To Try for the Sun

Donovan

About To Try for the Sun

"To Try for the Sun" is a song written and recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. The "To Try for the Sun" single was backed with "Turquoise" and released in the United States in January 1966 through Hickory Records (Hickory 45-1402). In the midst of Donovan's contractual dispute between Pye Records and Epic Records, Donovan lost creative control over Pye releases in the United States. Donovan's Pye Records distributor Hickory Records decided against releasing Donovan's fourth single "Turquoise" and instead released the previously released album track "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond". The song became the first Donovan single to fail to chart in the United States. The song is about his early days in Hatfield with his friend Gypsy Dave. By early 1966, it was becoming clear that Epic Records maintained control of all new Donovan releases in the United States. Hickory Records retained the right to release any of Donovan's Pye Records recordings and would subsequently release singles and albums in competition with the Epic Records catalog. Before the appearance of any new Epic Records material, however, Hickory Records released "To Try for the Sun". The song had previously appeared on Fairytale and even when backed with the unreleased British single "Turquoise", the song failed to chart. 


Year:
2014
3:39
133 
#2

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From the album fairytale

We stood in the windy city,
The gypsy boy and I.
We slept on the breeze in the midnight
With the raindrop and tears in our eyes.
And who's going to be the one
To say it was no good what we done?
I dare a man to say I'm too young,
For I'm going to try for the sun.
We huddled in a derelict building
And when he thought I was asleep
He laid his poor coat round my shoulder,
And shivered there beside me in a heap.
And who's going to be the one
To say it was no good what we done?
I dare a man to say I'm too young,
For I'm going to try for the sun.
We sang and cracked the sky with laughter,
Our breath turned to mist in the cold.
Our years put together count to thirty,
But our eyes told the dawn we were old.
And who's going to be the one
To say it was no good what we done ?
I dare a man to say I'm too young,
For I'm going to try for the sun.
Mirror, mirror, hanging in the sky,
Won't you look down what's happening here below?
I stand here singing to the flowers,
So very few people really know.
And who's going to be the one
To say it was no good what we done?
I dare a man to say I'm too young,
For I'm going to try for the sun.
We stood in the windy city
The gypsy boy and I.
We slept on the breeze in the midnight,
With the raindrop and tears in our eyes.
And who's going to be the one
To say it was no good what we done ?
I dare a man to say I'm too young,
For I'm going to try for the sun.

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Donovan

Donovan (born Donovan Philips Leitch, 10 May 1946) is a Scottish singer, songwriter and guitarist. Initially labelled as an imitator of Bob Dylan, Donovan quickly developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelia, and world music (notably calypso). He has variously lived in Scotland, London, California and Ireland, and currently lives with his family in County Cork in Ireland. more »

2 fans

Written by: DONOVAN LEITCH

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Background Information
"To Try for the Sun" is a track on Donovan's third studio album, "Sunshine Superman", launched in 1966.
Songwriting and Production
The song was both written and performed by Donovan, showcasing his abilities as a multi-talented artist. - "To Try for the Sun" was produced under the Epic Records label, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment.
Song Themes and Interpretation
"To Try for the Sun" is a folk-style song typical of Donovan's early work, and carries recurring themes of love, loneliness, and longing.
Album Success
The "Sunshine Superman" album, which features "To Try for the Sun," reached No.1 on the Billboards 200 the same year it was launched – Donovan's only album to do so.
Cover versions
Lindsey Buckingham, a former member of Fleetwood Mac, covered "To Try for the Sun" in his solo album "Under the Skin" in 2006. - Other artists such as Sarah Jarosz and the band Hurry have also covered the song.
Song's Influence
"To Try for the Sun" continues to impact generations beyond its release, marking Donovan's ability to create timeless music.
Song Legacy
The song is often thought to be one of Donovan's most overlooked works, boasting poignant lyrics and evocative melodies despite not achieving the mainstream attention of some of his other songs.
Lyrics
The lyrics of the song are interpreted by fans as being about the struggles of life, reaching out for a more significant meaning or goal, just as one would "try for the sun".

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