The Monkees Live Almanac
  • HOME
  • '60s
    • 1966 PROMOTIONAL TOUR
    • 1966 - 1967 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
    • 1967 US / BRITISH TOUR
    • "HEAD" (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE) CONCERT
    • AUSTRALIA & JAPAN 1968
    • 1969 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
  • '70s
    • THE MONKEES LIVE IN 1970
    • THE GREAT GOLDEN HITS OF THE MONKEES (Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart)
  • '80s
    • 1986 'SOUND OF THE MONKEES' AUSTRALIAN TOUR
    • 1986 '20th ANNIVERSARY' NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
    • THE GREEK THEATRE 1986 (all four Monkees reunited)
    • 1987 'SOUND OF THE MONKEES' AUSTRALIAN TOUR
    • 1987 NORTH AMERICAN 'HERE WE COME AGAIN' TOUR
    • 1988 AUSTRALIAN TOUR
    • 1989 EUROPEAN TOUR
    • 1989 NORTH AMERICAN / JAPANESE TOUR
    • UNIVERSAL AMPHITHEATRE 1989 (all four Monkees reunited)
  • '90s
    • 'MICKY AND DAVY: TOGETHER AGAIN'
    • 1996 '30th ANNIVERSARY' NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
    • BILLBOARD LIVE 1996
    • 1997 UNITED KINGDOM 'JUSTUS' TOUR
    • 1997 US TOUR
  • '00s
    • 2001 US TOUR
    • 2002 NORTH AMERICAN / UNITED KINGDOM 'MONKEEMANIA' TOUR
  • '10s
    • 2011 '45th ANNIVERSARY' WORLD TOUR
    • AN EVENING WITH THE MONKEES (THE 2012 TOUR)
    • A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT WITH THE MONKEES (THE 2013 TOUR)
    • 2014 MONKEES TOUR
    • AN EVENING WITH THE MONKEES (FEATURING MICKY DOLENZ & PETER TORK)
    • GOOD TIMES: THE 50th ANNIVERSARY TOUR
    • THE PANTAGES THEATRE 2016 (Michael Nesmith's final Monkees concert)
    • THE MONKEES PRESENT: THE MIKE NESMITH & MICKY DOLENZ SHOW
  • '20s
    • AN EVENING WITH THE MONKEES FEATURING MIKE NESMITH & MICKY DOLENZ
  • GEAR
  • BLOG
  • MISC
    • HEADQUARTERS RADIO PROGRAM
    • PRINT & WEB ARCHIVE
    • LINKS
    • ABOUT

Song of the Day: "Valleri" (First Recorded Version)

6/4/2013

3 Comments

 
Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, and recorded during two sessions at RCA Studios in Hollywood in August 1966, the original version of "Valleri" features Davy Jones on lead vocals. 

Noted session musician Louie Shelton provided the ace guitar work, and he was joined on guitar by Wayne Erwin and Gerry McGee, along with Larry Taylor (bass), Billy Lewis (drums), and Gene Estes (tambourine). 

Andrew Sandoval wrote the following about the first recorded version of "Valleri" in the More of The Monkees deluxe edition liner notes:
Another Boyce and Hart session on August 6 produced the similarly anthemic “Valleri.”  As Bobby Hart remembers, “‘Valleri’ was specifically written for them.  We actually wrote it in the car going up Mulholland from Woodrow Wilson and Laurel Canyon over to the house that [Don Kirshner] was renting in the suburbs.”  Written at Kirshner’s request, “Valleri” followed one of Donnie’s formulas for success: using a girl’s name in the title line.  “I knew with the right lyric line it would be a hit for The Monkees,” says Kirshner of the results.  “Because every Valleri would buy it, and every girl would relate…I was very hot and high on getting a girl’s song, ‘cause the formula had worked for me with [Neil] Sedaka.”

