Headquarters (The Monkees album)

For the 2012 album by Monkey House, see Headquarters (Monkey House album).

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Headquarters is the third album issued by the Monkees and the first with substantial songwriting and instrumental performances by members of the group itself, rather than by session musicians and professional songwriters. After a struggle for creative autonomy with their record label, the group had been allowed to record by themselves. Headquarters reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified double platinum in the United States with sales of more than two million copies within the first two months of release. It peaked at #2 on the UK charts. It is included in the 2006 book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Early history and concept

Further information: A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You

While the original concept of their third album was to follow the same format and production of the first two albums, after the release of More of the Monkees the group was becoming increasingly frustrated by the limited creative input they were allowed by Don Kirshner, and continued to fight for more creative control and independence from him. Kirshner had already begun supervising recording sessions with studio musicians for their third album, with Davy Jones recording vocal tracks for some of the songs, while the group recorded two songs featuring them both singing and playing ("All of Your Toys" and "The Girl I Knew Somewhere"), for their next single. The hope was to pacify the group, particularly Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork, by gaining some of the input they were asking for, even though the track would feature as the b-side, with the a-side featuring one of the aforementioned Jones-vocal tracks. Tensions came to a head when Kirshner released the third single (in Canada), with Jones tracks on both sides ("A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" and an early version of "She Hangs Out"), completely ignoring the group's request, and without the approval of record executives. This was the last straw and it led to Kirshner's dismissal from the Monkees project and the group was finally given full creative control of their next album. The single was withdrawn from Canada and pulled from scheduled release in the US. Since "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" was already announced as the next single, it was retained as the a-side and "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" as the b-side (a publishing error prevented "All of Your Toys" from being used), replacing "She Hangs Out". The remaining Kirshner-supervised tracks that had already been finished were discarded so that the group could finally produce an album where they would decide the songs, the arrangements, etc. More importantly, they would provide all the vocals and instrumentals, using sessions musicians only as an addition to their own.

Release

The album was released on May 22, 1967 and charted at the No. 1 in the U.S. It stayed at that position for only one week, and was then replaced by The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It then began a run of 11 consecutive weeks at the No. 2 position as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band remained at No. 1.

The album was issued on the compact disc format for the first time by Arista Records in 1989, remixed from the multi-tracks, then later from the original stereo mastertape in 1995 with several bonus tracks on Rhino Entertainment. In 2000, Rhino Entertainment, through its Rhino Handmade division, issued The Headquarters Sessions, a 3-disc box set of outtakes from the session as well as the album's original monophonic mix presented in an alternate running order that was rejected before release.

In 2007, Rhino issued a two-disc deluxe edition of the album. The CD set was housed in a digipak with a slipcase and featured original album artwork (including replicas of the original Colgems vinyl labels on each disc), as well as a booklet of essays and session information by Monkees historian Andrew Sandoval. The discs contained both the stereo and mono mixes of the album, remastered, as well as alternate mixes and outtakes.

Album cover

The original rear album cover features a collage of photos including one of the band with producer Chip Douglas and engineer Dick Bogert. However the photo was mislabeled: it identifies Hank Cicalo as sitting next to Chip Douglas. This is known as the "Producers Cover". Colgems/RCA corrected the error by substituting a different photo rather than revising the caption. Peter, Micky and Mike were sporting light beards while Davy's shoulder-length hair had been cut off; this has come to be known as the "Beard Cover". This is the corrected version because it was standard practice for RCA to add an "RE" to the catalog number when any one side of a record sleeve had a revision. The "Beard Cover" has a catalog number of COS/COM-103 RE.

Track listing

Original 1967 Colgems vinyl issue

Side 1

No.	Title	Lead vocals	Length
1.	"You Told Me" (Michael Nesmith)	Michael Nesmith	2:25
2.	"I'll Spend My Life with You" (Tommy Boyce / Bobby Hart)	Micky Dolenz	2:26
3.	"Forget That Girl" (Douglas Farthing Hatlelid)	Davy Jones	2:25
4.	"Band 6" (Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork)	instrumental	0:41
5.	"You Just May Be the One" (Michael Nesmith)	Michael Nesmith	2:03
6.	"Shades of Gray" (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil)	Davy Jones, Peter Tork	3:22
7.	"I Can't Get Her Off My Mind" (Boyce / Hart)	Davy Jones	2:27

