Local Boy Chops Wood

Album: Donovan (1977)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Subtitled "A Death in the Sixties," this is a tribute to Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, who dated Donovan's future wife Linda Lawrence at the same time he met her. In June 1969, Brian was found dead in his Hyde Park swimming pool, and there have been many theories about his death. Jones was the first love of Linda Lawrence and they had a child together before Donovan met her and the two broke up and then married in 1971. Donovan has said that this song could be refer to any artist whose lives ended or were killed off by the 1960s.
  • Donovan redid the song for Lady of the Stars, the least successful of his albums because it was mostly remakes of earlier songs including "Sunshine Superman." He redid the song for his 2010 2-disc album "Ritual Groove," and this version he dedicated to Jimi Hendrix, whom Donovan met after he arrived in London and considered working on an album a year before his untimely death. The song is not one of Donovan's big hits, but is a good tribute to those whose careers were cut short during or by the '60s. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Sara - Silver Spring, MD, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.