The US version of Fairytale was released by Hickory Records (catalog number LPM 127 [monaural] / LPS 127 [stereo]) in November 1965 with a slightly different set of songs.

"Sunny Goodge Street" foreshadows the jazzy feel and descriptions of life in urban London that Donovan would continue to explore over the next two years.

Donovan's recording of "Universal Soldier" was released in the US as a single the previous September, and was achieving some chart success.

The Canadian pressing, issued on the British Pye label, omitted "Belated Forgiveness Plea" but included "Oh Deed I Do" and "Universal Soldier".

Record World said that the single "Sunny Goodge Street "has an elusive beauty" and that "the poetic images all ring true and the melody is simple.