Even so, Kirshner passed on “Valleri” as the group’s next single, and only after he exited The Monkees project was the song revived for a surefire hit.  “It should have been the next single,” remarks Hart.  “When they needed a single a couple singles down the line, they had us go back into the studio and re-cut.  We couldn’t use the original for some unknown reason, but they let us go back in without credit and try to duplicate it.  [The original recording] was a better version.” 
Monkees Valleri video
Between takes while making the video for "Valleri" that aired on the TV show; Davy used a lift during filming

Sandoval also wrote about the circumstances that led to the song being revived and officially released. The second attempt of "Valleri" became a hit in early 1968. From the liner notes of the 1994 CD release of The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees:
“Valleri” was The Monkees’ final Top 10 placing, and like many of their recordings, the song was featured on the group’s show far in advance of its official release. Notably, “Valleri” achieved near-legendary status when regional DJs who pirated the song from the television show, aired their homemade recordings, creating public demand for the song’s release. The main reason the song was not originally issued was The Monkees’ concern that all future tracks bear their collective production credit. Bobby Hart recalls..."We originally cut ‘Valleri’ just prior to the point when we were dismissed as producers. Over a year later Lester Sill came back to us and said that they wanted to recut ‘Valleri,’ but we couldn’t use the original track because we were the credited producers on it. They wanted us to go back in and make it sound as close to the original as possible and not take producer’s credit on it.”

3 Comments
Steven Dunetz link
10/2/2014 08:20:52

THE FIRST VERSION "VALLERI" WAS THE BEST! THE SINGING AND THE PACE WAS WAY BETTER! IT STARTED BETTER AND DIFFERENT AND THE MIDDLE BREAK WAS BETTER. IT IS A BIT SLOWER THEN THE SECOND VERSION. AND THE SECOND VERSION HAD HORNS IN THE MIDDLE BREAK! THE SONG "YOU JUST MAY BE THE ONE" WENT THE SAME WAY! THE FIRST VERSION WAS BETTER WITH THE SINGING AND IT HAD MORE COW BELLS AND DOUBLE BASS TO IT! THE DRUMS WERE MORE FASTER ALSO! stevendunetz@gmail.com

Reply
Steve Blake
5/11/2017 13:38:32

Creeper lyrics, but a nice arrangement.

Reply
STEVEN DUNETZ link
5/11/2017 22:17:53

This is why the second. Version is not as good. The Monkees had to do a second version on The Birds And The Bees. This first version was with Peter in the backround with Boyce And Hart. That made the vocals better. The first version is more raw and deep made without horns in the middle section. Not many people know that the first version had a piano in the middle part. The first version was a bit faster.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Available Now

