I'm a Believer: Difference between revisions
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{{short description| |
{{short description|1966 single by the Monkees}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2019}} |
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{{Infobox song |
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| name = I'm a Believer |
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| artist = [[Neil Diamond]] |
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| type = Simple |
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| album = [[Just for You (Neil Diamond album)]] |
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| published = August 1967 |
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⚫ | |||
| length = 2:43 |
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| label = [[Bang Records]] |
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| writer = [[Neil Diamond]] |
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| producer = [[Jeff Barry]] <br/> [[Ellie Greenwich]] |
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}} |
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'''I'm a Believer '' 'is a song written by [[Neil Diamond]], which rose to popularity on the 1966 version of [[The Monkees]]. |
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== History == |
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[[Neil Diamond]], author of the song, recorded the song first, before the [[The Monkees]] version, although it did not achieve the same success. Diamond eventually plays her at his concerts. The original version of the song, produced by [[Jeff Barry]] and [[Ellie Greenwich]] for the [[Bang Records]] label, <ref> {{website quote | title = Neil Diamond - I'm A Believer (Vinyl, LP) on Discogs | url = https: //www.discogs.com/Neil-Diamond-Im-A-Believer/release/1536160 | editorial = discogs.com}} </ref> was featured on the 1967 album '' Solo para ti '. |
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For the recording, the session guitarist [[Al Gorgoni]], who would also participate in the recordings of "[[The Sound of Silence]]" by [[Simon & Garfunkel]], "[[Brown Eyed Girl]]" by [[Van Morrison]] and "[[Cherry, Cherry]]" by Diamond. Also contributing were Sal Ditroia on guitar, [[Carol Kaye]] on bass, [[Artie Butler]] on a [[Vox Continental]] organ, [[Jeff Barry]] on piano and [[Buddy Saltzman]] on drums. |
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{{Infobox song |
{{Infobox song |
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| name = I'm a Believer |
| name = I'm a Believer |
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| released = November 12, 1966 |
| released = November 12, 1966 |
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| recorded = October 15 & 23, 1966<br>[[New York City|New York City, NY]] |
| recorded = October 15 & 23, 1966<br>[[New York City|New York City, NY]] |
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| studio = |
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| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bush|first=John|title=The Monkees – I'm a Believer|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/im-a-believer-mt0031497706|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-17|website=[[AllMusic]]|quote=The best of the '60s good-time pop songs and one of the most infectious singles ever recorded}}</ref> |
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| venue = |
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⚫ | |||
| length = 2:47 |
| length = 2:47 |
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| label = [[Colgems Records|Colgems]] #1002 |
| label = [[Colgems Records|Colgems]] #1002 |
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The song appeared in four consecutive episodes of ''[[The Monkees (TV series)|The Monkees]]'' TV show in December 1966. |
The song appeared in four consecutive episodes of ''[[The Monkees (TV series)|The Monkees]]'' TV show in December 1966. |
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== |
==History== |
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The Monkees' recording kept the novelty hit "[[Snoopy vs. the Red Baron (song)|Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron]]", by [[the Royal Guardsmen]], out of the No. 1 spot; it stayed at No. 2 for four weeks. |
The Monkees' recording kept the novelty hit "[[Snoopy vs. the Red Baron (song)|Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron]]", by [[the Royal Guardsmen]], out of the No. 1 spot; it stayed at No. 2 for four weeks. |
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Diamond also suggested the song to [[The Fifth Estate (band)|the Fifth Estate]], who recorded it as a 1967 album cut to follow up their hit "[[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead]]". |
Diamond also suggested the song to [[The Fifth Estate (band)|the Fifth Estate]], who recorded it as a 1967 album cut to follow up their hit "[[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead]]". |
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Diamond recorded his own version of the song in 1967, which appears on his second album ''[[Just for You (Neil Diamond album)|Just for You]]''. |
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A revised recording by Diamond, featuring additional lyrics, appears on his 1979 album ''[[September Morn (album)|September Morn]]''. Diamond also performed it in a duet with [[Linda Ronstadt]] as part of a medley of his songs on an episode of ''[[The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour]]'' in 1970. |
A revised recording by Diamond, featuring additional lyrics, appears on his 1979 album ''[[September Morn (album)|September Morn]]''. Diamond also performed it in a duet with [[Linda Ronstadt]] as part of a medley of his songs on an episode of ''[[The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour]]'' in 1970. |
Revision as of 07:19, 19 May 2021
"I'm a Believer" | ||||
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![]() US single cover | ||||
Single by The Monkees | ||||
from the album More of the Monkees | ||||
B-side | "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" | |||
Released | November 12, 1966 | |||
Recorded | October 15 & 23, 1966 New York City, NY | |||
Genre | Pop rock | |||
Length | 2:47 | |||
Label | Colgems #1002 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Neil Diamond | |||
Producer(s) | Jeff Barry | |||
The Monkees singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"I'm a Believer" on YouTube |
"I'm a Believer" is a song composed by Neil Diamond and recorded by The Monkees in 1966 with the lead vocals by Micky Dolenz. The single, produced by Jeff Barry, hit the number-one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week ending December 31, 1966, and remained there for seven weeks,[1] becoming the last No. 1 hit of 1966 and the biggest-selling record for all of 1967. Billboard ranked the record as the No. 5 song for 1967.[2] Because of 1,051,280 advance orders, it went gold within two days of release. It is one of the fewer than forty all-time singles to have sold more than 10 million physical copies worldwide. While originally published by Screen Gems-Columbia Music (BMI), it is now published by Stonebridge Music/EMI Foray Music (SESAC), with administration passed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Universal Music Publishing Group.
