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Donovan — Catch The Wind
Album: Summer Day Reflection Songs
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1923









Released: 1965
Length: 2:52
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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In the chilly hours and minutes
Of uncertainty, I want to be
In the warm hold of your lovin' mind

To feel you all around me
And to take your hand along the sand
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind

When sundown pales the sky
I want to hide a while behind your smile
And everywhere I'd look your eyes I'd find

For me to love you now
Would be the sweetest thing 'twould make me sing
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind

Di di di di, di di di di
Di di di di, di di di di
Di di di

When rain has hung the leaves with tears
I want you near to kill my fears
To help me to leave all my blues behind

Standin' in your heart
Is where I want to be and long to be
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind

Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind
Comments (183)add comment
I love the version with strings.
Posted 7 months ago by trevc    [ Reply ]
Great Britain's own Bob Dylan, and every bit as talented.
Posted 10 months ago by Devaplan    [ Reply ]
 WilliDoc wrote:

Oh, dear. Just dire. 
I still feel uncomfortable watching  Don't Look Back, when Donovan croons his latest  ditty, and Bob just slays him with Baby Blue. Actually felt sorry for Donovan. 
Just the once.



It isn't dire at all, you just don't care for it.  Personally I prefer the version with strings, very nostalgic for me (reminds me of school days) and very atmospheric. Lovely tune.
Posted 1 year ago by trevc    [ Reply ]
Oh, dear. Just dire. 
I still feel uncomfortable watching  Don't Look Back, when Donovan croons his latest  ditty, and Bob just slays him with Baby Blue. Actually felt sorry for Donovan. 
Just the once.
Posted 1 year ago by WilliDoc    [ Reply ]
Never realized until now how Dylanesque this is 
Posted 1 year ago by rrowdies    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:

Gorgeous.   And no matter how much I love Dylan, Donovan's voice is far better.



there was a time when Bob sang beautifully...but not so much anymore
Posted 2 years ago by rbrise    [ Reply ]
 nomnol wrote:

How many artists can play guitar and harmonica at the same time and imagine how hard that must be?
Donovan, Dylan, Neil Young, Murray McLaughlin... any others?




John Lennon?
Posted 2 years ago by Miksalml    [ Reply ]
 nomnol wrote:

How many artists can play guitar and harmonica at the same time and imagine how hard that must be?
Donovan, Dylan, Neil Young, Murray McLaughlin... any others?


Throughout history there have been very many artists who played harmonica and guitar at the same time - a lot of musicians still do.  Go to an acoustic open mic night and you'll probably see at least one.  Anyhow, it's not really that difficult to do, it just takes a little practice.
Good song.
Posted 2 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 coyote620 wrote:


you may say it was a rip off and some may agree and some may not.  It is not easy to copy and do it well.  There are many songs that were written during this time that would sound similar but yet are not as inspired.  This one musically and lyrically stands out not because it is a copy, but because it is simply a very well written and thoughtful song.



Well said 
Posted 2 years ago by Quetzal    [ Reply ]
 saellig668552 wrote:

Where is the difference between be influenced by an artist and by copying the artist?




If someone copied me i would take that as a complement, yes he did copy the styles of his pals and maybe that stalled his popularity, he is a very talented artist and a good man . 
Posted 2 years ago by Quetzal    [ Reply ]
 nomnol wrote:

How many artists can play guitar and harmonica at the same time and imagine how hard that must be?
Donovan, Dylan, Neil Young, Murray McLaughlin... any others?




He is surely underrated
Posted 2 years ago by Quetzal    [ Reply ]
I saw Donovan in Dumfries Scotland maybe three years ago in our home Galloway and although he has very strong similarities with other artists of the time i do enjoy his music and also listening to the stories of his time with the Beatles in London and up on the farm in Scotland.  The end of an Era 
Posted 2 years ago by Quetzal    [ Reply ]
How many artists can play guitar and harmonica at the same time and imagine how hard that must be?
Donovan, Dylan, Neil Young, Murray McLaughlin... any others?
Posted 3 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
Sweet. Ness.
Posted 3 years ago by deniseperry    [ Reply ]
You lost me at "Di di di"
Posted 3 years ago by Meolla_Reio    [ Reply ]
Utterly derivative, but still nice. It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Posted 3 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:
Bob Dylan invented the folk song. True story.
 
Thanks for the chuckle.
Posted 3 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
How quiet the forest if only the best bird sings.
Posted 3 years ago by murdog    [ Reply ]
Where is the difference between be influenced by an artist and by copying the artist?
Posted 3 years ago by saellig668552    [ Reply ]
He released this when he was just 19? - Wow!
Posted 4 years ago by whaleboneman    [ Reply ]
It's always been unfair and inaccurate to compare Donovan to Dylan. A genius in his own right who drew his inspiration more from Celtic folk than Mr Zimmerman.
The original Hurdy Gurdy man. 
Posted 4 years ago by siriusrising    [ Reply ]
Jennifer, Junipher! Universal Soldier
Posted 4 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
 randyblew wrote:
Kay, I seldom add a negative post - I try to stay positive, and my tastes are so varied that I have a musical big tent. But that is so horribly a Dylan rip that it pains me to listen. And I like Donovan, quite a bit! And yes, I know his bio and that this is how he got his start. At best, I can say he was hugely inspired by Dylan, and this was his fawning effort.
 

you may say it was a rip off and some may agree and some may not.  It is not easy to copy and do it well.  There are many songs that were written during this time that would sound similar but yet are not as inspired.  This one musically and lyrically stands out not because it is a copy, but because it is simply a very well written and thoughtful song.
Posted 4 years ago by coyote620    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
Gorgeous.   And no matter how much I love Dylan, Donovan's voice is far better.
 

Agreed, it has the same color to it, but it's not as obnoxious.
Posted 4 years ago by Sofa_King    [ Reply ]
You are not alone. Always have, always will.

 rluking wrote:
Is it blasphemous to say that I've always preferred him over Dylan
Posted 4 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
 rluking wrote:
Is it blasphemous to say that I've always preferred him over Dylan?
 
No 
Posted 4 years ago by Sbed    [ Reply ]
Is it blasphemous to say that I've always preferred him over Dylan?
Posted 4 years ago by rluking    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
saw this fun film the other night on TCM in which Donovan performs in a smoky cafe'
Suzanne Pleshette is gorgeous, and the whole cast is terrific  : )
If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium.jpeg
 
Dang it; Not available on Netflix or its DVD subsidiary.
Posted 4 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
What a wonderful, unique musician.  So nice to hear again.
Posted 4 years ago by dublanica    [ Reply ]
My first album, in mono. Hey Gyp would be a great track to play RP.
Posted 4 years ago by iloveradio    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

I haven't seen that movie in years.  Yeah, she was beautiful.  The legendary Norman Fell is also in that movie.
 
And that's Ian McShane, which I mainly know from Deadwood. That clip just blew my mind. 
Posted 5 years ago by jkamm14    [ Reply ]
Gorgeous.   And no matter how much I love Dylan, Donovan's voice is far better.
Posted 5 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Sigh. Song has so much meaning for me, not just for itself, but how it brings back the context where I first heard it.
Posted 5 years ago by ednazarko    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
 ...me too   {#Yes}  folkrocker wrote:
This song tugs at my heart like no other.

 

Posted 5 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
Saw him in SF, 1965, I think.
{#Smile}
Posted 5 years ago by dw    [ Reply ]
{#Daisy}
Posted 6 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Lovely. I've always liked Donovan. A top shelf troubadour. 
But I'm clearly picking up a Chimes of Freedom melody harmonica tone emulation homage thingie going on.  
Oh, so little is entirely unique anyway. 
Posted 6 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
This song tugs at my heart like no other.
Posted 6 years ago by folkrocker    [ Reply ]
A love song. They don't make them like this any more.
Posted 6 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
saw this fun film the other night on TCM in which Donovan performs in a smoky cafe'
Suzanne Pleshette is gorgeous, and the whole cast is terrific  : )
 
I haven't seen that movie in years.  Yeah, she was beautiful.  The legendary Norman Fell is also in that movie.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
{#Devil_pimp} still zesty !
Posted 7 years ago by primm    [ Reply ]
saw this fun film the other night on TCM in which Donovan performs in a smoky cafe'
Suzanne Pleshette is gorgeous, and the whole cast is terrific  : )

If It's Tuesday.jpeg
Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
saw this fun film the other night on TCM in which Donovan performs in a smoky cafe'
Suzanne Pleshette is gorgeous, and the whole cast is terrific  : )

If It's Tuesday.jpeg"If its Tuesday this must be Belgium"
Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 Skydog wrote:
the only Donovan record i ever bought was the 45rpm single 'Hurdy Gurdy Man'
he had a ton of hits in the 60's and always heard him on the radio 
so i didn't need to buy any
 

  
Billbecca , listening and reading this comment, really realized the power of you keeping radio alive and FREE. It was free and unified people, so they made it go away. Rock on.