Side 2

No.	Title	Lead vocals	Length
1.	"For Pete's Sake" (Peter Tork, Joey Richards)	Micky Dolenz	2:11
2.	"Mr. Webster" (Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart)	Micky Dolenz	2:05
3.	"Sunny Girlfriend" (Michael Nesmith)	Michael Nesmith	2:33
4.	"Zilch" (Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork)	Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork	1:06
5.	"No Time" (Hank Cicalo)	Micky Dolenz	2:08
6.	"Early Morning Blues and Greens" (Diane Hildebrand, Jack Keller)	Davy Jones	2:35
7.	"Randy Scouse Git" (Micky Dolenz)	Micky Dolenz	2:40

Aborted track listing

The album's preliminary track lineup was compiled shortly after the sessions had ended. It would have included the following songs:

Side 1

1. "For Pete's Sake"
2. "I'll Spend My Life With You"
3. "Forget That Girl"
4. "You Just May Be The One"
5. "Shades Of Gray"
6. "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You"
7. "Band 6"

Side 2

1. "Sunny Girlfriend"
2. "Mr. Webster"
3. "You Told Me"
4. "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" (second version)
5. "Zilch"
6. "Early Morning Blues And Greens"
7. "Randy Scouse Git"

1995 Rhino CD reissue

Tracks 1-14: Original album in stereo

15. "All of Your Toys" (Early Mono Mix) (Bill Martin) - 3:02
16. "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" (Second Recorded Version + Mono Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:38
17. "Peter Gunn's Gun" (Jam Session) (Henry Mancini) - 3:38
18. "Jericho" (Studio Dialogue + Mono) (Traditional, arr. Tork) - 2:02
19. "Nine Times Blue" (Demo Version + Mono) (Nesmith) - 2:07
20. "Pillow Time" (Demo Version + Mono) (Janelle Scott/Matt Willis) - 4:00

1996 Sundazed vinyl reissue

Bonus track at the end of Side 1: "All of Your Toys" (Early Mono Mix) (Martin)
Bonus track at the end of Side 2: "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" (Second Recorded Version + Mono Mix) (Nesmith)

2007 Rhino deluxe CD reissue

Disc 1

Tracks 1-14: Original Album in Stereo

15. "All of Your Toys" (Stereo Remix) (Martin) - 3:10
16. "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" (Second Recorded Version, Stereo Remix) (Nesmith) - 2:52
17. "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" (Stereo Remix) (Neil Diamond) - 3:02
18. "She Hangs Out" (Stereo Remix) (Jeff Barry) - 2:45
19. "Love to Love" (Stereo Remix) (Diamond) - 2:36
20. "You Can't Tie a Mustang Down" (Stereo Remix) (Barry) - 2:58
21. "If I Learned to Play the Violin" (Stereo Remix) (Joey Levine, Artie Resnick) - 2:47
22. "99 Pounds" (Stereo Remix) (Barry) - 2:29
23. "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" (Single Version, Stereo Remix) (Nesmith) - 3:02
24. "Randy Scouse Git" (Alternate Version) (Dolenz) - 2:30
25. "Tema Dei Monkees" (Stereo Remix) (Boyce, Hart) - 0:59

Disc 2

Tracks 1-14: Original Album in Mono

15. "All of Your Toys" (Early Mono Mix) (Martin) - 3:03
16. "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" (Second Recorded Version, Alternate Mono Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:38
17. "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" (Mono Single Remix) (Diamond) - 2:48
18. "She Hangs Out" (Mono Single Mix) (Barry, Ellie Greenwich) - 2:36
19. "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" (Mono Single Mix) (Nesmith) - 2:39
20. "Nine Times Blue" (Demo Version) (Nesmith) - 2:08
21. "She'll Be There" (Acoustic Duet) (Sharon Sheeley) - 2:33
22. "Midnight Train" (Demo Version) (Dolenz) - 2:28
23. "Peter Gunn's Gun" (Jam Session) (Mancini) - 3:41
24. "Jericho" (Studio Dialogue) (Traditional, Arr. Tork) - 2:02
25. "Pillow Time" (Demo Version) (Janelle Scott, Matt Willis) - 7:22

Session information

During the early months of 1967, the four Monkees sequestered themselves in the RCA Victor Music Center of the World Studios, on Sunset Boulevard near Vine Street in Hollywood. Many of the songs were written by the four group members, or came together organically in jam sessions. A few of the songs were also written by songwriters Boyce and Hart. Michael Nesmith recruited fellow folk musician Chip Douglas, a member of The Modern Folk Quartet and The Turtles, to produce the album. Douglas, credited under his birth name, Douglas Farthing Hatlelid, also contributed bass guitar and a song.

