Andy". Donovan, either you were not consistently clear, or you weren't sure what name you gave the character in the song. Unless, maybe you were thinking of Randy Andy, who was most likely too young at this point to have inspired the British tabloids to adopt that moniker due to his "randy" antics.
Stewie
I am so glad I found this. I remember hearing this about 40 years ago ONCE on the radio. I heard another Donovan song today and this song was still in my head but I couldn't remember the girl's name.
A. Austin
I remember this song. I was 5 when it came out, and my parents played it.