While the 1960s was a flourishing time for music both in America and abroad with the British Invasion, The Monkees still managed to carve a lane all their own.
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Introduced to audiences via The Monkees TV series on NBC, the four-piece band comprised of Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Davy Jones and Peter Tork originally starred on the show as a fictional rock band trying to find their big break. They then became a real band with multiple hit singles, albums and concert tours throughout the decades since the show debuted in 1966.
Check out five of The Monkees’ best songs below.
1. “I’m a Believer”
The Monkees have Neil Diamond to thank for one of their biggest hits. Released in 1966, “I’m a Believer” was featured in several episodes of The Monkees TV series.
Written solely by Diamond, “I’m a Believer” is a classic rock love song that features such well-crafted lyrics as Love was out to get me/That’s the way it seemed/Disappointment haunted all my dreams. The lyrics are convincingly delivered by Dolenz. The Monkees turned it into a hit across the board, reaching No. 1 around the world including the Billboard Hot 100.
2. “Daydream Believer”
One of The Monkees’ signature hits is “Daydream Believer,” and for good reason. The song evokes a warm, welcoming feeling from the familiar opening notes that lead into the famous chorus sung by Jones: Cheer up, sleepy Jean/Oh, what can it mean/To a daydream believer/And a homecoming queen? The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967, serving as one of The Monkees’ best.
3. “Pleasant Valley Sunday”
Like “Daydream Believer,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday” offers a comforting feeling. Co-written by the iconic songwriting duo of Carole King and Gerry Goffin, “Sunday” features a welcoming guitar intro by Nesmith that ushers in Dolenz’s gentle voice.
King took the lead on writing the lyrics that offer a perspective on the mundane nature of suburban life inspired by her own feelings after she and Goffin moved to the suburb of West Orange, New Jersey. The catchy tune was a hit with fans, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
4. “Last Train to Clarksville”
“Last Train to Clarksville” is another song synonymous with The Monkees’ name. Though the bluesy rock song offers a catchy melody, songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart also snuck in veiled references to war, as the song was released during the midst of the Vietnam War in 1966. This shines through in such lyrics as, ‘Cause I’m leavin’ in the morning/And I must see you again/We’ll have one more night together/’Til the morning brings my train…And I don’t know if I’m ever comin’ home. “Clarksville” is easily one of the band’s most memorable songs.
5. “Steppin’ Stone”
The Monkees’ brought a little grit into their catalog with “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone.” Originally recorded by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, followed by Paul Revere & the Raiders, The Monkees made a hit out of it with their 1966 cover. With Dolenz on lead vocal, “Steppin’ Stone” proved The Monkees’ place in rock and roll music. The song served as their first B-side to chart, reaching a peak of No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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