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.
the way
Donovan Lyrics
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If I time this right
I can get back home then come back here and stay the night
And she's holding out for something cleaner than I might
And all that to say, she probably knows I ain't the guy
Oh, I'm dreaming 'bout a day when somebody says
I don't want no tired lover in my bed
And yet
I know we go way way back
Somebody to hold you, somebody who knows you
I know we go way way back
I never started over like I was supposed to
I know we go way way back
I know we go way way back
I know we go
And I can't relax
And it's based on fact
And I meditated on it, girl I can't change that
And someday we'll get houses on a quiet street
And we'll climb out windows late at night and finally meet
But it'll still feel wrong
And I'll still feel gone
And you'll find out who I'm talking 'bout in all the songs
And I'll walk home with my shorts in a backpack
We'll always go as far as we've gone and you know that's
Way way back
I know we go way way back
Somebody to hold you, somebody who knows you
I know we go way way back
I never started over like I was supposed to
I know we go way way back
I know we go way way back
I know we go way way back
I know we go
I know we go
I know we go
When it's right
Someone sighs
I wanna wonder what it feels like
I know I might
If someone sighs
I wanna wonder what it feels like
(Way way back)
(I know we go way way back)
I know we go way way back
Somebody to hold you, somebody who knows you
I know we go way way back
I never started over like I was supposed to
I know we go way way back
I know we go way way back
I know we go way way back
I know we go
I know we go
I know we go
The opening lines of Donovan's "The Way" describe the singer's attempt to navigate the traffic lights in order to get back home quickly enough to return to the person he is singing to and stay the night with her. However, he acknowledges that she is looking for something "cleaner" than he might be able to offer, implying that their relationship is not entirely fulfilling for her. This sense of unease is reflected in the chorus, where he fantasizes about being the kind of person who doesn't make his lover tired, but he knows that he isn't there yet.
The second verse delves deeper into their shared history, with Donovan describing how he and his lover have a connection that goes back a long way. He acknowledges that he knows her well, but he has never been able to start over or create a new beginning between them. Despite this, he still holds out hope that they will eventually come together, with a vision of them both living on a quiet street and sneaking out late at night to see each other. However, he also knows that even if they were to finally be together in this idyllic scenario, something still might feel off and he would still feel like he doesn't quite belong.
Overall, "The Way" is a song about longing, nostalgia, and millennial malaise. The singer is yearning for something more in his relationship, but he also knows that he has been stuck in his ways for so long that change might not be possible. The reference to climbing out windows late at night also suggests a sense of rebellion or nostalgia for a more spontaneous time in his life. Despite this sense of uncertainty and dissatisfaction, though, there is still a sense of hope and possibility in the song, as he dreams about a day when he might find a love where he feels fully at home.
Line by Line Meaning
Traffic lights
Setting the scene for the song, Donovan begins with a simple reference to a traffic light.
If I time this right
Donovan is contemplating a decision and acknowledges he needs to time it right for it to work out.
I can get back home then come back here and stay the night
Donovan has a plan to return home and then come back to where he is currently to stay the night with someone.
And she's holding out for something cleaner than I might
The person Donovan is interested in is looking for something better than what he might be able to offer.
And all that to say, she probably knows I ain't the guy
Despite Donovan's desire to be with this person, he acknowledges that she likely knows he is not the right person for her.
Oh, I'm dreaming 'bout a day when somebody says
Donovan is daydreaming about a future where someone tells him something specific.
I don't want no tired lover in my bed
Donovan wants to be with someone who is not tired or worn out in their relationship.
I don't want no tired lover in my bed
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the importance of not having a tired lover in his bed.
And yet
Despite this desire, Donovan acknowledges that he is still in a situation where he doesn't have that kind of relationship.
I know we go way way back
Donovan reflects on the history he shares with this person.
Somebody to hold you, somebody who knows you
Donovan describes the ideal partner for the person he is interested in.
I know we go way way back
Repetition of a previous line to reinforce the shared history between Donovan and this person.
I never started over like I was supposed to
Donovan reflects on how he never took the opportunity to start fresh like he was 'supposed to'.
I know we go way way back
Repeating a previous line to emphasis the long history between Donovan and this person.
I know we go way way back
Again, emphasizing the shared history between the two people.
And I can't relax
Donovan is unable to relax in this situation.
And it's based on fact
This inability to relax is based on factual circumstances.
And I meditated on it, girl I can't change that
Donovan has thought deeply about his situation and recognizes he cannot change it.
And someday we'll get houses on a quiet street
Donovan daydreams of a future where he and this person will live in houses on a quiet street.
And we'll climb out windows late at night and finally meet
Despite the shared history and future aspirations, Donovan still sees their relationship as something hidden and secretive.
But it'll still feel wrong
Even in this idealized future, Donovan recognizes that something will still feel wrong in their relationship.
And I'll still feel gone
Donovan acknowledges that he will still feel distant and disconnected from this person in the future.
And you'll find out who I'm talking 'bout in all the songs
Donovan recognizes that his songs reveal a lot about his personal life, including his feelings for this person.
And I'll walk home with my shorts in a backpack
This line is somewhat ambiguous, but suggests an element of shame or hesitation in Donovan's relationship with this person.
We'll always go as far as we've gone and you know that's
Despite the obstacles in their way, Donovan acknowledges that he and this person will continue their relationship as they have in the past.
Way way back
Repetition of a previous line to reinforce their history and longevity in their relationship.
When it's right
As the song comes to a close, Donovan mentions an idealized scenario where things are 'right'.
Someone sighs
Donovan refers to an unknown person sighing, which may signify contentment or a sense of satisfaction.
I wanna wonder what it feels like
Donovan expresses his own desire to experience this sense of satisfaction and contentment.
(Way way back)
Repeating a previous line to emphasize the longevity of their relationship.
(I know we go way way back)
Again, emphasizing their shared history and the length of their relationship.
I know we go way way back
The final line of the song repeats the theme of their shared history and the longevity of their relationship.
Somebody to hold you, somebody who knows you
Repeating a previous line to emphasize the ideal partner for the person Donovan is interested in.
I know we go way way back
Again, emphasizing the shared history between Donovan and this person.
I know we go way way back
The final repetition of the song emphasizes the theme of their long and complex relationship.
I know we go way way back
The final repetition of the song emphasizes the theme of their long and complex relationship.
I know we go
The final line of the song ends abruptly, leaving the listener to ponder the true meaning behind Donovan's words.
I know we go
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the unfinished nature of their relationship and Donovan's feelings about it.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Donovan Woods
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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