If you’re of a certain age, you’ve heard of the Monkees. They were one of the hottest bands of the late 60s.
The Monkees are an American rock and pop band originally active between 1966 and 1971, with reunion albums and tours in the decades that followed. Their original line-up consisted of the American actor/musicians Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork with English actor/singer Davy Jones. The group was conceived in 1965 by television producers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider specifically for the situation comedy series The Monkees, which aired from 1966 to 1968. The band’s music was initially supervised by record producer Don Kirshner, backed by the songwriting duo of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart.
The four actor/musicians were initially allowed only limited roles in the recording studio for the first few months of their five-year career as “the Monkees”. All four contributed lead vocals to various tracks. They eventually fought for the right to collectively supervise all musical output under the band’s name, acting as actors, musicians, singers, songwriters, and producers. Following the television show’s cancellation in 1968, the Monkees continued to record music until 1971, after which the group broke up.
Dolenz described The Monkees as initially being “a TV show about an imaginary band… that wanted to be the Beatles that was never successful”. Ironically, the success of the show led to the actor-musicians becoming one of the most successful bands of the 1960s. The Monkees have sold more than 75 million records worldwide making them one of the biggest selling groups of all time with international hits, including “Last Train to Clarksville”, “Pleasant Valley Sunday”, “Daydream Believer”, and “I’m a Believer”.
It’s too hard to just pick one or two of these classic songs, so I’ve included all of them, along with the theme song from the TV show. If I had to pick a favorite it would be “I’m a Believer”.
As a bonus, I’ve thrown in the first episode of the TV show.
Enjoy.
sources: Wikipedia and Wikipedia
*image from The New York Times
That’s pretty interesting. I always thought they were a British band. Davy Jones must have fooled me.
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yes, Davy Jones tricked us…
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Great band from a great time in America
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I enjoyed both the show (it was stupid, but so were the Three Stooges) and their music. And it still sounds great today…
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I loved the monkees and fought with my older sisters when they told me their favorite bands, the Beatles and the doors. What were they thinking? They would never be at the level of my monkees! )
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Sounds like there was some great music being played at your house while you were growing up!
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yes, but those sisters had no taste in music like i did )
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I hope you were able to teach them a thing or two… 🙂
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especially when i told them their choice is music was so dumb and those bands would never be big like the monkees
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well you were right on the Monkees being big; a bit off with the Doors and the Beatles though… it must have been your crush on Davy Jones that blinded you…
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Mickey!
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You picked a winner! “I’m a Believer! ” is a special song! My niece who was 10 years old at the time that I got married sang this song at our wedding reception. She surprised us with it. It was simply adorable and very good for a 10 year old! She has an awesome voice !
I do like all the other songs you listed too. 🙂
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That must have been such a special moment – and a great choice of a song!
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It was indeed! 🙂
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I think I’m going to listen to more of them! Thank you for sharing their music!
🎶 ✨ 🎶
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They made some great music!
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I agree!! 😃
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Daydream Believer would be my top pick.
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That’s right up there with I’m a Believer. Although I think I might like Anne Murray’s version of Daydream Believer just as much…
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I remember watching the Monkees on television. I’ll cast half a vote for Daydream Believe, and I’m a Believer.
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Those are my two faves as well…
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Ah yes, I remember it well 😉
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Great show, great music…
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It was 🙂
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One of my favorite shows from the day! Every girl in my neighborhood was in love with Davey Jones. It is hard to pick one favorite and you shared all the ones that came to mind, but “Last Train to Clarksville” is likely my most favorite. And that car they rode around in was so iconic. Great post, Jim! Really loved these memories you shared!
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Thanks, Brad. It was an iconic show and band. And I remember all the girls having a crush on Davy. When I was watching the videos, he looked quite short. So I checked – he was 5’3” And that was a great car…
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I think I remember Matchbox or Hot Wheels having a version of that car. Ahhh…those were the days, my friend!
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I was a Matchbox guy; to me you had to choose… I can’t remember about the Monkees car…
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A little research tells me it was produced by “Husky”. Not a name I am familiar with.
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it sounds vaguely familiar, but I’m sure it was no match for Matchbox 🙂
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I used to love that TV show, “Hey, Hey, we’re the Monkees!”
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Yes, that tune has stuck with me for 50 plus years!
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🙂
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Loved this show and the band! I’m guessing you know this, but Mike Nesmith wrote the song “Different Drum” that was a hit for Linda Ronstadt and the Stone Poneys. Of the ones you mention, I think Last Train to Clarksville is my favorite.
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I did not know that about Mike Nesmith – thanks for the info. And Clarksville is a great song. Have a great day, Deb!
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Thank you for the memories, Jim… some iconic tunes..not quite Beatles but they were a favourite growing up 🙂
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Yes, lot’s of good memories and music from the Monkees. But you’re right, they are not the Beatles, but then who is?
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Such fun music! I love Daydream Believer, one of my favorites. I remember the songs but not the TV show!
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so many good songs, and Daydream Believer is a great one – the version by Anne Murray is also quite good.
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I agree!!!
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I had no idea that was the back story to this group. Is that an early version of ‘reality TV?’ Fascinating. And how did you pick this topic?
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it seems like they were doing goofy music videos, much like many bands today! L)
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Thanks for the memories! The tv show was broadcast here in the UK at Saturday teatime, and we never missed it. I’d add A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You to your list of their best songs, which I still listen to occasionally.
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Nice to know the band was not just a success here. I will have to give the song you mention: A little Bit Me…
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Another Neil Diamond song. It was the follow up to I’m A Believer and was a huge hit both sides of the pond…
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I just listened to it; good song, but it does not ring a bell…
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Funny how it passed you by. Looked it up: made #1 on Cashbox, #2 on Billboard and #3 here. Still my favourite of theirs. Going out on a limb, but do you know Listen To The Band? A Nesmith song, not a huge hit, but people have made some fun videos for it. Don’t get caught out by the false ending tho…
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I just played the Listen to the Band video, and it is another one I am not familiar with; sounds like another winner though… thanks for all these Monkees songs!
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YVW, been a fan since I was 13!
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yvw??
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Sorry, but you did say you were into abbreviations! You’re Very Welcome 😊
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I thought it was the initials of a band, but I couldn’t find one with those initials 🙂
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😂
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I hate to keep saying I remember these songs and shows from way back when. I enjoyed the Monkees show and music. The show was from the time of three major networks in the US. Everyone watched the same stuff or was familiar with it. Today, there are so many channels and shows it is hard to have a TV experience everyone can relate to. I’d pick I’m A Believer and Pleasant Valley Sunday, a rare iconoclastic Monkees tune, as my favorites. Thanks for the memories. 😎
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I also remember watching the show; I think it was Saturday mornings. A colleague o mine just told me that the Monkees are still cranking out albums, and their last two albums are great…
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Omg I had no idea that I’m A Believer by Smashmouth was a cover of this song! I actually prefer this version. I had no idea about this band but let’s just say after listening to the songs you linked above I’m A Believer… sorry couldn’t resist the pun 😂
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is that better than being a Belieber? 🙂
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Great post Jim! I loved the Monkees. They were conceived the year I was born. I watched them in syndication of course but I have seen every episode (more than once). 🙂
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they did produce some great music, and the tv show was fun to watch.
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Yes they did and I loved watching their goofiness! 😊
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they seemed to be enjoying themselves…
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My favourite show during my late teens! Always liked their music. I was just saying to my husband today that we really did grow up and raise a family during one of the best periods of history ever.
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that was a wonderful time; we seemed so innocent…
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Some great music here, Jim, thanks. Used to watch repeats of the show when I was a kid. Loved it. Repeats of the Banana Splits too.
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Thanks, Peter. Now I’ve got the banana Splits theme song running through my head!
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ha ha. could be worse Jim!
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I’m sure it could be! 🙂
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I loved watching the programme and was in love with Mike Nesmith. I think Last train to Clarksville was my favourite song even though I had no idea where Clarksville was.
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it’s funny how different people are attracted to different Monkees. From what I can tell, Clarksville is referring to a town in either Tennessee or Georgia…
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Another memory! I definitely followed the zany and wacky television show and the great music.
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