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

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

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.

Michael Bolton

Michael BoltonSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for this talk with Bolton from the '80s when he was a focused on writing songs for other artists.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

The Evolution of "Ophelia"

The Evolution of "Ophelia"Song Writing

How five songs portray Shakespeare's character Ophelia.