Music

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) "Pleasant Valley Sunday" The local rock group down the street 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 See Mrs.Gray, she's proud today 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 Creature comfort goals, they only numb my soul 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 Ta ta ta ta, ta ta ta ta Another pleasant valley Sunday 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