For anyone born after then, this is a slang term for aВ vibrator. The songвЂ™s mentioning of an вЂњelectrical bananaвЂќ gives it away to anyone born before 1960. In fact, Donovan claims to have heard the rumour only three weeks before вЂMellow YellowвЂ™ was released as a single.Дonovan has since cleared away the forest of rumours sourcing the songвЂ™s provenance. According to the liner notes for DonovanвЂ™s Greatest Hits,В the rumour asserting the bananaвЂ™s medicinal properties was espoused by Country Joe McDonald in 1966. Of course, that theory has since been debunked, so donвЂ™t be getting any ideas. This rumour sounds so ridiculous, even today.

Initially, the song was rumoured to be about smoking dried banana skins, which were rumoured to have psychedelic properties in the вЂ™60s. In fact, вЂMellow YellowвЂ™ was steeped in myth almost instantly after release. However, Donovan has dispelled this myth. It was also rumoured to have been McCartney whispering the slightly creepy вЂњquite rightlyвЂќ in the chorus. It is also alleged that McCartney played bass in parts of the album Mellow YellowВ but was uncredited. The Beatles bassist lends his hand to the song with a clap and the cheer at the end. Showing that DonovanвЂ™s illustrious list of friends did not end there, his quintessential song features an uncredited Paul McCartney. It was arranged by none other than John Paul Jones, the only member of the future Led Zeppelin we have not mentioned till this point. The title track and solo single from Mellow Yellow,В the song is a psychedelic trip in of itself. One of the hits that culminated in DonovanвЂ™s ubiquity was 1966вЂ™s вЂMellow YellowвЂ™.

In 1968, Donovan even taught John Lennon a folk style of finger-picking that the Beatles frontman would employ in вЂDear PrudenceвЂ™ and вЂJuliaвЂ™ to name but a few. His friendship circle included Joan Baez, Brian Jones, and, yes, the Beatles. He would develop an eclectic and distinctive style- this blended elements of folk, jazz, pop, psych-rock and world music.ДЄlong the way, Donovan would become as famous for his friends as for his iconic music. In adopting psychedelia, and all things bright and beautiful, DonovanвЂ™s sonic palette expanded greatly. These included John Bonham, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, soon to be of Led Zeppelin fame, Jack Bruce of Cream and the Jeff Beck Group. The influential independent producer had recorded a string of smash-hits with the likes of Lulu, The Animals and HermanвЂ™s Hermits.ДЇurthermore, this relationship would bring him into contact with a handful of future legends, who at the time were plying their trade as some of LondonвЂ™s most sought after session musicians and would at points play in his backing band. He began a long and highly successful partnership with prominent British record producer Mickie Most. Another Donovan made song would also culminate in his star rising exponentially.

Mellow yellow song lyrics