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Song of the Day: Micky Dolenz recalls "Last Train to Clarksville" with Rolling Stone magazine

7/13/2018

In an August 2016 interview with Rolling Stone, Micky Dolenz spoke about The Monkees' first single and #1 hit, "Last Train to Clarksville":

"It's about a guy going off to war. Frankly, it's an anti-war song. It's about a guy going to Clarksville, Tennessee, which is an army base if I'm not mistaken. He's obviously been drafted and he says to his girlfriend, 'I don't know if I'm ever coming home.' Considering that it was a Monkees song and the first one, I was always surprised that the record company even released it unless it just went right over their head.

"I don't recall recording it because there was just so much going on at that time. I was recording two or three songs a night after filming the TV show all day. [Co-writer] Bobby Hart tells me I went in to sing one night. He says that I'd learned the song and routined it. We'd done the keys and all that stuff. There was a bridge part of that song. You know the bit where I go 'di da di di da di da?' Well, there were words to that. I said, 'Bobby, I just can't sing that.' I just couldn't learn it in time. He said okay. 'Well, we need to get it done so just go, 'di da di di da di da.'

"I have a very fond memory of hearing it on the radio for the first time on KHJ, a big station out here at the time. Davy [Jones] and I were renting a house up in the Hollywood Hills. We were pulling up to this big, beautiful rented house in Beverly Hills when they went, 'Here they are, the Monkees' 'Last Train to Clarksville.' We pulled over and just had the biggest grins on our faces."

SamePageCast podcast continues examination of Monkees' 1966 sessions

5/4/2018

Sound Of The Sunset, Sound Of The Sea | episode 05 – 1966 sessions 5/5

Listen to Episodes 1 - 4

SamePageCast podcast examines 1966 sessions

1/26/2018

Click each photo below to listen to some interesting and informative discussions about The Monkees' 1966 recording sessions:

Part 5 is (hopefully) coming soon!

Countertop display for debut Monkees album

5/26/2017

Monkees album counter top display

(Courtesy of Marty Eck's Monkees Collectibles Price Guide)

Podcast continues look behind the early Monkees recording sessions

2/10/2017

Sound Of The Sunset, Sound Of The Sea | Episode 02 – 1966 sessions 2/5

Listen to Episode 01

REBEAT looks back at The Monkees' debut album

12/26/2016

It Was 50 Years Ago Today: ‘The Monkees’ by The Monkees

(From the September 17, 1966 issue of Billboard)

"The Monkees" (Super Deluxe Edition) out of stock

11/29/2016

Released in late 2014, the 3-CD Rhino Handmade release is currently not available for ordering at the official online Monkees store. Customers are instead prompted to subscribe to an email list to be notified when it's back in stock. In late April 2015, Rhino alerted fans that less than 500 copies of the limited edition run of 4,000 remained.

Previously, Handmade sets for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees and the Head soundtrack have sold out, along with The Headquarters Sessions and Summer 1967: The Complete US Concert Recordings. Still available, however, are boxes for both Instant Replay and The Monkees Present.

(Click on the photo above for further updates)

REBEAT looks at "I've Got a Little Song Here" (And Nesmith's version of "Gonna Buy Me a Dog")

11/28/2016

Every ‘Monkees’ Episode: “I’ve Got a Little Song Here” (S1E12)

Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart's "Gonna Buy Me a Dog" played a key role in the episode, and this article highlights an attempt Michael Nesmith made at the song when he produced a backing track for it on July 7, 1966 at RCA Hollywood. That session featured multiple guitarists including Peter Tork, along with Wrecking Crew aces Glen Campbell, James Burton, Al Casey, and Jim Helms. The bassist was Bill Pitman, while Hal Blaine played drums and Billy Preston handled organ duties.

Nesmith's backing track never received a vocal and went unheard until 2006 when it was released on a deluxe edition of The Monkees' debut album. Boyce & Hart later cut their own (drastically different) version, and it was this take that was ultimately included on The Monkees.

Ultimate Classic Rock celebrates the 50th Anniversary of The Monkees' debut LP

10/11/2016

50 Years Ago: The Monkees Release Their Debut Album

Song of the Day: "Last Train to Clarksville" turns 50

7/25/2016

The Monkees' debut single, "Last Train to Clarksville," was first recorded on this day in 1966 at RCA Victor Studio B in Hollywood. Written and produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart and released by Colgems on August 16 (backed with Gerry Goffin and Carole King's "Take a Giant Step"), the song debuted on the Billboard charts on September 3 at #101. By November 5, The Monkees had scored their first #1 single, knocking off "96 Tears" by Question Mark & The Mysterians. The Recording Industry Association of America awarded "Last Train to Clarksville" (and The Monkees' debut album) a gold record on October 27.

Last Train to Clarksville trade ad

(From the August 27, 1966 issue of Billboard - courtesy of Monkee45s.net)

"Sessions" CD jacket from super deluxe edition of debut LP

3/1/2016

Monkees super deluxe

Purchase The Monkees (Super Deluxe Edition) from Rhino Handmade

"It's Monkeetime!"

7/14/2015

(From the September 17, 1966 issue of Billboard)

"Monkees First Album...A Great Set of Grooves!"

6/16/2015

(From the first issue of Monkees Monthly - click to enlarge)

Less than 500 left!

4/29/2015

(Click the image to order your copy)

Second Disc reviews "The Monkees" super deluxe box set

12/11/2014

Holiday Gift Guide Review: The Monkees, “The Monkees: Super Deluxe Edition”

"The Monkees" Super Deluxe CD sleeves

11/28/2014

Here are the CD sleeves for The Monkees (Super Deluxe Edition). These might come in handy for your iTunes library, too! Click each image to enlarge...

(Disc 1)

(Disc 2)

(Disc 3)

Less than 750 copies of "Monkees" Super Deluxe box available

11/25/2014

(Click the image above to order your copy)

Rhino posts another sample from "Monkees" Super Deluxe box

11/23/2014

WORLD PREMIERE #3: “TAKE A GIANT STEP (MONO TV VERSION)” FROM THE MONKEES (SUPER DELUXE EDITION) OUT NOW!

Popdose reviews "Monkees" Super Deluxe box

11/22/2014

CD REVIEW: The Monkees, s/t (“Super Deluxe” boxset edition)

Andrew Sandoval commented on the review on Facebook:

Great review of the new The Monkees Super Deluxe Box Set. The one track that they are upset that is missing - Michael Nesmith's vocal version of "I Don't Think You Know Me" - was actually completed after the first album. So, it really belongs on a "More Of The Monkees" Super Deluxe Edition. I sure hope it does, at least. If not, you can find it on the 2006 Deluxe or 1987's Missing Links. All of these compilations are carefully thought out. And someone else stumbled on my secret. If you play the set backwards - Disc 3, then 2 & 1 - you get everything chronologically: Disc 3 pre-Monkees, Disc 2 Making "The Monkees," Disc 1 the album as released and then the TV mixes.

Rhino: Less than 1500 copies left of "Monkees" Super Deluxe

11/11/2014

(Click to order your copy)

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"Christmas Party"

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HOME
1960s
1970s
- THE MONKEES LIVE IN 1970
- THE GREAT GOLDEN HITS OF THE MONKEES (Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart)
1980s
1990s
2000s
- 2001 US TOUR
- 2002 NORTH AMERICAN / UNITED KINGDOM 'MONKEEMANIA' TOUR
2010s
GEAR
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MISC