Hurdy Gurdy Man

Greatly Appreciated

HURDY GURDY MAN
 
 
“Hurdy Gurdy Man”  is a song by the Scottish singer/songwriter Donovan.  It was released in May 1968 as a single and gave its name to the album The Hurdy Gurdy Man, which was released in October of that year in the U.S.  The single reached No.5 in the U.S. and No.4 in the UK pop charts.  The song features a harder rock sound than Donovan’s usual material, supplying a range of distorted guitars.  It also features an Indian influence with the use of a tambura.  (More from Wikipedia)
 
 
Many other artists in the 1960s also took a whack at psychedelia.  Kenny Rogers’ first band the First Edition had an early hit song with “Just Dropped in (to See What Condition My Condition was In)”; though the lyrics kind of miss the boat, they are still charmingly corny.  “Hurdy Gurdy Man” is one of many great psychedelic songs Donovan came up with.  The Beatles had Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and the Rolling Stones had Their Satanic Majesties’ Request.  Even Motown got into the act:  The Supremes hit with “Reflections”, while the Temptations had several psychedelic songs – “Psychedelic Shack”, “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today)”, “Runaway Child, Runnin’ Wild”, and others.  Many were on their 1970 album Psychedelic Shack; one of the biggest hits by the B-52’sLove Shack” was in part an homage to this record.
 
(March 2011)
 
Last edited: March 22, 2021