Daydream Believer - The Monkees Version

The Monkees Version

Producer Chip Douglas introduced the Monkees to the song. It was recorded during the sessions for their 1967 album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. but was ultimately included on their 1968 album The Birds, The Bees & the Monkees (it proved to be band member Peter Tork's only appearance on the album). All four Monkees appear on the track, with Michael Nesmith on lead guitar, Peter Tork on piano (he also came up with the arrangement), and Micky Dolenz on backing vocals. Davy Jones wasn't sure of the song's potential at first, and admitted later that he'd recorded the vocal with a hint of annoyance at the ongoing takes. His feelings changed when the song became a hit.

John Stewart's original lyrics in the second stanza were: "You once thought of me as a white knight on a steed, Now you know how funky I can be". When the Monkees recorded the song, "funky" was changed to "happy."

The song is also known for its humorous opening:

Chip Douglas: "7A." (referring to the take of the song)

Davy Jones: "What number is this, Chip?"

Chip Douglas and others in unison (slowly, annoyed): "7A!"

Davy Jones: "Okay. Know what I mean, like don't get excited, man. It's 'cause I'm short, I know."

In 1986, three of the four Monkees (Dolenz, Jones, and Tork) mounted a successful reunion tour and had a major hit with the newly recorded "That Was Then, This Is Now." Arista Records, which owned the Monkees' masters at the time, re-released "Daydream Believer" as a follow-up single, re-mixed with a heavier drum track by Michael Lloyd who had produced "That Was Then, This Was Now". The re-released single was a minor hit the second time out, garnering some brief airplay on Top 40 radio stations of the day.