In the spring of 1986, Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones and Peter Tork of the rock band the Monkees came together to kick off their reunion tour at the Concord Hotel in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York. The group, which was originally the brainchild of Hollywood producers Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson, formed in 1966 to headline a television show. However, they soon proved they were much more than a made-for-TV gimmick and were given a real opportunity to show off their musical prowess.
Together, Mickey, Davy, Peter and Mike (Nesmith) did just that, inspiring a frenzy among their millions of fans around the world while releasing six albums as a quartet and numerous follow-ups after the eventual departures of Tork and Nesmith. Today, in celebration of a band that at one point during their run actually outsold the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, DoYouRemember has compiled a list of our favorite Monkees songs of all time.
I’m a Believer (1966)
“I’m A Believer”
I thought love was only true in fairy tales
Meant for someone else but not for me
Love was out to get me
That’s the way it seemed
Disappointment haunted all of my dreams
Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind
I’m in love
I’m a believer, I couldn’t leave her if I tried
I thought love was more or less a giving thing
Seems the more I gave the less I got
What’s the use in tryin’
All you get is pain?
When I needed sunshine, I got rain
Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind
I’m in love
I’m a believer, I couldn’t leave her if I tried
Oh
Oh, love was out to get me
Now, that’s the way it seemed
Disappointment haunted all of my dreams
Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind
I’m in love
I’m a believer, I couldn’t leave her if I tried
Yes, I saw her face, now I’m a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind
Said, I’m a believer, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (I’m a believer)
Said, I’m a believer, yeah (I’m a believer)
I said, I’m a believer, yeah (I’m a believer)
This song was originally written by Neil Diamond, whose monster hit “Sweet Caroline” is in permanent rotation at Boston’s Fenway Park. The irony is that “I’m a Believer” was a battle-cry tune of the New York Yankees at their old stadium in the Bronx.
Pleasant Valley Sunday (1967)
Is trying hard to learn their song
They serenade the weekend squire
Who just came out to mow his lawn
Another pleasant valley Sunday
Charcoal burning everywhere
Rows of houses that are all the same
And no one seems to care
Because her roses are in bloom
And Mr.Green, he’s so serene
He’s got a TV in every room
Another pleasant valley Sunday
Here in status symbol land
Mothers complain about how hard life is
And the kids just don’t understand
And make it hard for me to see
(Ah ah ah) ah thoughts all seem to stray to places far away
I need a change of scenery
Ta ta ta ta, ta ta ta ta
Charcoal burning everywhere
Another pleasant valley Sunday
Here in status symbol land
Another pleasant valley Sunday (a pleasant valley Sunday)
Another pleasant valley Sunday (a pleasant valley Sunday)
Another pleasant valley Sunday (a pleasant valley Sunday)
Another pleasant valley Sunday (a pleasant valley Sunday)
Another pleasant valley Sunday (a pleasant valley Sunday)
Penned by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, “Pleasant Valley Sunday” pays homage to the simple life in everyday suburbia. This is actually one record that the Monkees played on without any assists from outside musicians.
Daydream Believer (1967)
“Daydream Believer”
7-A
What number is this to?
7-A
Okay, don’t get excited man, it’s ’cause I’m short, I know
Oh, I could hide ‘neath the wings
Of the bluebird as she sings
The six-o’clock alarm would never ring
But six rings and I rise
Wipe the sleep out of my eyes
The shaving razor’s cold and it stings
Cheer up sleepy Jean
Oh, what can it mean to a
Daydream believer and a
Homecoming queen?
You once thought of me
As a white knight on his steed
Now you know how happy I can be
Oh, our good time starts and ends
Without all I want to spend
But how much, baby, do we really need?
Cheer up sleepy Jean
Oh, what can it mean to a
Daydream believer and a
Homecoming queen?
Cheer up sleepy Jean
Oh, what can it mean to a
Daydream believer and a
Homecoming queen?
Cheer up sleepy Jean
Oh, what can it mean to a
Daydream believer and a
Homecoming queen?
Cheer up sleepy Jean
Oh, what can it mean to a
Daydream believer and a
Homecoming queen?
Cheer up, sleepy Jean
While this tune was undoubtedly one of the Monkees biggest number-one hits, it was also their last as a collective group. Its best remembered for the soothing vocals of the great British-born Davy Jones.