    Picture
    Picture

    Blog Spotlight

    Picture

    Featured Page

    Picture

    Follow @MonkeesAlmanac
    Tweets by MonkeesAlmanac

    Categories

    All
    16 Magazine
    1966 Promotional Tour
    1967 Monkees Tour
    1967 Wembley
    1968 Australian Tour
    1968 Japanese Tour
    1968 US Concerts
    1969 Monkees Tour
    1970 Monkees Concerts
    1986 Conventions
    1986 Monkees Tour
    1987 Hollywood Convention
    1987 Monkees Tour
    1988 Chicago Convention
    1988 Monkees West Convention
    1989 European Tour
    1989 Us Tour
    1995 Platinum Awards Ceremony
    1996 Monkees Tour
    1997 ABC Special
    1997 United Kingdom Tour
    1997 US Tour
    2001 Monkees Tour
    2011 Monkees Tour
    2012 Monkees Tour
    2013 Monkees Convention
    2013 Monkees Tour
    2014 Monkees Convention
    2014 Monkees Tour
    2015 Concerts
    2016 Pantages Theatre
    2017 Appearances
    2018 Appearances
    2018 Nesmith Dolenz Tour
    2019 Appearances
    2019 Nesmith Dolenz Tour
    2020 Appearances
    2020 Mike & Micky Show
    2021 Appearances
    2021 Mike & Micky Show
    33 13 Revolutions Per Monkee
    50 Summers Of Love
    50th Anniversary
    50th Anniversary Tour
    54 Below
    '67 Concerts Photo Album
    7a Records
    Action Figures
    Album Covers
    Andrew Sandoval
    Antenna Tv
    Apps
    Articles Interviews
    Artwork Illustrations
    Backing Band
    Beatle Meets Monkee
    Billboard Live 1996
    Bill Chadwick
    Bill Martin
    Blu Ray
    Bob Rafelson And Bert Schneider
    Books
    Bootlegs
    Boyce Hart
    Cassettes
    Cereal Box Singles
    Changes
    Childhood
    Chip Douglas
    Christmas Party
    Christmas Photos Songs
    Circus Boy
    Coco Dolenz
    Colgems
    Comic Books
    Commercials
    Compact Discs
    Creem Magazine
    Current Tour Dates
    Davy Jones
    Davy Jones Japanese Photo Book
    Davy Jones Memorial
    Davy Jones The Street
    Davy Jones Zilch
    Documentaries
    Dolenz & Daughters Fine Furniture
    Dolenz Jones Boyce Hart
    Dolenz Sings Nesmith
    Don Kirshner
    Donna Quinter Dolenz
    DVD
    Early '80s Japan
    Early Monkees Concerts
    Eddie Hoh
    Elephant Parts
    Emmy Awards
    Fan Club Kit
    Fantasy Alternate Albums
    Film Treatment
    First National Band
    Flip Magazine
    Forum
    Frank Zappa
    Friday Music
    Friends
    Gary Strobl
    Gene Ashman
    Glen Campbell
    Goldmine Magazine
    Good Times!
    Good Times! Artwork
    Good Times! Plus!
    Grammy Awards
    Greatest Hits Collections
    Gretsch
    Guest Authors
    Harold Bronson Book
    Harry Nilsson
    Head
    Head Deluxe Edition
    Headquarters
    Headquarters Radio Program
    Heart And Soul
    Henry Diltz
    Hollywood Squares
    Hollywood Vampires
    Hollywood Walk Of Fame
    Iain Lee
    IFC
    Incredible!
    Infinite Tuesday: An Autobiographical Riff
    Instant Replay Deluxe Edition
    In This Generation Tour
    Jack Nicholson
    James Lee Stanley
    Japanese Photo Books
    Jim Frawley
    Jimi Hendrix
    Joey Bishop Show
    John Brockman
    Johnny Cash
    Justus
    Kelloggs
    Kool Aid
    Lester Sill
    Listen To The Band
    Live Album
    Live Almanac Birthdays
    Live Almanac Youtube Channel
    Lulu
    Lynne Randell
    Me & Magdalena
    Memorabilia
    MeTV
    Michael Nesmith
    Michael Nesmith Solo Albums
    Micky And Davy 1977
    Micky Dolenz
    Micky Dolenz MGM Singles
    Micky Dolenz Remember
    Micky Dolenz Solo
    Mickys Secret Snaps
    Mike & Micky Show Live Album
    Missing Links
    Missteps
    Modern Folk Quartet
    Monkee Business Fanzine
    Monkeemobile
    Monkees In 1970
    Monkees In 1988
    Monkees Live
    Monkees Monthly
    Monkees Present Deluxe Edition
    Monkees Tv Show
    Monkees West Publication
    Monterey Pop Festival
    More Of The Monkees
    Movies Of The Mind
    Mtv
    Nesmith Nashville Sessions
    Nesmith Tork Goffin & King Podcast
    New Monkees
    New Monks
    News & Headlines
    Nightclub
    Oliver!
    Pacific Arts
    Peter Tork
    Peter Tork Memorial
    Peter Tork Project
    Photos 1960s
    Photos 1970s
    Photos 1980s
    Photos 1990s
    Photos 2000s
    Photos 2010s
    Photos 2020s
    Photos Instruments
    Phyllis Nesmith
    Pisces Aquarius
    Podcast
    Poll Results
    Pool It
    Posters
    Radio Interview
    Rainbow Room
    Recording Studio
    Record Store Day
    Rhino Records Handmade
    Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
    Rodney Bingenheimer
    Rolling Stone Magazine
    Sam And The Goodtimers
    Samantha Juste
    Saturday Afternoon Repeats
    She Makes Me Laugh
    Shoe Suede Blues
    Singles And Picture Sleeves
    Snuff Garrett
    Social Media
    Song Of The Day
    Stand Ins
    Stephen Stills
    Stranger Things Have Happened
    Stu Phillips
    Submissions
    Tape Vault
    Television Parts
    Texas Prairie Chicken Podcast
    The Birds The Bees The Monkees Deluxe
    The Monkees Super Deluxe Edition
    The Point
    The Tonight Show
    They Made A Monkee Out Of Me
    Tiger Beat Monkee Spectacular
    Toast
    Tour Posters
    Tour Programs
    Trade Ads
    Trading Cards
    Tv Guide
    Updates
    Valerie Kairys
    VHS
    Videoranch
    Ward Sylvester
    Wichita Train Whistle Sings
    Wrecking Crew
    You Bring The Summer
    Youtube
    Zilch Podcast


