I was born in the 90’s and my mom, also 70, raised me on this kind of stuff. This music has brought me joy from some of my earliest days. Glad I can rediscover it now through the internet, and the few stations that actually play it.
Written by Carole King and her then husband Gerry Goffin. This was a first blush reaction to their new home in suburban West Orange, New Jersey after they moved out of Brooklyn, New York. Don Kirshner, the executive producer of The Monkees records, was also the head honcho of Aldon Music, where Carole & Gerry started out writing songs for in the legendary Brill Building. BTW, Chip Douglas, the producer of this album, taught Mike Nesmith the guitar riff note for note. (Carole King's demo featured piano as the lead instrument) It was one of the first times Nesmith played lead guitar on their records. Thanks Jim and Harri.
From the 1967 album, Pisces, Aquarius and Capricorn and Jones Ltd., this song was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin about their dissatisfaction with life in the suburbs. The Monkees played instruments on this song, instead of the studio musicians that played on their early albums. Mickey was on drums, Peter on piano, and Mike on guitar with the great opening riff. Great tune that made it to Number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100's and Number 1 in Canada. I Feel Fine, indeed Harri. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Jim. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Ya know Mary, when I hear this song (normally on a Saturday) while tending the yard and dreaming about grilling dinner, I have a certain satisfaction with the suburbs. This music brings me back to times before I knew how horribly people could treat each other.
The drums were actually played by session drummer Fast Eddie Hoh, but The Monkees were fully in control of the music on this album (along with producer Chip Douglas), using studio players alongside the band members to enhance rather than replace the band. Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. is my personal favourite Monkees album, and it shows how in less than two years a manufactured-for-TV boy band was able to take control of their music and make something amazing - including some of the earliest uses of the synthesizer in rock music.
I'm suddenly 10 years old again. I loved everything about the Monkees. There is more substance to this song that what we noticed as children. Nez on guitar and Mickey's voice, wow they worked hard to break out of the TV manufactured pop group image.
Michael Nesmith is a genius -pure and simple and the Monkees are MAGNIFICENT on so many levels- Mike's voice and all their harmonies are SUPERB! Kim LOOOVE YOUR channel!
Harri, you nailed it again. This was one of their big hit songs, and one they’re known for. They would go on to play this live as a fan favorite for decades; ending many of their concerts with it. This one had a great ‘performance romp’ in the tv show also.
the perfect picture of 60s suburban life. being a child of the 60s i spent many hours listening to the monkees,so their music always takes me back to those pleasant sundays of innocence.
You never disappoint. This is my favee Monkees song. Written by Carole King, and she is an extraordinary songwriter. Micky's vocals, the harmonies, Pete's keyboard, Mike's guitar... it's a perfect blend. They were considered not serious at first, and yet the Beatles loved them. They had to fight to be taken seriosuly. And up until they started passing away... they were still playing while many other acts from their time were long gone.
That's Mickey Dolenz hitting all those high notes!! Mackey plays drums too! SAW THEM LIVE IN 80S IN CHARLOTTE NC on MTV comeback tour ...🎉🎉 🎉 That's Davey Jones doing the Ta' Ta Ta's in the middle..
The Monkees are my childhood! They were the best Christmas and birthday presents a 9-11 year old girl could ask for. I still have all my albums, although I really ought to see just how worn out they are, they were played hundreds of times. And their music seems to be timeless. I have their first 5 albums on CD also, good tunes for driving. The human brain amazes me, all these decades and I can still remember all the lyrics. They may have started out as a "fake" group, but they proved themselves to be pretty good singers and musicians. And did I have my first crush on Davy? Nope, it was Michael, and still is to this day. It sure is sad though, that Mickey is the only one still alive. Davy died young at 66, but Peter and Michael were in their late 70s, 77 and 78 respectively. Mickey turned 78 in March. He had the best sense of humor, (I Want to Buy Me a Dog) And if you want to keep your brain busy, try singing along to "Goin' Down"! Thanks, Harri, for your reaction and keeping great music alive.
I was a kid in the 60s when this came out, and I know exactly what they were singing about. Vietnam war, race riots, the drug scene was ramping up and everyone just sort of went inside their neighborhood houses and pretended that everything was alright, when we all knew it wasn't. Massive social and political change happened in the mid to late 1960s. It was a bit scary watching the news with all of this stuff, but it was also a great era to be a kid with a real childhood, unlike the kids today.
Great song, and I really like the ending, where the song descends into a backwash of reverb before flaming out. Kudos to the producer -- psychedelia deluxe!
Thanks Harri. I love The Monkees and never missed their TV show every week when I was a kid. I bought all their albums and thought and still think they have some great songs. Some of my suggestions are "For Pete's Sake", Early Morning Blues And Greens", What Am I Doing Hangin' Round?", "Dream World", "Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow", "Hard To Believe", "Love Is Only Sleeping", "Shades Of Gray" and if you want to hear something that will give you a laugh, check out "Gonna Buy Me A Dog".
Omg Harri loved this song when we were kids but really just listened to the lyrics for the first time today with you!, Wow thx for this Love your channel!
As a child I was mesmerised by the idea of "a TV in every room". That's why America seemed so glamorous to us. When I finally got there I found it was anything but!
Mike Nesmith, with the cap, was a cool gentleman with whom I was acquainted, after sharing an incident where, in the '80s, an MIT scientist from Holland invited me to his lab to show off his latest project, which was a laser disc. We got a little toasted then watched Mike Nesmith singing a comedic take-off of his classic "Her Name was Roseanne", which was now "Her name was Rodan" and it was about the monster. Very trippy. He got a kick out of the story, and we became friends of Facebook. He passed away sadly, but his music and infectious love of life carries on. He also didn't seem to mind that I had make a song called "Monday in Pleasant Valley". You got to check out Malvina Reynolds' "Little Boxes", also covered brilliantly by Pete Seeger...and was soundtrack to the show "Weeds". And more Monkees!
I grew up watching The Monkees tv show reruns in the 70s, so heard all these songs at a young age (it was also a hilarious show). They were a huge, huge group and very talented.
Takes me back to my childhood. Great song! Its about the average, white, middle-class neighborhoods. In "Status-symbol" land - kerping up with the Jones, etc. Different album. They were modeled after The Beatles.
Come on everyone knows the Beatles were modeled after the Monkeys. And there was a team of the greatest writers on earth making songs for the Beatles and then saying it was John and Paul. It was all a sham. My uncle actually wrote Hey Jude, Let it Be, Strawberry fields and With A little Help From My Friends. And Brian Wilson actually wrote Sgt Pepper's.
@@davidadams5280 Are you on DRUGS?! That's insane!! The Beatles became famous in 1962 in Europe & 1964 in the USA. They wrote all their own songs. Your Uncle is either delusional or an out-right liar. The Monkees came along in 1966 (lasted until 68), modeled after the Beatles. They held auditions. Davy & Mickey were actors since childhood. Peter & Mike were musicians and were frustrated that they couldn't play their own instruments (Mickey knew guitar but they said he looked better behind the drums.) Or have their own songs. They hired "The Wrecking Crew," best studio musicians & some of the best writers of the day like Neil Diamond, Carol King, etc. Peter & Mike finally told the press they weren't allowed to play their own instruments or songs to the press. It back-fired as then they were labeled as "Fake" & "Bubblegum." But then they were allowed to do some albums that were still great with their own stuff. But they weren't as popular. They did a movie called "Head" to break their image but it was very controversial & a flop. They split and Mike put out "Listen to the Band" that was his biggest and perhaps only hit single. You can easily Google all of this information. Go to: www.biography.com/musicians/the-monkees-origins & th-cam.com/video/F6clYpKVk4g/w-d-xo.html
On this particular track the personnel were (per Andrew Sandoval) Micky Dolenz - lead vocals, possible acoustic guitar Michael Nesmith - harmony vocals, electric guitar(played the opening riff) Peter Tork - piano, backing vocals Davy Jones - backing vocals Bill Chadwick - acoustic guitar Chip Douglas - possible vocals, bass guitar, producer (wrote the opening riff played by Mike Nesmith) "Fast" Eddie Hoh - drums, percussion
I actually never took the Monkees seriously (except for Mike Nesmith’s writing Linda Ronstadt’s first hit). But in retrospect, they were pretty good and I realize I had judged them too harshly. 🌺✌️
This song was written by Carole King/Gerry Goffin......is a commentary on suburban life in the 60's. Next, check out the great song written by Micky Dolenz, "Randy Scouce Git".
I just finished listening to GOIN' DOWN & I saw your reaction to this song pop up. I love this song. You can just picture the neighborhood they are singing about. I wish you would give GOIN" DOWN a listen.
"Rows of houses that are all the same, and no one seems to care." I relate to this song, and think of it every time I go past a neighborhood with cookie cutter homes! (How do people even tell them apart in the dark? 😆)
Great song written by Carol King, one of many songwriters the Monkees were able to draw from. Others were Neil Diamond, Harry Nilsson, Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
There are a lot of Monkees songs that are great. Please react to more from this group. I love “Papa Gene’s Blues”, “What Am I Doin’ Hangin’ ‘Round?”, “No Time”, “Early Morning Blues and Greens”, “Last Train to Clarksville”, “Sometime In The Morning” and “Star Collector”. 💜💕💜💕
I was in love with Mickey. My girlfriend and neighbor terry and I would play Barbie’s then run to the tv and watch the monkeys show. Still love their music. New every song.
The Monkees were created to be a Bubblegum knockoff of the Beatles but they showed themselves to be talented musicians, as well. I have always liked this song.
I watched their TV show in junior high and when they wanted to take it off the air, a bunch of us girls wrote the network to leave them on. Not bad for a bunch of guys put together to be a band for a TV show. Of course Davy was already kind of famous so that helped and the confab worked for what they wanted for the show. Talented bunch, sad that Mickey is the only one left and was the one singing the lead on this one. They wound up having quite a few hits...you can also see segments of their TV show on YT.
Harri the lead singer is Davy Jones...David Bowie was also David Jones. He of course changed his to Bowie to avoid confusion😊 Also Hendrix was an opening act on one of their tours. He only did a couple of shows for obvious reasons
Legend has it that Carole King didn't like the guitar riff that they added, and the next time she and Nesmith passed in the Brill Building, she wouldn't talk to him.
Whatever their origin, The Monkees were a cultural phenomenon responsible for many great records with and without session players (like….. everybody!), something musical snobs don’t take into account.
The song was anything but a homage to suburban life. The words are a definitive satirical poke at the "normal" life of the suburbs. If the parents actually listened to the words, they would probably not be all that pleased with this song. (Think: counterculture hidden in "pleasant" lyrics)
GERRY GOFFIN AND HIS YOUNG WIFE CAROL KING WROTE THIS SONG ABOUT THERE LIVES LIVING IN NEW JERSEY ON PLEASENT VALLY WAY RD IN WEST ORANGE NEW JERSEY IN 1967.
I grew up listening to the Monkees music & watching their show. They could act silly but they actually were decent musicians & singers. They had many hits such as "Last Train To Clarksville", "Valleri", "Pleasant Valley Sunday", "Steppin' Stone" etc. Two of their big hits "I'm A Believer" & "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" were written by Neil Diamond. Davy Jones was considered a teenage heart throb. Sadly he died in 2012 & later Peter Tork in 2019. Michael Nesmith passed away last year. Only 1 member is remaining now Micky Dolenz.
The Monkeys were a fake TV band but they morphed into an actual band. Not super great but much better than they should have been. The music is nostalgic for me since I watched their weekly TV show and had several of their albums when I was in high school.
I'm a Believer was on their second album in early 1967-Pleasant Valley sunday was from their 4th Album in late 1967. their first four albums went to number one-this being their last-then their TV show went off the air and their career declined particularly when their record company Colgems made the mistake of releasing D.W. Washburn as a single in 1968 which, in my opinion, was a poor choice-then one by one band members left the group-first Peter then Michael leaving Mickey & Davey. MTV in the 1980s started airing their TV episodes and the band made a comeback reuniting and having a couple of hits-now Mickey is the only one left as the others have sadly passed away.
One advantage in being old now I’am 70 is hearing all these familiar songs that I’ve heard in my youth giving listening pleasure to everyone!
I agree 😊
I am right there with you Roy.
I was born in the 90’s and my mom, also 70, raised me on this kind of stuff. This music has brought me joy from some of my earliest days. Glad I can rediscover it now through the internet, and the few stations that actually play it.
Why are they not in the rock and roll Hall of fame
Written by Carole King and her then husband Gerry Goffin. This was a first blush reaction to their new home in suburban West Orange, New Jersey after they moved out of Brooklyn, New York. Don Kirshner, the executive producer of The Monkees records, was also the head honcho of Aldon Music, where Carole & Gerry started out writing songs for in the legendary Brill Building. BTW, Chip Douglas, the producer of this album, taught Mike Nesmith the guitar riff note for note. (Carole King's demo featured piano as the lead instrument) It was one of the first times Nesmith played lead guitar on their records. Thanks Jim and Harri.
👍💯❤
Gerry Goffin hated Suburbia. Thankfully it inspired this great song!
From the 1967 album, Pisces, Aquarius and Capricorn and Jones Ltd., this song was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin about their dissatisfaction with life in the suburbs.
The Monkees played instruments on this song, instead of the studio musicians that played on their early albums. Mickey was on drums, Peter on piano, and Mike on guitar with the great opening riff. Great tune that made it to Number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100's and Number 1 in Canada. I Feel Fine, indeed Harri. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Jim. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Ya know Mary, when I hear this song (normally on a Saturday) while tending the yard and dreaming about grilling dinner, I have a certain satisfaction with the suburbs. This music brings me back to times before I knew how horribly people could treat each other.
Great album
The drums were actually played by session drummer Fast Eddie Hoh, but The Monkees were fully in control of the music on this album (along with producer Chip Douglas), using studio players alongside the band members to enhance rather than replace the band. Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. is my personal favourite Monkees album, and it shows how in less than two years a manufactured-for-TV boy band was able to take control of their music and make something amazing - including some of the earliest uses of the synthesizer in rock music.
@@russallert Thanks. I had read differently. 🎶🎶🇨🇦🇨🇦
@Little Jimmy I feel the same. Maybe us "Hippies" knew something about being kind and just wanted peace everywhere. ✌️✌️🎶🎶🇨🇦🇨🇦
I'm suddenly 10 years old again. I loved everything about the Monkees. There is more substance to this song that what we noticed as children. Nez on guitar and Mickey's voice, wow they worked hard to break out of the TV manufactured pop group image.
Michael Nesmith is a genius -pure and simple and the Monkees are MAGNIFICENT on so many levels- Mike's voice and all their harmonies are SUPERB! Kim LOOOVE YOUR channel!
Monkees very underrated by the music snobs.
Nez ROCKS on guitar!!! Peter on bass! Also, here Mike Nesmith is singing background vocals too, which is unusual!
My favorite Monkees Song.
I think it's because it puts me in a positive mood.
This song is definitely one of their top 5 best songs.
The B side of the single is even better 'Words'
@@phillipharrison7283 I would say that this is their best single. Nesmith's intro is one of the 60's best.
Harri, you nailed it again. This was one of their big hit songs, and one they’re known for. They would go on to play this live as a fan favorite for decades; ending many of their concerts with it. This one had a great ‘performance romp’ in the tv show also.
I was 6 years old when the Monkees came out and even as this little girl I had crushes on them. I'm in my 60's and still love their music!
Another Carol King gem!! The Monkees did a great cover!!
thanks, did not know that
the perfect picture of 60s suburban life. being a child of the 60s i spent many hours listening to the monkees,so their music always takes me back to those pleasant sundays of innocence.
You never disappoint. This is my favee Monkees song. Written by Carole King, and she is an extraordinary songwriter. Micky's vocals, the harmonies, Pete's keyboard, Mike's guitar... it's a perfect blend. They were considered not serious at first, and yet the Beatles loved them. They had to fight to be taken seriosuly. And up until they started passing away... they were still playing while many other acts from their time were long gone.
That's Mickey Dolenz hitting all those high notes!! Mackey plays drums too! SAW THEM LIVE IN 80S IN CHARLOTTE NC on MTV comeback tour ...🎉🎉 🎉 That's Davey Jones doing the Ta' Ta Ta's in the middle..
The Monkees are my childhood! They were the best Christmas and birthday presents a 9-11 year old girl could ask for. I still have all my albums, although I really ought to see just how worn out they are, they were played hundreds of times. And their music seems to be timeless. I have their first 5 albums on CD also, good tunes for driving.
The human brain amazes me, all these decades and I can still remember all the lyrics. They may have started out as a "fake" group, but they proved themselves to be pretty good singers and musicians.
And did I have my first crush on Davy? Nope, it was Michael, and still is to this day.
It sure is sad though, that Mickey is the only one still alive. Davy died young at 66, but Peter and Michael were in their late 70s, 77 and 78 respectively. Mickey turned 78 in March. He had the best sense of humor, (I Want to Buy Me a Dog) And if you want to keep your brain busy, try singing along to "Goin' Down"!
Thanks, Harri, for your reaction and keeping great music alive.
ME TOO!
I loved the Monkees. When I was young I lived for their TV show to see them sing.
I was a kid in the 60s when this came out, and I know exactly what they were singing about. Vietnam war, race riots, the drug scene was ramping up and everyone just sort of went inside their neighborhood houses and pretended that everything was alright, when we all knew it wasn't. Massive social and political change happened in the mid to late 1960s. It was a bit scary watching the news with all of this stuff, but it was also a great era to be a kid with a real childhood, unlike the kids today.
This song was written by Carole King and hee husband Gerry Goffin.
It always sounds like a Neil Diamond song to me.
@Melanie Sweeten he wrote Daydream Believer and I'm a Believer for them. They had all the best songwriters of that time writing their song's.
I did not know that, I love Carole King, and I loved those monkees too!
Great song, and I really like the ending, where the song descends into a backwash of reverb before flaming out. Kudos to the producer -- psychedelia deluxe!
I loved this song as a preteen- and still do. Thanks!
Thanks Harri. I love The Monkees and never missed their TV show every week when I was a kid. I bought all their albums and thought and still think they have some great songs. Some of my suggestions are "For Pete's Sake", Early Morning Blues And Greens", What Am I Doing Hangin' Round?", "Dream World", "Look Out Here Comes Tomorrow", "Hard To Believe", "Love Is Only Sleeping", "Shades Of Gray" and if you want to hear something that will give you a laugh, check out "Gonna Buy Me A Dog".
Or Your auntie Grizelda with Peter Tork singing! 😁
@@KJ-4321 Yeah, great suggestion. I forgot about that one.
Omg Harri loved this song when we were kids but really just listened to the lyrics for the first time today with you!, Wow thx for this Love your channel!
❤...... That "bherr bherr" like a sheep at the end 😅 classic 🥂🍾♥️🇿🇦 this is groovy, yeah
As a child I was mesmerised by the idea of "a TV in every room". That's why America seemed so glamorous to us. When I finally got there I found it was anything but!
One of my favorite bands, and I loved the show when I was a kid, even if it only was on one channel at one time a day for a couple months a year.
Great reaction. 👍 I used to play this song in the previous band I was in. The drum part was very fun to play.
Mike Nesmith, with the cap, was a cool gentleman with whom I was acquainted, after sharing an incident where, in the '80s, an MIT scientist from Holland invited me to his lab to show off his latest project, which was a laser disc. We got a little toasted then watched Mike Nesmith singing a comedic take-off of his classic "Her Name was Roseanne", which was now "Her name was Rodan" and it was about the monster. Very trippy. He got a kick out of the story, and we became friends of Facebook. He passed away sadly, but his music and infectious love of life carries on. He also didn't seem to mind that I had make a song called "Monday in Pleasant Valley". You got to check out Malvina Reynolds' "Little Boxes", also covered brilliantly by Pete Seeger...and was soundtrack to the show "Weeds". And more Monkees!
I grew up watching The Monkees tv show reruns in the 70s, so heard all these songs at a young age (it was also a hilarious show). They were a huge, huge group and very talented.
Takes me back to my childhood. Great song! Its about the average, white, middle-class neighborhoods. In "Status-symbol" land - kerping up with the Jones, etc. Different album. They were modeled after The Beatles.
Come on everyone knows the Beatles were modeled after the Monkeys. And there was a team of the greatest writers on earth making songs for the Beatles and then saying it was John and Paul. It was all a sham. My uncle actually wrote Hey Jude, Let it Be, Strawberry fields and With A little Help From My Friends. And Brian Wilson actually wrote Sgt Pepper's.
@@davidadams5280 Oh come on. We all know Bernard Purdie wrote all of it.
Bernard Webb wrote them
@@davidadams5280 Are you on DRUGS?! That's insane!! The Beatles became famous in 1962 in Europe & 1964 in the USA. They wrote all their own songs. Your Uncle is either delusional or an out-right liar. The Monkees came along in 1966 (lasted until 68), modeled after the Beatles. They held auditions. Davy & Mickey were actors since childhood. Peter & Mike were musicians and were frustrated that they couldn't play their own instruments (Mickey knew guitar but they said he looked better behind the drums.) Or have their own songs. They hired "The Wrecking Crew," best studio musicians & some of the best writers of the day like Neil Diamond, Carol King, etc. Peter & Mike finally told the press they weren't allowed to play their own instruments or songs to the press. It back-fired as then they were labeled as "Fake" & "Bubblegum." But then they were allowed to do some albums that were still great with their own stuff. But they weren't as popular. They did a movie called "Head" to break their image but it was very controversial & a flop. They split and Mike put out "Listen to the Band" that was his biggest and perhaps only hit single. You can easily Google all of this information. Go to: www.biography.com/musicians/the-monkees-origins & th-cam.com/video/F6clYpKVk4g/w-d-xo.html
On this particular track the personnel were (per Andrew Sandoval)
Micky Dolenz - lead vocals, possible acoustic guitar
Michael Nesmith - harmony vocals, electric guitar(played the opening riff)
Peter Tork - piano, backing vocals
Davy Jones - backing vocals
Bill Chadwick - acoustic guitar
Chip Douglas - possible vocals, bass guitar, producer (wrote the opening riff played by Mike Nesmith)
"Fast" Eddie Hoh - drums, percussion
I actually never took the Monkees seriously (except for Mike Nesmith’s writing Linda Ronstadt’s first hit). But in retrospect, they were pretty good and I realize I had judged them too harshly. 🌺✌️
This song was written by Carole King/Gerry Goffin......is a commentary on suburban life in the 60's.
Next, check out the great song written by Micky Dolenz, "Randy Scouce Git".
I just finished listening to GOIN' DOWN & I saw your reaction to this song pop up. I love this song. You can just picture the neighborhood they are singing about. I wish you would give GOIN" DOWN a listen.
I do not live in a valley. Even so, I hope tomorrow is a pleasant Sunday for me.
I loved watching the Monkees show ❤ I do know this song 🎉
"Rows of houses that are all the same, and no one seems to care." I relate to this song, and think of it every time I go past a neighborhood with cookie cutter homes! (How do people even tell them apart in the dark? 😆)
My fav song of the Monkees' is "Day Dream Believer" (I see you have done this one). "I'm A Believer" and "Stepping Stone" are great too.
Bass player just killing it too
Great song written by Carol King, one of many songwriters the Monkees were able to draw from. Others were Neil Diamond, Harry Nilsson, Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
Another Carole King song is covered here by The Monkees from way back. This is a very enjoyable song.
There are a lot of Monkees songs that are great. Please react to more from this group. I love “Papa Gene’s Blues”, “What Am I Doin’ Hangin’ ‘Round?”, “No Time”, “Early Morning Blues and Greens”, “Last Train to Clarksville”, “Sometime In The Morning” and “Star Collector”. 💜💕💜💕
I was in love with Mickey. My girlfriend and neighbor terry and I would play Barbie’s then run to the tv and watch the monkeys show. Still love their music. New every song.
Really should do some Monkees songs with Mike Nesmith singing lead, it's like a whole different band.
For instance, "What am I Doing Hangin' 'Round"
“The Door into Summer”
my fave Monkees song ♥
Love you, Harri...you always make me smile 🥰
Interesting Factoids: Michael Nesmith's mother invented Liquid Paper. Also, the actress Ami Dolenz is the daughter of, that's right, Mickey Dolenz.😁
Love the Monkees. 🙂
Glen Campbell sounds great
love the monkees, good stuff
This was their 4th album. "I'm A Believer" was from the 2nd album More Of The Monkees.
The Monkees were created to be a Bubblegum knockoff of the Beatles but they showed themselves to be talented musicians, as well. I have always liked this song.
I watched their TV show in junior high and when they wanted to take it off the air, a bunch of us girls wrote the network to leave them on. Not bad for a bunch of guys put together to be a band for a TV show. Of course Davy was already kind of famous so that helped and the confab worked for what they wanted for the show. Talented bunch, sad that Mickey is the only one left and was the one singing the lead on this one. They wound up having quite a few hits...you can also see segments of their TV show on YT.
The were my first album. And still got it. Lol
I saw Micky, Mike and Peter perform in Austin ten years ago. They were still very entertaining.
Sister was Crazy about the Monkeys. Had to go with her to see them. Didn't bother to tell her that Jimi Hendrix was the Back Up Band. 1967 Detroit.
I agree it’s a excellent song musical.ly as well as lyrically
Session drummer, the late "Fast" Eddie Hoh, played on this album.
My favorite long-haired weirdos!!😁✌🎶
My father and I had almost nothing in common. But one thing we did have in common, we both liked The Monkees.🙈🙉🙊
I wore this album out, bought it again and wore that one out too.
At its best music isn't just entertainment, it's social commentary presented as art.
I was a fan of The Monkeys TV show in my youth.
Great song, my fav was auntie gizelda.
This song was written by Carol King, and it was meant to be a cynical look at suburbia.
Harri the lead singer is Davy Jones...David Bowie was also David Jones. He of course changed his to Bowie to avoid confusion😊 Also Hendrix was an opening act on one of their tours. He only did a couple of shows for obvious reasons
Micky was singing the lead on this song.
My favorite band. Try randy scouse git, going down, sometime in the morning, daydream believer, sweet young thing
By the way, I'm a believer was written by Neal Diamond. The Monkees had decent help. But as a young, young teenager..I was a fan!