"You Told Me"

• Written by Michael Nesmith
• Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
• Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork
• Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Bass: Chip Douglas
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• Banjo: Peter Tork
• Tambourine: Davy Jones
• Zither: Micky Dolenz
• The opening parodies the Beatles' "Taxman," from their album Revolver. The two songs also have similar basslines, though this appears unintentional.
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, March 3 (7:30 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.) and 9, 1967 (12:30 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.)

"I'll Spend My Life with You"

• Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
• Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
• Harmony vocals: Peter Tork
• Electric 6-String Guitar: Micky Dolenz
• Acoustic 12-String Guitar: Peter Tork
• Steel Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Bass: Chip Douglas
• Tambourine: Davy Jones
• Organ: Peter Tork
• Celeste: Peter Tork
• A remake by the band; the earlier version was recorded during the sessions for More of the Monkees which featured studio musicians
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, March 4 (12:00 P.M. - 1:00 A.M.), 9 (12:30 P.M. - 1:00 A.M.), 10, 11 (12:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.) and 18, 1967 (12:30 P.M. - 2:30 A.M.)

"Forget That Girl"

• Written by Douglas Farthing Hatlelid (aka Chip Douglas)
• Lead vocal by Davy Jones
• Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Chip Douglas
• Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Bass: Chip Douglas
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• Maracas: Davy Jones
• Electric Piano: Peter Tork
• Acoustic Guitar: Unknown
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, March 7 (12:30 P.M. - 2:00 A.M.) and 8, 1967 (12:30 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.)

"Band 6"

• Written by Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork
• Spoken words by Micky Dolenz and Chip Douglas
• Electric Guitar: Peter Tork
• Steel Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• A studio exercise, based on the Looney Tunes theme
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, March 2, 1967 (7:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.)

"You Just May Be the One"

• Written by Michael Nesmith
• Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
• Harmony vocals: Micky Dolenz
• Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Chip Douglas
• Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Acoustic Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Bass: Peter Tork
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• Tambourine: Davy Jones
• A remake by the band; the earlier version which featured session musicians including Glen Campbell was recorded during the sessions for the Monkees' debut album; this earlier version was used several times during Season One of the Monkees' television series. It was eventually featured on Missing Links Volume Two and also subsequent reissues of the first album.
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, March 2, 1967, and March 16 (12:00 - 7:00 PM)

"Shades of Gray"

• Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil
• Lead vocals by Davy Jones and Peter Tork
• Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Peter Tork
• Steel Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Bass: Jerry Yester
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• Tambourine: Davy Jones
• Piano: Peter Tork
• Maracas: Davy Jones
• Cello: Frederick Seykora
• French Horn: Vincent DeRosa
• Some compilations credit songwriting to Gerry Goffin and Carole King, and production to Boyce, Hart and Jack Keller.
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, March 16 (12:00 - 7:00 PM) and 22, 1967

"I Can't Get Her Off My Mind"

• Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
• Lead vocal by Davy Jones
• Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz
• Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Bass: Jerry Yester
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• Percussion: Davy Jones
• Tack Piano: Peter Tork
• A remake by the band; the earlier version was recorded in July 1966 during the sessions for the debut album featuring session musicians
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, March 17 (12:30 - 7:00 PM) and 19, 1967 (2:00 - 11:00 PM)

"For Pete's Sake"

• Written by Joseph Richards and Peter Tork
• Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
• Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Peter Tork
• Electric Guitar: Peter Tork
• Organ: Michael Nesmith
• Bass: Chip Douglas
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• Tambourine: Davy Jones
• An edited mix became the closing theme for the second season of the band's NBC-TV sitcom
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, March 23 and 24, 1967 (1:00 P.M. - 2:30 A.M.)

"Mr. Webster"

• Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
• Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
• Backing vocals: Davy Jones
• Electric 6-string guitar: Micky Dolenz
• Steel Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Bass: John London
• Tambourine: Davy Jones
• Piano: Peter Tork
• A remake by the band; the earlier, slower version with session musicians was recorded during the sessions for More of the Monkees and is featured on Missing Links Volume Two
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, February 24, 1967 (1:00 - 7:30 P.M.)

