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The Monkees (album)

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Allmusic [1]

The Monkees is the first album by the band the Monkees. It was released in October 1966 by Colgems Records in the United States and RCA Records in the rest of the world. It was the first of four consecutive U.S. number one albums for the group, taking the top spot on the Billboard 200 for 13 weeks, after which it was displaced by the band's second album.[2] It also topped the UK charts in 1967. The Monkees has been certified quintuple platinum by the RIAA, with sales of over five million copies.

The song "Last Train to Clarksville" was released as a single shortly before the release of the album and went to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was the only hit single from the album. "I'll Be True to You" was previously released as a single by The Hollies in January 1965 under the title "Yes I Will".

History

Artwork

The photos in the "film strip" on the left side of the back cover are from two episodes of the Monkees' TV show. The first three photos are from "Your Friendly Neighborhood Kidnappers", the other two are from the episode "The Spy Who Came In From The Cool". Also included are brief stats of the Monkees.

Early pressings of the LP cover as well as side 1 of the label featured the misspelled song "Papa Jean's Blues" (Catalog number COM/COS 101). This was soon corrected as "Papa Gene's Blues" (Catalog number COM/COS 101 RE). It was standard practice for RCA to add an "RE" when any one side of a record sleeve had a revision. Open copies of both versions are easy to find. In addition when the album was reissued in 1969 the Colgems symbol replaced the word "Colgems" on the bottom right-hand corner of the reverse side (Catalog number COS 101 RE2). There were no mono copies issued in 1969 as they were phased out altogether in 1968. [3]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, except where indicated.

Original 1966 Colgems vinyl issue

Side 1
  1. "(Theme from) The Monkees" - 2:18
  2. "Saturday's Child" (David Gates) - 2:43
  3. "I Wanna Be Free" - 2:24
  4. "Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another Day" (Boyce, Steve Venet) - 2:39
  5. "Papa Gene's Blues" (Michael Nesmith) - 1:57
  6. "Take a Giant Step" (Gerry Goffin, Carole King) - 2:33
Side 2
  2. "Last Train to Clarksville" - 2:44
  3. "This Just Doesn't Seem to Be My Day" - 2:09
  4. "Let's Dance On" - 2:30
  5. "I'll Be True to You" (Goffin, Russ Titelman) - 2:50
  6. "Sweet Young Thing" (Goffin, King, Nesmith) - 1:56
  7. "Gonna Buy Me a Dog" - 2:41

1994 Rhino CD reissue

Tracks 1-12: Original album in stereo

  2. "I Can't Get Her Off My Mind" (Early version) - 2:55
  3. "I Don't Think You Know Me" (Goffin, King) (Alternate version) - 2:18
  4. "(Theme from) The Monkees" (Early version) - 0:52

1996 Sundazed vinyl reissue

Bonus track at the end of Side 1: "I Can't Get Her Off My Mind" (Prev. unissued early version) - 2:55
Bonus track at the end of Side 2: "I Don't Think You Know Me" (Goffin, King) (Prev. unissued alternate version) - 2:18[4]

2006 Rhino deluxe CD reissue

The following tracks were included on the 2006 deluxe edition of the album. Some were previously unreleased, while others were on the 1994 Rhino reissue or the Missing Links series. Studio chatter is included between some bonus tracks.

Disc One

Tracks 1-12: Original album in stereo

  2. "(Theme from) The Monkees" (Second Recorded Version) - 1:03
  3. "The Kind of Girl I Could Love" (Alternate Mix) (Nesmith, Roger Atkins) - 2:06
  4. "I Don't Think You Know Me" (Micky's Vocal) (Goffin, King) - 2:16
  5. "So Goes Love" (Goffin, King) - 3:31
  6. "Papa Gene's Blues" (Alternate Mix) (Nesmith) - 1:59
  7. "I Can't Get Her Off My Mind" - 3:38
  8. "(I Prithee) Do Not Ask for Love" (Alternate Mix, Davy's Vocal) (Michael Martin Murphey) - 3:11
  9. "Gonna Buy Me a Dog" (Backing Track) - 2:59
  10. Monkees Radio Spot (Previously Unissued) - 0:53
Disc Two

Tracks 1-12: Original album in mono

  2. "Kellogg's Jingle" - 0:20
  3. "All The King's Horses" (Nesmith) - 2:21
  4. "You Just May Be the One" (TV Version) (Nesmith) - 1:59
  5. "I Wanna Be Free" (Fast Version) - 2:46
  6. "I Don't Think You Know Me" (Mike's Vocal) - 2:16
  7. "I Won't Be the Same Without Her" (Mono Mix) (Goffin, King) - 2:41
  8. "Propinquity (I've Just Begun to Care)" (Demo Version) (Nesmith) - 2:27
  9. "(Theme from) The Monkees" (TV Version) - 0:50

Session information

"(Theme From) The Monkees"

  • Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
  • Backing vocals: Tommy Boyce
  • Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, and Louie Shelton
  • Bass: Larry Taylor
  • Drums: Billy Lewis
  • Percussion: Gene Estes
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, July 5, 1966 (2– 7:30 pm)
  • Produced by Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart and Jack Keller

"Saturday's Child"

  • Written by David Gates (later a member of the band Bread)
  • Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
  • Backing vocals: Tommy Boyce
  • Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee and Louis Shelton
  • Bass: Larry Taylor
  • Drums: Billy Lewis
  • Tambourine: Gene Estes
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, July 9, 1966 (2-9 pm)
  • Produced by Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart and Jack Keller

"I Wanna Be Free"

  • Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • Lead vocal by Davy Jones
  • Acoustic guitar: Gerry McGee and Louis Shelton
  • Harpsichord: Michael Rubini
  • Violin: Bonnie Douglas and Paul Shure
  • Viola: Myra Kestenbuam
  • Cello: Fred Seykora
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, July 19, 1966 (2– 7:30 PM)
  • Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

"Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another Day"

  • Written by Tommy Boyce and Steve Venet
  • Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
  • Acoustic guitar: Tommy Boyce
  • Electric guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee and Louis Shelton
  • Bass: Larry Taylor
  • Drums: Billy Lewis
  • Harmonica: Keith Allison
  • Tambourine: unknown
  • Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

"Papa Gene's Blues"

  • Written by Michael Nesmith
  • Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
  • Harmony Vocal by Micky Dolenz
  • Guitar: Peter Tork, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, James Helms and Don Peake
  • Bass: William Pitman
  • Drums: Hal Blaine, Frank DeVito and Jim Gordon
  • Percussion: Gary Coleman
  • Recorded at Western Recorders Studio 2, Hollywood, July 7, 1966 (8– 11:30 pm)
  • Produced by Michael Nesmith
  • First pressing of LP features incorrect title "Papa Jean's Blues"

"Take a Giant Step"

  • Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
  • Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
  • Acoustic guitar: Tommy Boyce
  • Electric guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee and Louie Shelton
  • Piano: Jack Keller
  • Harpsichord: Michael Rubini
  • Bass: Larry Taylor
  • Drums: Billy Lewis
  • Glockenspiel: Bobby Hart
  • Percussion: Gene Estes
  • Oboe: Bob Cooper
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, July 9, 1966 (2-9 pm)
  • Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • An alternate mix of this song, with different backing vocals and with Micky's lead not double-tracked, was featured on the TV series episode "The Chaperone."

"Last Train to Clarksville"

  • Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
  • Acoustic guitar: Tommy Boyce
  • Electric Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee and Louie Shelton
  • Bass: Larry Taylor
  • Drums: Billy Lewis
  • Percussion: Gene Estes and David Walters
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studio A, Hollywood, July 25, 1966 (7 pm-3 am)
  • Released as a single, reached number 1 on the pop music charts
  • Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

"This Just Doesn't Seem to Be My Day"

  • Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • Lead vocal by Davy Jones
  • Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee and Louie Shelton
  • Bass: Larry Taylor
  • Drums: Billy Lewis
  • Percussion: Gene Estes
  • Cello: Joseph Ditullio
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, July 6, 1966 (2– 7:30 pm)
  • Produced by Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart and Jack Keller
  • A slightly longer version of this song, featuring an extended instrumental break in the middle of the song, was used in the episodes "The Chaperone" and "The Royal Flush."

"Let's Dance On"

  • Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
  • Backing Vocals by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee and Louie Shelton
  • Organ: Bobby Hart
  • Drums: Billy Lewis
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, July 6, 1966 (2– 7:30 pm)
  • Produced by Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart and Jack Keller

"I'll Be True to You"

  • Written by Gerry Goffin and Russ Titelman
  • Lead vocal by Davy Jones
  • Unknown backing vocals
  • Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee and Louie Shelton
  • Bass: Larry Taylor
  • Drums: Billy Lewis
  • Glockenspiel: Bobby Hart
  • Percussion: Gene Estes
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, July 9, 1966 (2-9 pm)
  • Produced by Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart and Jack Keller
  • The mono version features Davy's vocals double-tracked, reduced to a single track for the stereo version
  • This was the only track from this album not to be featured in any episodes of the TV show
  • Originally titled "Yes I Will".
  • A slightly different version appears on the Rhino/Flashback CD "Last Train From Clarksville And Other Hits".