Legend has it that Carole King didn't like the guitar riff that they added, and the next time she and Nesmith passed in the Brill Building, she wouldn't talk to him.
Daydream believer was the next album. There's another Carole King/Gerry Goffin song "Star Collector" on the same album. Its a song about Groupies. :)
Whatever their origin, The Monkees were a cultural phenomenon responsible for many great records with and without session players (like….. everybody!), something musical snobs don’t take into account.
Given my name, .... I was very popular in 3rd grade....
2 different albums Harri. I'm A Believer hit #1 in 1966. This song got to #3 in 1967.
Written by Carole King, sung by Dolenz, Mike on guitar....what could possibly fail?
The musicians are the legendary Wrecking Crew, the crack LA studio players who played on the soundtrack of the 60s, literally.
Shades of Grey is another good one to react to
My 45 of this song got some mileage.
The song was anything but a homage to suburban life. The words are a definitive satirical poke at the "normal" life of the suburbs. If the parents actually listened to the words, they would probably not be all that pleased with this song. (Think: counterculture hidden in "pleasant" lyrics)
To get a different vibe, listen to the Carole King Demo of this song. It's brilliant as well.
That riff reminds me of Day Tripper !!!!!!!!!!
Ohhhh they have soooo many albums! 😅😅😅 lol
I always thought their Christmas cover of Guantanamera was my favorite Monkees video, please consider listening to it, you will be moved
❤
Prob' The Monkees best tune...
The Wedding Present also do a great version of this song 😎
.
Not from the same album I'm A believer was from More of the Monkees. This song is from their album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd
I'm a Believer was originally released as just a single
GERRY GOFFIN AND HIS YOUNG WIFE CAROL KING WROTE THIS SONG ABOUT THERE LIVES LIVING IN NEW JERSEY ON PLEASENT VALLY WAY RD IN WEST ORANGE NEW JERSEY IN 1967.
I grew up listening to the Monkees music & watching their show. They could act silly but they actually were decent musicians & singers. They had many hits such as "Last Train To Clarksville", "Valleri", "Pleasant Valley Sunday", "Steppin' Stone" etc. Two of their big hits "I'm A Believer" & "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" were written by Neil Diamond. Davy Jones was considered a teenage heart throb. Sadly he died in 2012 & later Peter Tork in 2019. Michael Nesmith passed away last year. Only 1 member is remaining now Micky Dolenz.
I believe this was another modified riff borrowed from Paperback Writer played brilliantly by Louie Shelton.
The Monkeys were a fake TV band but they morphed into an actual band. Not super great but much better than they should have been. The music is nostalgic for me since I watched their weekly TV show and had several of their albums when I was in high school.
It is a myth that none of them were musicians. They simply weren't allowed to perform their own songs.
Harri - The Monkees and the Mommas and Pappas both were backed by the Wrecking Crew.
A real knock on the suburbs of New Jersey written by Carol King but the Monkees version is so much better .
Should try Goin Down and What am I Doing Round
Great choice.
You should dive a little deeper I'm sure you'll enjoy them.
I agree (69). In my opinion, no matter what Barry Manilow says, he did NOT write ALL the songs..
If anyone could make that claim, it's Carol King!
Different album. I still have the album with I'm a Believer.
60,70 little,80
I'm a Believer was on their second album in early 1967-Pleasant Valley sunday was from their 4th Album in late 1967. their first four albums went to number one-this being their last-then their TV show went off the air and their career declined particularly when their record company Colgems made the mistake of releasing D.W. Washburn as a single in 1968 which, in my opinion, was a poor choice-then one by one band members left the group-first Peter then Michael leaving Mickey & Davey. MTV in the 1980s started airing their TV episodes and the band made a comeback reuniting and having a couple of hits-now Mickey is the only one left as the others have sadly passed away.
I'm a Believe is a Neil Diamond song
Someone's been listening to Paperback Writer.