"Sunny Girlfriend"

• Written by Michael Nesmith
• Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
• Harmony vocals: Micky Dolenz
• Backing vocals: Davy Jones
• Electric 6-String Guitar: Peter Tork
• Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Acoustic Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Bass: John London
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• Shaker: Micky Dolenz
• Mike and Micky recorded the song's vocals on a separate track featuring Mike on guitar and Micky with shaker.
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio A, Hollywood, February 23 (2:00 - 10:00 P.M.) and Studio C, April 18, 1967

"Zilch"

• Written by Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork
• Spoken words by Peter Tork, Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, and Michael Nesmith
• A fugue made up of disparate phrases; the Monkees would sometimes enter public places performing it
• (Peter's) Tork had heard the phrase "last boarding call for Mr. Dobalina, Mr. Bob Dobalina" coming from an airport intercom, (Davy's) "China Clipper..." came from the movie China Clipper, (Micky's) "Never mind the furthermore..." from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma!, and (Mike's) "It is of my opinion..." from a political speech.
• The line "Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self-defense" is also performed on the song "No Time".
• "Zilch" was the 'hidden meaning' of it all; it added up to...nothing. It was simply entertaining nonsense, a fact betrayed by the laughter of Micky and Mike as they break up during the session.
• The Headquarters Sessions compilation features the four spoken tracks separately to reveal everything that was said
• "Zilch" was used in the TV series episode "The Picture Frame" during the police interrogation scene when Mike, Micky, and Davy are commanded by the Sergeant (Dort Clark) to "start talking!" and the boys initially respond with "Zilch"'s lyrics.
• "Zilch" was sampled on "Mistadobalina", a 1991 song by alternative hip hop musician Del Tha Funkee Homosapien.
• The line, "Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defence" features in the They Might Be Giants song "Memo To Human Resources". Zilch itself is occasionally part of the They Might Be Giants live show, and was performed throughout the 2010 tour promoting their children's album, Here Comes Science.
• In the stereo release of the composition, Peter and Micky can be heard through one speaker while Davy and Mike can be heard through the other.
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, March 3, 1967 (7:30 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.)

"No Time"

• Written by the four Monkees (according to Peter, composition was done primarily by Micky and Mike), but as a reward for his hard work on the album, the band decided to credit the song to recording engineer Hank Cicalo, guaranteeing him a large royalty check. The released version of the song was the second version recorded for the album; the first included session help from guitarists Keith Allison and Jerry Yester, but the released version has only Chip Douglas assisting the quartet.
• Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
• Backing vocals: Davy Jones, and Unknown
• Electric Guitar: Michael Nesmith, and Unknown
• Bass: Chip Douglas
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• Tambourine: Davy Jones
• Piano: Peter Tork
• Micky's "Rock on, George, for Ringo one time" refers to The Beatles' version of "Honey Don't."
• The musical style of the song is also very similar to that of The Beatles' version of "Boys."
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, March 17 (12:30 - 7:00 P.M.) and 22, 1967

"Early Morning Blues and Greens"

• Written by Diane Hildebrand and Jack Keller
• Lead vocal by Davy Jones
• Harmony vocals: Peter Tork
• Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Bass: Chip Douglas
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• Jawbone: Davy Jones
• Maracas: Davy Jones
• Electric Piano: Peter Tork
• Organ: Peter Tork
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, March 18 (12:30 P.M. - 2:30 A.M.), and 22, 1967

"Randy Scouse Git"

• Written by Micky Dolenz
• Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
• Backing vocals: Davy Jones, Peter Tork
• Electric Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Bass: Chip Douglas
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• Timpani: Micky Dolenz
• Organ: Peter Tork
• Piano: Peter Tork
• Title is a British slang phrase gleaned by Dolenz from television, likely the UK sitcom Till Death Us Do Part; it roughly translates as "lustful fool from Liverpool" (Wiktionary: randy, Scouse, git) (though in fact, to call someone a "git" in Britain is the equivalent of "jerk" or "prat"). In the series the word was aimed by Alf Garnett at his son-in-law, played by Tony Booth, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's father-in-law.
• To avoid offence in the UK the song was billed as "Alternate Title."
• "The four kings of EMI" is a reference to The Beatles, who were signed to EMI's Parlophone label at the time.
• "Andy, you're a dandy, you don't seem to make no sense" is a reference to Andy Warhol.
• The opening drum riff of "Randy Scouse Git" can be heard in the Season One episode, "Monkees A La Mode," played absentmindedly by Micky on a table.
• During rehearsal and set-up for recording of "Randy Scouse Git" a demo of Mike's instrumental "Cantata & Fugue In C&W" was inserted in the mistaken belief that it was part of Micky's guitar demo of his song.
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio B, Hollywood, March 2 (7:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.), and Studio C, March 4 (12:00 P.M. - 1:00 A.M.) and 8, 1967 (12:30 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.)

