"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