Goin' Down (The Monkees song)

Last updated
"Goin' Down"
Goin' Down.jpg
Single by The Monkees
A-side "Daydream Believer"
ReleasedOctober 25, 1967
RecordedJune 21, July 5, September 15, 23 and October 3, 4, 1967 [1]
Studio
Genre
Length3:57
Label Colgems
Songwriter(s) Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith, Diane Hildebrand
Producer(s) Chip Douglas
The Monkees singles chronology
"Pleasant Valley Sunday"
(1967)		"Goin' Down"
(1967)		"Valleri"
(1968)

"Goin' Down" is a song by the American pop rock band the Monkees, written by all four members of the group along with Diane Hildebrand. It was first released as the B-side to the "Daydream Believer" single on Colgems Records on October 25, 1967, in support of the band's fourth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. . The song managed to bubble under the Billboard Hot 100 upon its release. [2]

Contents

Composition

Music

According to interviews with various members of the band, the song was inspired by Mose Allison's "Parchman Farm." Michael Nesmith explained, "Peter [Tork] had always loved to jam on 'Parchman Farm' and started off on this thing. We just headed off into la-la land. Then Micky [Dolenz] started riffing this thing over the top of it." [3] Tork added, "Somebody gave me an arrangement of 'Parchman Farm' that a friend of theirs had sort of generated – the real folk process at work. I had played that version around for a while amongst the guys. I don't remember why we started playing it that day, but we just jammed it unrehearsed." [3] Dolenz concluded, "It was the exact same song, and we were covering it basically. So we did the tracks, and it came out real good. I remember Mike saying, 'All it is is the chord progression; we're not going to steal the melody or anything. Let's use this track but write other words, another melody to it. Why should we just cover somebody else's tune?' So I said, 'OK, fine. Good idea.'" [1]

The song features energetic, rapid lead vocals by Dolenz and big band influences, with an arrangement by jazz musician Shorty Rogers and a high-note trumpet solo by Wrecking Crew member Bud Brisbois. [4]

Lyrics

Diane Hildebrand's lyrics to "Goin' Down" describe a man whose relationship has ended, and he attempts to "end it all" by drunkenly leaping into the river to be dragged away by the current. He immediately regrets the decision and comes to a self-realization before coming to shore in New Orleans to partake in its "swingin' scenes". Dolenz explained, "Diane Hildebrand was given the track, and she was told to go away and write a song. She came back with this song, and I started practicing it. Singing it like this (adopts slow tempo). She said, 'No, no. It's twice that fast.' I was doing it half-time. I remember that I said, 'What?!' She said, 'Yes, it's twice that fast.' I get a lot of comments about that tune. (On the TV show) I did that live. You don't see nobody doing that stuff these days, do ya?" [3]

Reception and legacy

With the song's A-side "Daydream Believer" reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100, "Goin' Down" managed to chart at number 104 nationally. [2] After its release, the composition became a staple of the Monkees' touring setlists, with a live version of the song appearing on the album 2001: Live in Las Vegas . [5] [6] An extended rendition of "Goin' Down" also appears on the deluxe version of Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. , Greatest Hits , The Best of the Monkees , and Extended Versions. [7] [1]

In 2012, the composition was used in the television show Breaking Bad . Dolenz, who was unaware it was to be featured on the show, commented, "'Goin' Down' has nothing to do with drugs, obviously. And I certainly don't condone meth — that is nasty stuff that kills a lot of people and ruins a lot of lives. ... On the other hand, I like the TV show, it's very well-made. ... And no, I didn't make a penny". [8]

Personnel

Adapted from Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.: Deluxe Edition CD liner notes. [1]

Musicians

Technical

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Monkees</span> American rock and pop band

The Monkees were an American pop rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1966, comprising Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Davy Jones. They were conceived in 1965 as a fictional band for the sitcom The Monkees by the television producers Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider. Music credited to the Monkees appeared in the sitcom, which aired from 1966 to 1968, and was released on LP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Tork</span> American musician and actor (1942–2019)

Peter Halsten Thorkelson, better known by his stage name Peter Tork, was an American musician and actor. He was best known as the keyboardist and bass guitarist of the Monkees and a co-star of the TV series The Monkees (1966–1968).

<i>Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.</i> 1967 studio album by The Monkees

Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. is the fourth album by the Monkees. It was released on November 6, 1967, during a period when the band exerted more control over their music and performed many of the instruments themselves. However, although the group had complete artistic control over the procceedings, they invited more outside contributions than on their previous album, Headquarters, and used session musicians to complement their sound. The album also featured one of the first uses of the Moog synthesizer in popular music. Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. sold over three million copies. It was the band's fourth consecutive album to reach No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

<i>Headquarters</i> (The Monkees album) 1967 studio album by the Monkees

Headquarters is the third album by the Monkees, released in May 1967 after the first season of their television series had concluded. It was the first album on which the group members made substantial songwriting and instrumental contributions, rather than relying on session musicians and professional songwriters. After a struggle for creative autonomy with their record label, the group had been allowed, to a degree, to record by themselves. Headquarters became the group's third consecutive No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified double platinum in the United States with sales of more than two million copies within the first two months of release. It also peaked at No. 2 on the UK charts. It is included in the 2006 book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

<i>The Best of The Monkees</i> 2003 greatest hits album by the Monkees

The Best of the Monkees is a Monkees compilation released by Rhino Entertainment. It contains 25 songs from the Monkees' repertoire, listed in chronological order by release date. Also included is a bonus karaoke CD with five tracks. Unlike previous Rhino compilations, this one does not include any material from the 1980s or 1990s reunions, focusing strictly on the band's 1960s output.

<i>The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees</i> 1968 studio album by the Monkees

The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees is the fifth studio album by the Monkees. Released in April 1968, it was the first Monkees album not to reach Billboard's number one, peaking at No. 3 on the U.S. charts. It was also their first album to miss the UK charts altogether, with their four previous efforts all having reached the top ten. The album has sold over a million copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daydream Believer</span> 1967 single by the Monkees

"Daydream Believer" is a song composed by American songwriter John Stewart shortly before he left the Kingston Trio. It was originally recorded by the Monkees, with Davy Jones singing the lead. The single reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1967, remaining there for four weeks, and peaked at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart. It was the Monkees' third and last No. 1 hit in the U.S.

"Daily Nightly" is a song by Michael Nesmith of the Monkees, which appeared on their fourth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., in 1967, and was featured in two second-season episodes of their television series, "A Fairy Tale" and "Monkees Blow Their Minds".

<i>The Monkees Greatest Hits</i> (Colgems) 1969 greatest hits album by the Monkees

The Monkees Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits compilation album by the Monkees, issued by Colgems in June 1969.

<i>Missing Links Volume Three</i> 1996 compilation album by The Monkees

Missing Links Volume Three is a compilation album of rare and previously unreleased songs by The Monkees, issued by Rhino Records in 1996. It is the third and final volume of a three-volume set, preceded by Missing Links in 1987 and Missing Links Volume Two in 1990.

<i>Missing Links Volume Two</i> 1990 compilation album by the Monkees

Missing Links Volume Two is a compilation album of rare and previously unreleased songs by the Monkees, issued by Rhino Records in 1990. It is the second volume of a three-volume set, preceded by Missing Links in 1987 and followed by Missing Links Volume Three in 1996.

<i>The Monkees Anthology</i> 1998 compilation album by The Monkees

The Monkees Anthology is a two-CD compilation set by the Monkees issued in 1998, and is the first collection to include material from their most recent studio album at the time, Justus. It includes almost all the original singles and B-sides, as well as a TV rarity and one live track.

"Star Collector" is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King in 1967 and recorded by The Monkees. The song is included on their fourth album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. It was featured in five second-season episodes of their television series: "The Wild Monkees", "Hitting the High Seas", "Monkees Watch Their Feet", "Monkees in Paris" and "Monkees Mind Their Manor". "The Wild Monkees" uses an early mix of the song, and the other episodes use the released mix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pleasant Valley Sunday</span> 1967 single by the Monkees

"Pleasant Valley Sunday" is a song by the Monkees, released in 1967. It was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. Inspired by a street named Pleasant Valley Way and their move to suburban West Orange, New Jersey, Goffin and King wrote the song about dissatisfaction with the life in the suburbs.

<i>The Definitive Monkees</i> 2001 greatest hits album by The Monkees

The Definitive Monkees is a limited edition Monkees compilation album released in 2001. It contains 29 of the Monkees' greatest hits. The album includes two tracks from the 1980s reunions. The album featured a bonus disc which featured 31 of The Monkees' rarity songs.

<i>Monkeemania (The Very Best of the Monkees)</i> 2011 greatest hits album by The Monkees

Monkeemania (The Very Best of the Monkees) is a two-disc Monkees compilation released in 2011. It contains 57 of the Monkees' songs, including hit singles, B-sides, album tracks and rarities. Several of these songs were unreleased in the 1960s, but were eventually issued on the Monkees' Missing Links archival compilation albums.

<i>Monkeemania (40 Timeless Hits)</i> 1979 greatest hits album by the Monkees

Monkeemania is a Monkees compilation released in Australia in 1979. It contains 40 of the Monkees' songs, including hit singles, B-sides, album tracks and three previously unreleased tracks: "Love to Love," "Steam Engine" and a live version of "Circle Sky."

<i>Good Times!</i> 2016 studio album by the Monkees

Good Times! is the twelfth studio album by American pop rock band the Monkees. Produced mainly by Adam Schlesinger, the album was recorded to commemorate the band's 50th anniversary. It is the first Monkees studio album since Justus (1996), marking the longest gap between Monkees albums to date, and the first since the death of founding member Davy Jones. The album features surviving Monkees Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork, as well as a posthumous contribution from Jones. The album received generally positive reviews from music critics and reached number 14 on the Billboard 200, becoming the band's highest-charting album in 48 years.

"Christmas Is My Time of Year" is a Christmas single written by Howard Kaylan and Chip Douglas, both members of the Turtles.

"Words" is a song written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart and released by the Monkees. An early version by the Leaves appeared on their 1966 album Hey Joe. The Monkees first recorded the song for their second album, More of The Monkees, in August 1966 under the supervision of Boyce and Hart. While this version went unreleased until the 1990 compilation Missing Links Volume Two, it was featured in the 10 April 1967 episode of The Monkees "Monkees, Manhattan Style". A new version of the song was made to be the B-side of "Pleasant Valley Sunday" in 1967, now produced by Chip Douglas.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sandoval, Andrew (2006). Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.: Deluxe Edition (CD liner notes). Rhino Records.
  2. 1 2 Sandoval, Andrew (2005). The Monkees: The Day-by-Day Story of the '60s TV Pop Sensation . San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press. p. 143. ISBN   978-1-59223-372-4.
  3. 1 2 3 Sandoval, Andrew (2001). Music Box (CD box set liner notes). Rhino Records.
  4. ↑ Greenwald, Matthew. "Goin' Down - Review". AllMusic . Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  5. ↑ "1969 North American Tour". monkeesconcerts.com. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  6. ↑ "2001 North American Tour". monkeesconcerts.com. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Goin' Down". Sunshine Factory. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  8. ↑ Halperin, Shirley (August 28, 2012). "Breaking Bad' Uses Monkees Song in Key Meth Cooking Scene; Micky Dolenz Weighs In". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved December 8, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.