Several instrumental jams (available on The Headquarters Sessions) were taped by Chip Douglas which The Monkees apparently intended for inclusion on the album. The group (with bassist John London) jammed an instrumental cover of the song "Memphis Tennessee" in which Peter's guitar grooving (and some of London's bass work and Davy's tambourine) overshoots the ending; after Micky good-naturedly curses out Peter ("Aw, Peter! You had to screw it up!") and bashes his drums for effect, he decides, "We'll cut him off, just cut off the track (for the ending)," to which Mike replies, "No, don't cut off the track, it was groovy until [the ending]." Following this jam the group broke into a ferocious three-minute improvisation (dubbed "Twelve-String Improvisation" on The Headquarters Sessions) led by Mike's take-off of the guitar riff from The Beatles' "Day Tripper" and quickly joined by Peter's riffing, Micky's drums, London's bass and Davy's tambourine. Following the jam Micky is heard laughing and says, "Whoa! I gotta hear this!" and Peter asks Douglas, "Can we hear that back?" while a surprised Mike says, "Oh, they didn't tape that, did they?"

Another instrumental track intended for the album was a rock number, "Masking Tape" (credited to Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil but authorship has also been listed as unknown) which the group recorded with bassist Jerry Yester. One take was recorded: before the take Micky and Chip Douglas run through one of the song's verses. At the end of the performance Micky exclaims, "Whoa! That was it!" but producer Douglas protests, "No, that wasn't it, it slowed down in the middle, but it's getting close." For some reason the song was never finished.

Peter, Mike, Micky and his sister Coco recorded demos early in the sessions. Peter's demo of "Seeger's Theme" was instrumental, while Mike's and the Dolenzes' demos ("Nine Times Blue" and the Buffy Saint Marie composition "Until It's Time for You to Go" by Mike (who had first released it as a single in 1965); "She'll Be There" and "Midnight Train" by Micky and Coco) featured full vocals over acoustic guitar. Mike and the Dolenzes' demos took place in one session, as before Mike's demo of "Until It's Time" Chip Douglas is heard teasing that Mike is demoing under his old pseudonym 'Michael Blessing' to the laughter of Micky and Coco.

Bonus tracks session information

"All of Your Toys" (Early Mono Mix)

• Written by Bill Martin
• Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
• Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork
• Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Bass: John London
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• Tambourine: Davy Jones
• Harpsichord: Peter Tork
• Unused track that was the proposed A-side of the next Monkees single, but song was not controlled by the Monkees' publishing company, Screen Gems; publisher Tickson Music refused to sell the copyright.
• Originally featured on Missing Links in stereo. The track is also included on the Listen to the Band and Music Box sets in slightly different stereo mixes, and Monkeemania (The Very Best of the Monkees) in the same stereo mix presented on Missing Links.
• Recorded at Goldstar Studios, Hollywood January 16 (10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.), and RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, January 19, 23, 24, 1967, and 26 (8:00 - 11:00 P.M.), 28 (2:00 - 6:00 P.M.), 30 (10:00 - 12:00 A.M.), 31 (2:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.), and February 2 (8:00 - 10:00 P.M.)

"The Girl I Knew Somewhere" (Second Recorded Version + Mono Mix)

• Written by Michael Nesmith
• Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
• Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Peter Tork
• Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Acoustic Guitar: Peter Tork
• Bass: John London
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• Tambourine: Davy Jones
• Harpsichord: Peter Tork
• First known recording for the Headquarters album
• Originally recorded with just electric guitar (played by Mike), acoustic guitar (Peter), drums (Micky), bass (John London), and tambourine (Davy), a complex harpsichord piece was added when Peter accidentally played the harpsichord during a rehearsal and the note that came out blended with the song to the enthusiastic satisfaction of Mike.
• Recorded at Goldstar Studios, Hollywood January 16 (10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.), and RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, January 19, 23, 24, 1967, and 26 (8:00 - 11:00 P.M.), 28 (2:00 - 6:00 P.M.), 30 (10:00 - 12:00 A.M.), 31 (2:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.), and February 2 (8:00 - 10:00 P.M.)