Last Train to Clarksville (1966)
“Last Train To Clarksville”
Take the last train to Clarksville
And I’ll meet you at the station
You can be there by four-thirty
‘Cause I’ve made your reservation, don’t be slow
Oh, no, no, no
Oh, no, no, no
‘Cause I’m leaving in the morning
And I must see you again
We’ll have one more night together
Till the morning brings my train and I must go
Oh, no, no, no
Oh, no, no, no
And I don’t know if I’m ever coming home
Take the last train to Clarksville
I’ll be waiting at the station
We’ll have time for coffee-flavored kisses
And a bit of conversation
Oh, no, no, no
Oh, no, no, no
Take the last train to Clarksville
Now I must hang up the phone
I can’t hear you in this noisy railroad station all alone
I’m feeling low
Oh, no, no, no
Oh, no, no, no
And I don’t know if I’m ever coming home
Oh
Take the last train to Clarksville
And I’ll meet you at the station
You can be here by four-thirty
‘Cause I’ve made your reservation, don’t be slow
Oh, no, no, no
Oh, no, no, no
And I don’t know if I’m ever coming home
Take the last train to Clarksville
Take the last train to Clarksville
Take the last train to Clarksville
Take the last train to Clarksville
Does anyone know where Clarksville really is? According to legend, it was actually the location of an army base where the soldier in this song is headed as he awaits deployment to fight in the Vietnam War.
Tomorrows Gonna Be Another Day (1966)
“Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day”
I’m gonna pack up my pain,
I been a keepin’ in my heart,
I’m gonna catch me the fastest train
And make me a brand new start
But that’s okay,
Tomorrow’s gonna be another day,
Hey, hey, hey.
And I don’t care what they say
Tomorrow’s gonna be, tomorrow’s gonna be,
Tomorrow’s gonna be another day.
Yay, yay, yay,
Yay, yay, yay.
They say there’s a lotta fish,
Swimmin’ in the deep blue sea,
I’m gonna catch me a pretty one
And she’ll be good to me.
But that’s okay,
Tomorrow’s gonna be another day,
Hey, hey, hey.
And I don’t care what they say
Tomorrow’s gonna be, tomorrow’s gonna be,
Tomorrow’s gonna be another day.
Yay, yay, yay,
Yay, yay, yay.
Well, I ain’t gonna think about ya,
‘Cause it ain’t no use no more,
I’m gonna make it fine without ya,
Just like I did before,
I’m on my way.
Tomorrow’s gonna be another day,
Hey, hey, hey.
And I don’t care what they say
Tomorrow’s gonna be, tomorrow’s gonna be,
Tomorrow’s gonna be another day.
Yay, yay, yay,
Yay, yay, yay.
The lyrics make it obvious that this is a tale of heartbreak, and while were not sure which of the boys had their heart broken to inspire it, we simply had to give it a spot on our list of Monkees faves.
Valleri (1968)
“Valleri”
Valleri. I love my Valleri.
There’s a girl I know who makes me feel so good.
And I wouldn’t live without her, even if I could.
They call her Valleri.
I love my Valleri.
She’s the same little girl who used to hang around my door.
But she sure looks different than the way she looked before.
I call her Valleri.
I love my Valleri.
Valleri. I love my Valleri.
I love my Valleri.
I need ya, Valleri.
Songwriters Bobby Hart and Tommy Boyce wrote this Beatle-esque hit specifically for the Monkees television series at the request of the shows music supervisor, Don Kirshner. It was reportedly dedicated to a girl that Hart romanced during his high school days.
(Theme From) The Monkees (1966)
“(Theme From) The Monkees”
Here we come
Walkin’ down the street
We get the funniest looks from
Everyone we meet
Hey, hey, we’re the Monkees
And people say we monkey around
But we’re too busy singing
To put anybody down
We go wherever we want to
Do what we like to do
We don’t have time to get restless
There’s always something new
Hey, hey, we’re the Monkees
And people say we monkey around
But we’re too busy singing
To put anybody down
We’re just tryin’ to be friendly
Come and watch us sing and play
We’re the young generation
And we’ve got something to say, oh
Any time
Or anywhere
Just look over your shoulder
Guess who’ll be standing there?
Hey, hey, we’re the Monkees
And people say we monkey around
But we’re too busy singing
To put anybody down
Whaaa, one time!
Hey, hey, we’re the Monkees
And people say we monkey around
But we’re too busy singing
To put anybody down
We’re just tryin’ to be friendly
Come and watch us sing and play
We’re the young generation
And we’ve got something to say
Hey, hey, we’re the Monkees
Hey, hey, we’re the Monkees
There’s no way our list is complete without including the Monkees ridiculously catchy theme song. The message is short, simple and drives home the point that the Monkees had officially arrived.
And check out our Exclusive Interview With the Monkees’ Micky Dolenz. Oh, the nostalgia that resonates when I hear, Hey Hey we’re the Monkees is nothing short of bittersweet. Definitely more sweet than bitter!
So when we were Sitting Down with Micky Dolenz For An Exclusive Interview I was taken back to a special time in my life. It was a true honor and wonderful trip down memory lane.
What do you remember about The Monkees?
Sources: DoYouRemember.com & YouTube