The song was No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in January and February 1967 and reached the top spot in numerous countries, including Australia, New Zealand,[3] Canada, and Ireland.[4]
Billboard described the song as "an easy-go dance mover" that "will hit with immediate impact."[5]
The song appeared in four consecutive episodes of The Monkees TV show in December 1966.
History
The Monkees' recording kept the novelty hit "Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron", by the Royal Guardsmen, out of the No. 1 spot; it stayed at No. 2 for four weeks.
Diamond also suggested the song to the Fifth Estate, who recorded it as a 1967 album cut to follow up their hit "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead".
Diamond recorded his own version of the song in 1967, which appears on his second album Just for You.
A revised recording by Diamond, featuring additional lyrics, appears on his 1979 album September Morn. Diamond also performed it in a duet with Linda Ronstadt as part of a medley of his songs on an episode of The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour in 1970.
Charts
- Neil Diamond
Chart (1971) | Peak position |
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Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[6] | 21 |
Canada RPM Top Singles[7] | 61 |
Germany | 23 |
Netherlands | 29 |
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[8] | 51 |
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | 31 |
U.S. Cash Box Top 100 | 52 |
Recording
Session guitarist Al Gorgoni (who played on "The Sound of Silence" and later on "Brown Eyed Girl") had worked on Diamond's "Cherry, Cherry" and also contributed to "I'm a Believer". Other personnel on the record include Sal DiTroia on rhythm guitar, Neil Diamond on acoustic guitar, Russ Savakus on bass, George Butcher on piano, Stan Free on Vox Continental organ, George Devens on tambourine, and Buddy Saltzman on drums.[9]
The song is listed at No. 48 on Billboard's All Time Top 100.[1]
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
All-time charts
Certifications
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Later uses
The song was originally used in the home video version of the Coen brothers' 1984 film Blood Simple, but after licensing issues were settled, was replaced in the 2001 director's cut of the film by the song used in the theatrical version: Four Tops' "It's the Same Old Song".[24] It was also used in the South Park episode "Chickenpox".
When Marvin Andrews scored for Rangers, or won the Man of the Match at Ibrox Stadium, the song was played.
Smash Mouth version
"I'm a Believer" | ||||
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![]() | ||||
Single by Smash Mouth | ||||
from the album Smash Mouth | ||||
Released | August 14, 2001 | |||
Recorded | 2000 | |||
Length | 3:02 | |||
Label | Interscope | |||
Songwriter(s) | Neil Diamond | |||
Producer(s) | Eric Valentine | |||
Smash Mouth singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"I'm a Believer" on YouTube |
American pop rock band Smash Mouth covered the song in 2001 as part of the soundtrack to the movie Shrek, along with "All Star". The band also released the song on its self-titled album. Eddie Murphy, portraying the character Donkey, also performed a rendition of the song in the film. The song was chosen for its opening line, "I thought love was only true in fairy tales", which matched the fairy tale theme of the film. Subsequently, the song was played as exit music for the Broadway musical adaptation of the film, for comic effect. (Weezer also had a version of the song at the end of Shrek's 2010 sequel Shrek Forever After, which was inserted into the musical's finale a year into its run.) The Smash Mouth version hit No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 20 in New Zealand and Spain. In Australia, the cover reached No. 9 on the ARIA Singles Chart, received a Platinum certification for sales exceeding 70,000, and came in at number 36 on ARIA's year-end chart for 2001.
