Daydream Believer
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| "Daydream Believer" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by The Monkees | ||
| from the album The Birds, The Bees & the Monkees | ||
| B-side(s) | "Goin' Down" | |
| Released | 1967 | |
| Format | 7" | |
| Genre | Pop | |
| Length | 3:07 | |
| Label | Colgems | |
| Writer(s) | John Stewart | |
| Producer(s) | The Monkees Chip Douglas |
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| Chart positions | ||
"Daydream Believer" is a song composed by John Stewart shortly before he left the Kingston Trio. The song was originally recorded by The Monkees, with Davy Jones singing lead vocals. Their single hit the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1967, remaining there for four weeks. It was The Monkees' last number one hit.
The song 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. All four Monkees appear on this track, with Michael Nesmith on lead guitar, Peter Tork on piano (he also came up with the arrangement), and Micky Dolenz on backing vocals.
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, who owned the Monkees' masters at the time, re-released "Daydream Believer" as a followup 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.
[edit] Cover versions
Several other artists have covered the song. Anne Murray included it on her 1979 album I'll Always Love You; the following year her single peaked at number one on the U.S. adult contemporary chart, number three on the country chart, and number twelve on the pop chart. John Stewart also included the song on one of his solo albums.
A version of the song performed by Mary Beth Maziarz can be found on the second Dawson's Creek soundtrack, Songs From Dawson's Creek Volume 2, as well as on Mary Beth Maziarz's CD A More Perfect World. This version of the song was played three times on the the WB teen drama: in episodes #3-19 "Stolen Kisses," #4-23 "Coda," and #5-01 "The Bostonians." It is a favorite especially of Dawson and Joey fans, or "DJers." In #3-19 "Stolen Kisses" the Monkees version of the song is also used in a karaoke duet between Dawson and Joey.
On the 2003 reality series American Juniors, contestant Danielle White performed "Daydream Believer".
[edit] Other uses
The Monkees version of the song has been used in an advertising campaign for eBay which began in 2005. Alluding to a line from the song's chorus, "Oh, what can it mean ...", the campaign features the slogan, "Whatever it is, you can get it on eBay." [1].
In late 2005, the Finnish national railway company VR Group also used the song in their advertising campaign with Finnish lyrics.
The song has become widely used by English football fans, who substitute their own lyrics, for instance "Cheer Up Peter Reid" during Sunderland's 1996 promotion season which even entered the top 40. It may also be used in a derogatory manner against opposition teams. In Northern Ireland the song is frequently used by Glentoran and Linfield fans both with derogatory lyrics.
| Preceded by "Incense and Peppermints" by Strawberry Alarm Clock |
Billboard Hot 100 number one single (The Monkees version) December 2, 1967 |
Succeeded by "Hello, Goodbye" by The Beatles |
[edit] External links
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