Mellow Yellow
The Donovans Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm just mad about Saffron
Saffron's mad about me
I'm just mad about Saffron
She's just mad about me

They call me mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
They call me mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
They call me mellow yellow

I'm just mad about Fourteen
Fourteen's mad about me
I'm just mad about Fourteen
She's just mad about me

They call me mellow yellow
They call me mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
They call me mellow yellow

Born high forever to fly
Wind velocity nil
Wanna high forever to fly
If you want your cup our fill

They call me mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
They call me mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
They call me mellow yellow

(So mellow yellow, he's so mellow)

Electrical banana
Is gonna be a sudden craze
Electrical banana
Is bound to be the very next phase

They call it mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
They call me mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
They call me mellow yellow

Saffron, yeah
I'm just mad about her
I'm just mad about Saffron
She's just mad about me

They call me mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
They call me mellow yellow
(Quite rightly)
They call me mellow yellow





(Oh so yellow, oh so mellow)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Donovan's song "Mellow Yellow" seem to describe the feeling of being in love with someone and that person reciprocating that feeling. The opening lines, "I'm just mad about Saffron, Saffron's mad about me," indicate a mutual love between the two. The song also mentions another person, Fourteen, who is also mad about the singer. The repeated line "They call me mellow yellow, (quite rightly)" seems to signify that the singer is feeling content and happy in his current state.


The chorus of the song, "Born high forever to fly, wind velocity nil, wanna high, forever to fly, if you want your cup our fill," is a bit more cryptic. It possibly alludes to wanting to remain high on life or in a state of bliss, but that it requires effort to maintain that state.


The last verse describes an "electrical banana" that is going to be a sudden craze and bound to be the very next phase. This could be interpreted as describing a new trend or sensation that is about to take over, and the singer being in on it and moving with the times.


Overall, the lyrics of "Mellow Yellow" seem to celebrate the feeling of being in love and enjoying one's current state of being.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm just mad about Saffron
I have strong feelings of love towards Saffron


Saffron's mad about me
Saffron shares the same feelings of love towards me


I'm just mad about Saffron
I am again stating my strong feelings of love towards Saffron


She's just mad about me
Saffron shares the same feelings of love towards me


They call me mellow yellow
People refer to me as a person who is calm and relaxed


They call me mellow yellow
People refer to me as a person who is calm and relaxed


They call me mellow yellow
People refer to me as a person who is calm and relaxed


I'm just mad about Fourteen
I have strong feelings of love towards someone named Fourteen


Fourteen's mad about me
Fourteen shares the same feelings of love towards me


I'm just mad about Fourteen
I am again stating my strong feelings of love towards Fourteen


She's just mad about me
Fourteen shares the same feelings of love towards me


They call me mellow yellow
People refer to me as a person who is calm and relaxed


They call me mellow yellow
People refer to me as a person who is calm and relaxed


They call me mellow yellow
People refer to me as a person who is calm and relaxed


Born high forever to fly
I was born with the desire to always reach new heights


Wind velocity nil
I have no speed limit, I am free to fly as high as I want


Wanna high forever to fly
I still have the desire to always reach new heights


If you want your cup our fill
If you also desire to reach new heights, you must be willing to put in the effort too


They call me mellow yellow
People refer to me as a person who is calm and relaxed


They call me mellow yellow
People refer to me as a person who is calm and relaxed


They call me mellow yellow
People refer to me as a person who is calm and relaxed


Electrical banana
Here, banana is used as a metaphor to describe a trendy item or concept


Is gonna be a sudden craze
This trendy item or concept will become very popular very quickly


Electrical banana
The trendy item or concept is still being referred to


Is bound to be the very next phase
This trendy item or concept will become the next big thing in popular culture


They call it mellow yellow
People refer to this new trendy item or concept as something that is calm and relaxed


They call me mellow yellow
People refer to me as a person who is calm and relaxed


They call me mellow yellow
People refer to me as a person who is calm and relaxed


Saffron, yeah
Just like in the beginning of the song, I am expressing my admiration for Saffron


I'm just mad about her
Once again, I am expressing my strong feelings of love towards Saffron


I'm just mad about Saffron
Again, I am expressing my strong feelings of love towards Saffron


She's just mad about me
Once again, Saffron shares the same feelings of love towards me


They call me mellow yellow
People refer to me as a person who is calm and relaxed


They call me mellow yellow
People refer to me as a person who is calm and relaxed


They call me mellow yellow
People refer to me as a person who is calm and relaxed


(Oh so yellow, oh so mellow)
This is a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing how relaxed and carefree I am




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Donovan Leitch

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@chuckheppner4384

@@marksinger3067 I prefer hep, as in Donovan is a real hep cat!
#MellowYellow ⚡🍌⚡
"Believe it or not, bananas do contain a small quantity of Musa Sapientum bananadine, which is a mild, short-lasting psychedelic."

William Powell

🌻
Yellow is the color of sunshine. It's associated with Joy, hope, happiness, intellect, energy and optimism.


“The colors red, blue and green are real. The color yellow is a mystical experience shared by everybody.”

Tom Stoppard



All comments from YouTube:

@TheOg_One

Anyone listening to this banger in 2024?

@uyangajigjid1109

me

@lemonade54_2l2

Yessir

@randomphoto4270

Yep

@leo_fangirl-tmnt_2012

Yup

@kayonesoft

People will be listening to this song until the end of days.

2 More Replies...

@stephaniemazzella5985

I'm 74 and so happy to hear that song 🥰

@marksinger3067

I'm 74 also and this was very hip indeed..or hep if you prefer..

@chuckheppner4384

@@marksinger3067 I prefer hep, as in Donovan is a real hep cat!
#MellowYellow ⚡🍌⚡
"Believe it or not, bananas do contain a small quantity of Musa Sapientum bananadine, which is a mild, short-lasting psychedelic."

William Powell

🌻
Yellow is the color of sunshine. It's associated with Joy, hope, happiness, intellect, energy and optimism.


“The colors red, blue and green are real. The color yellow is a mystical experience shared by everybody.”

Tom Stoppard

@artiefischel2579

Keep on truckin'

More Comments

More Versions