BUG Media - Post Songs, Announcements, Events

  • Colours (Donovan)

    Charles de Lint posted on November 10, 2012 02:50

    Download the Lyrics and Chords

    Donovan did a lot of different versions of this song, in different keys, with different people, so the songsheet is a combination of the various recordings. I've added the diagrams for sustained chords that you can add wherever you'd like for added interest and flair - so fun and easy!

    "Colours" is a song written and recorded by Donovan Philips Leitch (born 10 May 1946), a Scottish singer, songwriter and guitarist. He developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelia, and world music (notably calypso). He has lived in Scotland, Hertfordshire (England), London, California, and since at least 2008 in County Cork, Ireland, with his family. Emerging from the British folk scene, Donovan reached fame in the United Kingdom in early 1965 with live performances on the pop TV series Ready Steady Go!. The "Colours" single was released in the United Kingdom on 28 May 1965 through Pye Records (Pye 7N 15866) and a few months later in the United States through Hickory Records (Hickory 45-1324). The "Colours" single was backed with "To Sing for You" (previously included on What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid) on the United Kingdom release and "Josie" (from What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid) on the United States release. Donovan followed up the success of "Catch the Wind" with "Colours", which featured a similar folk style. The single matched the success of "Catch the Wind" in the United Kingdom, reaching No. 4 on the charts. In the United States, "Colours" reached No.61 and marked a decline in the artist's popularity relative to "Catch the Wind". A different mix of the song (without harmonica) was released on his second album Fairytale.

    *****REVISED/REFORMATTED July 26, 2020 - SR*****

    A video for this song:






    Posted in: Individual Songs, November 2012 - Bob Dylan, Neil Young & more., February 2014 - Love, January 2015 Anything Goes, February 2016 - Anything Goes, Sept 2019 (2 Comments)

Comments

Mike Cox
# Mike Cox
Saturday, November 10, 2012 11:48 AM
I was thinking recently that we need a Donovan song, great choice.
Charles de Lint
# Charles de Lint
Saturday, November 10, 2012 12:26 PM
I know lots of them but felt this fit the mood of the night best.

11668