Molly Ayala
Mellow Yellow is a song written and recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan, which was released in the US in 1966. The song includes the lyric electrical banana, which is rumoured to refer to smoking banana skins to get high. However, Donovan has since debunked this rumour, instead confirming that the electrical banana is in fact a reference to a vibrator.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song | Mellow Yellow |
| Artist | Donovan |
| Year of Release | 1966 |
| Meaning of "Electrical Banana" | A vibrator |
| A banana peel containing LSD or a similar substance |
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What You'll Learn
The song is about being cool, laid-back
"Mellow Yellow" is a song by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan, released in 1966. The song includes the phrase "electrical banana", which was rumoured to refer to smoking banana skins to get high. However, Donovan himself has debunked this rumour, stating that the song is about "being cool, laid-back, and also the electrical bananas that were appearing on the scene - which were ladies' vibrators".
The singer clarified that the song captures the "mellow vibe" of the 1960s, with "cool, groovy phrases". He also mentioned that the phrase "electrical banana" was inspired by an advertisement for a yellow vibrator that he saw in a newspaper.
The interpretation of the song has evolved over time, with some associating it with drugs, abortion, or sex. Despite the various interpretations, Donovan's intention was to create a laid-back and relaxed vibe with his music.
The song's popularity and intriguing lyrics have sparked conversations and interactions, with people sharing their thoughts and personal connections to the song.
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The electrical banana is a vibrator
The song "Mellow Yellow", written and recorded by Donovan, was released in 1966 and reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song includes the phrase "electrical banana", which is widely interpreted as a reference to a vibrator.
Upon the song's release, many people believed it to be about smoking banana skins to get high. This interpretation was fuelled by a rumour started by Country Joe McDonald in 1966, just three weeks before the song was released. However, Donovan himself has since refuted this interpretation, stating that the song is actually about "being cool, laid-back, and also the electrical bananas that were appearing on the scene - which were ladies' vibrators".
In an interview with NME in 2011, Donovan confirmed that the song was inspired by a yellow vibrator he had seen advertised in a newspaper: "I was reading a newspaper and on the back there was an ad for a yellow dildo called the mellow yellow... Really, you know the 'electric banana' was right in there and gave it away. And that's what the song's about."
The phrase "electrical banana" is specifically referring to a vibrator that was sent through the mail. Donovan originally wrote the song as a fun singalong for parties. The song also includes references to saffron, which is an aphrodisiac, further suggesting that the song is more about sex than drugs.
So, the electrical banana is, in fact, a vibrator.
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The song is about sex
The song "Mellow Yellow" by Donovan is about sex. The lyrics refer to "electrical bananas", which were a slang term for vibrators that were appearing on the scene at the time. Donovan himself confirmed this in an interview, stating that he and John Lennon would often look for funny things in the back of newspapers, and those would end up in songs.
The "electrical banana" is specifically referring to a vibrator that could be sent through the mail. This is supported by Donovan's statement that he originally wrote "Mellow Yellow" as a singalong at parties. The lighthearted and playful tone of the song, therefore, aligns with the subject of sex toys, which were gaining popularity and becoming more accessible in the 1960s.
The song's reference to "saffron" also points to the song being about sex. Saffron is an aphrodisiac, and its inclusion in the lyrics further suggests that the song is about desire and pleasure. The color saffron, as well as the color yellow referenced in the title "Mellow Yellow", could also be interpreted as symbolic of sexuality and passion.
Furthermore, the song's title and other references to the color yellow can be interpreted as symbolic of jealousy and infidelity, which are often associated with sexual themes. The phrase "mellow yellow" could also be interpreted as a play on words, with "mellow" referring to a calm and relaxed state, and "yellow" alluding to feelings of jealousy or betrayal.
While there were rumors that the song was about smoking dried banana skins to get high, Donovan himself has debunked this interpretation. He clarified that the song is about being cool, laid-back, and the ""electrical bananas" that were becoming popular at the time. Therefore, the song "Mellow Yellow" by Donovan is indeed about sex and the sexual revolution of the 1960s, captured through playful references to vibrators and aphrodisiacs.
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The song is not about smoking banana skins
"Mellow Yellow", a song by Donovan released in 1966, includes the phrase "electrical banana" in its lyrics. While many people interpreted this as a reference to smoking banana skins to get high, this interpretation is incorrect.
The misconception that the song is about smoking banana skins can be traced back to a rumour started by Country Joe McDonald in 1966, just three weeks before "Mellow Yellow" was released as a single. The rumour claimed that smoking dried banana skins could induce hallucinations, but this has since been debunked. Despite this, many people interpreted the song's lyrics as a reference to this practice, leading to the enduring association between the song and banana skin smoking.
It is worth noting that Donovan's song does include drug references, with saffron, mentioned in the lyrics, being an aphrodisiac. However, the "electrical banana" itself is widely understood to refer to a vibrator, with some sources specifically describing it as a large, yellow vibrator. This interpretation is supported by Donovan's own comments on the song's meaning, as well as the contemporary cultural context of the 1960s, when vibrators were becoming more widely available.
In conclusion, while "Mellow Yellow" may include references to drugs, the specific phrase "electrical banana" is not about smoking banana skins. Instead, it refers to vibrators, reflecting the song's themes of sexuality and pleasure.
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The song was inspired by an ad for a yellow dildo
"Mellow Yellow" is a song written and recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. The song was released in the US in 1966 and reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside the US, "Mellow Yellow" peaked at No. 8 in the UK in early 1967.
When the song was released, many people were convinced that it referred to a rumour about smoking banana peels to get high. However, Donovan denied this, saying that the song was inspired by an ad he saw in a newspaper for a yellow dildo called "Mellow Yellow". He confirmed that the electrical banana in the song referred to this product.
In an interview with NME in 2011, Donovan elaborated on the song's meaning, saying that it was about "being cool, laid-back, and also the electrical bananas that were appearing on the scene—which were ladies' vibrators". He also mentioned that he and John Lennon would often look for funny things in the back of newspapers, which would sometimes end up in songs.
The song has been interpreted in various ways, with some people believing it to be about drugs or even abortion. However, Donovan has maintained that it was primarily about capturing the "mellow vibe" of the 1960s and incorporating "cool, groovy phrases".
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Frequently asked questions
"Electrical banana" refers to a vibrator that was sent through the mail. Donovan saw an ad for a yellow vibrator in a newspaper and the term ""electrical banana" stood out to him.
"Mellow yellow" refers to Donovan himself, as in "they call me mellow yellow". It also refers to the colour of saffron and bananas, and the laid-back vibe of the '60s.
The song "Mellow Yellow" is about being cool, laid-back, and the electrical bananas (vibrators) that were appearing on the scene. There is also a drug influence in the song, with references to smoking banana peels, although this has since been debunked.
The misconception that "Mellow Yellow" is about smoking banana peels to get high was started by Country Joe McDonald in 1966, three weeks before the song was released as a single.
Yes, "Mellow Yellow" has been covered by several artists including soul singer Big Maybelle, British R&B singer/keyboardist Georgie Fame, and Spanish singer Abraham Mateo.