Posted 7 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
Whoooa, playin Carnegie Hall tonight! Still very much around.
 https://donovan.ie/event/sunshine-superman-tour-new-york-city-usa/
Posted 8 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Donovan still around?
 
Posted 8 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Much better than Dylan. 
Posted 8 years ago by Schmoogsley    [ Reply ]
Far between sundown's finish and midnight's broken toe... 

But I've always liked Donovan anyway. He had, has some terrific songs.  
Posted 8 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
I don't know why I only rated this a '3' before - think I was in a bad place then. Yep - that was it. Now, I'm in love, and it's a solid '8'. Ha! Life's like that.
Posted 8 years ago by randyblew    [ Reply ]
the only Donovan record i ever bought was the 45rpm single 'Hurdy Gurdy Man'
he had a ton of hits in the 60's and always heard him on the radio 
so i didn't need to buy any
 
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
I played this album endlessly in my basement as a teenager, singing along on Universal Soldier
 
Posted 8 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
When he played this at The Rainbow in '85 we all got teary-eyed; such a wonderful, heartfelt song — he's such a Cosmic Troubadour! 
Posted 8 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
This is a good song but Donovan had not yet found his voice. Donovan's best stuff came later. 
Posted 8 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
such a thoughtful, stirring song.
Posted 9 years ago by blkstd    [ Reply ]
 Ubaldo wrote:
And these days I drop ANTacid . . .
 

Otomi wrote:


Formicable, man!

 Image source: https://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/103/5/3/psychedelic_ant_by_jompiete-d4w15rn.jpg



 
{#Clap} {#Notworthy}

Well played, sir. 
Posted 9 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Mr. Leitch is in full Dylan Mode for this song.
Posted 9 years ago by LeftonWright    [ Reply ]


Once upon a time, long ago and far away, we all believed in things that have now evaporated.

People change, priorities change and what was shared is never valued equally on each side of the balance...

These days begins our season of discontent
Posted 9 years ago by AndyJ    [ Reply ]
 Ubaldo wrote:
And these days I drop ANTacid . . .

 

Formicable, man!

 Image source: https://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/103/5/3/psychedelic_ant_by_jompiete-d4w15rn.jpg


Posted 9 years ago by Otomi    [ Reply ]
  {#Daisy}   {#Daisy}   {#Daisy}    ..flowers for Donovan -  great music!
Posted 9 years ago by Jannne    [ Reply ]
 Ubaldo wrote:
And these days I drop ANTacid . . .

 
...... yes, love it, I know where your coming from:))
"OUTSTANDING" song 
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Love it!  Such a profound piece when I were a teen, and now... 

...go Donovan :-)
Posted 10 years ago by Jonathanedew    [ Reply ]
as if dylan had a monopoly on 'the wind' for f's sake! donovan is one of the most original artists 'out there', i'm fed up with 'your comparisons', sure, i love dylan for his dylanness and donovan for his donovaness, why waste time on comparisons, duh..?
Posted 10 years ago by Diamond_Dog    [ Reply ]
And these days I drop ANTacid . . .
Posted 11 years ago by Ubaldo    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
I, for one, thinks he channelled Dylan quite well! I mean, if you think it's Dylan, and it turns out to be Dylan, you should only be pissed cause he fooled ya!

Well done, and well played. 
Posted 11 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
 zepher wrote:
"Is that freedom rock man?"

"Yeah man"

"Well turn it up man"

 
{#Lol}
Posted 11 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixttp2yibX8
Posted 11 years ago by AlienRelic    [ Reply ]
 (former member) wrote:


Who farted?

 
 
Probably someone dancing in your cell block
Posted 11 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
 (former member) wrote:


Who farted?