"Peter Gunn's Gun" (Jam Session)

• Written by Henry Mancini
• Spoken words by Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith
• Steel Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• Tambourine: Davy Jones
• Piano: Peter Tork
• This was one of numerous studio jams the boys concocted during recording.
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, March 11, 1967 (12:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.)

"Jericho" (Studio Dialogue + Mono)

• Traditional, arranged by Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Chip Douglas
• Lead vocals by Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork
• Vocal by Chip Douglas
• French Horn: Davy Jones
• This was recorded during a break from regular sessions when Davy starts fooling around with a French horn, Peter and Chip make fun of his playing. Micky soon cuts in with a shtick about "Jericho's Wall" after Douglas mentions it and amid the laughter, the conversation spirals into a spontaneous vocal jam by Peter and Micky of the song "Jericho."
• A longer, unedited version appears on the Headquarters Sessions compilation
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, March 10, 1967 (12:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.)

"Nine Times Blue" (Demo Version + Mono)

• Written by Michael Nesmith
• Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
• Acoustic 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Later re-recorded during the sessions for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees and released on Missing Links
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, February, 1967

"She'll Be There" (Acoustic Duet + Mono)

• Written by Sharon Sheeley
• Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
• Harmony vocal: Coco Dolenz (Micky's sister)
• Acoustic Guitar: Micky Dolenz
• Micky and his sister Coco were responsible for the arrangement of the song "She'll Be There". However it was unknown exactly who wrote it at the time, and as a result no official writer's credit was given.
• Originally released on Missing Links Volume Three
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, February, 1967

"Midnight Train" (Demo Version + Mono)

• Written by Micky Dolenz
• Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
• Harmony vocal: Coco Dolenz
• Acoustic Guitar: Micky Dolenz
• Later recut during the sessions for The Monkees Present and released on Changes
• (available on "Headquarters Sessions")
• While Micky Dolenz is officially credited as the writer of the song, several sites and sources claim Chris McCarty, Kenny Lee Lewis and Steve Miller to have co-written the track.
• Originally released on Missing Links Volume Three
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, February, 1967

"Pillow Time" (Studio Dialogue + Mono)

• Written by Janelle Scott (Micky's mother) and Matt Willis
• Spoken words by Micky Dolenz and Hank Cicalo
• Zither: Micky Dolenz
• This was recorded when Micky was helping engineer Hank Cicalo with studio echo effects. Micky also plays on a zither that can be heard on the opening of the original album.
• A longer, unedited version of this session is featured on the Headquarters Sessions compilation.
• Later recorded and released on The Monkees Present
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, March 14, 1967 (12:00 P.M. - ?)

2007 deluxe CD reissue bonus tracks session information

all tracks produced by Chip Douglas unless otherwise specified.

"A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" (Stereo Remix)

• Written by Neil Diamond
• Lead vocal by Davy Jones
• Backing vocals: Neil Diamond, and Unknown
• Guitars: Al Gorgoni, Don Thomas, Hugh McCracken
• Bass: Louis Mauro, James Tyrell
• Drums: Herb Lovelle
• Piano: Stan Free
• Organ: Arthur Butler
• Tambourine: Thomas Cerone
• Produced and Arranged By: Jeff Barry
• Engineered By: Ray Hall
• Recorded at RCA Studio B, New York City, January 21 (11:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.) and 24, and February 4 and 6, 1967

"She Hangs Out" (Single Version + Stereo Remix)

• Written by Jeff Barry
• Lead vocal by Davy Jones
• Backing vocal: Unknown
• Guitars: Al Gorgoni, Don Thomas, Hugh McCracken
• Bass: Louis Mauro, James Tyrell
• Drums: Herb Lovelle
• Piano: Stan Free
• Organ: Arthur Butler
• Tambourine: Thomas Cerone
• Produced and Arranged By: Jeff Barry
• Engineered By: Ray Hall
• The song was written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. However, only Barry received writer's credit
• Later re-recorded and released on Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.
• Recorded at RCA Studio B, New York City, January 21 (11:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.) and 24, and February 4 and 5, 1967

"Love to Love" (Alternate Stereo Remix)

