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"Colours" is a song written and recorded by British singer-songwriter Donovan.[2] The "Colours" single was released in the United Kingdom on 28 May 1965 through Pye Records (Pye 7N 15866) and a few months later in the United States through Hickory Records (Hickory 45-1324). The "Colours" single was backed with "To Sing for You" (previously included on What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid) on the United Kingdom release and "Josie" (from What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid) on the United States release.
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2011) |
| "Colours" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Dutch (Pye / Negram) sleeve | ||||
| Single by Donovan | ||||
| from the album Fairytale | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | 28 May 1965 (UK) June 1965 (United States) | |||
| Recorded | 1965 | |||
| Genre | Folk[1] | |||
| Length | 2:44 (Side A) 2:46 ("To Sing For You") 3:29 ("Josie") | |||
| Label | Pye 7N15866 (UK) Hickory 45-1324 (United States) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Donovan Leitch | |||
| Producer(s) | Terry Kennedy, Peter Eden, Geoff Stephens | |||
| Donovan UK singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Donovan USA singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
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Donovan followed up the success of "Catch the Wind" with "Colours", which featured a similar folk style. The single matched the success of "Catch the Wind" in the United Kingdom, reaching No. 4 on the charts.[3] In the United States, "Colours" reached No.61,[4] and marked a decline in the artist's popularity relative to "Catch the Wind". A different mix of the song (without harmonica) was released on his second album Fairytale. Billboard praised the "intriguing lyric and melody."[5] Cash Box described it as a "tender, slow-moving, rhythmic pledge of romantic devotion sold by the songster in his distinctive Bob Dylan-ish style."[6]
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 in the studio with Big Jim Sullivan playing guitar, John Paul Jones on bass and keyboards and Clem Cattini on drums, produced by Mickie Most. The re-recordings were included on the greatest hits album.
The song proved quite accessible for a number of artists of different musical genres, including Murray Head, Claudine Longet, Patty Duke, The Kingston Trio, Percy Faith, and Country Joe.
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- A live duet with Joan Baez from the 1965 Newport Folk Festival[2] is included on the 1995 compilation Folk Music at Newport, Part 1.
- The 2002 album Pied Piper features a re-recorded version by Donovan with new lyrics for children.
- The 2002 film The Rules of Attraction features a re-recorded version by Donovan which would after be used in various television commercials.
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