Favorite Monkees’ song?
 

I just read that Mike Nesmith died which means that Mickey Dolenz is the only surviving member. The news brought back memories of my youth. What is your favorite Monkees’ song? And do any of the bands in the squares play any of their songs?

I’m more a Metallica kinda guy. Monkees belong in zooies

I was a big Monkee fan as a kid. As I got a little older, it became fashionable to bash the Monkees. The “musically correct” types said they were a joke, they didn’t play their own instruments, yada,yada, but I still liked them.

Hard to pick just one favorite song of theirs, and of course I loved all the hits. (I’m a believer, pleasant valley Sunday, daydream believer, their theme song).

Two that come to mind: You Just May be the One and Sunny Girlfriend. Both written by Mike Nesmith, who was way more talented than he was given credit for.

Fun fact: Mike Nesmith mom invented Liquid Paper

Does anyone remember Micky Dolenz as Circus Boy?

Here's one
 

Something about a Pleasant Valley Sunday. Protest. It was the times.

"I'm Going To Buy Me A Dog"

Every time my parents want a dog I play them this song.

Many, many great songs!

Pleasant Valley Sunday and I'm a Believer were always a favorites of mine...

But Stepping Stone was one of the first songs I learned to play on guitar...

The Monkees were in 1966. Metallica was in the early 80s.

I'm Not Your Steppin Stone

“The Banana Boat Song”

Valerie was a very good song. And yes, Mike's mother supposedly whipped her whiteout invention in a blender in their kitchen. In the end, she was quite wealthy from her Liquid Paper business and Mike was an only child so he ended up with all the proceeds.

Like them or dislike them
 

They were a part of music history. Everyone can make their case.

Remember the name, but too young to remember any songs

Last Train to Clarksville - Wikipedia

I thought of this one first.

This one: YouTube

That makes some of us really feel old!

Metallica? Even the Beatles loved the Monkees! Some quotes follow……

Mike Nesmith asked Lennon:

“Do you think we're a cheap imitation of The Beatles, your movies and your records?

Lennon, who was a fan of their TV show, replied:

“I think you're the greatest comic talents since the Marx Brothers. I've never missed one of your programs”.

In another interview, Lennon was asked about his opinion of The Monkees and he answered:

“They've got their own scene, and I won't send them down for it. You try doing a weekly show and see if you can manage one half as good.”

Harrison, when asked about The Monkees, replied:

“It's obvious what's happening - there's talents there…When they get it all sorted out, they might turn out to be the best!”

Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees got acquainted with Paul McCartney around “Sgt. Pepper's" period:

And became a drinking buddy of Lennon in early 70s, during the “May Pang affair"

Yes, I was three years old but it doesn’t make their music any better

All that history is great but have you ever listened to Metallica? Try it you just might like it but don’t listen on low volume you are wasting your time

I have not only listened to Metallica, our band covered a few of their songs. Gotta keep those head bangers happy.

In early 1967, when I was in seventh grade, living in California, I was assigned to write a Comparison and Contrast essay in English class. I compared and contrasted the Monkees and the Beatles and decided that the Monkees were superior. (I know. I was wrong. However, my parents didn’t let me listen to “jazzy music”, and I had to sneak the family seven transistor radio out of the house and into the forest to listen to the hit parade on Sunday afternoons. This was before Sgt. Pepper came out, and I’d only heard three or four Beatles songs, whereas the Monkees were being played incessantly.)

Even though the Monkees weren’t playing or singing on their first album, it was a good album with lots of great songs on it. I’d say “I’m a Believer” was my favorite. For comparison, the first Doors album came out in January of 1967, when the first season of The Monkees was over, but “Light My Fire” wouldn’t be a huge hit until late summer. The first Grateful Dead album came out in March but didn’t get much airplay. Jefferson Airplane’s first album came out in August of 1966 and went nowhere. Their second album came out in February of 1967, with “Somebody to Love” coming out as a single in April and “White Rabbit” in late summer. The first album by The Mamas and the Papas came out in February of 1966, with the hits “Monday, Monday” and “California Dreamin’”. The eleventh Beach Boy album “Pet Sounds” came out in May of 1966, with “Wouldn’t it Be Nice” and “God Only Knows” and “Sloop John B”, and “Good Vibrations” was recorded but not included on the record. Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass had number one and number two albums come out in 1966. The great Beatles album “Revolver” came out in August of 1966, with “Eleanor Rigby” and “Yellow Submarine”. The Byrds third album came out in 1966, with “Eight Miles High” and “Mr. Spaceman.” Paul Revere and the Raiders had three albums come out that year. The Rolling Stones album “Aftermath” came out in April of 1966, with “Under My Thumb” and “Mother’s Little Helper.”

The first Monkees album came out in October of 1966 and was the number one album in the US for thirteen weeks. The song “Last Train to Clarksville” was a number one hit. Mickey Dolenz and Davy Jones did all the lead vocals, except for Nesmith on one song. Nesmith wrote two of the songs. Peter Tork played guitar or bass on a couple songs. Most of the songs were written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, and their band did most of the playing. Their biggest success was with songs for The Monkees.

So 1966 was a great year for music. The Monkees may have been actors who learned to be musicians, but they did pretty well, eventually.

Ah yes. Bubble gum rock! Light, upbeat and fun to listen to, but not very substantive.

"I'm a Believer" was my Monkee favorite, followed by "Valerie". I really don't remember many of their other songs.

I’m surprised that there are people who actually have a favorite Monkees song. RIP Mike I’m sorry I didn’t know you .

Ohiobuckeye
 

Unfortunately “The Monkeys” weren’t popular in my generation. All I can say is sorry he passed away but it’s going to happen to all of us sooner or later!

Daydream Believer.

Also Last train to Clarksville

Yes
 

Yes. You're not alone.

Daydream Believer

They were more than a one hit wonder. In 1967, they had four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 in a calendar year. To this date, no other artist or group - including Elvis, Michael Jackson, the Beatles, or the Stones has ever done that.

The Monkeys on Saturday morning TV. They were the first band I listened to followed quickly by Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons. Only memorable songs for me were Last Train to Clarksville, I'm a Believer, Pleasant Valley Sunday and Daydream Believer. There theme song was probable sung just as much as any of them.

Last Train to Clarksville!

I Wanna Be Free and Stepping Stone

While they didn't play, Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork were accomplished musicians...

They most certainly DID sing...

The Monkees (album - Wikipedia)

Nice

In reply to my quote about monkees favorite songs ( didn’t know people had any)
 

Taking into account the publics regrettable lack of good taste it is incumbent on me to not fit in ( Janeane Garofalo)

All of the Beatles, especially Lennon were fans. Especially of their TV show. Lennon stated they were the greatest comedy team since the Marx Brothers...

Nesmith appeared in the "A day in the Life" promotional video and Paul and Dolenz were friends...

They often showed up at each other's recording sessions...

I didn’t like the 3 stooges or the Marx brothers either , after the age of 10 I didn’t like anything silly

That's a shame...

I remember watching all of The Monkees reruns on t.v. and listening to their songs. I had a crush on Davy Jones. I'm a Believer was my favorite Monkees tune.

Beyond childhood I don't recall ever going out of my way to play or listen to their music but when I do hear one of their songs now it brings back fond memories. How could anyone not like The Monkees?

Marx Brothers were incredible comedians. Best movies ever.