ELO: Don’t Bring Me Down- Correct: groos. Misheard: Bruce. The Eagles: One Of These Nights- Correct: In between the dark and the light. Misheard: In between the rum and the rye.
In October, 1966, I was one of 13 guys going by train from the Induction Center in Jacksonville, FL, to Navy Boot Camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois. We were looking out the window as we came to an overpass in Tennessee, and saw a sign, “Clarksville, 20 Miles”. We started singing the song and everyone in the car joined in singing with us. That broke the ice and we all, civilians and “pre-recruits” began talking with each other. I’ve never forgotten that day! Years later, I saw Davey Jones in a Lowes store in Stuart, Florida, near his horse farm in Indiantown, Florida. I wish I could have told him that song brightened up our trip that day. He passed not long after that. I always liked The Monkees!
In 1986 as a teen my Mom and I were standing in a long, slow, late night line in a Subway restaurant. The background music started playing Daydream Believer and I started to quietly sing along. My mom was mortified and told me to hush. I looked at her and increased my volume. People around us started to sing along with me. By the end of the song everyone in the restaurant were singing at full volume with giant smiles. It was great!!
It's really beyond impressive when you think about it. It says so much about every last person involved- songwriters, musicians, promotion departments, and of course the 4 individual personalities that formed The Monkees. So uniquely phenomenal that when TV tried to recreate the phenomenon with The New Monkees, it fell so flat even a steamroller couldn't flatten it any further.
when u look at the song providers for their early stuff....CAROL KING...NEIL DIAMOND...TOMMY BOYCE BOBBY HART.. ECT ITS NO WONDER THEY HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME...P.S. listen to CAROLS version of pleasant valley Sunday ..its sooo good...the way she originally WROTE IT
@@Tomovox_PAMS_Radio_JIngles Tbe New Monkees cd was really good, all star players on thr tracks. The show wasn't so bad, it was definitely a product of its time.
A few years ago i was listening to Monkees songs and "I'm a Believer". From the other room my then 16 yo daughter yells out "Hey, I know that song!" because she watched Shrek a lot when she was little. So i tweet about it and a few minutes later it gets a like --- from Mickey! That brightened my day ❤️
I was stationed in London 77-78. I was 8 months pregnant and at the American Embassy waiting to get some papers I needed for the baby. 5 British girls were sitting on 3 desks ignoring me, just making me wait. All of a sudden 3 of them jumped up and said can I help you but they were looking behind me so I turned around and it was Mickey Dolenz standing right behind me. He looked at me smiled and said no you can help her first which I saw the disappointment on their faces. Made me happy, I wish I had told him I was a big fan of his tv show Circus Boy and had a crush on him back them. Such a polite guy.
When I was traveling in Europe my girlfriend at the time and I were taking a ferry from Wales to Ireland. Two drunk blokes got on there. And one of them started singing the Monkee's Theme. Slowly the whole area started singing along. Everyone ended up laughing and having a good time thanks to that gentleman.
They were a boy band that was thrown together but I absolutely LOVED them! They had great chemistry - and unrecognized talent. Cute story re I'm a Believer... several years ago my husband was nagging me about getting another dog after ours died. I was adamant about not getting another dog. One day I was scrolling through a dog rescue website and... "Then I saw her face, a husky retriever, not a trace, of doubt in my mind. I saw her face, a husky retriever, I couldn't leave her if I tried." And the rest is history.
Honestly, I'm shocked people didn't know it was about a guy going off to war. They can only see each other for a few hours and then he has to go. I always knew that was the story. Same age as you, btw.
Last Train to Clarksville is indelibly carved into my psyche. As a 12 year old on my morning paper route heading into a chilly fog with it playing on my $5 transistor radio, it was a kind of coming of age song for me. I felt like I was on that last train, headed out into who knows what. Hearing it has always affected me deeply, as a 12 year old who felt in some way that he was living it and now 58 years later it transports me back to that space and time with overwhelming emotion. The Monkees deserve so much more recognition and respect than they've received heretofore. They were great in so many ways.
The ARMY base near Clarksville, TN, is Fort Campbell, KY. The base spans the borders of Tennessee and Kentucky, and most of the base is on the Tennessee side, but has a Kentucky address because the post office for Fort Campbell is on the Kentucky side. I served at Fort Campbell, KY, from 1994-1997. Just trying to clear that up a little. Excellent content and I love the channel.
Yep. My daughter was born there. Her birth certificate says she was born at Ft. Campbell, Ky. Montgomery County, Tennessee. The newer hospital was on the Tennessee side.
My uncle, a retired US Army sergeant, often spoke of moving down there upon retirement from the post office, but changed his mind after my aunt passed.
They may have initially been manufactured, but they turned out to be just as much of a formidable group of musicians as any act out there. And they've lasted longer than 90% of the groups from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s. I can guarantee that more people know who The Monkees are than can name the hottest group today.
They had one advantage that might have also been a burden, their television show. It gave them stability in location, and income, along with a weekly audience. Of course it was confining, and cost them some respect but it gave visibility they couldn’t have gotten any other way.
If you look at that era, the main difference is that they were created for TV. There are many groups/artists that did not play, nor did they write their songs. Other than Marvin Gaye and Smokie Robinson Motown was a singing machine. They had the Funk Brothers behind them and an amazing group of writers. This has not kept The Supremes and others from getting their due. Just put them in the Hall ffs
I grew up in the 60's, watched their tv show, had most of their albums, and am still a fan today. Much better music than what came after 2000, in my opinion. 🎶
I’m only 50. I was 10 in 1984 when a local channel aired old reruns of the show and I loved it! Still do. I’m a Monkees fan and have zero shame about it.
The Monkees were the genuine article for their time, regardless of how they were born. They reflected what was needed from the youth of that time and it turns out we still needed them 20 plus years later! Great music and good vibes will always be real!!
I was in love with Davy. Pictures all over my room. I won a ‘contest’ and got to go to the radio station 1300am Seattle and actually talk to him on the phone. I’m 69 and it was one of the greatest moments of my life. 🥰
Micky Dolenz was (or perhaps still is) a fantastic rock singer, underappreciated by the snubbers of the so-called R&R Hall of Fame. The other Monkees, particularly Mike Nesmith, recognized that Micky's voice and delivery gave the band their signature sound. Nesmith at times turned his own songs over to Mickey to sing, and they even did an entire album - and tour - late in Nesmith's life called "Dolenz sings Nesmith". The Monkees should absolutely be in the R&R Hall of Fame, as a project that made so many great songs and introduced a lot of young people to rock and roll. If the R&R HoF doesn't feel right about inducting the four, they could introduce them as a hit-making machine - not just the pre-fab four but also the others who made it possible, such as Don Kirshner, Boyce & Hart, session musicians such as "The Wrecking Crew", writers such as Neil Diamond, etc. And if the R&R Hof STILL wouldn't induct The Monkees as a "project", they should induct Micky himself as the singer of the majority of those hits. Of course Mike also had his own impact on R&R, with songs such as "Different Drum" (a hit for "Stone Poney's" aka Linda Ronstadt) and "Mary Mary" (hit for Paul Butterfield Blues band, as well as for The Monkees themselves); further, Mike was essentially a pioneer of country-rock AND of music videos. How are Micky and Mike not in the R&R HoF, if not the entire Monkees project? Of course these aren't the only headscratching snubs by that self-righteous "music" clique.
I think the RRJoF lost it's credibility long ago because of the bands they left out. I'm very gratefull that Rush got in before Neil Peart died, and that Journey got in while everyone was still alive. I don't know what the criteria for induction is, but judging by some of the acts that got in, it can't be that high.
WGAF about the r&r HOF!? No one should participate in their foolishness. If I was famous, and-or, a legend in Rock & Roll, I would snub them and encourage everyone else to do the same!
I was in the USN from Sept. 1965 to Sept. 1969 but lived in Nashville, TN in '64 & '65 before enlisting. I was on 30 days leave after a year in Gitmo Bay before being stationed on the USS Independence (CVA62) and staying with a high school buddy & his family (he was also in the Navy - a Submariner and also home on leave) and we had been dating sisters. Their parents got us all tickets to see The Monkees play a concert live in Nashville's Civic Auditorium (I believe it was in February 1968). I learned how to play guitar during my year in Gitmo and even bought a "big ole" blonde Gibson electric from one of my "roommates" - we were 4 guys, each on cots and having metal lockers in "cubes" (defined by "portable walls") in a barracks. I do not doubt that Mickey sang & played drums, Peter played the bass, and Mike played lead guitar. Davy sang and there was another guy who was occasionally playing keyboards. If you know how to play an instrument, you can tell if someone's faking it and they were really playing. They were never a "fake" band.
My father was Navy. From 1950 to 1980. I remember hearing that in Cuba, they couldn't leave the base. I thought that sounded terrible. And prayed we never got sent there. We didn't. I spent my whole childhood in Va Beach, Va. We couldn't get transferred anywhere, and I would have loved going to Europe.
MTV returned the favor by playing marathons of the Monkees TV episodes, recognizing their roots therein. This revived the world's interest in the boys.
I was 11 when The Monkeys tv show started. It was a significant part of the cultural backdrop to our lives at that time. You had to be there to really know what it was like. A wonderful time to be growing up.
Me too❤, I’m 75 now and glad to have been a part of it and the time when things weren’t perfectly technically right. Freedom of speech was one of our greatest strengths, but in today’s society, politically correct garbage is taking away our rights to express ourselves and in who we really are….humanity is becoming slaves to machines and to the internet and draining our brains into oblivion, today’s music has lost the touch of creating something out of obscurity and producing something viable like the Monkees. 👍❤️🙏🏼
I was born in 1958. It goes without saying that I have lived through what I would consider most of the greatest music and bands of all time 🤘. But the Monkees will forever be my #1, no matter how much I have loved others. Thanks Prof, and also to everyone who played even any small part in making them possible. 🤗🇲🇽
Born also in 58. We did have the best music all of our lives untill the 90s but the music was hooked in our of our lives and it was the best music had or has ever been.
I was born in Carlton that's CARLTON GO BLUES, Melb , Victoria , Australia, in 1958 , and I can say , without fear of contradiction, we lived in the greatest period in history in Australia, know not of war , the best music ,Velvet Underground to Zappa , Marx brothers films , Bogart , all ready for TV, but Averice has altered the balance , no value . Ric
@Ducatirati I’m so glad you had a wonderful childhood/youth! Mostly great in the US, but we didn’t have nearly the peace that it sounds like Australia did. Assassination of the President, Cuban Missile Crisis, Cold War, Vietnam. But it didn’t affect us kids as much as it did the adults, so we were pretty carefree. I do miss that, although life is good in my small Mexican town!
I was in Okinawa when I heard this song, on my way to Nam. Fell in love with them, despite the fact that I was a big Beatles fan. Even when I later found out they were a manufactured band I still felt that they had some great tunes and I never quit liking them and still do. RIP to all who are no longer here and Micky...Keep the faith man. Love you all.
Dad was on Okinawa before that he was on tinian, Saipan and started with Tarawa (betio). God dad hated the Monkees and most rock and pop music. Myself,I thought they were great as many groups/artists from50s, 60,70s. Dad called it screaming but I remember when he heard hey Jude I didn't hear a peep from him haha. Dad, a marine 2 div ww2. We should not forget any of our wars.
Hell, I used to like Milli Vanilli! I still like Milli Vanilli, but I used to too. I may rant about authenticity and the evils of deception but I'm a deeply closeted hypocrite.
This episode is a perfect example of what I love about this channel. Had no idea that a song I have been listening to forever was a protest song and to hear the song writer explain the story behind the song, musicians involved and inspiration behind it. Fantastic stuff, grew up on the Monkees and have always loved the whole catalog of their hits! Great episode!!!
Back in elementary school, a clever, precocious classmate renamed it "Take the Last Chariot to Carthage." We had been studying ancient civilizations, and our class play was Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar". Pretty cool for 11 year old public school kids.
One of my favorite Dumb and Dumber quotes is from the scene when Harry and Lloyd get to the diner and are looking at the tabletop jukebox: "Hey, they've got the Monkees!" "They were a major influences on the Beatles!" "Yeah I know"
@@chrisggoodwin777 Well in one way, the Monkees were great because they got tons of help, and then the Beatles started getting tons of help on lots of things, so yeah dumb and dumber's right.
I was stationed at Ft. Campbell in 1987-88, but I never made the connection this song had with Clarksville, TN until about 2 years ago. To be honest, I knew there were a lot of Clarksvilles, so I thought it was just a coincidence. I heard the song on the radio while driving a couple of years ago, and actually paid attention to the lyrics as I sang along (I think singing along to this tune is a law - or it should be, anyway,) and the meaning finally hit me. It was a revelation. I'd been bopping to this song since it came out when I was 5 years old, and never really realized what the lyrics were actually saying. Another great episode, Adam! Keep 'em coming!
@@komitkazi Could have been a long black train, or the one the small town girl took, or the midnight train to Georgia, or the one where you needed a ticket to ride, or the one that you don’t need a credit card to ride. Hmmm…now I’ve lost my train of thought.
I was lucky to see Davy Jones performing in person. When he came onto the stage, I felt like a teenager again! All of us oldies were screaming, jumping up and down. (I don’t think anyone broke a hip. )
Many years ago, I was on a business trip with a connecting flight in Atlanta. While waiting for my flight, I couldn't help but notice an extremely handsome man being walked down a ramp into the waiting area. He was flanked by two very big men. It took me a few minutes to realize it was Davy along with two bodyguards. They were not able to enter the passenger only area and went on their way. Davy was sitting probably 20 or so feet away, reading a newspaper. He was apparently traveling alone and I don't think I've ever seen anyone look so nervous before getting on a flight. Several feet away from me in another direction was a lovely, well-behaved young girl of maybe 12 years old, who was traveling with her grandmother. She recognized Davy and I remember her telling her grandmother, very shyly and respectfully, asking her if she knew who that was sitting there and then told her grandmother that it was "David Jones". I heard her grandmother suggest to her that maybe she might go over and ask for his autograph, but whether she was just shy or for any other reason, she chose not to and was perfectly well behaved, never staring or showing further curiosity. I wish she had because I would have to think he would have appreciated this young girl, more than a full generation removed from Monkeemania, would recognize him and ask for his autograph. What I recall most is that he was one of the most handsome men I've ever seen, still with the great hair, of course, now touched with a little gray, but with that face and those eyes. I remember thinking how "cute" he was back when I had his picture taped on my wall with all of the others that a young girl would have, but here I was two decades later seeing this really handsome man whose looks would have stopped me in my tracks even if I didn't know who he was. To this day I have rarely seen someone that good-looking (and still wishing I wasn't so much taller than he was, so due to my insecurities it never could have worked out between us. LOL). I was very sorry when he passed and also sorry when the others did, too. I had friends who were sincere and devoted followers of Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork. Alas, Mickey is the last one standing and that's quite a weight to bear, even in light of his own personal success.
@@Rebeccanotprovided I have encountered a few famous people over the years. I usually don't ask for an autograph and try to respect their privacy if it's in a situation where they are going about their private business, though I appreciate having a moment to let them know that I appreciate them, which I have done maybe twice if the opportunity seems appropriate. I would love to have seen that young girl meet him, though.
I read Davy's autobiography, "THEY MADE A MONKEE OUT OF ME". I also read some articles with interviews from his family. He was a nice man that certainly appreciated his fans. He was always gracious to everyone! I would bet my house that he would not have turned down an autograph request from a 12-year-old girl in an airport. RIP Davy Jones.
Over a period of 6 years, Our production company was fortunate to work with Mickey multiple shows. He always was a joy to everybody on our crew and gave every show that he was involved his full attention and effort. What a guy!
I was blessed to meet 2 of the Monkees when they did their "That Was Then, This Is Now" song; Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz were both gracious hosts and appreciated their fans! (Phoenix, AZ. was the tour venue city.) 🎶🧑🎤
I got talk to the engineer who recorded all of the Monkees songs---a guy named Hank Cicalo. He passed away earlier this year. He was one of the top musical engineers in the world at the time, often working with The Wrecking Crew and artists like Carol King (Tapestry) and Lalo Schiffrin. Some people denigrated the Monkees musical abilities, but the people in charge thought enough of them to get the absolute best people to help them turn out a great sounding product.
I was a boy when the show was on, and it was a cultural phenomenon. We had a lunchbox, toys, etc. and you couldn't go anywhere without seeing a Monkees record. Glad I got to be a part of that time.
2:17 Legend has it, that only one future member of the Monkee's (Mike Nesmith) learned of the audition from the infamous "MADNESS!! AUDITIONS" AD in the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Davy Jones was already under contract with Screen Gems, Micky Dolenz received a private audition since he had an agent and had already been on a TV Series (Circus Boy), and Peter Tork learned of the audition from his good friend (fellow musician Stephen Stills).
The story of The Monkees is the greatest story in the history of show business - a contrived musical act for a fictional TV series, they became the absolute real deal. Even though the original TV show only lasted 2 seasons, it endures to this day. The recent album Good Times was a terrific period at the end of The Monkees story. That LP deserves The Professor's take! Bless you Adam!
My sister Krissy and I took our younger sister to see The Monkees during their 80s resurgence. She loved their TV show. She walked around singing the theme song all the time, so going to their concert was like a dream come true for her. A year later, she was killed in a hit-and-run just before her twelfth birthday. The music of The Monkees will forever remind me of her and what a playful, sweet girl she was.
I still love The Monkeys. They may have been “created for TV” but it worked. They were our band, for my generation. Then they grew beyond the original idea and really became a band. You can hear their music everywhere even today. Was their creation that much different than a band manager deciding they need a new sound that is more current, pop, soul, etc. to be more successful? I guess it was more blatant, but not unusual in my opinion. I also don’t base my music on who is in the Hall of Fame. If I did, I’d miss a whole lot of great music. The fact that you can play a Monkey’s song and many generations start singing, dancing, smiling is HOF enough. Almost 60 years of staying power. That’s impressive.
When the Beatles were playing the Ed Sullivan Show for their legendary 1964 performance, the cast of "Oliver!" was watching from the wings. The boy playing the Artful Dodger was-Davy Jones!
I was 6 in '66, and since it was broadcast in color, went with my older sisters (11 & 13) to a friends' on Monday nights to watch. Major crush on Davy, and of course got their album (my first) for Christmas that year!!
The Monkees were vilified for not "playing their instruments" on their records. Turns out, that was standard practice back then. Many bands had hits that were actually played by the legendary Wrecking Crew. One rock writer found out that his four favorite bands were all the same group!
@@jameskearney4100 This could not be any more incorrect. You're thinking of pop singers. Name three BANDS who can't play instruments. Boy bands don't count, they are vocal groups. You claim "most" bands, I am only asking for three.
@@nope-z5yIt's not that these bands couldn't play instruments, it was matter of time. Studios weren't cheap. Studio musos played all the time , throughout the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's etc.. even on Beatles albums.
My mother was Michael Nesmith's babysitter. She was a friend of his mother, she had some stories about a young Michael that were pretty funny. Since we were friends of the family we were watching the show when it first aired I was in love with that crazy car.
@@theresawilson7499 OK! My mom was a cute young lady and she got the attention of many a young man in her day. One such young man worked at a radio station KRLD in Dallas Tx. Mom was invited to take a station tour, she asked if she could bring her young charge, Michael along for the tour to which the young man was amenable to the request. The young Michael was very interested and with wide eyes of amazement looked at everything and ask a ton of questions and my mom had one instruction for him during this tour, "DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING, MICHAEL!" As the wrapped up the tour in the engineering room where all the transmitters and radio frequency gadgets are, the station inexplicably goes silent! People start running around in a furious manner, bells and whistles are going off, phones are ringing all hell's breaking loose, Mom turns to Michael, "What did you touch?" He points at a red button with a sign on it that says "DON'T TOUCH" It's the transmitter emergency OFF button. She mentions to the nice young man what Michael has done and after 10 mins of dead air the biggest most listened to radio station in Dallas Texas resumes broadcasting. Oh my! When Mom found out he was going to be a "Monkey" she commented "Well, he always was one!"
I grew up watching the Monkees when I was a child in the 60s and had their albums. I loved them then and still do. Both they and the Three Dog Night should be in the rock and roll hall of fame. Unfortunately even if they were put in now, most of them are dead now.
I'm here! I'm in Clarksville Tn right now! Don't be too shocked, I've been here for 27 years. And yep, we have Fr. Campbell right down the road, home of the 101st Screaming Eagles!
I live in South Africa. There is a small to medium town called Klerksdorp. Dorp means town. I also sang the Monkees song when I drove 2 hours from Johannesburg to fetch my new puppy.
@@benb6535 I missed 4 episodes overnight. Needed a little rest. I saw The Monkees 20th Anniversary Tour w/The Grass Roots, Herman's Hermits, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap at Newport Music Hall, Columbus, OH. 6/86.
The Monkees were more than just a TV show or musical act; they were a phenomenon.. For most of us under a certain age, The Monkees was the band that put us on the path to discover the 60s and all its glory..
Back in '66 our folks got the family two kittens who were promptly named Davy and Mickey. My older sister bought the first five albums and I still listen to the Monkees to this day. The death of Davy hurt me as much as the death of Elvis in '77. I did get to see them perform in 1986.
@@komitkaziJa due to both of their real names being Davy Jones, Bowie appeared a few years after Monkees Davy (with the group "Faces" I believe), and he changed his last name to Bowie, so not to confuse listeners.
Professor, thank you for all the positivity you bring to the internet and to the world. I'm grateful that the music we loved is the vehicle for that. God bless you.
Very interesting back story to this song - would never have guessed this was a song about a soldier going off to war. Regardless of how The Monkees came to be, the producers put together a great team of songwriters and musicians to work with them, and ultimately they came into their own. I love all of their songs and as a child I loved watching their show on Saturday mornings.
We drive through Clarksville often on our drive between Florida and Iowa. I almost always start singing “Last Train to Clarksville” as we drive through it. What a great story, thanks for covering it. I had no idea it was a protest song.
Oh my… what a flashback to my childhood. I loved to watch the Monkees show with my siblings and we knew all their songs by heart. To this day I will play the Monkees when I need a lift-me-up tune while driving. It was good to see Bobby Hart! Boyce and Hart showed up on a few TV sitcoms back in the 60’s… I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched. Loved their music too. Thanks for yet another great and informative episode!
When my brother and I realized that he said he didn’t know if he was ever coming home, we couldn’t listen to the song without crying, we both loved the Monkees, Boyce and Hart were a great duo. Thanks Adam
I never knew,until recently,that the character in the song was a soldier who was drafted,on the way to war. Doesn't change that I still like the song but I do listen to the lyrics differently now.
I found the Monkees when I was 7. My sister had the album, More Of The Monkees and the local TV station in San Francisco, KBHK Channel 44 ran the show at noon during the summer. So, I watched them every day and fell in love with the music and their antics. Fast forward to that summer of 86. My girlfriend loved the Monkees as well and we went to see them live at Great America where we both worked. What a great show, I remember Micky performing, Goin' Down and it was really amazing to see him perform the full song. To this day, anyone that I went to elementary, junior and high school with still post Monkees links to me because when they think of the Monkees, they think of me. Personally, the box set, Listen To The Band from 1991 is my favorite, it was the first time that I heard the really deep tracks by the band. Thank you for your great in depth videos on the band. Keep the love alive. BTW, Mike Nesmith wrote Papa Gene's Blues and also co-wrote Sweet Young Thing with Carole King and Gerry Goffin. So, they were contributing songs from the very first album.
When it came out we didn't know it was a protest song, but all us 'cool' kids dismissed the Monkees as copycat bubblegum music, the worst of the worst. It wasn't until years later that I learned the story and started to admire them. (I only learned about Last Train to Clarksville being anti-war today. Thanks, Professor!)
I saw Dolenz, Jones. Boyce & Hart in concert when I was a teen, back in the late 1970s. It was an INCREDIBLE show. They did all the Monkees his. Before it started, my best friends & I found Boyce & Hart playing tennis at a local park & they were kind enough to sign autographs. After the concert, Jones & Dolenz gave autographs & let all the girls kiss them. It was all very wholesome & one of the happiest days of my teen years. Fan for life!
Oohhhh my. I saw them on that tour when they performed at Great Adventure in New Jersey in the summer of 1976. My friend LuAnn and I sat away from the main crowd and Mickey and Davy waved to us specifically. Be still, my beating heart. 💕
There are indeed many Clarksvilles across the country. I've been to every one and yep, sang this song while I was there. Gotta admit, never thought of the meaning 'til this video. Thanks, Professor!
The Monkees were one of my favorites growing up. Watched their show religiously. I got to see them live with The Turtles as an adult, it was magical. Like going full circle. They remain close to my heart today and always.
This was a fun trip down memory lane for me. As a teenager, I watched the tv show with my parents and younger siblings. My parents heard The Last Train to Clarksville as a protest song, and the song inspired conversations with my parents,me, and my older brother,because of the draft and the controversy of a draft for an unpopular war. We knew The Monkees members were actors, pretending to be musicians, but they were very entertaining and charismatic, and the songs were catchy and worth listening to.
They were my first crushes, record, concert everything. I remember running home from elementary school to watch them everyday at 3:30. They were in the background of my whole life and 50 years later they still are.
My first girlfriend was "in love" with Davey. Her mother got us tickets to see them live for her birthday. Never heard a note of music -- the screaming girls (including my girlfriend >ack
Hahaha! Mine too but i found my one true love much closer to my age(but he was still a little older than me)😍: Jeremy Gelbwaks, the original Chris from the Partridge Family... Although I was devastated 😢 and heartbroken 💔 when they replaced him ..😅😅😅
I first heard, and seen, the Monkees at the tender age of five and became a total fanatic. Years later, I pondered whether this was just a childhood phase that I had gone through, but it wasn’t-after rediscovering them in my twenties, I realized that their music truly passes the test of time. The Monkees are awesome!
This is awesome. Thanks for all this information . I was born in 1961. I had no idea that's what that song was about. The Monkees were great. I was a kid when they started. I know that when they went off the air we missed them. They were great. And every time I hear a song today it instantly makes me feel 5 and 6 years old again listening and watching the monkeys I'm really happy that that song turned out to be what it's about. It makes that song just so much more cooler. I love hearing why a song was written in how a song was written and what's really behind it every song has its own story
@@lauriesolonka2477ty for your service,please return alive when you serve,our leaders don't choose conflicts responsibly and that is not your fault and we all know this fact.
The Monkees was my 1st concert , St. Louis Mo. 1967 and Davy Jones my 1st crush I was 12yrs old. The same year Davey Jones sang Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow) with my name in it. Yeah ! I was hooked.
I remember that episode on "I'm A Believer"; great show as always. So many cool tunes they gave us. Incredible what they went through and they're STILL NOT in the RRHoF. 🤬
I knew who this was about the minute I read your title for this video. I LOVE The Monkees!!!! They may have started out as a "fake band," but there's no denying that The Monkees turned into a REAL band. Long live Monkee Music!!!
It's an Army base, Fort Campbell, on the Tennessee/Kentucky border. The home of the 101st Airborne aka "The Screaming Eagles". In 1969, my brother went through basic training there.
The Airborne units were called Roosters by the Vietnamese because they didn't know eagles. The Alice in Chains song Rooster was about the experiences of one of the band members dads in Vietnam.
I used to watch the TV show when I was younger, and I loved it. Once several years ago, I was visiting some friends with my family, and they let me listen to their CD collection. I found a Monkees CD. I played several songs over and over. They must have noticed me listening, because they gave me The Monkee's Greatest Hits on CD for Christmas that year, which I still have
I loved the Monkees! I was almost 6 years old when they debuted on TV. A really obscure song of theirs, “Sometime in the Morning” was played on an episode of Ted Lasso, and I almost fell out of my chair! 😂
These guys were a great combination. They were so talented, and such fun to watch. One song that I love that they did (on an episode in the second season, I think) is Riu Riu Chiu. Mickey did the lead vocals, and it was just the guys singing, and it was wonderful.
I'm old enough to remember The Monkees when they were a new TV show. It was followed by The Banana Splits and Lancelot Link Secret Chimp, all of whom I'm pretty sure lip-synced.
The Monkees were my first concert. As a kid, i LOVED The Monkees (Nick at Nite reruns). From around the age of 2, I've loved music and something about them and their show struck a note with me. Weird Al opened for them in Buffalo, NY when I was 9. To this day, that is my favorite concert. I STILL love listening to them, though I only have 5 albums (and they're all on cassette).
I’m one of those people who bought all those albums in the 60s. I still have them, including the mirror covered movie album, “Head.” The key to the Monkees is not the number of albums and singles, it is the quality of the music. And the music is GOOD! These four guys took an opportunity and did well with it. Excellent video. Thanks!
I was 12 when they came on TV. Used to watch them every show. 14 years later, I found myself in Fort Campbell, where we started a new unit for the army. You would hear Last Train, and everyone would react. As usual love the show.
Grew up with the Monkees. Saw them when I was 20, 36 and 52. They brought me so much joy, I can’t figure why they aren’t in the RRHOF. Let’s get that done before Micky dies.
The Monkees were a band and Davy Jones said we are entertainers. They did not just go on stage sing their songs and walk off. They joked with the audience, and each other. Told stories about the band, they were a fun group to see live. That to me was their special sauce, the entertainment factor.
I loved watching The Monkees when I was a teenager. I had no idea, until recently, that they didn't even play on their first few albums. If it weren't for you, I probably would never have known! Thank you for your daily education!
I love the Monkees and love to hear the songs redone by other artists. I had nearly all their records, then I had kids... One my grandmother gave me instead of the usual money gift, that was special.
I personally feel like this talented bunch of young men never received the credit or the kudos they deserved. I’m old enough to remember the monkees and their music was just so happy. They were also good actors and comedians. Just simply charming young men
I think it has changed very much over the years. I think even the so-called serious Rock journalists have reassessed their contributions to music. I've seen articles in music magazines that did lengthy, in-depth articles on the group and their lasting impact on music. Not just lightweight fluff pieces, but giving serious weight to their music. That's a really wonderful thing to see. And TH-cam has definitely given much broader exposure to the band and their music.
I enjoyed this episode a great deal as someone who didn’t quite appreciate The Monkees in the 60s, though I was definitely aware of them then, but whose appreciation grew when I rediscovered them in the late 70s. I got to see Davy, Micky, and Peter perform together in ‘86, and then after Davy’s passing saw Micky, Peter, and Mike perform together. (I also got to see Mike perform on his own twice.) A couple of other things to mention: a friend of mine actually dated Tommy Boyce briefly at some point in the 70s, and the picture you showed of Clarksville, Tennessee, showed the Roxy Theatre, where I acted in a couple of shows in the late 90s.
Just a note, Ft. Campbell isn't an Air Force base; it's an Army base. I was actually in Clarksville last fall and managed to get pics of an F4 tornado that flattened part of the base and the town.
The Monkees deep cuts, especially the ones written by Mike are some of the best. "Don't call on Me" "Carlisle Wheeling" "Early Morning Blues and Greens" are gems that Mike wrote. To see what kind of music the Monkees were capable of, find "Just Like All Of Your Toys".
Grew up watching them on tv in the 80’s. Really loved the silliness of the show - not taking things serious, and even breaking the 4th wall, which wasn’t as common back then - esp considering when those episodes were recorded! And their songs really got me in to music - I was a little kid, with 2-3 radio stations in range, and my parents’ collection of “easy listening” 70’s records. Way before MTV, we had The Monkees.
Poll: What is your pick for the best MISHEARD Lyric in a song EVER?
"Blinded by the light... Wrapped up like a douche!"
ELO: Don’t Bring Me Down- Correct: groos. Misheard: Bruce.
The Eagles: One Of These Nights-
Correct: In between the dark and the light.
Misheard: In between the rum and the rye.
Bon Jovi Living On a Prayer It doesn’t make a difference if we’re naked or not
I'll nominate ... "'Scuse me, while I kiss this guy" from Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze".
Blinded by the light, wrapped up like douche(revved up like a deuce) another runner in the night.....
In October, 1966, I was one of 13 guys going by train from the Induction Center in Jacksonville, FL, to Navy Boot Camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois. We were looking out the window as we came to an overpass in Tennessee, and saw a sign, “Clarksville, 20 Miles”. We started singing the song and everyone in the car joined in singing with us. That broke the ice and we all, civilians and “pre-recruits” began talking with each other. I’ve never forgotten that day!
Years later, I saw Davey Jones in a Lowes store in Stuart, Florida, near his horse farm in Indiantown, Florida. I wish I could have told him that song brightened up our trip that day. He passed not long after that. I always liked The Monkees!
That's a great story. Thanks for sharing it!
@michaelwade5264
Thankyou for your service to our country. Welcome home...
Great Story. I was born 2 months later in December 1966.
Thank you..Thank you so much for this recollection! ❤
I was born in October 1966, and it's always fascinated me what was happening in the world around then. Thankyou
The Monkees deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, before we lose the last one.
I was thinking the same thing!!
Didn't know they weren't, just More Evidence ,of what a Phony that "Hall of Fame " is .sorry ,but true
Agreed
I agree, but if it took the Moody Blues forty years to get in, I don't hold out much hope for The Monkees.
Agreed!!
In 1986 as a teen my Mom and I were standing in a long, slow, late night line in a Subway restaurant. The background music started playing Daydream Believer and I started to quietly sing along. My mom was mortified and told me to hush. I looked at her and increased my volume. People around us started to sing along with me. By the end of the song everyone in the restaurant were singing at full volume with giant smiles. It was great!!
And everybody clapped.
Cool!
Thanks for that anecdote ! 😊
For a "fake" band, their body of work has really stood the test of time.
It's really beyond impressive when you think about it. It says so much about every last person involved- songwriters, musicians, promotion departments, and of course the 4 individual personalities that formed The Monkees. So uniquely phenomenal that when TV tried to recreate the phenomenon with The New Monkees, it fell so flat even a steamroller couldn't flatten it any further.
when u look at the song providers for their early stuff....CAROL KING...NEIL DIAMOND...TOMMY BOYCE BOBBY HART.. ECT ITS NO WONDER THEY HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME...P.S. listen to CAROLS version of pleasant valley Sunday ..its sooo good...the way she originally WROTE IT
@@Tomovox_PAMS_Radio_JIngles
Tbe New Monkees cd was really good, all star players on thr tracks. The show wasn't so bad, it was definitely a product of its time.
No more fake than any 90s boy band.
They got to play and Peter was an accomplished musician as was Mike. Peter went on to teach music.
A few years ago i was listening to Monkees songs and "I'm a Believer". From the other room my then 16 yo daughter yells out "Hey, I know that song!" because she watched Shrek a lot when she was little. So i tweet about it and a few minutes later it gets a like --- from Mickey! That brightened my day ❤️
Awww ❤
Micky
I loved the singles...the albums not so much.
That's so cool! ❤
I was stationed in London 77-78. I was 8 months pregnant and at the American Embassy waiting to get some papers I needed for the baby. 5 British girls were sitting on 3 desks ignoring me, just making me wait. All of a sudden 3 of them jumped up and said can I help you but they were looking behind me so I turned around and it was Mickey Dolenz standing right behind me. He looked at me smiled and said no you can help her first which I saw the disappointment on their faces. Made me happy, I wish I had told him I was a big fan of his tv show Circus Boy and had a crush on him back them. Such a polite guy.
When I was traveling in Europe my girlfriend at the time and I were taking a ferry from Wales to Ireland. Two drunk blokes got on there. And one of them started singing the Monkee's Theme. Slowly the whole area started singing along. Everyone ended up laughing and having a good time thanks to that gentleman.
Did they do the walk too? My husband and I practised it.
A band that deserves a bunch more credit than they received.
SO true!
They got more credit than they ever thought they would - people still talk about them -
Some bands get way less credit than they deserve. Some get way, way more than they deserve
I grew up watching these guys on TV! Their music was incredibly fun and catchy! They will always be a real band to me! Thanks Professor 😊
Michael and Peter are both extremely underrated. Michael's songwriting was fantastic and Peter was so versatile in what he could play.
@@TerrickTerran Absolutely 👍
I totally agree!
Neil Diamond wrote a lot of their songs and one of them played flute for FIREFALL
@@Richard-od7yd I'm A Believer! One of my favorites! 🎶👍
They were a boy band that was thrown together but I absolutely LOVED them! They had great chemistry - and unrecognized talent. Cute story re I'm a Believer... several years ago my husband was nagging me about getting another dog after ours died. I was adamant about not getting another dog. One day I was scrolling through a dog rescue website and... "Then I saw her face, a husky retriever, not a trace, of doubt in my mind. I saw her face, a husky retriever, I couldn't leave her if I tried." And the rest is history.
Take your hat off. You look silly
cute 👍
Synchronicity ! Beautiful !
So off you went, singing "I'm Gonna Buy Me a Dog". 😊
Michael Nesmith is actually a really good song writer. His solo stuff is really good. He doesn’t get enough credit for that.
aI agree
He has some great solos from the late 70s and early 80s.
Different Drum and Joanne are two good ones by him.
@@thriftwithjoy You mean Joanne. Yes, and Rio, Magic and Cruisin'.
and multi-instrumentalist.
I’m 68 years old and just learned that it was a Vietnam War protest song! Thank you for that.
I'm 72. Me too!
I heard it decades ago..
65, ditto!
Me too! 😂 68.
Honestly, I'm shocked people didn't know it was about a guy going off to war. They can only see each other for a few hours and then he has to go. I always knew that was the story.
Same age as you, btw.
Last Train to Clarksville is indelibly carved into my psyche. As a 12 year old on my morning paper route heading into a chilly fog with it playing on my $5 transistor radio, it was a kind of coming of age song for me. I felt like I was on that last train, headed out into who knows what. Hearing it has always affected me deeply, as a 12 year old who felt in some way that he was living it and now 58 years later it transports me back to that space and time with overwhelming emotion. The Monkees deserve so much more recognition and respect than they've received heretofore. They were great in so many ways.
The ARMY base near Clarksville, TN, is Fort Campbell, KY. The base spans the borders of Tennessee and Kentucky, and most of the base is on the Tennessee side, but has a Kentucky address because the post office for Fort Campbell is on the Kentucky side. I served at Fort Campbell, KY, from 1994-1997.
Just trying to clear that up a little. Excellent content and I love the channel.
Yep. My daughter was born there. Her birth certificate says she was born at Ft. Campbell, Ky. Montgomery County, Tennessee. The newer hospital was on the Tennessee side.
Thank you for your service.
My son-in-law’s home base is Ft Campbell. They live in Clarksville
My uncle, a retired US Army sergeant, often spoke of moving down there upon retirement from the post office, but changed his mind after my aunt passed.
They may have initially been manufactured, but they turned out to be just as much of a formidable group of musicians as any act out there. And they've lasted longer than 90% of the groups from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s. I can guarantee that more people know who The Monkees are than can name the hottest group today.
I agree. They made a huge impact.
🤨 The 🐒🐒🐒🐒got the last laugh.
The reunion tours in 87 where the highest grossing of the year.
They had one advantage that might have also been a burden, their television show. It gave them stability in location, and income, along with a weekly audience. Of course it was confining, and cost them some respect but it gave visibility they couldn’t have gotten any other way.
If you look at that era, the main difference is that they were created for TV. There are many groups/artists that did not play, nor did they write their songs. Other than Marvin Gaye and Smokie Robinson Motown was a singing machine. They had the Funk Brothers behind them and an amazing group of writers. This has not kept The Supremes and others from getting their due. Just put them in the Hall ffs
I grew up in the 60's, watched their tv show, had most of their albums, and am still a fan today. Much better music than what came after 2000, in my opinion. 🎶
I’m only 50. I was 10 in 1984 when a local channel aired old reruns of the show and I loved it! Still do.
I’m a Monkees fan and have zero shame about it.
The Monkees were the genuine article for their time, regardless of how they were born. They reflected what was needed from the youth of that time and it turns out we still needed them 20 plus years later! Great music and good vibes will always be real!!
Thanks!
They make sure we have a fun time!
And they were hanging out with the same people!
I was in love with Davy. Pictures all over my room. I won a ‘contest’ and got to go to the radio station 1300am Seattle and actually talk to him on the phone. I’m 69 and it was one of the greatest moments of my life. 🥰
Micky Dolenz was (or perhaps still is) a fantastic rock singer, underappreciated by the snubbers of the so-called R&R Hall of Fame. The other Monkees, particularly Mike Nesmith, recognized that Micky's voice and delivery gave the band their signature sound. Nesmith at times turned his own songs over to Mickey to sing, and they even did an entire album - and tour - late in Nesmith's life called "Dolenz sings Nesmith".
The Monkees should absolutely be in the R&R Hall of Fame, as a project that made so many great songs and introduced a lot of young people to rock and roll. If the R&R HoF doesn't feel right about inducting the four, they could introduce them as a hit-making machine - not just the pre-fab four but also the others who made it possible, such as Don Kirshner, Boyce & Hart, session musicians such as "The Wrecking Crew", writers such as Neil Diamond, etc.
And if the R&R Hof STILL wouldn't induct The Monkees as a "project", they should induct Micky himself as the singer of the majority of those hits. Of course Mike also had his own impact on R&R, with songs such as "Different Drum" (a hit for "Stone Poney's" aka Linda Ronstadt) and "Mary Mary" (hit for Paul Butterfield Blues band, as well as for The Monkees themselves); further, Mike was essentially a pioneer of country-rock AND of music videos. How are Micky and Mike not in the R&R HoF, if not the entire Monkees project? Of course these aren't the only headscratching snubs by that self-righteous "music" clique.
A real head scratcher why The Monkees and Toto (both of them!) weren't put in the Hall! The Heck!
Micky’s so fine, as Toni Basil once said.
I think the RRJoF lost it's credibility long ago because of the bands they left out. I'm very gratefull that Rush got in before Neil Peart died, and that Journey got in while everyone was still alive.
I don't know what the criteria for induction is, but judging by some of the acts that got in, it can't be that high.
Charles Manson could have been a Monkey 😂 thats a parallel universe that tickles me silly 😜
WGAF about the r&r HOF!? No one should participate in their foolishness. If I was famous, and-or, a legend in Rock & Roll, I would snub them and encourage everyone else to do the same!
I was in the USN from Sept. 1965 to Sept. 1969 but lived in Nashville, TN in '64 & '65 before enlisting. I was on 30 days leave after a year in Gitmo Bay before being stationed on the USS Independence (CVA62) and staying with a high school buddy & his family (he was also in the Navy - a Submariner and also home on leave) and we had been dating sisters. Their parents got us all tickets to see The Monkees play a concert live in Nashville's Civic Auditorium (I believe it was in February 1968). I learned how to play guitar during my year in Gitmo and even bought a "big ole" blonde Gibson electric from one of my "roommates" - we were 4 guys, each on cots and having metal lockers in "cubes" (defined by "portable walls") in a barracks. I do not doubt that Mickey sang & played drums, Peter played the bass, and Mike played lead guitar. Davy sang and there was another guy who was occasionally playing keyboards. If you know how to play an instrument, you can tell if someone's faking it and they were really playing. They were never a "fake" band.
Thank you for serving.
@@billtellefsen6785 I recall it was Peter on the keyboards.
My father was Navy. From 1950 to 1980. I remember hearing that in Cuba, they couldn't leave the base. I thought that sounded terrible. And prayed we never got sent there. We didn't. I spent my whole childhood in Va Beach, Va. We couldn't get transferred anywhere, and I would have loved going to Europe.
Thanks for your service.....every band is a fake band when they are just start😅
My first Monkees record was "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone" which I had to cut out of the back of a cereal box.
Cereal box record!
Arguably my favorite song by The Monkees. SO GOOD!
Me too! I’d forgotten though!
That was an amazing way to get a song out.
I had completely forgotten about those cereal box records. Thanks for the reminder and nostalgia!
I'm 62, and I'm still crushing over Mickey.. ❤☘️
I’m blessed enough to have gotten a big hug from him once
Me too!
I'm 69 and still crushing over Mike (even tho' he turned out to be such a s***! 😄
Davy Jones was my crush!
My uncle was the spit of Mike. My schoolfriend had a real crush on him.😊
Growing up in the 80s I knew about the Monkees before I knew about the Beatles, and I'm still a die-hard Monkees fan to this day :)
Very cool.
I too knew the Monkees before the Beatles.
I ❤ the Monkees can't stand the Beatles
I always loved both bands. That was sacrilege back in those days, but I didn't care. They both had immense talent.
Wow, just wow!😲@@MsCadamia66
Big fan! Remember my Dad picked up an 8 track of their top hits and I played it over, and over, and over again.
The Monkees were pioneers in the media of music videos. MTV owes them a thank you.
💯!!
Mike Nesbit founded MTV.
MTV returned the favor by playing marathons of the Monkees TV episodes, recognizing their roots therein. This revived the world's interest in the boys.
I was 11 when The Monkeys tv show started. It was a significant part of the cultural backdrop to our lives at that time. You had to be there to really know what it was like. A wonderful time to be growing up.
Me2 ❤
I was born in 1953 & I’m so glad I was! The best time to grow up indeed! I feel so blessed & am glad I’m not younger.
Me too❤, I’m 75 now and glad to have been a part of it and the time when things weren’t perfectly technically right. Freedom of speech was one of our greatest strengths, but in today’s society, politically correct garbage is taking away our rights to express ourselves and in who we really are….humanity is becoming slaves to machines and to the internet and draining our brains into oblivion, today’s music has lost the touch of creating something out of obscurity and producing something viable like the Monkees. 👍❤️🙏🏼
Same age- comic books, Mad magazine, Batman, spy movies, & the Monkees!
I was born in 1958. It goes without saying that I have lived through what I would consider most of the greatest music and bands of all time 🤘. But the Monkees will forever be my #1, no matter how much I have loved others. Thanks Prof, and also to everyone who played even any small part in making them possible. 🤗🇲🇽
Same with me. Loved them since I was 11 years old in 1966! My favorite 'group' always!
Born also in 58. We did have the best music all of our lives untill the 90s but the music was hooked in our of our lives and it was the best music had or has ever been.
@@MrNitromike1 👍🏻❤️
I was born in Carlton that's CARLTON GO BLUES, Melb , Victoria , Australia, in 1958 , and I can say , without fear of contradiction, we lived in the greatest period in history in Australia, know not of war , the best music ,Velvet Underground to Zappa , Marx brothers films , Bogart , all ready for TV, but Averice has altered the balance , no value . Ric
@Ducatirati I’m so glad you had a wonderful childhood/youth! Mostly great in the US, but we didn’t have nearly the peace that it sounds like Australia did. Assassination of the President, Cuban Missile Crisis, Cold War, Vietnam. But it didn’t affect us kids as much as it did the adults, so we were pretty carefree. I do miss that, although life is good in my small Mexican town!
I was in Okinawa when I heard this song, on my way to Nam. Fell in love with them, despite the fact that I was a big Beatles fan. Even when I later found out they were a manufactured band I still felt that they had some great tunes and I never quit liking them and still do. RIP to all who are no longer here and Micky...Keep the faith man. Love you all.
Thanks for sharing Colin!
Dad was on Okinawa before that he was on tinian, Saipan and started with Tarawa (betio). God dad hated the Monkees and most rock and pop music. Myself,I thought they were great as many groups/artists from50s, 60,70s. Dad called it screaming but I remember when he heard hey Jude I didn't hear a peep from him haha. Dad, a marine 2 div ww2. We should not forget any of our wars.
At least their songs were catchy!
Hell, I used to like Milli Vanilli! I still like Milli Vanilli, but I used to too. I may rant about authenticity and the evils of deception but I'm a deeply closeted hypocrite.
@@komitkazibut the Monkees at least sang on their recordings and could play instruments.
This episode is a perfect example of what I love about this channel. Had no idea that a song I have been listening to forever was a protest song and to hear the song writer explain the story behind the song, musicians involved and inspiration behind it. Fantastic stuff, grew up on the Monkees and have always loved the whole catalog of their hits! Great episode!!!
Thanks My Name!
Me neither. I thought it was just about traveling all the way to Tennessee. Hahahaha
Back in elementary school, a clever, precocious classmate renamed it "Take the Last Chariot to Carthage." We had been studying ancient civilizations, and our class play was Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar". Pretty cool for 11 year old public school kids.
One of my favorite Dumb and Dumber quotes is from the scene when Harry and Lloyd get to the diner and are looking at the tabletop jukebox:
"Hey, they've got the Monkees!"
"They were a major influences on the Beatles!"
"Yeah I know"
🤗
Hmm...don't remember that. Need to watch that movie again.
Hmm...don't remember that. Need to watch that movie again.
@@chrisggoodwin777 Well in one way, the Monkees were great because they got tons of help, and then the Beatles started getting tons of help on lots of things, so yeah dumb and dumber's right.
At one point in history, the Monkees did outsell the Beatles. People often forget that fact.
I was stationed at Ft. Campbell in 1987-88, but I never made the connection this song had with Clarksville, TN until about 2 years ago. To be honest, I knew there were a lot of Clarksvilles, so I thought it was just a coincidence. I heard the song on the radio while driving a couple of years ago, and actually paid attention to the lyrics as I sang along (I think singing along to this tune is a law - or it should be, anyway,) and the meaning finally hit me. It was a revelation. I'd been bopping to this song since it came out when I was 5 years old, and never really realized what the lyrics were actually saying. Another great episode, Adam! Keep 'em coming!
Oddly enough, Amtrak doesn’t go to Clarksville TN. No passenger train has stopped there in many decades.
@@ZehbronAmtrak didn't exist when this song was written. There was still passenger rail service.
I knew it had something to do with Tennessee. I just wasn’t sure what.
@@Zehbron I think it was the same train that took ELO to London 10 years later 🚂🪽💂♂️
@@komitkazi Could have been a long black train, or the one the small town girl took, or the midnight train to Georgia, or the one where you needed a ticket to ride, or the one that you don’t need a credit card to ride. Hmmm…now I’ve lost my train of thought.
I was lucky to see Davy Jones performing in person. When he came onto the stage, I felt like a teenager again! All of us oldies were screaming, jumping up and down. (I don’t think anyone broke a hip. )
😂
Many years ago, I was on a business trip with a connecting flight in Atlanta. While waiting for my flight, I couldn't help but notice an extremely handsome man being walked down a ramp into the waiting area. He was flanked by two very big men. It took me a few minutes to realize it was Davy along with two bodyguards. They were not able to enter the passenger only area and went on their way.
Davy was sitting probably 20 or so feet away, reading a newspaper. He was apparently traveling alone and I don't think I've ever seen anyone look so nervous before getting on a flight.
Several feet away from me in another direction was a lovely, well-behaved young girl of maybe 12 years old, who was traveling with her grandmother. She recognized Davy and I remember her telling her grandmother, very shyly and respectfully, asking her if she knew who that was sitting there and then told her grandmother that it was "David Jones". I heard her grandmother suggest to her that maybe she might go over and ask for his autograph, but whether she was just shy or for any other reason, she chose not to and was perfectly well behaved, never staring or showing further curiosity. I wish she had because I would have to think he would have appreciated this young girl, more than a full generation removed from Monkeemania, would recognize him and ask for his autograph.
What I recall most is that he was one of the most handsome men I've ever seen, still with the great hair, of course, now touched with a little gray, but with that face and those eyes. I remember thinking how "cute" he was back when I had his picture taped on my wall with all of the others that a young girl would have, but here I was two decades later seeing this really handsome man whose looks would have stopped me in my tracks even if I didn't know who he was.
To this day I have rarely seen someone that good-looking (and still wishing I wasn't so much taller than he was, so due to my insecurities it never could have worked out between us. LOL).
I was very sorry when he passed and also sorry when the others did, too. I had friends who were sincere and devoted followers of Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork. Alas, Mickey is the last one standing and that's quite a weight to bear, even in light of his own personal success.
Why didn’t you go for an autograph
@@Rebeccanotprovided I have encountered a few famous people over the years. I usually don't ask for an autograph and try to respect their privacy if it's in a situation where they are going about their private business, though I appreciate having a moment to let them know that I appreciate them, which I have done maybe twice if the opportunity seems appropriate.
I would love to have seen that young girl meet him, though.
I read Davy's autobiography, "THEY MADE A MONKEE OUT OF ME". I also read some articles with interviews from his family. He was a nice man that certainly appreciated his fans. He was always gracious to everyone! I would bet my house that he would not have turned down an autograph request from a 12-year-old girl in an airport. RIP Davy Jones.
The dudes walking with him were probably average sized. They just looked big in comparison. 😂
@@Timesowimey I can understand why someone would think that, but these guys were super-sized for sure. ;)
Over a period of 6 years, Our production company was fortunate to work with Mickey multiple shows. He always was a joy to everybody on our crew and gave every show that he was involved his full attention and effort. What a guy!
I was blessed to meet 2 of the Monkees when they did their "That Was Then, This Is Now" song; Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz were both gracious hosts and appreciated their fans! (Phoenix, AZ. was the tour venue city.) 🎶🧑🎤
I got talk to the engineer who recorded all of the Monkees songs---a guy named Hank Cicalo. He passed away earlier this year. He was one of the top musical engineers in the world at the time, often working with The Wrecking Crew and artists like Carol King (Tapestry) and Lalo Schiffrin. Some people denigrated the Monkees musical abilities, but the people in charge thought enough of them to get the absolute best people to help them turn out a great sounding product.
All four Monkees co-wrote a song called No Time and credited it to Hank Cicalo as a thank you in appreciation of his work.
@@AshleyReynolds-vc6lyHe bought his house from that money.
Interesting... even to this day, those old songs have a sparkling crisp sound, that shows off the voices and (who cares who played) the instruments.
I was a boy when the show was on, and it was a cultural phenomenon. We had a lunchbox, toys, etc. and you couldn't go anywhere without seeing a Monkees record. Glad I got to be a part of that time.
So am I. Bless you!
2:17 Legend has it, that only one future member of the Monkee's (Mike Nesmith) learned of the audition from the infamous "MADNESS!! AUDITIONS" AD in the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Davy Jones was already under contract with Screen Gems, Micky Dolenz received a private audition since he had an agent and had already been on a TV Series (Circus Boy), and Peter Tork learned of the audition from his good friend (fellow musician Stephen Stills).
This is correct.
They were hanging out in laurel canyon at the time.
Steven Stills was passed on because he had horrible teeth and a receding hairline.
Girls wanted cute- not repulsive..
The story of The Monkees is the greatest story in the history of show business - a contrived musical act for a fictional TV series, they became the absolute real deal. Even though the original TV show only lasted 2 seasons, it endures to this day. The recent album Good Times was a terrific period at the end of The Monkees story. That LP deserves The Professor's take! Bless you Adam!
My sister Krissy and I took our younger sister to see The Monkees during their 80s resurgence. She loved their TV show. She walked around singing the theme song all the time, so going to their concert was like a dream come true for her. A year later, she was killed in a hit-and-run just before her twelfth birthday. The music of The Monkees will forever remind me of her and what a playful, sweet girl she was.
It's beautiful that the song connected happy memories of your sister.
So sorry for you all.
Thank you for sharing this hellish nightmare of a story, I will never view the Monkees the same again
Immediate tears! I'm so sorry for the loss for your family.😢💔
🙏🏻🇨🇦
I still love The Monkeys. They may have been “created for TV” but it worked. They were our band, for my generation. Then they grew beyond the original idea and really became a band. You can hear their music everywhere even today. Was their creation that much different than a band manager deciding they need a new sound that is more current, pop, soul, etc. to be more successful? I guess it was more blatant, but not unusual in my opinion. I also don’t base my music on who is in the Hall of Fame. If I did, I’d miss a whole lot of great music. The fact that you can play a Monkey’s song and many generations start singing, dancing, smiling is HOF enough. Almost 60 years of staying power. That’s impressive.
When the Beatles were playing the Ed Sullivan Show for their legendary 1964 performance, the cast of "Oliver!" was watching from the wings. The boy playing the Artful Dodger was-Davy Jones!
Yes!!!!
Steve Marriott (in 1960) and Phil Collins (in 1964) also played the Artful Dodger in Oliver!
Collins also was in the audience scene in “A Hard Day’s Night.”
I always counted Davy as a musician, because he was singing professionally.
@@darinjohnson5365 He was actually a very good drummer! But the show producers wanted him to be the "cute" lead singer in front of the others.
I replaced my childhood Monkees albums for CDs many many years ago, and I still listen to them often. Fun music for day to day driving too.
I was 6 in '66, and since it was broadcast in color, went with my older sisters (11 & 13) to a friends' on Monday nights to watch. Major crush on Davy, and of course got their album (my first) for Christmas that year!!
I've been messing with people for decades, telling them to listen to "Paperback Writer" and "Last Train to Clarksville" back-to-back. 🤣
The Monkees were vilified for not "playing their instruments" on their records. Turns out, that was standard practice back then. Many bands had hits that were actually played by the legendary Wrecking Crew. One rock writer found out that his four favorite bands were all the same group!
Funny most bands today can't play anything. Why are they even called bands?
@@jameskearney4100 This could not be any more incorrect. You're thinking of pop singers. Name three BANDS who can't play instruments. Boy bands don't count, they are vocal groups. You claim "most" bands, I am only asking for three.
@@nope-z5yIt's not that these bands couldn't play instruments, it was matter of time. Studios weren't cheap. Studio musos played all the time , throughout the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's etc.. even on Beatles albums.
It's always gone on. At least they did their own singing. Other manufactured bands didn't even do that.
@@2410-s9l Read it again. He very specifically said "most bands today can not play anything", and that is what I am saying is completely wrong.
My mother was Michael Nesmith's babysitter. She was a friend of his mother, she had some stories about a young Michael that were pretty funny. Since we were friends of the family we were watching the show when it first aired I was in love with that crazy car.
I want to know these good stories! lol
@@theresawilson7499 OK! My mom was a cute young lady and she got the attention of many a young man in her day. One such young man worked at a radio station KRLD in Dallas Tx. Mom was invited to take a station tour, she asked if she could bring her young charge, Michael along for the tour to which the young man was amenable to the request. The young Michael was very interested and with wide eyes of amazement looked at everything and ask a ton of questions and my mom had one instruction for him during this tour, "DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING, MICHAEL!" As the wrapped up the tour in the engineering room where all the transmitters and radio frequency gadgets are, the station inexplicably goes silent! People start running around in a furious manner, bells and whistles are going off, phones are ringing all hell's breaking loose, Mom turns to Michael, "What did you touch?" He points at a red button with a sign on it that says "DON'T TOUCH" It's the transmitter emergency OFF button. She mentions to the nice young man what Michael has done and after 10 mins of dead air the biggest most listened to radio station in Dallas Texas resumes broadcasting. Oh my!
When Mom found out he was going to be a "Monkey" she commented "Well, he always was one!"
Im 67 a huge fan of the Monkees! I had no idea the meaning behind this song! Learn something new everyday! 😮😮😮
As a little kid, I had no idea either!
Hell Ya!! The Monkees rule!! I’ve listened to then since I was a kid & never knew that about this song. Great interview with an icon as always Prof!!
Thanks my friend!
I grew up watching the Monkees when I was a child in the 60s and had their albums. I loved them then and still do. Both they and the Three Dog Night should be in the rock and roll hall of fame. Unfortunately even if they were put in now, most of them are dead now.
I'm here! I'm in Clarksville Tn right now! Don't be too shocked, I've been here for 27 years. And yep, we have Fr. Campbell right down the road, home of the 101st Screaming Eagles!
I live in South Africa. There is a small to medium town called Klerksdorp. Dorp means town. I also sang the Monkees song when I drove 2 hours from Johannesburg to fetch my new puppy.
I remember around 1986 when MTV played all of the Monkee's episodes 24 hours a day for I think a whole weekend.
THat's right!
@@ProfessorofRock burned those darn songs into my head, but I still watched it for almost the whole weekend
@@benb6535 I missed 4 episodes overnight. Needed a little rest. I saw The Monkees 20th Anniversary Tour w/The Grass Roots, Herman's Hermits, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap at Newport Music Hall, Columbus, OH. 6/86.
yep the monkees marathon mtv we watched some
I remember that we scored a huge bag of pot that weekend and watched them all stoned off our gourds and laughing our heads off. Good times.
Lol, I knew exactly who you were talking about!! The Monkees, HR Pufnstuff, Brady Bunch, Partridge Family...
The Monkees were more than just a TV show or musical act; they were a phenomenon..
For most of us under a certain age, The Monkees was the band that put us on the path to discover the 60s and all its glory..
Back in '66 our folks got the family two kittens who were promptly named Davy and Mickey. My older sister bought the first five albums and I still listen to the Monkees to this day. The death of Davy hurt me as much as the death of Elvis in '77. I did get to see them perform in 1986.
So sad. He died so young.
Same. Davy Jones was my first crush. 😢
He lived on metaphysically through his doopelgangnombre David Bowie. ♊
@@komitkaziJa due to both of their real names being Davy Jones, Bowie appeared a few years after Monkees Davy (with the group "Faces" I believe), and he changed his last name to Bowie, so not to confuse listeners.
Professor, thank you for all the positivity you bring to the internet and to the world. I'm grateful that the music we loved is the vehicle for that. God bless you.
Very interesting back story to this song - would never have guessed this was a song about a soldier going off to war. Regardless of how The Monkees came to be, the producers put together a great team of songwriters and musicians to work with them, and ultimately they came into their own. I love all of their songs and as a child I loved watching their show on Saturday mornings.
We drive through Clarksville often on our drive between Florida and Iowa. I almost always start singing “Last Train to Clarksville” as we drive through it. What a great story, thanks for covering it. I had no idea it was a protest song.
Oh my… what a flashback to my childhood. I loved to watch the Monkees show with my siblings and we knew all their songs by heart. To this day I will play the Monkees when I need a lift-me-up tune while driving. It was good to see Bobby Hart! Boyce and Hart showed up on a few TV sitcoms back in the 60’s… I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched. Loved their music too. Thanks for yet another great and informative episode!
When my brother and I realized that he said he didn’t know if he was ever coming home, we couldn’t listen to the song without crying, we both loved the Monkees, Boyce and Hart were a great duo. Thanks Adam
I never knew,until recently,that the character in the song was a soldier who was drafted,on the way to war. Doesn't change that I still like the song but I do listen to the lyrics differently now.
So I was born at the very end of 1964. And I watched this show as reruns on Saturday afternoons. Loved them! Loved them in Scooby Doo too!!!
Only Davey got to be in Scooby-Doo though Mickey would be the one to do a lot of voicework.
I remember that episode of SCOOBY!
@@TerrickTerran That's right!
I did not know that, and I watched a lot of Scooby Doo.
@@TerrickTerran Their names are spelled Davy and Micky.
I found the Monkees when I was 7. My sister had the album, More Of The Monkees and the local TV station in San Francisco, KBHK Channel 44 ran the show at noon during the summer. So, I watched them every day and fell in love with the music and their antics. Fast forward to that summer of 86. My girlfriend loved the Monkees as well and we went to see them live at Great America where we both worked. What a great show, I remember Micky performing, Goin' Down and it was really amazing to see him perform the full song. To this day, anyone that I went to elementary, junior and high school with still post Monkees links to me because when they think of the Monkees, they think of me. Personally, the box set, Listen To The Band from 1991 is my favorite, it was the first time that I heard the really deep tracks by the band.
Thank you for your great in depth videos on the band. Keep the love alive.
BTW, Mike Nesmith wrote Papa Gene's Blues and also co-wrote Sweet Young Thing with Carole King and Gerry Goffin. So, they were contributing songs from the very first album.
When it came out we didn't know it was a protest song, but all us 'cool' kids dismissed the Monkees as copycat bubblegum music, the worst of the worst. It wasn't until years later that I learned the story and started to admire them. (I only learned about Last Train to Clarksville being anti-war today. Thanks, Professor!)
I saw Dolenz, Jones. Boyce & Hart in concert when I was a teen, back in the late 1970s. It was an INCREDIBLE show. They did all the Monkees his. Before it started, my best friends & I found Boyce & Hart playing tennis at a local park & they were kind enough to sign autographs. After the concert, Jones & Dolenz gave autographs & let all the girls kiss them. It was all very wholesome & one of the happiest days of my teen years. Fan for life!
Oohhhh my. I saw them on that tour when they performed at Great Adventure in New Jersey in the summer of 1976.
My friend LuAnn and I sat away from the main crowd and Mickey and Davy waved to us specifically.
Be still, my beating heart. 💕
@@amethystanne4586 How cool! I would have swooned. Weren't they great? We're so lucky to have experienced their tour!
@@m.inthedesert7134 you got to give them a kiss! Oh. My. Goodness. …… what a sweet memory that must be!
Also, another fun way to see Boyce & Hart is look up the theme/title song for the 60s movie "Where Angels Go Trouble Follows"😇
@@maxinezook4618 I remember watching it on the big screen of the local movie theatre!
There are indeed many Clarksvilles across the country. I've been to every one and yep, sang this song while I was there. Gotta admit, never thought of the meaning 'til this video. Thanks, Professor!
The Monkees were one of my favorites growing up. Watched their show religiously. I got to see them live with The Turtles as an adult, it was magical. Like going full circle. They remain close to my heart today and always.
I was a 13 year old girl in 1966; of course I was in love with the Monkeees, especially Davy Jones 💜
Me too!
Noooooo, he’s mine! 😂😂😂
This was a fun trip down memory lane for me. As a teenager, I watched the tv show with my parents and younger siblings. My parents heard The Last Train to Clarksville as a protest song, and the song inspired conversations with my parents,me, and my older brother,because of the draft and the controversy of a draft for an unpopular war. We knew The Monkees members were actors, pretending to be musicians, but they were very entertaining and charismatic, and the songs were catchy and worth listening to.
They were my first crushes, record, concert everything. I remember running home from elementary school to watch them everyday at 3:30. They were in the background of my whole life and 50 years later they still are.
Very cool!
They looked so hot!
us same sat. afternoon zombie out after am basketball.practice
My first girlfriend was "in love" with Davey. Her mother got us tickets to see them live for her birthday. Never heard a note of music -- the screaming girls (including my girlfriend >ack
Hahaha! Mine too but i found my one true love much closer to my age(but he was still a little older than me)😍: Jeremy Gelbwaks, the original Chris from the Partridge Family... Although I was devastated 😢 and heartbroken 💔 when they replaced him ..😅😅😅
I first heard, and seen, the Monkees at the tender age of five and became a total fanatic. Years later, I pondered whether this was just a childhood phase that I had gone through, but it wasn’t-after rediscovering them in my twenties, I realized that their music truly passes the test of time. The Monkees are awesome!
This is awesome. Thanks for all this information . I was born in 1961. I had no idea that's what that song was about. The Monkees were great. I was a kid when they started. I know that when they went off the air we missed them. They were great. And every time I hear a song today it instantly makes me feel 5 and 6 years old again listening and watching the monkeys I'm really happy that that song turned out to be what it's about. It makes that song just so much more cooler. I love hearing why a song was written in how a song was written and what's really behind it every song has its own story
"Last Train to Clarksville" always had an anti-military vibe here in Tennessee for the reasons outlined by Adam here. Natural.
Thanks for sharing
@@eggsngritstn Good Morning my fellow Tennessean!
Home of The Screaming Eagles 101st Airborne Division ☺️🇺🇸
@@lauriesolonka2477ty for your service,please return alive when you serve,our leaders don't choose conflicts responsibly and that is not your fault and we all know this fact.
I had no idea!
I was 9 years old when it came on TV. My mom would make us all sit down and be quiet. 🤐 😂
The Monkees was my 1st concert , St. Louis Mo. 1967 and Davy Jones my 1st crush I was 12yrs old. The same year Davey Jones sang Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow) with my name in it. Yeah ! I was hooked.
I remember that episode on "I'm A Believer"; great show as always. So many cool tunes they gave us. Incredible what they went through and they're STILL NOT in the RRHoF. 🤬
I knew who this was about the minute I read your title for this video. I LOVE The Monkees!!!! They may have started out as a "fake band," but there's no denying that The Monkees turned into a REAL band. Long live Monkee Music!!!
COOL!
The show was canceled before I was born, and yet it was such a huge part of my childhood.
It's an Army base, Fort Campbell, on the Tennessee/Kentucky border. The home of the 101st Airborne aka "The Screaming Eagles". In 1969, my brother went through basic training there.
Thanks!
The Airborne units were called Roosters by the Vietnamese because they didn't know eagles. The Alice in Chains song Rooster was about the experiences of one of the band members dads in Vietnam.
@@mattbalas8828Guitarist Jerry Cantrell's Dad.
My brother was also there in 1969.
I was born there.
I used to watch the TV show when I was younger, and I loved it. Once several years ago, I was visiting some friends with my family, and they let me listen to their CD collection. I found a Monkees CD. I played several songs over and over. They must have noticed me listening, because they gave me The Monkee's Greatest Hits on CD for Christmas that year, which I still have
I loved the Monkees! I was almost 6 years old when they debuted on TV. A really obscure song of theirs, “Sometime in the Morning” was played on an episode of Ted Lasso, and I almost fell out of my chair! 😂
These guys were a great combination. They were so talented, and such fun to watch. One song that I love that they did (on an episode in the second season, I think) is Riu Riu Chiu. Mickey did the lead vocals, and it was just the guys singing, and it was wonderful.
Yes! That is something I must play every Christmas. Love it.
I'm old enough to remember The Monkees when they were a new TV show. It was followed by The Banana Splits and Lancelot Link Secret Chimp, all of whom I'm pretty sure lip-synced.
That's right!
One banana two banana three banana four!
Those were my absolute favorite shows as a kid...and Batman.
🎶 La-la-la, la-la la-laa...
🎶Two ton Tessy
🎶White go-go boots
@@miss-asketches5284 She could be a Victoria's Secret model by today's standards or lack thereof.
The Monkees were my first concert. As a kid, i LOVED The Monkees (Nick at Nite reruns). From around the age of 2, I've loved music and something about them and their show struck a note with me. Weird Al opened for them in Buffalo, NY when I was 9. To this day, that is my favorite concert. I STILL love listening to them, though I only have 5 albums (and they're all on cassette).
I’m one of those people who bought all those albums in the 60s. I still have them, including the mirror covered movie album, “Head.” The key to the Monkees is not the number of albums and singles, it is the quality of the music. And the music is GOOD! These four guys took an opportunity and did well with it. Excellent video. Thanks!
I was 12 when they came on TV. Used to watch them every show. 14 years later, I found myself in Fort Campbell, where we started a new unit for the army. You would hear Last Train, and everyone would react. As usual love the show.
Thanks for sharing.
Grew up with the Monkees. Saw them when I was 20, 36 and 52. They brought me so much joy, I can’t figure why they aren’t in the RRHOF. Let’s get that done before Micky dies.
Clarksville, Nova Scotia is a tiny village of a few dozen people. I sing this song to myself every time I drive through it.
Very cool!
I had to google map that... near Shubenacadie. I used to sing Two Tickets to Paradise when I'm down in the Valley, my uncle used to live there
Are there any trains there?
@@kingofallwhites not for decades unfortunately
Do you live in Nova Scotia?
I was 12 when the Monkees came on. Saved up quarters to buy their records. Hell I even wore my belt buckle on the side😅
The Monkees were a band and Davy Jones said we are entertainers. They did not just go on stage sing their songs and walk off. They joked with the audience, and each other. Told stories about the band, they were a fun group to see live. That to me was their special sauce, the entertainment factor.
Misheard lyrics are such a great source of inspiration. I can also speak from experience.
I loved watching The Monkees when I was a teenager. I had no idea, until recently, that they didn't even play on their first few albums. If it weren't for you, I probably would never have known! Thank you for your daily education!
Thanks for watching!
I love the Monkees and love to hear the songs redone by other artists. I had nearly all their records, then I had kids... One my grandmother gave me instead of the usual money gift, that was special.
I personally feel like this talented bunch of young men never received the credit or the kudos they deserved. I’m old enough to remember the monkees and their music was just so happy. They were also good actors and comedians. Just simply charming young men
Sad that only one of them is still left with us.
I think it has changed very much over the years. I think even the so-called serious Rock journalists have reassessed their contributions to music. I've seen articles in music magazines that did lengthy, in-depth articles on the group and their lasting impact on music. Not just lightweight fluff pieces, but giving serious weight to their music. That's a really wonderful thing to see. And TH-cam has definitely given much broader exposure to the band and their music.
WOW Adam! I never knew the real meaning of the lyrics. Thank you. The Monkees were everything to this 10 yr old in 1966.
I enjoyed this episode a great deal as someone who didn’t quite appreciate The Monkees in the 60s, though I was definitely aware of them then, but whose appreciation grew when I rediscovered them in the late 70s. I got to see Davy, Micky, and Peter perform together in ‘86, and then after Davy’s passing saw Micky, Peter, and Mike perform together. (I also got to see Mike perform on his own twice.) A couple of other things to mention: a friend of mine actually dated Tommy Boyce briefly at some point in the 70s, and the picture you showed of Clarksville, Tennessee, showed the Roxy Theatre, where I acted in a couple of shows in the late 90s.
Just a note, Ft. Campbell isn't an Air Force base; it's an Army base. I was actually in Clarksville last fall and managed to get pics of an F4 tornado that flattened part of the base and the town.
Did I Say air force base?
@ProfessorofRock Nope, you said Army Base. Actually a little further in the video you said airforce base.
@@ProfessorofRock You did, at least once.
The army has posts, not bases. 😂
He's nearly perfect factually about his analysis. Or he gets the interviewee to say it themselves. That's the magic!
The Monkees deep cuts, especially the ones written by Mike are some of the best. "Don't call on Me" "Carlisle Wheeling" "Early Morning Blues and Greens" are gems that Mike wrote. To see what kind of music the Monkees were capable of, find "Just Like All Of Your Toys".
Grew up watching them on tv in the 80’s. Really loved the silliness of the show - not taking things serious, and even breaking the 4th wall, which wasn’t as common back then - esp considering when those episodes were recorded! And their songs really got me in to music - I was a little kid, with 2-3 radio stations in range, and my parents’ collection of “easy listening” 70’s records. Way before MTV, we had The Monkees.