‘Sunshine Superman’ is a song written and recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. It was released as a single in the United States in July 1966, but due to a contractual dispute the United Kingdom release was delayed until December 1966. The single was backed with ‘The Trip’ on both the US and UK releases. It has been described as "one of the classics of the era", and as "the quintessential bright summer sing along". The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States (Donovan's only single to do so) and subsequently became the title track of his third album. When finally released in the UK, it reached No. 2.
Donovan first met his future wife, Linda Lawrence, in 1965 when she was recovering from a broken relationship with Rolling Stones founding member Brian Jones. The pair dated briefly, but not wanting the scrutiny and uncertainty of being a pop star's girlfriend all over again, Lawrence broke it off at the end of the year. Donovan responded with this song. "It's not a normal love song, the singer told Mojo magazine June 2011. "On the face of it, the song is about being with Linda again. But sunshine is a nickname for acid. The Superman is the person capable of entering higher states because it's not easy to go into the fourth dimension and see the matrix of the universe in which everything is connected. The line, 'everybody's hustling' referred to the pop scene at the time, where you could lose yourself very easily. Gyp (Mills - Donovan's lifelong friend and tour manager) would always keep my feet on the ground; we had left home at 16 to busk so we could see fame for what it is."
Recorded on 19 December 1965, the song "has a claim to be the first psychedelic rock record ever recorded" according to The Guardian. It was arranged by two jazz musicians, pianist John Cameron and Spike Heatley, who played double bass. John Paul Jones, who would also act as an arranger on some Donovan sessions for producer Mickie Most, played electric bass. Session guitarist Jimmy Page (The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin) played lead guitar, employing an innovative use of the volume control on his guitar for the repeating figure he played during the verses. Cameron played a two-tier Morley harpsichord on the record. After the success of the song, Cameron would arrange (and play on) many tracks for Donovan and Most.
Billboard described the single as a "rockin' production ballad with an exciting, commercial sound". Cash Box described the song as a "funky, medium-paced, blues-soaked romancer about a lad who is determined to snare the gal of his dreams", and called it "impressive". Record World said it "has an incessant and irresistible mid shuffle beat."
Label – Epic
Songwriter – Donovan
Producer – Mickie Most
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]Sunshine came softly through my a-window today
Could've tripped out easy, but I've a-changed my way
It'll take time, I know it, but in a while
You're gonna be mine, and I know it, we'll do it in style
[Chorus]
'Cause I made my mind up
You're goin' to be mine
I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book and now baby
All that I can find
[Verse 2]
Everybody's hustlin' just to have a little scene
When I say we'll be cool, I think that you know what I mean
We stood on a beach at sunset, do you remember when?
I know a beach where, baby, a-it never ends
[Chorus]
When you've made your mind up
Forever to be mine
Mm-mm-mm-mm
I'll pick up your hand and slowly
Blow your little mind
'Cause I made my mind up
You're going to be mine
I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book, a-now, baby
All that I can find
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
Superman or Green Lantern ain't got a-nothin' on me
I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea, yep!
A-y-y-you can just sit there a-thinkin' on your velvet throne
About all the rainbows a-you can a-have for your own
[Chorus]
When you've made your mind up
Forever to be mine
Mm-mm-mm-mm
I'll pick up your hand and slowly
Blow your little mind
[Outro]
When you've made your mind up
Forever to be mine
I'll pick up your hand
I'll pick up your hand