"I'm a Believer" by the Monkees (1966)
Dance song of the day - July 12, 2024 - plus bonus B side
Song of the day
Today’s song is for Anna, who loved the TV show The Monkees as a girl. Likewise, I was a religious watcher for its two seasons (1966-1968), as well as having all of the Monkees record albums. If broadcasting and merchandising were their main aims in creating this boy band, it sure worked on us pre-teen girls.
But we shouldn’t forget that it also produced some unforgettable tunes, like this international number one hit and double Grammy-nominated song written by Neil Diamond, backed by top studio musicians (see credits below), and sung by the now only remaining Monkee, Micky Dolenz (with fellow Monkees Davy Jones and Peter Tork on backing vocals). The album — their second, called More of the Monkees — went five times platinum and was, not kidding, the best-selling album of the year in the U.S., the first time for a pop/rock album. Why oh why did I sell my Monkees vinyl albums?
The B-side to “I’m a Believer” was “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” a Top 20 hit, which almost doesn’t sound like the Monkees with its psychedelic vibe and outraged tone. Written and produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, I offer it here as a bonus danceable tune that shows another side to this outwardly sunny and madcap group — or at least to Micky Dolenz as a lead singer.
I suspect we’ll be hearing more Monkees hits in the coming months.
Song credits for “I’m a Believer”
Songwriter - Neil Diamond
Producer - Jeff Barry
The Monkees
Micky Dolenz – lead and backing vocals
Davy Jones and Peter Tork – backing vocals
Additional personnel
Al Gorgoni, Sal DiTroia – electric guitars
Neil Diamond – acoustic guitar
Stan Free – organ
George Butcher – electric piano
George Devens – tambourine
Russ Savakus – bass
Buddy Saltzman – drums
Artie Butler – arranger
Song credits for “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone”
Songwriters and producers - Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
The Monkees
Micky Dolenz – lead vocals
Additional musicians
Wayne Erwin – guitar, backing vocals
Gerry McGee – guitar
Louie Shelton – guitar
Bobby Hart – organ, backing vocals
Larry Taylor – bass guitar
Billy Lewis – drums
Tommy Boyce – backing vocals
Unconfirmed personnel and duties
Percussion
I'm one of their biggest fans (and therefore, defenders...).
Thanks, Ellen
Also
Another great cover of "Stepping Stone" was that by Paul Revere and the Raiders, 1966