Music video
The music video for Smash Mouth's version was directed by Scott Marshall. It at first depicts the band performing in a tent; then, the scene switches to them walking out of a movie theater, complete with cardboard advertisements of Shrek and the characters. Then, lead vocalist Steve Harwell bumps into a blond-haired girl by accident and then tries to catch up with her. However, a man with blond hair comes up as Harwell freaks out and screams. Afterwards, the girl walks into a "fairy tale convention" at a hotel. Harwell continues to follow the girl into the hotel. Once in the hotel, Harwell tries to find the girl by looking through different rooms. However, there are short clips from Shrek each time he opens the door. Finally, he tries one more door and thinks it is the girl. However, it is a blond-haired chimpanzee, who dances with a girl dressed as a banana. With no luck, Harwell walks out of the hotel, but the girl speeds off in her red convertible. Hoping to catch up, he sneakily takes a red jacket and borrows a silver Lexus car driven by a costumed gingerbread man who is injured on crutches. Then, Harwell winks at the camera as the chase begins. While driving, he throws the jacket up and into the street. He then stops at a party where the girl is and goes into a tent. However, he sees multiple blond-haired girls with the same red shirt on, all dancing. By the time he catches up to her, the girl goes on a boat. Harwell asks a boat captain for assistance to win the girl. The band then performs on the boat during a heavy storm. Meanwhile, Harwell and the captain are on the lookout of the girl. He finally catches her on a dock and says that she forgot her keys. Just as he is about to leave, the girl recognizes him as Steve from Smash Mouth and asks for his number. However, Harwell declines and says he has to go. Finally, the girl then chases him and yells, "Wait! Please! I love you!"
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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Other versions
An Italian version by Caterina Caselli "Sono Bugiarda" was a hit in Italy in 1967.
Robert Wyatt had a Top 30 hit in the UK in September–October 1974 (it reached No. 29 on the UK charts) with a version of "I'm a Believer" that features Fred Frith on violin, Andy Summers (later of the Police) on guitar, and drums by Nick Mason of Pink Floyd, who also produced the recording. It was Wyatt's first single after the June 1973 accident that left him a paraplegic.
A Finnish version by Muska "Nyt mä uskon taas" was released in 1993.
In 1995, British comedians Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer teamed up with the band EMF for a version that reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 17 on the Irish Singles Chart.[39][40]
In 2010, Weezer covered the song for the soundtrack to Shrek Forever After.[41][42]
In 2019, the official trailer for Jojo Rabbit featured the German version of the song by Jack White, "Mit All Deiner Liebe".
References
- ^ a b "The Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
- ^ Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1967
- ^ a b Flavour of New Zealand, 23 March 1967
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 200. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. December 3, 1966. p. 18. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. August 14, 1971. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. August 14, 1971. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
- ^ 'More of the Monkees' deluxe reissue, Rhino Records 2017, booklet, Pages 17 and 20, containing personnel as listed by Monkees historian Andrew Sandoval, sourced directly from official Musicians' Union records
- ^ "Go-Set Magazine Charts". poparchives.com.au. Barry McKay. January 2007. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. January 2, 1967. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I’m A Believer". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
- ^ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (M)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
- ^ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, February 2, 1967
- ^ "Go-Set Magazine Charts". poparchives.com.au. Barry McKay. January 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles of 1967". Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1967". Retrieved September 2, 2018.
- ^ Musicoutfitters.com
- ^ "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 23, 1967". Archived from the original on September 30, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
- ^ "British single certifications – Monkees – I'm a Believer". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 1, 2019. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type I'm a Believer in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "American single certifications – The Monkees – I'm a Believer". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
- ^ Beckett, David (March 27, 2013). "Blood Simple - Director's Cut (2013) DVD". Film 365.
- ^ "Smash Mouth – I'm a Believer". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Smash Mouth – I'm a Believer" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ "Smash Mouth – I'm a Believer" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Smash Mouth". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ "Smash Mouth – I'm a Believer". Top Digital Download. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ "Smash Mouth – I'm a Believer" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Smash Mouth – I'm a Believer". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Smash Mouth – I'm a Believer" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ "Smash Mouth Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ^ "Smash Mouth Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- ^ "Smash Mouth Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
- ^ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2001". ARIA. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 02 July 1995 - 08 July 1995". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – EMF". Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ https://open.spotify.com/track/4YS2mOty0YOc7U0jrB3ByL?si=qgWjoM8CTfC5fnHVos4hiA
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv8728PGMpo
External links
- 1966 singles
- 1967 singles
- 1995 singles
- 2001 singles
- Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
- Cashbox number-one singles
- UK Singles Chart number-one singles
- Number-one singles in Germany
- Number-one singles in Norway
- Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
- Number-one singles in South Africa
- Neil Diamond songs
- Robert Wyatt songs
- Eddie Murphy songs
- Smash Mouth songs
- Songs written by Neil Diamond
- The Monkees songs
- RPM Top Singles number-one singles
- Song recordings produced by Eric Valentine
- 1966 songs
- Interscope Records singles
- EMF (band) songs
- Weezer songs
- Songs composed in G major