Monday, December 26, 2016

"Son of a Gypsy"

Backdated, archival post

[link to original on tumblr]

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According to Andrew Sandoval's The Monkees: The Day-by-Day Story of the 60s TV Pop Sensation, "Son of a Gypsy" - the sixteenth episode of The Monkees series - was broadcast fifty years ago to-day (26 December 1966).  It was written by Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso, and Treva Silverman, directed by James Frawley, and featured the song "I'm a Believer."  Sandoval describes the plot as: "A band of jealous gypsies kidnap Peter after The Monkees purloin their party gig."

Monday, December 19, 2016

"Too Many Girls (Davy and Fern)"

Backdated, archival post

[link to original on tumblr]

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According to Andrew Sandoval's The Monkees: The Day-by-Day Story of the 60s TV Pop Sensation, "Too Many Girls (Davy and Fern)" - the fifteenth episode of The Monkees series - was broadcast fifty years ago to-day (19 December 1966).  It was written by Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso, and Dave Evans, directed by James Frawley, and featured the song "I'm a Believer."  Sandoval describes the plot as: "A scheming stage mom plots to place her doe-eyed daughter alongside Davy in a dynamic duo." 

Sunday, December 18, 2016

"Good Times"

Backdated, archival post

[link to original on tumblr]

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A couple days ago, I finally listened to Good Times!  I noticed something interesting about the title track, written by Harry Nilsson.  There are the recurring lines "I can tell it won't be long / Till there's dancing in the streets again / And music everywhere."  I'm pretty sure this is an allusion to the song "Dancing in the Street."  It's originally by Martha and the Vandellas, but the only versions I have in my collection are by the Mamas & the Papas and by the Who (live on the BBC).

In any case, "Dancing in the Street" has the lines:
There'll be music ev'rywhere
There'll be swingin' and swayin'
And records playin'
And dancin' in the street
As quoted above, "Good Times" also has "music everywhere" and "dancing in the street."  Those two phrases match exactly and are in close proximity to each other in both songs, so I can't think this is anything other than Nilsson's referencing "Dancing in the Street."

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

"I'll Be Back up on My Feet"

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[link to original on tumblr]

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While I was watching the "I'll Be Back up on My Feet" romp in "Dance, Monkee, Dance" yester-day, I thought the bass part sounded like it wouldn't be too hard to figure out, so I figured it out last night.  I got one of the guitar phrases too.

My recording is just the introduction, first verse, and first chorus (and maybe a bit of a lead-in to the second verse).  I should also note that this is the version that appears in that episode and as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of More of the Monkees.  Apparently, the Monkees re-recorded it for The Birds, the Bees, and the Monkees, but I don't have that album (yet) so this is the only version of the song I know.

Monday, December 12, 2016

"Dance, Monkee, Dance"

Backdated, archival post

[link to original on tumblr]

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According to Andrew Sandoval's The Monkees: The Day-by-Day Story of the 60s TV Pop Sensation, "Dance, Monkee, Dance" - the fourteenth episode of The Monkees series - was broadcast fifty years ago to-day (12 December 1966).  It was written by Bernie Orenstein, directed by James Frawley, and featured the songs "I'll Be Back up on My Feet" and "I'm a Believer."  Sandoval describes the plot as: "A lifetime contract of dance lessons keeps The Monkees on their toes until the group tap into a scheme of their own."

Monday, December 5, 2016

"One Man Shy (Peter and the Debutante)"

Backdated, archival post

[link to original on tumblr]

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According to Andrew Sandoval's The Monkees: The Day-by-Day Story of the 60s TV Pop Sensation, "One Man Shy (Peter and the Debutante)" - the thirteenth episode of The Monkees series - was broadcast fifty years ago to-day (5 December 1966).  It was written by Gerald Gardner, Dee Caruso, and Treva Silverman, directed by James Frawley, and featured the songs "You Just May Be the One" and "I'm a Believer."  Sandoval describes the plot as: "When Peter falls for a debutante The Monkees comes to the rescue with a plot to win her heart."