Mellow Yellow

song by Donovan

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Last updated

July 22, 2026

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"Mellow Yellow" is a playful pop song released in 1967 by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. It became one of his signature hits, alongside other odes to the hippie lifestyle like "Sunshine Superman" and "Hurdy Gurdy Man."1

The song's lyrics are often characterized by their obscure nature, sometimes containing drug references, and are delivered in Donovan's soft, soulful voice, influenced by folk, blues, jazz, and Indian music. The phrase "mellow yellow" itself gained notoriety in the 1960s, partly due to a hoax suggesting that baked and smoked banana skins could produce effects similar to marijuana.12

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Donovan
…as “Sunshine Superman” (1966), “Mellow Yellow” (1967), and “Hurdy Gurdy Man” (1968). His obscure lyrics, often laced with drug references, were sung in a soft and sometimes soulful voice over melodies influenced by folk, blues, jazz, and Indian music.
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…as “Sunshine Superman” (1966), “Mellow Yellow” (1967), and “Hurdy Gurdy Man” (1968). His obscure lyrics, often laced with drug references, were sung in a soft and sometimes soulful voice over melodies influenced by folk, blues, jazz, and Indian music.
Read More