Sunday, June 4, 2017

TOP 100 SONGS OF 1967 ― NUMBER 66

50 years ago this year these songs were released. I took the top 100 from Rolling Stone for 1967 and put them in the order in which I think they should have listed, since this was the decade of the music I grew up on. Enough of the formalities, here we go. Enjoy. 

DAYDREAM BELIEVER ― THE MONKEES

GENRE ― Pop Rock



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"Daydream Believer" is a song composed by John Stewart shortly before he left the Kingston Trio. It was originally recorded by The Monkees, with Davy Jones singing lead vocals. The single hit the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1967, remaining there for four weeks, and peaked at number five in the UK Singles Chart. It was the Monkees' last number one hit in the U.S.

In 1979, "Daydream Believer" was recorded by Canadian singer Anne Murray, whose version reached number three on the U.S. country singles chart and number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has been recorded by many others, including a 1971 version by John Stewart himself.

Stewart said that it was supposed to be the third in a trilogy of songs about suburban life. Married couples start out in an idealistic haze, but after a few years it wears off, and each sees the other as they really are. This is when genuine love is proven.

The Monkees Original Version ―

Background

Producer Chip Douglas was friends with John Stewart and ran into him at a party at Hoyt Axton's home in Hollywood's Laurel Canyon. Douglas told Stewart that he was now producing the Monkees and asked if he had any songs that might work for the group. Stewart offered "Daydream Believer."

It was recorded during the sessions for their 1967 album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., but was ultimately included on their 1968 album The Birds, The Bees & the Monkees. All four Monkees appear on the track, with Michael Nesmith on lead guitar, Peter Tork on piano (he created the catchy piano introduction; the orchestral arrangement was created by noted jazz trumpeter and composer, Shorty Rogers, who included the same seven-note phrase preceding the chorus that can be heard on the Beach Boys' "Help Me, Rhonda") and Micky Dolenz on backing vocals.

Many people did not think the song would be popular. It had been turned down by the We Five and Spanky and Our Gang, and even Davy Jones was "pissed off" about that. He recorded the vocal with a hint of annoyance at the ongoing takes.

RCA Records did not like it as Stewart wrote it either, and insisted on changing a critical word. Stewart originally wrote "Now you know how funky I can be," but RCA wanted to change that to "Now you know how happy I can be." One meaning of "funky" is "smelly."

Stewart initially objected because it completely reverses the meaning of the line and makes no sense in the context of the song. But he relented because RCA was adamant and he realized it could well be a hit—which it was. In 2007, Stewart said that the proceeds of Daydream Believer "[didn't just] pay the rent. It kept me alive all these years."

In 1986, three of the four Monkees (Dolenz, Jones, and Tork) mounted a successful reunion tour and had a major hit with the newly recorded "That Was Then, This Is Now." Arista Records, which owned the Monkees' masters at the time, re-released "Daydream Believer" as a follow-up single, remixed with a new, heavier percussion track by Michael Lloyd who had produced "That Was Then, This Was Now."

Personnel ―

Lead/backing vocals: Davy Jones
Harmony vocal: Micky Dolenz
Electric guitar: Michael Nesmith
Piano: Peter Tork
Producer/bass/keyboard/percussion: Chip Douglas
Bell: Bill Martin
Drums: Eddie Hoh
Violin: Nathan Kaproff, George Kast, Alex Murray, Erno Neufeld
Trumpet: Pete Candoli, Al Porcino, Manuel Stevens
Piccolo trumpet: Manuel Stevens
Trombone: Richard Noel
Bass trombone: Richard Leith, Philip Teele
Arrangement: Shorty Rogers


From Wikipedia and Google (image)

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