The Monkees

(Theme From) The Monkees

(Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart)

Lead Vocals: Micky Dolenz

Backup Vocals: Tommy Boyce

Guitars: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, & Louie Shelton

Bass: Larry Taylor

Drums: Billy Lewis

Percussion: Gene Estes

Produced By: Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, & Jack Kellar

Recorded At: RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood

Recording Dates: July 5, 1966 and July 19, 1966

At the insistence of Don Kirshner, Jack Keller supervised Boyce and Hart's first official recording session with the group. The full-length version of the theme song was recorded with Micky singing lead and Tommy Boyce on backup. Sections of the backing track of the theme would later be used again for the Italian B-side to "Valleri" in 1968, "Tema Dei Monkees". The musicians included Bobby Hart's band The Candy Store Prophets: Gerry McGee on guitar, Larry Taylor on bass (who didn't make the session in time for "Let's Dance On" which explains the absence), Hart on organ, Billy Lewis on drums, and Gene Estes on percussion. Additional guitarists included Wayne Erwin and Louie Shelton.

On CD:
The Monkees Music Box (2001), Rhino Records R2 76706
The Monkees (1994), Rhino Records R2 71790

Lyrics:

Here we come, walkin'

Down the street.

We get the funniest looks from

Every one we meet.

Hey, hey, we're the Monkees

And people say we monkey around.

But we're too busy singing

To put anybody down.

(Final verse to the TV version:

We're just tryin' to be friendly,

Come and watch us sing and play,

We're the young gneration,

And we've got something to say.

Hey, hey, we're the Monkees,

You never know where we'll be found.

so you'd better get ready,

We may be comin' to your town.)

We go wherever we want to,

Do what we like to do

We don't have time to get restless,

There's always something new.

Hey, hey, we're the Monkees

And people say we monkey around.

But we're too busy singing

To put anybody down.

We're just tryin' to be friendly,

Come and watch us sing and play,

We're the young gneration,

And we've got something to say.

Any time, Or anywhere,

Just look over your shoulder

Guess who'll be standing there

Hey, hey, we're the Monkees

And people say we monkey around.

But we're too busy singing

To put anybody down.

(break)

Hey, hey, we're the Monkees

And people say we monkey around.

But we're too busy singing

To put anybody down.

We're just tryin' to be friendly,

Come and watch us sing and play,

We're the young gneration,

And we've got something to say.

Hey, hey, we're the Monkees

[repeat and fade]

The Monkees Music Vault

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