Video hit Donovan

Donovan - Catch The Wind (Live, 2011)

Catch the Wind is a song written and recorded by British singer-songwriter Donovan.

It was released as a single in the United Kingdom on March 12, 1965 through Pye Records (Pye 7N 15801) and a few months later in the United States through Hickory Records (Hickory 45-1309). 

"Catch the Wind" was the first release by Donovan.

It reached No.4 in the United Kingdom singles chart and No.23 in the United States Billboard Hot 100.

The single version featured Donovan's vocals with echo and a string section. The song was re-recorded for Donovan's first album What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid without the vocal echo and strings.

When Epic Records was compiling Donovan's Greatest Hits, they were either unable or unwilling to secure the rights to the original recordings of "Catch the Wind" and "Colours". Donovan re-recorded both songs with a full backing band, and the re-recordings were included on the greatest hits album.

Contemporary usage

In 1985, the TV show Miami Vice used the song at the beginning of the episode "Golden Triangle (Part II)".

In 1989, the TV show, The Wonder Years used the song at the end of the episode "Brightwing".

In 1992, in the movie The Efficiency Expert.

In 2005, the TV show, Cold Case used this song at the end of the episode "A Perfect Day".

In 2006, the TV show, Alias used this song at the end of the episode "No Hard Feelings".

In 2006, the song was featured in the movie Flicka.

In 2007, GE Ecomagination used the song in a television commercial promoting their achievements in wind power.

In 2009, thatgamecompany used it in a promotional advertisement of PlayStation Network title Flower.

In 2009 MassMutual used the song in a personal financial services commercials.

In 2009, the movie, The Invention of Lying used almost the whole track following the scene in which the protagonist's mother dies.

In 2009, the movie, Charlie and Boots, used the song as the final scene, in which the two protagonists fish together.

In 2011, the TV show, Parenthood used this song at the end of the November 8th episode, "In-Between".

Cover versions

Johnny Rivers (1965)

Liedermacher Reinhard Mey recorded a German version, "Geh und fang den Wind", which was his first single release. (His name here is incorrectly spelled Rainer May). The translation was done by Joe Menke.[2]

The Blues Project on their 1966 album, Live at The Cafe Au Go Go

Cher (1966)

Siluete (1966)

Bruce Springsteen (1967)

Glen Campbell (1967)

Claudine Longet (1968)

Dottie West (1968)

Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs (1968)

Peter Fonda (1968) on the Chisa label, as the B-side to his version of Gram Parsons' "November Night"

The Lettermen (1970)

Mike Berry (1970, recorded under the name "Timothy Barclay")

We Five (1970)

Buck Owens (1971)[3]

Eartha Kitt (1972)[4]

Sammy Hagar on his 1977 album, Sammy Hagar

Vern Gosdin on his 1978 album, Never My Love

Susanna Hoffs on her 1994 album, Susanna Hoffs and also appeared on the UK CD single for the song "All I Want".[5]

Four to the Bar on their 1995 album, Another Son

The Irish Descendants on their 1995 album, Gypsies and Lovers

Arjen Anthony Lucassen on his 1997 album, Strange Hobby

Katey Sagal on her 2004 album, Room

The Spill Canvas on their 2007 album, Denial Feels So Good

Liane Carroll on her 2007 album Slow Down

Jimmy LaFave on his 2007 album, Cimarron Manifesto

Adam Bomb and the WMD's on their 2009 album, Live from Tehran

Chet Atkins

Joan Baez and Mimi Fariña recorded a duet which appeared on the "Generations of Folk" series (Volume 3, Classic Harmonies).

Paul Revere and the Raiders

Rickie Lee Jones on her 2012 album, Devil You Know

Adam Bomb and the WMDs on their 2009 album "Live from Tehran"

The lyrics:

In the chilly hours and minutes

Of uncertainty

I want to be

In the warm hold of your loving mind.

To feel you all around me

And to take your hand

Along the sand

Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.

When sundown pales the sky

I wanna hide a while

Behind your smile

And everywhere I'd look, your eyes I'd find.

For me to love you now

Would be the sweetest thing,

T'would make me sing

Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.

Dee dee da da la da da da da da

Ya da da, da da, da da

When rain has hung the leaves with tears

I want you near

To kill my fears

To help me to leave all my blues behind.

For standing in your heart

Is where I wanna be

And I long to be,

Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.

Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind