I don't think there has been a thread to discuss each of The Monkees songs individually so though I would start this thread. The idea would be to discuss and rate every studio track (no live recordings or basic demos) each day. Each song would be discussed only once in all forms. For example, only one day to talk about all of the various versions of songs like I Wanna Be Free (the only exception being Circle Sky which appears on two studio albums). People are free to post a rating for each song out of 5.
The Monkees (Theme from) The Monkees Saturday's Child I Wanna Be Free Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another Day Papa Gene's Blues Take a Giant Step Last Train to Clarksville This Just Doesn't Seem to Be My Day Let's Dance On I'll Be True To You Sweet Young Thing Gonna Buy Me a Dog Non-album tracks All the King's Horses I Don't Think You Know Me So Goes Love Of You (I Prithee) Do Not Ask For Love
Today's song is (Theme from) The Monkees: I rate this song, in any version, 4/5. Obviously it has been heard far too often, but it has stood the test of time pretty well and Micky had a very strong pop voice from the beginning. Boyce and Hart also immediately proved themselves suitable writers and producers as their tracks are almost all very commercial and suited the times perfectly.
This song is a nice opener for the show but one I never listen outside of that. Probably my least favorite of the Monkees canon.
I used to think it was great, but once I watched the show I couldn’t see it as anything but the opener music. It still kicks off any configuration of The Monkees I’ve ever made though. What else from those sessions fits?
As a TV theme song, it is a very good to great one. As an expanded album opener, it is merely ok. My wife uses this song as her case to say that all Monkees songs are garbage. She refuses to understand that there are many different types of Monkees songs that she might actually enjoy. A pity, but that is her problem, not mine. So. as a TV Theme song:4.5/5 As a album cut: 2.5/5
Catchy TV theme song but only fairly decent as a stand alone song, as has been mentioned above. A 3/5 from me.
I wonder if the theme has ever been performed live. I know they've sang it jokingly, but have they ever done an actual live version of it?
I agree with what seems to be the general view here. A terrific theme for the show, but kind of loses its way on record. Great Dolenz vocal, though.
TV version is a fantastic 5/5. The album version is fun, but not as exciting. Album version gets a 3/5 from me.
Only one day to discuss a certain song? Good luck holding people to that. Anyhow... “Theme From”: Groovy little piece of mid-60s garage pop/rock. Even if it’s not really “garage” at all and played by slick studio pros. It sounds like it could be from a young garage band though. On its own, it’s a fairly meaningless song apart from the “group” introducing themselves. But again, a good little rocker. Did they really have “... something to say”? Well, eventually they would. Not yet. At least nothing Donny the K. wanted to let them say. As the theme to the TV show, obviously it works. Who doesn’t know it? Even today, mention The Monkees in conversation with the average person and, for better or worse, you’re likely to get “Hey, Hey We’re The Monkees” sung back to you. Not as good a song as some others on the debut, but definitely better than a few (YMMV). Maybe 3 or 3.5/5?
Incidentally, I heard an oldies station in South Carolina (90.3 WRBK) play this just last week. I give the album version a 2/5. The tv version 4/5. No one should have to listen to this song more than one minute.
I would say 3/5. It's certainly a catchy classic, and it's the first song many think of when the Monkees are mentioned thanks to the tv show. However, it works better as a tv show theme song than a full-fledged song.
I so relate to this. I’ve mentioned this elsewhere, but my wife is a Neil Diamond fanatic, big Carole King fan too, but she still dismisses The Monkees. Hell, she only begrudgingly gives The Beatles their due (Although she likes some of their very best songs) so maybe it’s not so surprising. She doesn’t give me crap for it, but still. Apart from maybe “I’m a Believer” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” because of who wrote them, she refuses to give them any credit. I have played Good Times! in the car though, and even she had to admit it was “pretty good.” Begrudingly, again. Curious if this post will extend to the latter-day albums? I think I will have to step aside for the 80s/90s stuff, but I will return for Good Times! for sure.
Indeed, The Monkees get good play on that channel. As I type this, I just heard (listening On Demand) my man Chris Carter play “Stepping Stone” on his British Invasion show. Despite being 3/4 American, he plays The Monkees on there pretty regularly. Last week’s show he played “Can You Dig It” and later a song from Davy’s 1965 Colpix solo album. I’ve also heard “You and I” twice, “Clarksville,” “Words,” “For Pete’s Sake,” and “Do I Have To Do This All Over Again?” all on his show just this year alone. Chris also likes to throw in sound clips from HEAD on his shows. “Supernatural baloney,” “Nobody ever lends money to a man with a sense of humor,” and several more.
Yep. Sometimes, he just plays them just because. No particular theme. This weekend’s show was all songs released as singles (70th anniversary of the 45 RPM). He referred to “Stepping Stone” as one side of one his favorite singles of all time. Love that he doesn’t hide his love for the Pre-Fabs. Of course, when Peter passed he devoted several songs to him in tribute. Same on his Breakfast With The Beatles show.
It has worked well for some other bands. Obviously people are free to go back and rate songs if they miss them though. If there is the interest, I will do the entire catalogue. I thought it was interesting that in Davy's audio commentary for the Daydream Believers DVD he blamed Peter for this and said Peter hated it so much that he refused to play it. But when Micky and Davy went out as a duo they didn't play it either!
Very interesting indeed. Also interesting is that Davy did a commentary for Daydream Believers. I had no idea!
