Porpoise Song

Last updated
"Porpoise Song"
The Monkees single 08 Porpoise Song.jpg
US single cover
Single by the Monkees
from the album Head
B-side "As We Go Along"
Released5 October 1968
Recorded26 and 28 February 1968
California Recorders
Hollywood, CA
Genre
Length2:56 (LP)
4:00 (single)
Label Colgems #1031
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Gerry Goffin
The Monkees singles chronology
"D. W. Washburn"
(1968)		"Porpoise Song"
(1968)		"Tear Drop City"
(1969)

"Porpoise Song" is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King and performed by the Monkees as the theme song for their 1968 film Head and its accompanying soundtrack album. [4] The single version contains an extended instrumental outro not included on the album version or in either of the song's appearances in Head. The song also appears on several Monkees greatest-hits albums.

Contents

Film appearance

In the Monkees' 1968 feature film Head , the song appears at the beginning and end of the production in two variations on the same scene. At the start of the film, the group are being chased, running onto a bridge. In an attempt to escape, Dolenz jumps from the bridge as the others look on in shock. As Dolenz sinks, he is saved from drowning by a couple of beautiful mermaids. At the end of the film, the other members follow Dolenz and jump or fall from the bridge. As they appear to swim to shore, the camera zooms out, revealing them to be trapped in a large glass tank of water being pulled by a truck. Footage in both sequences is extensively solarized. [5]

Background

Micky Dolenz provides the double-tracked vocals, except for the "goodbye, goodbye" part of the chorus which is sung by Davy Jones. A mix of organ riffs, cello, double bass, woodwinds, and horns float in and out of the song. Chimes, tubular bells and various aquatic sound effects can also be heard. The lyrics call into question the Monkees' prefabricated image and reflect their desire for creative freedom and authenticity, including a veiled reference to Dolenz’ childhood work on the television series Circus Boy . [6] [7] [8]

The song was recorded on February 26, 28 and 29 of 1968, with Goffin producing. Andrew Sandoval, author of The Monkees: The Day-by-Day Story of the 60s TV Pop Sensation , considered it "the most elaborate production ever for a Monkees recording." [9]

Bob Rafelson, the co-creator of the Monkees television series and director of Head, recalled:

Carole King was living in an apartment building on Sunset Boulevard, and I went to her apartment every day, and we would sit and we would talk. That song was critical to me. 'A face, a voice, an overdub has no choice.' In other words, the whole synthetic process of making the Monkees' records was about to be [examined] in the movie. They are constantly being picked up, used, transplanted, subjected to influence by the [guru], by the war, by the media, and all of these things are exposed. They are always [portrayed] as the victims of their own fame. That's what I chose to make the movie about...

It was Carole or Gerry's idea to record live porpoise sounds and use them on the track. That's what you hear [at the end of the song]. I just thought that they were the appropriate people. It is far and away my favourite Monkees' song. [10]

Cash Box described the song as having a "'progressive' feel" and "a thundering rhythm line akin to the Beatles' 'I Am the Walrus.'" [11]

Noel Gallagher of Oasis called "Porpoise Song" "an amazing song" and "one of the great moments in recorded history" in a 2016 interview with the Detroit Free Press . [12]

Chart history

"Porpoise Song" was released as a single in 1968 and reached #62 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Chart (1968)Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 [13] 62

Covers by other artists

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 the mid-1960s. The band consisted of Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork. Spurred by the success of the television show of the same name, the Monkees were one of the most successful bands of the late 1960s. With international hits, four chart-topping albums and three chart-topping songs, they sold more than 75 million records worldwide.

<i>Head</i> (film) 1968 film directed by Bob Rafelson

Head is a 1968 American satirical musical adventure film written and produced by Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson, directed by Rafelson, starring television rock group the Monkees and distributed by Columbia Pictures. A theatrical spin-off of the 1966–68 NBC television show and a swan song, it started production directly after completion of series production.

<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 proceedings, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm a Believer</span> Neil Diamond song made famous by the Monkees

"I'm a Believer" is a song written by Neil Diamond and recorded by American band the Monkees in 1966 with the lead vocals by Micky Dolenz. The single, produced by Jeff Barry, hit the number-one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week ending December 31, 1966, and remained there for seven weeks becoming the last number-one hit of 1966 and the biggest-selling single for all of 1967. Billboard ranked the record as the number-five song for 1967. While originally published by Screen Gems-Columbia Music (BMI), it is now published by Stonebridge Music/EMI Foray Music (SESAC), with administration passed to Sony Music Publishing and Universal Music Publishing Group.

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

Headquarters is the third studio album by the American pop rock band the Monkees, released in 1967 by Colgems Records. It was issued after the first season of their television series had concluded and 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 Monkees Present</i> 1969 studio album by the Monkees

The Monkees Present is the eighth studio album by the American pop rock band the Monkees, released in 1969 by Colgems Records. It was the second Monkees album released after the departure of Peter Tork and the last to feature Michael Nesmith until 1996's Justus.

<i>Changes</i> (The Monkees album) 1970 studio album by the Monkees

Changes is the ninth studio album by the American pop rock band the Monkees, released in 1970 by Colgems Records. The album was issued after Michael Nesmith's exit from the band, leaving only Micky Dolenz and Davy Jones to fulfill the recording contract they had signed in the mid-1960s. Changes was their last new album for Colgems Records and the group's last album of all new material until Pool It!, released in 1987.

