Davy Jones, the lead singer of the Monkees, has died at age 66. Go ahead, pretend these songs don't work on you—but these are some of most durable hooks in pop. This is how it's done. Thank you, Davy.
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Lead singer? He was one of three singers in the band, with Mickey Dolenz having the best voice.
Actually, no -- all four of the Monkees sang. Nesmith went on to a solo career.
I thought Mike Nesmith had the best voice. Everything else was written/sung by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart.
And then Mike Nesmith essentially invented the programming format that became MTV.
Actually Mickey Dolenz did sing lead on most songs. Davy sang lead on "Daydream Believer and just a few other songs.
Yeah, but he was the CUTEST one. The cheekiest. The sweetest (altho Mickey was sweet too).
Thank you for posting this, Kent.
"Daydream Believer" was not written by Boyce and Hart. It was written by John Stewart, an American singer/songwriter and a genius in his own right. The line Davy sang, "..now you know how happy I can be.." was changed without the songwriter's permission. The line actually goes, "now you know how funky I can be.." The record company wouldn't let Davy sing "funky." But if you listen closely to the lyrics, you see that the word 'funky' changes the entire meaning of the refrain. In context, happy makes no sense. Stewart, who passed away in 2008 and was one of the original members of the Kingston Trio, went on to tell this story many times in concert. He always concluded by saying that, after the song hit #1 on the Billboard chart (and the royalties were rolling in), "happy" was working real good for him!
Kingston Trio is pretty cool too, for a bunch of white bread guys. (I loved A Mighty Wind!).
Tom Dooley. Scotch and Soda. Fast Freight. Hard, Ain't It Hard. And as a little kid, I would play "With her Head Tucked Underneath her Arm" -- the funny song about Anne Boleyn's ghost.
Yes, John Stewart was a genius, but he was a second generation Kingston Trio, joining in 1961. The Trio was formed in 1957.
And Mike Nesmith's mom was the person who invented Liquid Paper (often referred to as white-out).
This makes me so sad. I had a huge crush on him when they were on TV - had all their albums. I just saw him on a PBS special a few weeks ago.
Now that Davy is gone, I feel like my childhood is officially over.
I know what you mean.
Ditto. We just had a moment of silence...all us old women who once loved Mr. Jones. (sigh)
RIP, Davy.
Mine too.
True Story (maybe not worth much to you, but priceless to me): Local tween/teen radio had call-in & vote show "Top 5 at 5" Friends and I kept "Daydream Believer" at Number 1 for two full weeks!!!! Freakin' Awesome Achievement!
R.I.P. Davy *sniffle* :-(
Speak for yourself! I'm not an old woman! I'm a Daydream Believer and a Homecoming Queen!
I feel the same ... I found out at work and the tears just welled up in my eyes. Oh, to go back in time to '66 when I was 10, enamored with those 4 funny, talented, wonderful men who entertained me every week and whose albums and 45 singles were constantly on the turntable ...
I agree. I fell in love with the Monkees when they were on TV... They gave me something to believe in and helped me through a few difficult pre- teen years. I've always held a soft spot for them. I have saw them twice in concert since 1988 -- since I didn't get to see them when they were on TV. RIP, Davy. You were wonderful! Thank you for touching my heart.
These songs makes me want to get up and dance..but now that I learned that Davey passed ...its making me cry. Bless you Davey for all that you have given us. You have given us a wonderful childhood full of good memories with your voice and the show. You are greatly loved and you will be missed. There will be no other like you Dear Davey.
He was my first crush as young girl. It's probably why I married a Brit. RIP Davy Jones, you old charmer.
Brings back so many fond memories of my life rest in peace DAVY and thank you for the memories
Very sad. I grew up with The Monkees.
he was my generation's milli vanilli. RIP Davey
idiot! moron!
Except the Monkees actually sang the songs.
I feel sad all over.
A generation just sat up on Facebook and HOWLED. I almost used the line, "rest in peace, my youth." (Though I don't think he was responsible for _writing— any of that music....)
Cheer up sleepy Gene,
Oh what can it mean,
To a Daydream believer.
I had a friend named Bejean, so I always sang it "Cheer up sweet Bejean."
What were the correct words? Was I wrong all this time?
Be proud, you made it work for your world.
I made that 80's song "everybody wants to rule the world" into "everybody wants to change the world".
This is quite the jog of memories. I can't believe it, I was almost 13 when they got started in 1965. Sheesh, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, now Davy Jones…. sigh.
It doesn't mean as much as losing my Dad in 2010. Let's see, my Dad was driving a camper full of us kids in 1965 when the Monkees came on the scene. Let's see…
1965 http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1965.htm just starting
1966 http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1966.htm #6
1967 http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1967.htm 3 songs in 67 in the top 100, 2 were sung by Jones
Just strolling through the memories … a time to reflect.
The words are right except Gene is Jean. The line following is "And a homecoming Queen" which doesn't make a lot of sense but may well have some obscure meaning, like those of "American Pie" eg: "day the music died" definitely did (Don McLean meanings)
The lyrics to Daydream Believer, as written by John Stewart (before he left the Kingston Trio):
If I could hide 'neath the wings
Of the bluebird as she sings
The six o'clock alarm would never ring
But it rings and I rise
Rub the sleep out of my eyes
The shaving razor's old and it stings
But cheer up, sleepy Jean
Ah, what can it mean
To a daydream believer
And a homecoming queen
You once thought of me
As a white knight on his steed
But now you know how funky I can be
And our good times start and end
Without dollar one to spend
But how much, baby, do we really need
So cheer up, sleepy Jean
Ah, what can it mean
To a daydream believer
And a homecoming queen
Cheer up, sleepy Jean
Ah, what can it mean
To a daydream believer
And a homecoming queen
Good bye daydream believer. (dang if'n I ain't feeling old now)
Music was fun and exciting and interesting and varied back when Davey Jones and The Monkey's were riding high - from the Beatles and Stones to Dylan and Paul Simon to The Airplane to a raft of not just great but influential jazz and blues musicians. My kid sister loved all of The Monkey's albums and Monday night at 7PM she took over the television to watch the group's series. It's always sad when a bit of our youth disappears forever.
First time the passing of a music legend has actually made me cry. Davy was my first crush. Geez, I'm getting old.
Farewell, Davy. Thanks for the fun and the great tunes.
Here's a playlist that I recently updated. Enjoy.
http://grooveshark.com/#!/playlist/Alternative+Monkees+Super+Ultra+Deluxe+number+Nerdland+Edition/67729811
OH, NO NO NO!
A POP icon who will be remembered... May He rest in peace...
We all do! Suckage.. Go with whatever there is.
I will never forget watching their show and falling in love with Davey. How very sad for this daydream believer.
Well I hope they stop everything like they did for Whitney Houston
/snark
Maybe a 24 hour "Head" replay?
He's just so cute.
Best. Beatles. Cover band. Evah.
Another part of you youth has gone away. Peace be with you, Davy!
Marcia Brady is going to be devastated when she hears the news. She was president of his fan club, you know.
Saw him 5 years ago on New Years Eve here in Phoenix, AZ! Still had a good sense of humor and belted out "Valerie" like he was 21 again! I thought I was, too! Still, he is gone WAY too soon! RIP Davy Jones!!
I just saw him in concert 11 days ago. I can't believe it.