Book Review: Looking For Good Times: Examining the Monkees Songs One by One

Michael Ventrella and Mark Arnold have teamed up to offer a song-by-song discography of The Monkees, in chronological order, and give us information on every one of their songs. We learn more about hits like “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m a Believer,” “Daydream Believer,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” etc., and also are able to explore lesser known tracks like “The Girl That I Knew Somewhere,” “It’s Nice to Be With You,” and “Tapioca Tundra.“

The Monkees – Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, and Peter Tork -- have been derisively referred to as the pre-fab four, as they were never an organic rock band who got together and paid their dues over a series of low paying gigs, finally securing a record contract. They were two actors and two musicians who were thrown together after auditioning, put on a TV show, and manufactured for mass pre-teen consumption. When we look at the hits discussed in the book, we find that, in most cases, just one Monkee is active on the song. It is only Micky, and several session musicians and backup singers, on “Last Traint to Clarksville” and the TV show theme song, for instance.

This sort of manufactured pop confection was shrewdly marketed and the songs became hits. The group was so popular, it actually went on tour, and at one point Jimi Hendrix was their opening act. The group wanted to work as a more cohesive unit, which is why a song like “Daydream Believer” has Davy’s lead vocal backed by Micky and with Peter offering the distinctive piano sound.

All of these songs were examined, including occasional commentaries by the various Monkees, allowing us a clearer understanding of the creative process, the evolution, and the consistent success of the group. Of course by the end of the 1960s things sort of petered out, but the fact that these songs have lived on into future generations is a testament to their longevity.

The discography is not limited to just the Monkees songs. The authors extend into a later incarnation in which Micky and Davy teamed with frequent Monkees songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart to form the short-lived Dolenz-Jones-Boyce-Hart during the 1970s. In the later 1980s, the TV show was rerun on MTV, became a sensation with a new generation, and The Monkees, sans Nesmith, reteamed for another recording session. These later songs are also discussed in detail.

Monkees fans might not agree with the authors’ opinions about various songs, and their not listing the session musicians involved with each track is a disappointment, but what the book does contain is quite commendable. For those interested in pop music producing during the 60s, when a most fertile period is responded to with a marketed TV phenomenon, the book offers the sort of details that readers will find fascinating. The Scott Shaw cover art is wonderful.

The book is available here.