<i>Pool It!</i> 1987 studio album by the Monkees

Pool It! is the tenth studio album by American pop rock band the Monkees, released in August 1987 by Rhino Records. It was the first Monkees studio album of new material since Changes in 1970 and the first Monkees album to feature Peter Tork since the 1968 Head soundtrack.

<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 American pop rock band the Monkees, released in 1968 by Colgems Records. It was the first album released after the cancellation of their TV show and subsequently was their first not to reach No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200, peaking at No. 3, and their first not to chart in the UK, with their four previous efforts all having reached the top ten. The album has sold over a million copies.

<i>Head</i> (The Monkees album) 1968 soundtrack album by the Monkees

Head is the sixth studio album by the American pop rock band the Monkees, released in 1968 by Colgems Records, and the soundtrack to the film of the same name. The album primarily consists of musique concrète pieces assembled from the film's dialogue, while the six new songs encompass genres such as psychedelic music, lo-fi, acid rock and Broadway theatre.

<i>Hallucinations: Psychedelic Pop Nuggets from the WEA Vaults</i> 2004 box set by Various Artists

Hallucinations: Psychedelic Pop Nuggets from the WEA Vaults is a 2004 compilation album released by Rhino Handmade, one of two new compilations using the Nuggets name. As with all Rhino Handmade releases, it was only available online, and a limited number of copies were pressed. All 7500 copies are currently sold out.

<i>Instant Replay</i> (The Monkees album) 1969 studio album by the Monkees

Instant Replay is the seventh studio album by the American pop rock band the Monkees, released in 1969 by Colgems Records. Issued 11 months after the cancellation of the group's NBC television series, it is also the first album released after Peter Tork left the group and the only album of the original nine studio albums that does not include any songs featured in the TV show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Last Train to Clarksville</span> 1966 single by the Monkees

"Last Train to Clarksville" is a song by American rock band the Monkees. It was released as the band's debut single on August 16, 1966, and was later included on the group's self-titled album, which was released on October 10, 1966. The song, written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, was recorded at RCA Victor Studio B in Hollywood on July 25, 1966, and was already on the Boss Radio "Hit Bounds" playlist on August 17, 1966. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending November 5, 1966. Lead vocals were performed by the Monkees' drummer, Micky Dolenz. "Last Train to Clarksville" was featured in seven episodes of the band's television series, the most for any Monkees song.

<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 American pop rock band 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Monkees discography</span> Cataloging of published recordings by The Monkees

The Monkees' discography spans over 50 years, from the release of their first single, "Last Train to Clarksville" in August 1966 to their final live album The Mike and Micky Show in April 2020. Their discography is complicated due to the large volume of unique releases in many international markets, the release of many recordings not credited to the Monkees for lack of rights to the trademark, and the existence of many bootleg, promotional, and novelty recordings that are beyond the scope of this article.

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

"Pleasant Valley Sunday" is a song by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, recorded and released by the Monkees in the summer of 1967. Inspired by their move to West Orange, New Jersey, and named for a street there, Goffin and King wrote the song about their dissatisfaction with life in the suburbs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Listen to the Band (song)</span> 1969 single by The Monkees

"Listen to the Band" is a song by American pop rock band the Monkees, released on Colgems single 5004 on April 26, 1969. Written by Michael Nesmith, it is the first time Nesmith sang lead vocals on a Monkees single A-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goin' Down (The Monkees song)</span> 1967 single by The Monkees

"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.

"Do It in the Name of Love" is a song written by Bobby Bloom and Neil Brian Goldberg.

References

  1. ↑ Stanley, Bob (2014). "Bubblegum Is the Naked Truth: The Monkees". Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! The Story of Pop Music from Bill Haley to Beyoncé. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. p. 208.
  2. ↑ Masley, Ed (January 7, 2024). "Best Monkees songs of all time: 30 classics, from their biggest hits to album tracks". The Arizona Republic . Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  3. ↑ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. October 5, 1968. p. 18. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  4. ↑ Sandoval, Andrew, Liner Notes Head Handmade, Rhino Records
  5. ↑ Bill Gibron (July 27, 2007). "A 'Head' of its Time". PopMatters.com. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
  6. ↑ Pamela RobertsonWojcik (2002). Soundtrack Available: Essays on Film and Popular Music. Duke University Press. p. 94. ISBN   0-8223-2797-X.
  7. ↑ James E. Perrone (2006). The Words and Music of Carole King. PraegerPublishers. p. 16. ISBN   0-275-99027-3.
  8. ↑ Jim DeRogatis (2003). Turn On Your Mind: Four Decades of Great Psychedelic Rock. Hal Leonard. p. 638 pages. ISBN   0-634-05548-8.
  9. ↑ Sandoval, Andrew (2005). The Monkees: The Day-by-Day Story of the 60s TV Pop Sensation. Thunder Bay Press. p.  177. ISBN   1-59223-372-4.
  10. ↑ Andrew Sandoval, Liner Notes Head Handmade, Rhino Records
  11. ↑ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. October 5, 1968. p. 18. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  12. ↑ Trzcinski, Matthew (2022-07-09). "Oasis' Noel Gallagher Said a Monkees Song Is 1 of the Best Psychedelic Songs Ever". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  13. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 586.
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.