    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011


    RSS Feed

This website is not affiliated with The Monkees or Rhino Records
  • HOME
  • '60s
    • 1966 PROMOTIONAL TOUR
    • 1966 - 1967 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
    • 1967 US / BRITISH TOUR
    • "HEAD" (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE) CONCERT
    • AUSTRALIA & JAPAN 1968
    • 1969 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
  • '70s
    • THE MONKEES LIVE IN 1970
    • THE GREAT GOLDEN HITS OF THE MONKEES (Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart)
  • '80s
    • 1986 'SOUND OF THE MONKEES' AUSTRALIAN TOUR
    • 1986 '20th ANNIVERSARY' NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
    • THE GREEK THEATRE 1986 (all four Monkees reunited)
    • 1987 'SOUND OF THE MONKEES' AUSTRALIAN TOUR
    • 1987 NORTH AMERICAN 'HERE WE COME AGAIN' TOUR
    • 1988 AUSTRALIAN TOUR
    • 1989 EUROPEAN TOUR
    • 1989 NORTH AMERICAN / JAPANESE TOUR
    • UNIVERSAL AMPHITHEATRE 1989 (all four Monkees reunited)
  • '90s
    • 'MICKY AND DAVY: TOGETHER AGAIN'
    • 1996 '30th ANNIVERSARY' NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
    • BILLBOARD LIVE 1996
    • 1997 UNITED KINGDOM 'JUSTUS' TOUR
    • 1997 US TOUR
  • '00s
    • 2001 US TOUR
    • 2002 NORTH AMERICAN / UNITED KINGDOM 'MONKEEMANIA' TOUR
  • '10s
    • 2011 '45th ANNIVERSARY' WORLD TOUR
    • AN EVENING WITH THE MONKEES (THE 2012 TOUR)
    • A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT WITH THE MONKEES (THE 2013 TOUR)
    • 2014 MONKEES TOUR
    • AN EVENING WITH THE MONKEES (FEATURING MICKY DOLENZ & PETER TORK)
    • GOOD TIMES: THE 50th ANNIVERSARY TOUR
    • THE PANTAGES THEATRE 2016 (Michael Nesmith's final Monkees concert)
    • THE MONKEES PRESENT: THE MIKE NESMITH & MICKY DOLENZ SHOW
  • '20s
    • AN EVENING WITH THE MONKEES FEATURING MIKE NESMITH & MICKY DOLENZ
  • GEAR
  • BLOG
  • MISC
    • HEADQUARTERS RADIO PROGRAM
    • PRINT & WEB ARCHIVE
    • LINKS
    • ABOUT