The Monkees began their rocket ride to fame before my time. But, as someone's who's always romanticized ‘60s pop and old-school AM Top 40 Radio, I’ve been a fan for a looooooong time.
That fandom grew when MTV commemorated the band's 20th anniversary with its revival of the television series, and through the group’s many reissues and reunion tours.
So, like many millions, I was saddened by the passing of Peter Tork on February 21, eight days after his 77th birthday. And, like countless others, I turned to Monkees music for comfort. Tork was a vastly underrated musician who was part of so many absolute classics – “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m A Believer,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” the theme to the TV show – but the song that really stuck that Thursday was “Daydream Believer.”
“I was on the piano and I came up with this opening lick which I thought was just sparklingly original. When you play it today, everyone thinks of ‘Daydream Believer,’” Tork told Rolling Stone magazine during the band’s 50th anniversary year in 2016. “Davy (Jones) sings this one, and he was such a talented guy, and a good actor. He was probably the best actor among us. He probably had the best musical mind, too. The best brain and maybe the best heart.”
I’d argue that it’s The Monkees’ most popular and most enduring song. It’s wistful, hopeful, catchy, and resonates to this day.
It makes people happy.
Which is what The Monkees are all about.
Let’s give it another listen.
Thanks for the happiness, Peter Tork. Rest in peace.
That fandom grew when MTV commemorated the band's 20th anniversary with its revival of the television series, and through the group’s many reissues and reunion tours.
So, like many millions, I was saddened by the passing of Peter Tork on February 21, eight days after his 77th birthday. And, like countless others, I turned to Monkees music for comfort. Tork was a vastly underrated musician who was part of so many absolute classics – “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m A Believer,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” the theme to the TV show – but the song that really stuck that Thursday was “Daydream Believer.”
“I was on the piano and I came up with this opening lick which I thought was just sparklingly original. When you play it today, everyone thinks of ‘Daydream Believer,’” Tork told Rolling Stone magazine during the band’s 50th anniversary year in 2016. “Davy (Jones) sings this one, and he was such a talented guy, and a good actor. He was probably the best actor among us. He probably had the best musical mind, too. The best brain and maybe the best heart.”
I’d argue that it’s The Monkees’ most popular and most enduring song. It’s wistful, hopeful, catchy, and resonates to this day.
It makes people happy.
Which is what The Monkees are all about.
Let’s give it another listen.
Thanks for the happiness, Peter Tork. Rest in peace.
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