"(Theme from) ''The Monkees''" is a 1966 pop rock song, written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart as the signature tune for the TV series ''

The Monkees The Monkees were an American pop rock band formed in Los Angeles in the mid-1960s. The band consisted of Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones (musician), Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork. Spurred by the success of ''The Monkees (TV series), Th ...

''. Two versions were recorded – one for their first album ''

'' and a second shorter rendition designed to open the television show. Both feature vocals by

Micky Dolenz George Michael Dolenz Jr. ( ; born March 8, 1945) is an American musician and actor. He was the drummer and one of two primary vocalists for the pop rock band the Monkees (1966–1970, and reunions until 2021), and a co-star of the TV series ''T ...

. The full-length version was released as a single in several countries including Australia, where it became a hit, reaching No. 8. It also made ''

Billboard Magazine ''Billboard'' (stylized in lowercase since 2013) is an American music and entertainment magazine published weekly by Penske Media Corporation. The magazine provides music charts, news, video, opinion, reviews, events and styles related to th ...

'''s "Hits of the World" chart in both Mexico and Japan, reaching the Top 20 in Japan and the Top 10 in Mexico. An Italian version of the song was featured on a Monkees compilation album.

Ray Stevens Harold Ray Ragsdale (born January 24, 1939), known professionally as Ray Stevens, is an American country music, country and pop singer-songwriter and comedian. He is best known for his Grammy-winning recordings "Everything Is Beautiful" and "M ...

did his take of the theme on his 1985 album '' He Thinks He's Ray Stevens'' featuring a male German group of singers, Wolfgang and Fritzy, that are arguing during the refrain of the song. ("Hey Hey Bist Du Monkees".) A slower version – sung by Boyce and Hart – was recorded for an early production of the pilot episode (16mm black and white). This can be found on the Special Features section of the Monkees season 1 DVD box set. The song is featured in the trailer for the 1994 film ''

Monkey Trouble ''Monkey Trouble'' is a 1994 comedy film directed by Franco Amurri and starring Thora Birch and Harvey Keitel. Amurri dedicated the film to his daughter Eva and named after the girl who meets the monkey in the park. Plot In Los Angeles, nine-ye ...

'', and it is used on the ''Minions'' film soundtrack. The song is referenced in the 2003 song by

The Thrills The Thrills are an Irish rock band originally formed in Dublin in 2001. The band was founded by lead vocalist Conor Deasy and guitarist Daniel Ryan, guitarist and bass player Padraic McMahon, pianist Kevin Horan and drummer Ben Carrigan. Their b ...

, "

Big Sur Big Sur () is a rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast (California), Central Coast of the U.S. state of California, between Carmel Highlands and San Simeon, where the Santa Lucia Range, Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from th ...

Personnel

Credits adapted from 2021 Rhino LP. *

– lead vocals Additional musicians *

Tommy Boyce Sidney Thomas Boyce was an American singer songwriter. He was a part of the songwriting team Boyce and Hart with Bobby Hart. Boyce was born in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1939. Before writing songs with Hart he released three singles as a solo arti ...

– backing vocals * Wayne Erwin – guitar, backing vocals * Gene Estes – tambourine * Bobby Hart – organ backing vocals * Ron Hicklin – backing vocals * Billy Lewis – drums * Gerry McGee – guitar *

Louie Shelton William Louis Shelton (born April 6, 1941) is an American guitarist and music producer. Biography During the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s Shelton was a session musician working in recording studios around Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, Hollywood. ...

– guitar *

Larry Taylor Samuel Lawrence Taylor (June 26, 1942 – August 19, 2019) was an American bass guitarist, best known for his work as a member of the blues rock band Canned Heat. Before joining Canned Heat, he had been a session musician, session bassist for T ...

– bass guitar

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Theme From The Monkees 1966 songs Songs written by Bobby Hart Songs written by Tommy Boyce The Monkees songs Comedy television theme songs Music television series theme songs Song recordings produced by Tommy Boyce Song recordings produced by Bobby Hart 1967 singles