"Catch the Wind" is a song written and recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. The "Catch the Wind" single was released 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). The "Catch the Wind" single was backed with "Why Do You Treat Me Like You Do?" on both the United Kingdom and United States releases.

"Catch the Wind" marks the first release by Donovan. The single reached #4 in the United Kingdom and #23 in the United States. The single version featured Donovan's vocals with echo and a string section. The song was recorded again 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 rerecorded both songs with a full backing band, and these were included on the greatest hits album with session musicians Big Jim Sullivan and John Paul Jones. The CD release of the album uses the 1965 album version instead.

Use in TV Commercials

• 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.

Cover versions

Early covers of the song included those of Paul Revere and the Raiders and Johnny Rivers (1965), Bruce Springsteen (1967), Cher (1966), and Glen Campbell (1967). In 1968, Dottie West, Claudine Longet, and the bluegrass duo of Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs all produced separate efforts. Also in 1968, actor Peter Fonda recorded it on the Chisa label, as the b-side to his version of Gram Parsons' "November Night". These were followed by versions from The Lettermen (1970), Mike Berry (1970, recorded under the name "Timothy Barclay"), and Hee Haw co-host and country music star Buck Owens (1971).

In 1977 Sammy Hagar recorded the song for his self-titled second album. Former member of The Bangles Susanna Hoffs recorded the song as a bonus track for the Japanese version of her 1994 solo album; this recording also appeared on the UK CD single for the song "All I Want".

Canadian folk band The Irish Descendants recorded the song for their "Gypsies and Lovers" album in 1995.

In 2007, The Spill Canvas released their EP, Denial Feels So Good, which includes a cover.

A cover version is featured prominently in the opening scene of the Miami Vice episode "Golden Triangle, Part 2."

Versions of this tune we also released in 1966 by The Blues Project, Live at the Cafe au Go-Go, and, 1970 by the We Five, Catch The Wind.

On her 2004 CD, '(room', Katey Sagal recorded a version. Joan Baez and Mimi Farina recorded a version released on the "Generations of Folk" series (Volume 3, Classic Harmonies).

References

1. Daffyd Rees and Luke Crampton, Rock Stars Encyclopedia (New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 1999), 309.
2. http://www.secondhandsongs.com/song/27570
3. "The Susanna Hoffs Discography"

• http://www.sabotage.demon.co.uk/donovan/disco/singles.htm Donovan discography