 
 
He who said it...let it.
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Beautiful! Makes you want to fall in love
Posted 12 years ago by egsstaff    [ Reply ]
Kay, I seldom add a negative post - I try to stay positive, and my tastes are so varied that I have a musical big tent. But that is so horribly a Dylan rip that it pains me to listen. And I like Donovan, quite a bit! And yes, I know his bio and that this is how he got his start. At best, I can say he was hugely inspired by Dylan, and this was his fawning effort.
Posted 12 years ago by randyblew    [ Reply ]
Yeah. I haven't heard this in a while. It's really very Dylanesque — but it's still a nice song. I prefer Sunshine Superman and Hurdy Gurdy Man and Epistle to Dippy myself. 
 
Posted 12 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 sine-quinn-non wrote:
I only skimmed a few of the other comments to see many Dylan comparisons.  It sounded so much like Chimes of Freedom specifically that I now want to see which song came first.
 
The Dylan song was first by a year. I assume that Donovan listened to Dylan. It is possible that "Catch the Wind" wasn't influenced by "Chimes of Freedom." Possible, but not probable, imho. 
Posted 12 years ago by ycb661    [ Reply ]
"Is that freedom rock man?"

"Yeah man"

"Well turn it up man"


Posted 12 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
I only skimmed a few of the other comments to see many Dylan comparisons.  It sounded so much like Chimes of Freedom specifically that I now want to see which song came first.
Posted 12 years ago by sine-quinn-non    [ Reply ]
 Stratocaster wrote:
I am conflicted by the fact that I first heard this song on a Toyota commercial about 4 years ago...don't know why I'd never heard it before then.

I then Googled a couple lines of lyrics and found it was this song.

I utterly love it.  Obvious Dylan influence, but that's OK. 
 
While we're at it, Happy Birthday, Bob Dylan! 71 today!
Posted 12 years ago by Tana    [ Reply ]
Donovan does his best Dylan imitation ever.
Posted 12 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
 onerb wrote:
love this...
 




Posted 12 years ago by dorkmeister    [ Reply ]
I am conflicted by the fact that I first heard this song on a Toyota commercial about 4 years ago...don't know why I'd never heard it before then.

I then Googled a couple lines of lyrics and found it was this song.

I utterly love it.  Obvious Dylan influence, but that's OK. 
Posted 12 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
love this...
Posted 12 years ago by onerb    [ Reply ]
 kurtster wrote:
Donovan qualifies as a singer / songwriter.

Dylan is certainly a songwriter and a great one, but a singer ?

End comparison.
 

Yes, but overall body of work points to Dylan being one of the great poetsongwriters of the 20th century who influenced millions and Donovan was a good little singersongwriter in the 60's.

End comparison.

BTW, I know Dylan did not like Donovan anyway, but this song really had to grate his cheese when he first heard it!{#Lol} Great song 8.

Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
The nasal twang and phrasing produces an immediate image of George W. Bush performing this tune. I'm glad he's mellowed out.
Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
A timeless song.  Not over-produced.  Simple and poetic.
Posted 13 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
as moving tonight as ever
Posted 13 years ago by drcrnp    [ Reply ]
can't help but sing/hum along with this and wonder about things that might have been and things that are yet to be...an old song but it strikes a deep cord
Posted 13 years ago by mfcrowe    [ Reply ]
Ah, the futility...
Possibly the prettiest song I know.
Posted 13 years ago by Moak    [ Reply ]
Oh, the memories . . .
Posted 13 years ago by Ubaldo    [ Reply ]
I saw Donovan on a flight from Ireland to the UK a couple of years ago and couldn't resist asking him for his autograph for my brother, a longtime fan and crooner of his songs at various parties ;-)   He was lovely (Donovan that is!), really happy to speak to me for a few minutes and to do a nice autograph.  Really nice bloke.  And very good songs too!
Posted 13 years ago by ClaireWild    [ Reply ]
This song can still choke me up after all these years. Glad to be hearing more Donovan on RP. 
Posted 14 years ago by SanFranGayMan    [ Reply ]
One of those classic gems that never gets old for me.
Posted 14 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]

a great song for 'our' last day of winter! {#Umbrella}

Posted 14 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

. . . or if he was a pale imitation of himself.
 
I'd rather be a bucket than a pail...


Posted 14 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 sdn wrote:
This is what Dylan would sound like, if only he could sing.
 
. . . or if he was a pale imitation of himself.
Posted 14 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
This is what Dylan would sound like, if only he could sing.
Posted 14 years ago by sdn    [ Reply ]
This song really reminds me of being a teenager and taking the subway over to Manhattan on the weekend to hang out on Macdougal Street and wearing a peacoat and a goofy hat. I think I had every Donovan album.
Posted 14 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
1964
Posted 14 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]

{#High-five}

Posted 14 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
 fireboydan wrote:
The Irish Descendants do a pretty decent version of this tune, too. Not up to Donovan, but good. Great harmonies in their version.
 
Yes, I really like that version too.

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
I just don't like this guy.  Everything he did sounded contrived and wimpy.
Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
Donovan qualifies as a singer / songwriter.

Dylan is certainly a songwriter and a great one, but a singer ?

End comparison.
Posted 15 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
 amblemourne wrote:
Clue sticks slide off of you don't they? :)
I'll take a stab at his point. Donovan recorded a banal Dylan sound a like song because he was broke and needed a fix. Nothing artistic, poetic or melodic about this song.
 
{#Lol} Thank you, amblemourne. That pretty much says it.
I do kinda like the song, though (despite it's none-too-subtle similarity to "Blowin' in the Wind").


Posted 15 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
This is Donovan's 1st hit written when he was 17 or 18.  It came out in 1965.  Check out Donovan & Bob Dylan video.  Dylan admired Donovan.  This song is wonderfully poetic!  How old are you?

Posted 16 years ago by meredithe    [ Reply ]
sharkey wrote:
& your point is?
Clue sticks slide off of you don't they? :) I'll take a stab at his point. Donovan recorded a banal Dylan sound a like song because he was broke and needed a fix. Nothing artistic, poetic or melodic about this sone.
Posted 16 years ago by amblemourne    [ Reply ]
On_The_Beach wrote:
This is now a Volvo commercial. Guess old Donovan needed the dough.
& your point is?
Posted 16 years ago by sharkey    [ Reply ]
gjeeg wrote:
I can see how Dylan might have derided him for being such a sound-a-like.
It came to me during this song that Donovan was Ryan Adams Natural father. Dylan without any meaningful words. Which is a frightening thing to listen to.
Posted 16 years ago by amblemourne    [ Reply ]
I can see how Dylan might have derided him for being such a sound-a-like.
Posted 16 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
The Irish Descendants do a pretty decent version of this tune, too. Not up to Donovan, but good. Great harmonies in their version.
Posted 16 years ago by fireboydan    [ Reply ]
Moak wrote:
The song still gives me chills after, what, 35 years of hearing it - that kind of magic goes beyond any rating.
Exactly. That's what matters.
Posted 16 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
kazuma wrote:
I actually didn't know this was not Bob Dylan.
All this Dylan/ Donovan debate... Bob obviously thought enough of this song to record a version of it himself.
Posted 16 years ago by sharkartist    [ Reply ]
This reminds me of Volvos. They used it in brand wide advertisement campaign a couple of years ago.
Posted 16 years ago by bthubbard    [ Reply ]
catsoup wrote:
I usually like Donovan but this reminds me of Bob Dylan . In a bad way.
A bit of Dylan, but in a good way. A bit of David Gray, but in a good way.
Posted 17 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
Takes me back to a very good place.
Posted 17 years ago by Ubaldo    [ Reply ]
Just as beautiful as 40 years ago, thanks for playing this gem!
Posted 17 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Groovy.
Posted 17 years ago by ProfessorFrink    [ Reply ]
I usually like Donovan but this reminds me of Bob Dylan . In a bad way.
Posted 17 years ago by catsoup    [ Reply ]
The song still gives me chills after, what, 35 years of hearing it - that kind of magic goes beyond any rating.
Posted 17 years ago by Moak    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of summer camp (that's a good thing).
Posted 17 years ago by MrSpaz    [ Reply ]
Mari wrote:
... Donovan is alive and well and still playin' beautiful music, heard him on Indie 103.1 only yesterday, just before Nico Stai, both interviews and music, the old and the young are very complimentary and if they could only read the tripe that is written here they would just laugh, they are so not into ego or comparisons, they're in it for the music and the love and the love of music and the music of love
Soooo yes to that
Posted 17 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
One of a select few songs that touch my very heart.
Posted 17 years ago by Lotus_Miata    [ Reply ]