Catch the Wind

song by Donovan

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

"Catch the Wind" is a song by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan, released in 1965. It is considered a significant early example of the folk rock genre. The song features Donovan's characteristic gentle vocal style and acoustic instrumentation, with lyrics that evoke a sense of longing and natural imagery. It was Donovan's first hit and is often seen as a softer, more romantic echo of Bob Dylan's protest anthems of the era. The song helped establish Donovan as a prominent figure in the mid-1960s music scene, blending folk sensibilities with pop appeal.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Donovan
…as a folksinger with “Catch the Wind.” As the musical landscape became more kaleidoscopic, Donovan adapted his approach and helped define the era with odes to the hippie lifestyle such as “Sunshine Superman” (1966), “Mellow Yellow” (1967), and “Hurdy Gurdy Man” (1968). His obscure lyrics, often laced with drug…
Read More
…as a folksinger with “Catch the Wind.” As the musical landscape became more kaleidoscopic, Donovan adapted his approach and helped define the era with odes to the hippie lifestyle such as “Sunshine Superman” (1966), “Mellow Yellow” (1967), and “Hurdy Gurdy Man” (1968). His obscure lyrics, often laced with drug…
Read More

folk rock
His first hit, “Catch the Wind” (1965), was a softened and sweetened echo of Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind.”
Read More
His first hit, “Catch the Wind” (1965), was a softened and sweetened echo of Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind.”
Read More