Well, dang.
When our friends over at the Single File podcast let the cat out of the bag last weekend about the planned number one hit for this week, I was psyched.
Like a lot of kids of my generation, I adored The Monkees. It didn't matter that their show and music had been formulated by corporate executives or released decades earlier. The whole lot of it felt new and awesome and highly entertaining. Many a lazy after-school afternoon found me slowly poking around the dozen or so television channels at my disposal, hoping against hope for a random episode to appear before me. It was simply the best thing the TV could deliver.
Thus, immediately after getting word about "I'm a Believer" being chosen by our friendly neighborhood NOPR, I started assessing bloggy ideas.
Then, just a few days ago, we learned about the passing of one of the four band members. The talented and quirky bassist Peter Tork has, unfortunately, sadly, died. Suffice it to say, this event had an impact beyond inconveniencing my silly little corner of the internet. To put it absurdly mildly, a lot of folks felt depressed and down with this loss. And, you can count me among them.
 |
| I just couldn't post a "serious" pic here. This feels more appropriate |
In the days since, this whole world wide web thing has been chock full of stories about Peter Tork. Essays about the man, his career, The Monkees, and other contributions have popped up in a plethora of places, many of which draw significantly more eyeballs than this blog does. That's been reassuring, as it is really nice to see him remembered so fondly. And, I've been pleased about it for another, totally selfish reason.
I don't wanna.
You see, I'm really not good with this sort of thing. So, I've decided to let those other, professional, researched (that's a thing?) sites do the heavy lifting in that regard. They can talk about the sticky wicket that is "real life", and I will let them have that honor. Congratulations! You get to spend your word count on a colossal bummer. Here at the breakdown, we're just gonna stick to the music and have fun. Sorry news people! That's what you get for, I don't know, needing a paycheck! Suckers.
And no, we're not taking applications here. Pfft, reporters.
Right, so, shall we start monkeying around?
 |
| One Monkee, one monkey |
I've picked out four original songs from The Monkees catalogue for perusal today. Of these, two have a writing credit for Peter, while the other two contain his lead vocals. There's a lot I could've chosen, of course. Everyone has their favorites. But, I thought these show the impressive range of his creativity, and are also ones I remember quite fondly.
Let's begin with something Tork-voiced and a touch absurd.
"Your Auntie Grizelda"
This tune is one that you could probably consider completely on point for the character of Peter in the show. Weird and wacky, both in vibe and lyrically, I remember it playing over several of their kooky action sequences. It stood out, like he did, in an unassuming and endearing way. I've always liked it, and feel it could sound right at home with somebody like Jonathan Coulton performing it. A recent live performance, found here, shows that like most of these songs, it still has some legs.
Favorite stanza
You can't begrudge her style, your auntie Grizelda
She couldn't budge a smile and do it for free
So righteous making fudge, your auntie Grizelda
So proper judging others over her tea.
"Shades of Gray"
Quite, quite different from the above release. This song, a somber duet with Davey Jones (also, sadly, RIP), comes across initially like a standard acoustic ballad. But the lyrics are a bit heavier than some of the more saccharine slow james that the tiny Brit would normally take lead on. Inching more towards growing up and morality, it's a bit too earnest, but still pretty solid. And, I definitely remember "playing piano" along to this song as a kid by pressing the buttons on my parent's weird stereo cabinet. For whatever that's worth.
Chorus
But today there is no day or night
Today there is no dark or light
Today there is no black or white
Only shades of gray
"Goin' Down"
Oh man, this song. I love this song! Penned by the full band, it ranks high on my list of favorites alongside the equally manic "No Time". This tune is so much fun, and the lyrics an utterly massive word salad that is nearly impossible to decipher (without e-help, of course). It just keeps going and going and tells a great story. Mickey takes the lead, and he was probably the best choice. He doesn't sing it so much as just speed talk through it, which is fine in this case. I'd love to know how "Goin' Down" came together (and who contributed what). Such a Monkees classic!
Opening Line(!)
Floatin' down the river with a saturated liver...
"For Pete's Sake"
Always the most depressing song. Why? It signaled the episode was over. Those first few licks of Mike Nesmith's guitar twang always told me that, sorry bub, your thirty minutes of fun are done. Time to get up, do some chores, some homework some...thing. Blarg. Co-written by Peter, its lyrics are very much of the late sixties (love, freedom, etc). To me though, they'll always just mean the end.
Summary
Sigh, the end.
 |
| I never wanted to get off the couch either |
FINAL THOUGHTS
"I'm a Believer" is a great song that would've been easy to talk about for a lengthy post. Obviously, that wasn't meant to be this time. If you're a fan of The Monkees and/or Peter Tork, I'm sure you understand the narrative shift.
If you aren't a fan of this band, apologies for not talking about this week's song itself. Although, to be honest, I almost never get in depth of any song. I mean, have you read this blog? One week I tried to sync up 1991 one-hit wonders with commercial endorsements. Seriously, I don't really write about music, if you haven't figured that out yet. Remember when I translated a pop-hit through ten different languages? Exactly. Don't expect too much, my friends.
At any rate, RIP Peter Tork. You'll be missed by a great many. Thank you for making my childhood a touch more cheerful and musical. That is a monumental achievement, by any standard of measure.
No comments:
Post a Comment