Sunny Goodge Street

Album: Fairytale (1965)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Goodge Street Station is a Tube stop in the Fitzrovia district of London where Donovan would get hashish. The song takes us on a journey where he makes the score, smokes it, and goes on a mind-expanding trip where in the end, there is love.

    The song is one of the first to explicitly mention the drug, as Donovan sings: "Violent hash-smoker shook a chocolate machine."
  • Even casual marijuana use was seen as dangerous and nefarious among much of the British population in 1965, when the Dangerous Drugs Act was passed, emboldening police to go after offenders. Thanks in part to this song, Donovan became a target, and in 1966 he was the first rocker to go down in a series of raids that also nabbed members of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

    In our interview with Donovan, he said, "I was the first to actually mention it in a song, and that's why I would be the first to be busted in London."
  • One of Donovan's earliest recordings, this song found him blending a variety of musical styles, which became his imprint. Elements of folk, jazz, classical and blues music come together on this track.

Comments: 1

  • David from UsaWhy do all the lyrics sites say "crazy Kali goddess" when he's clearly saying "crazy color goddess" and in his live version he says " crazy colors goddess"?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Maxi Priest

Maxi PriestSongwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.

How The Beatles Crafted Killer Choruses

How The Beatles Crafted Killer ChorusesSong Writing

The author of Help! 100 Songwriting, Recording And Career Tips Used By The Beatles, explains how the group crafted their choruses so effectively.

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Tommy James

Tommy JamesSongwriter Interviews

"Mony Mony," "Crimson and Clover," "Draggin' The Line"... the hits kept coming for Tommy James, and in a plot line fit for a movie, his record company was controlled by the mafia.