"Sweet Young Thing"

  • Written by Michael Nesmith, Gerry Goffin, Carole King
  • Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
  • Backing vocals by Micky Dolenz
  • Guitar: James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey and Michael Deasy
  • Fiddle: Jimmy Bryant
  • Bass: Bob West
  • Drums: Hal Blaine, Frank DeVito, and Jim Gordon
  • Percussion: Gary Coleman
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, July 18, 1966 (8 pm-12 am)
  • Produced by Michael Nesmith

"Gonna Buy Me a Dog"

  • Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • Lead vocals by Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones
  • Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee and Louie Shelton
  • Organ: Bobby Hart
  • Bass: Larry Taylor
  • Drums: Billy Lewis
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studio #1, Hollywood, July 23, 1966 (2-8 pm)
  • Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • At the very end of the song, Davy can be heard to sing "They're Coming to Take Us Away, Ha Ha.." referring to the July 1966 novelty hit by Napoleon XIV, "They're Coming to Take Me Away Ha-Haaa!", which radio stations were beginning to ban from airplay.

Bonus tracks

"I Can't Get Her Off My Mind" (alternate take)

  • Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • Lead vocal by Davy Jones
  • Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gery McGee, and Louie Shelton
  • Piano and Autoharp: Bobby Hart
  • Bass: Larry Taylor
  • Drums: Billy Lewis
  • Percussion: Gene Estes and David Walters
  • Recorded at RCA Victor studios, Hollywood, July 25, 1966 (7 pm-3 am)
  • Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • Later re-recorded by The Monkees and used on Headquarters

"I Don't Think You Know Me"

  • Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
  • Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
  • Harmony vocals by Michael Nesmith
  • Guitar: James Burton, Glen Campbell, and Al Casey
  • Organ: Larry Knechtel
  • Drums: Hal Blaine and Jim Gordon
  • Unknown backing vocals
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, June 25, 1966 (7:30 pm– 12:15 am)
  • Produced by Michael Nesmith
  • Two mixes were made of this song. The first featured Micky on vocals and was mixed by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Mike recorded his own vocals later that year.

"(Theme From) The Monkees"

  • Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • Vocals by Micky Dolenz, Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • Other personnel unknown
  • Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • In another key than the album version
  • Recording info unknown

"You Just May Be The One"

  • Written and produced by Michael Nesmith
  • Lead vocals by Mike Nesmith
  • Guitar: James Burton, Glen Campbell, and Al Casey
  • Bass: Robert West
  • Drums: Hal Blaine and Jim Gordon
  • Percussion: Gene Estes
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood
  • The song features the doubling of regular bass with Danelectro or "dano" bass, played by one of the other guitarists; the dano bass' distinctive twang gave Mike's 1966 tracks a country flavor. The doubling of bass proved difficult to master as some 35 takes were needed before the backing track was completed.
  • The song was featured on three episodes of the TV series - "The Chaperone," "One Man Shy," and "Monkees A La Mode."

Other personnel

Charts

Album

Year Chart Peak
Position
1966 Billboard 200 1[5]
1967 Billboard 200 1[5]
1968 UK Charts 1[6]

Single

Year Single Chart Peak
Position
1966 "Last Train to Clarksville" Billboard Hot 100 1[5]
1967 "Last Train to Clarksville" UK Charts 3[6]

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[7] 5× Platinum 5,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ The Monkees at AllMusic
  2. ^ Lefcowitz, Eric (2011). Monkee Business: The Revolutionary Made-For-TV Band. Port Washington, NY: Retrofuture Products. pp. 74–75. ISBN 0-943249-00-7.
  3. ^ "Monkee45s - Albums - The Monkees". Monkee45s.net. Retrieved 18 September 2012.[dead link‍]
  4. ^ stevehoffman.tv
  5. ^ a b c "The Monkees - Charts and Awards". Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Official Charts Company". Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  7. ^ "American album certifications – The Monkees – The Monkees". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  • Liner notes, 2006 reissue of The Monkees
  • The Monkees: The Day-By-Day Story of the 60s TV Pop Sensation by Andrew Sandoval
Preceded by Billboard 200 number-one album
November 12, 1966 - February 10, 1967 		Succeeded by
More of The Monkees by The Monkees
Preceded by
The Sound of Music (soundtrack)
 UK Albums Chart number-one album
February 4, 1967 - March 18, 1967 		Succeeded by
The Sound of Music (soundtrack)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Monkees_(album)&oldid=614127661"