Hurdy Gurdy Man
Donovan
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Thrown like a star in my vast sleep I opened my eyes to take a peek To find that I was by the sea Gazing with tranquility 'Twas then when the Hurdy Gurdy Man Came singing songs of love Then when the Hurdy Gurdy Man Came singing songs of love "Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy gurdy" he sang "Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy gurdy" he sang "Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy gurdy" he sang Histories of ages past Unenlightened shadows cast Down through all eternity The crying of humanity 'Tis then when the Hurdy Gurdy Man Comes singing songs of love Then when the Hurdy Gurdy Man Comes singing songs of love "Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy gurdy" he sang "Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurd Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy gurdy" he sang "Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy gurdy" he sang Here comes the Roly Poly Man He's singing songs of love "Roly poly, roly poly, holy poly poly" he sang "Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy gurdy" he sang "Hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy, hurdy gurdy gurdy" he sang
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11 facts about this song
Recording History"Hurdy Gurdy Man" is a song by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. It was recorded in April 1968 and released later that year in May.
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Beatles ConnectionThis song was written during Donovan's trip to India in 1968, where he was studying Transcendental Meditation along with The Beatles.
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Inspiration and MeaningDonovan has proclaimed that the "Hurdy Gurdy Man" symbolizes a poetic image representing the natural music played by the cosmos.
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Hidden MusiciansAllegedly, two members of Led Zeppelin–Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones–participated in the recording session of this song; however, the record label did not credit them due to contractual obligations.
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Hit Chart PerformanceThe "Hurdy Gurdy Man" single reached the Top 5 in the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. In Donovan's home country, the UK, it reached number 4.
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Film AppearanceThe song was famously used in the 2007 movie "Zodiac" directed by David Fincher, setting a haunting tone for the true-crime thriller.
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Alternate Versions and CoversThere are alternate versions of "Hurdy Gurdy Man" with additional lyrics that were not included in the original release. The song has also been covered by a variety of artists, including the American rock band The Butthole Surfers and Steve Hillage, a progressive rock musician.
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Long-form VersionOn Donovan's live album, "The Donovan Concert Live In L.A.", a 15-minute version of "Hurdy Gurdy Man" is included, showcasing the song's ability to captivate with its psychedelic sound.
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Influence and LegacyThe song is often cited as a formative influence on the development of progressive rock, heavy metal, and world music genres.
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Album ImportanceThe album also named "Hurdy Gurdy Man" helped establish Donovan's successful transition from folk singer to a psychedelic rock artist.
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50th Anniversary ReleaseIn 2018, for the song's 50th anniversary, Donovan released a new version of the song now including lost verses that were originally written by George Harrison during their meditation trip in India.
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"Hurdy Gurdy Man Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 20 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3301606/Donovan/Hurdy+Gurdy+Man>.
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