Daydream Believer

"Daydream Believer" is a song composed by John Stewart shortly before he left the Kingston Trio. The song was originally recorded by The Monkees, with Davy Jones singing lead vocals. The single hit the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1967, remaining there for four weeks, and peaked at number five in the UK Singles Chart. It was the Monkees' last number one hit in the U.S. In 1979, the song was also recorded by Anne Murray, whose version reached number three on the U.S. country singles chart and number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Monkees version

"Daydream Believer"
Single by The Monkees
from the album The Birds, The Bees & the Monkees
B-side	"Goin' Down" (non-LP track)
Released	October 30, 1967
Format	7"
Recorded	June 14, 1967 and August 9, 1967
Genre	Pop rock
Length	3:07
Label	Colgems
Writer(s)	John Stewart
Producer	The Monkees Chip Douglas
The Monkees singles chronology
"Pleasant Valley Sunday" (1967) "Daydream Believer" (1967) "Valleri" (1968)

Producer Chip Douglas introduced the Monkees to the song. It was recorded during the sessions for their 1967 album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. but was ultimately included on their 1968 album The Birds, The Bees & the Monkees (it proved to be band member Peter Tork's only appearance on the album). All four Monkees appear on the track, with Michael Nesmith on lead guitar, Peter Tork on piano (he also came up with the arrangement), and Micky Dolenz on backing vocals. Davy Jones wasn't sure of the song's potential at first, and admitted later that he'd recorded the vocal with a hint of annoyance at the ongoing takes. His feelings changed when the song became a hit.

John Stewart's original lyrics in the second stanza were: "You once thought of me as a white knight on a steed, Now you know how funky I can be". When the Monkees recorded the song, "funky" was changed to "happy."

The song is also known for its humorous opening:

Chip Douglas: "7A." (referring to the take of the song)

Davy Jones: "What number is this, Chip?"

Chip Douglas and others in unison (slowly, annoyed): "7A!"

Davy Jones: "Okay. Know what I mean, like don't get excited, man. It's 'cause I'm short, I know."

In 1986, three of the four Monkees (Dolenz, Jones, and Tork) mounted a successful reunion tour and had a major hit with the newly recorded "That Was Then, This Is Now." Arista Records, which owned the Monkees' masters at the time, re-released "Daydream Believer" as a follow-up single, re-mixed with a heavier drum track by Michael Lloyd who had produced "That Was Then, This Was Now". The re-released single was a minor hit the second time out, garnering some brief airplay on Top 40 radio stations of the day.

Chart positions

Chart (1967)	Peak position
Austrian Singles Chart	7
Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders)	8
Irish Singles Chart	1
Japanese Oricon Singles Chart	4
Norwegian VG-lista Singles Chart	2
Swiss Singles Chart	10
UK Singles Chart	5
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	1
Chart (1986)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	79

Preceded by "Incense and Peppermints" by Strawberry Alarm Clock

Billboard Hot 100 number one single December 2–23, 1967

Succeeded by "Hello, Goodbye" by The Beatles

Anne Murray version

"Daydream Believer"
Single by Anne Murray
from the album I'll Always Love You
Released	December 1979
Format	7"
Recorded	1979
Genre	Country pop
Length	2:26
Label	Capitol
Producer	Jim Ed Norman
Anne Murray singles chronology
"Broken Hearted Me" (1979) "Daydream Believer" (1980) "Lucky Me" (1980)

Anne Murray included it on her 1979 album, I'll Always Love You. The following year her single peaked at number one on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart, and number twelve on the pop chart. In addition the Anne Murray version peaked at number three on the country chart. She re-released the song as a duet with Nelly Furtado on her 2008 album, Anne Murray Duets: Friends and Legends.

Chart positions

Chart (1980)	Peak position
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	1
Canadian RPM Top Singles	17
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary	1
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles	3
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	12
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	1

Preceded by "Give It All You Got" by Chuck Mangione	Billboard Adult Contemporary (chart) number-one single March 1, 1980	Succeeded by "Give It All You Got" by Chuck Mangione
Preceded by "Years" by Barbara Mandrell	RPM Country Tracks number-one single March 22, 1980	Succeeded by "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" by Willie Nelson

See also

• List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1967 (U.S.)
• List of number-one singles of 1968 (Ireland)
• List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1980 (U.S.)

External links

• Monkees Song Lyrics: Daydream Believer
• Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics