Monkeeing around

My top eight Monkees songs, in no particular order, that weren't UK top 40 hits:

1) The Girl I Left Behind Me

Gorgeous, heartfelt ballad from young Davy.

2) Listen To The Band

Being a huge teen sensation created, of course, by The Man, The Monkees had some of the best songwriters on the planet at their disposal - but they also had someone in their own ranks - Mike Nesmith - who could write a killer tune himself. Listen to the Band is one such number.

3) Gonna Buy Me A Dog

Essentially Mickey and Davy arsing about and ad-libbing over the prospect of purchasing a pooch, for two minutes. Pure, unmitigated fun.

4) Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)

Davy's got a dilemma; he loves two women and can't choose between them. This alternate version is made even better by Peter's voiceover man-style narration during the instrumental bits.

5) Shades of Gray

Lovely, existential ballad. One verse apiece from Peter and Davy. The only way this song could've been improved upon would be if the other two had chipped in with verses too. But it's fantastic enough as it is.

6) Someday Man

A double-A side with Listen to the Band. Two great songs, number 47 in the UK charts. Go figure. Sort of like a sanguine alternative to Shades of Gray. Co-written by Paul Williams of Bugsy Malone soundtrack fame.

7) Your Auntie Grizelda

Peter takes the lead on this hugely enjoyable bunkum. Nice clip too. The TV series may not have aged especially well but the music certainly has - and these clips are just the ticket. Make you want to re-watch the series as well; but, if you're over 12, don't do it!

8) Tapioca Tundra

Mike Nesmith's greatest composition? Works for me!

Barking!

Forget Jason Nevins...

...it's Run DMC vs The Monkees in the battle of the Mary Marys!

Actually, apart from sharing a title, a riff, a vocal sample and the same basic tune, there's very little similarity between these two songs - at least lyrically. They're so different that the words Mary and, umm, Mary (that'll be Mary, then) are about the only ones (one) that the two versions have in common.

Anyway, I don't know if it's just because I knew the Run DMC version first, but this is one instance where I prefer the cover to the original. How about you?

Run DMC - Mary Mary mp3

The Monkees - Mary Mary mp3


Mildly Interesting Pop "Fact": I'm sure I remember once hearing that Run DMC had decicated their version to joyless anti-smut TV campaigner Mary Whitehouse (right). Don't quote me on that though - I can't find anything to this effect on Google so it's entirely possible that it was all some bizarre dream I once had!

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