• Written by Neil Diamond
• Lead vocal by Davy Jones
• Guitars: Al Gorgoni, Don Thomas, Hugh McCracken
• Bass: Louis Mauro, James Tyrell
• Drums: Herb Lovelle
• Piano: Stan Free
• Organ: Arthur Butler
• Tambourine: Thomas Cerone
• Produced and Arranged By: Jeff Barry
• Engineered By: Ray Hall
• "Love to Love" is considered to be in an alternate mix, even though as of 2001 it is by far the most commonly used mix to date. The reason the mix is considered as such could be because it is a 1967 song featuring a Davy Jones vocal that was re-recorded in 1969. Or maybe because it had been remixed prior to release.
• A new vocal track was recorded by Jones for The Monkees Present, but left unreleased until Missing Links Volume Three. In 2016, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork contributed new backing vocals to the 1969 version for Good Times!.
• Recorded at RCA Studio B, New York City, January 21 (11:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.) and 24, and February 4 and 5, 1967, and August 5, 1969

"You Can't Tie a Mustang Down" (Stereo Remix)

• Written by Jeff Barry, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
• Lead Vocal: Davy Jones
• Guitars: Al Gorgoni, Don Thomas, Hugh McCracken
• Bass: Louis Mauro, James Tyrell
• Drums: Herb Lovelle
• Piano: Stan Free
• Organ: Arthur Butler
• Tambourine: Thomas Cerone
• Produced and Arranged By: Jeff Barry
• Engineered By: Ray Hall
• Recorded at RCA Studio B, New York City, January 21 (11:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.) and 24, and February 4, 1967

"If I Learned to Play the Violin" (Stereo Remix)

• Written by Joey Levine and Artie Resnick
• Lead vocal by Davy Jones
• Other personnel unknown
• Produced and Arranged By: Jeff Barry
• Engineered By: Ray Hall
• Recorded at RCA Studio B, New York City, January 26 (11:00 A.M. - 6:30 P.M.), and February 4 and 6, 1967

"99 Pounds" (Stereo Remix)

• Written by Jeff Barry
• Lead vocal by Davy Jones
• Backing vocals: Unknown
• Guitars: Al Gorgoni, Don Thomas, Hugh McCracken
• Bass: Louis Mauro, James Tyrell
• Drums: Herb Lovelle
• Piano: Stan Free
• Organ: Arthur Butler
• Tambourine: Thomas Cerone
• Produced and Arranged By: Jeff Barry
• Engineered By: Ray Hall
• Recorded at RCA Studio B, New York City, January 21 (11:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.) and 24, and February 4, 5 and 6, 1967

"The Girl I Knew Somewhere" (Single Version + Stereo Remix)

• Written by Michael Nesmith
• Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
• Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork
• Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Acoustic 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
• Bass: John London
• Drums: Micky Dolenz
• Tambourine: John London
• Harpsichord: Peter Tork
• Recorded at RCA Victor Studio A, Hollywood, February 23, 1967 (2:00 - 10:00 P.M.)

"Tema Dei Monkees" (Stereo Remix)

• Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, with Nistri
• Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
• Harmony vocals by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
• Other personnel unknown
• Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
• In another key than the English version
• Recording info unknown

Personnel

• Michael Nesmith: vocals, 12-string guitar, pedal steel guitar, 6-string guitar, organ
• Davy Jones: vocals, tambourine, jawbone, maracas, etc.
• Micky Dolenz: vocals, drums, 6-string guitar, zither, timpani
• Peter Tork: vocals, keyboards, 12-string guitar, bass guitar, 5-string banjo
• Chip Douglas: bass guitar
• John London: bass guitar on "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" and "All of Your Toys"
• Vincent DeRosa: French Horn on "Shades of Gray"
• Fred Seykora: cello on "Shades of Gray"
• Jerry Yester: additional guitar on "No Time"
• Keith Allison: additional guitar on "No Time"

Charts

Album

Chart (1967)	Peak position
Canadian Albums (RPM)	1
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)	3
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)	29
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)	2
UK Albums (OCC)	2
US Billboard 200	1

Single

Year	Single	Chart	Peak position
1967	"The Girl I Knew Somewhere"	Billboard Hot 100	39

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)	2× Platinum	2,000,000^
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

Bibliography

• The Monkees: The Day-By-Day Story of the 60s TV Pop Sensation by Andrew Sandoval
• 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery, ed (2006).

External links

• Headquarters (Adobe Flash) at Radio3Net (streamed copy where licensed)