Listen to the Band

The Monkees

About Listen to the Band

"Listen to the Band" is a song by The Monkees that was 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 A-side single. "Listen to the Band" was first heard on The Monkees television special 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee as a live performance with Peter Tork making his last appearance before leaving the Monkees. The one-hour special aired on NBC on April 14, 1969. The song was written during Nesmith's RCA Nashville sessions and was recorded on June 1, 1968. It was completed on December 9, 1968 at RCA studios in Los Angeles with a horn section added to the track (arranged by Shorty Rogers). The revised single went to No. 63 on the Billboard chart. "Listen to the Band" was included on The Monkees record album The Monkees Present, released on Colgems 117 on October 11, 1969. The album version runs 2 minutes and 45 seconds, 15 seconds longer than the single version. The Monkees were by now a trio (Micky Dolenz, Nesmith, and Davy Jones), with Peter Tork having left in December 1968. 


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Hey, hey, mercy woman plays a song and no one listens
I need help, I'm falling again
 
Play the drum a little louder
Tell me I can live without her 
If I only listen to the band 
 
Listen to the band

Weren't they good, they made me happy
I think I can make it alone
 
Oh, mercy, woman plays a song and no one listens
I need help, I'm falling again
 
Play the drum a little bit louder
Tell them they can live without her 
If they only listen to the band
 
Listen to the band

Now weren't they good, they made me happy
I think I can make it alone
 
Oh, woman plays a song and no one listens
I need help I'm falling again
 
Come on, play the drums just a little bit louder
Tell us we can live without her
Now that we have listened to the band

Listen to the band

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The Monkees

The Monkees are an American pop band that released music under their original incarnation between 1966 and 1970, with subsequent reunion albums and tours in the decades that followed. Assembled in Los Angeles in 1965 by Robert "Bob" Rafelson and Bert Schneider for the American television series The Monkees, which aired from 1966–1968, the musical acting quartet was composed of Americans Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork, and Englishman Davy Jones. The band's music was initially supervised by producer Don Kirshner. more »

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Written by: MICHAEL NESMITH

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

History & Release
"Listen to the Band" is a song written by Michael Nesmith of The Monkees. - It was first released on The Monkees' 1969 album, "The Monkees Present." - The song was also released as a single but did not achieve massive commercial success.
Musical Style
The song is infused with a combination of rock and country style, a departure from The Monkees' typical pop-rock sound.
Instrumentation & Composition
The song features Nesmith on lead vocals and six-string guitar, making it distinctive for its heavy use of brass instruments. - Its upbeat tempo is driven by a lively brass section and a unique rhythm pattern.
Performance & Reception
Despite not being a massive commercial hit, "Listen to the Band" received positive reviews and has since gained a cult following among Monkees' fans. - It is often lauded for its blend of honky-tonk piano, brass, and country rock stylings.
Michael Nesmith's Role
Nesmith wrote and sang lead on the song, adding a different dimension to The Monkees' catalog. - It emphasizes Nesmith's strong ties to country music and his ability to create a fusion of country and rock.
Live Performances
"Listen to the Band" has been performed on several of The Monkees' live tours and has often been well-received by fans. - The song is known for its engaging live performances and audience participation.
Legacy
The song is often regarded as a key component in Nesmith's transition from member of a pop-rock band to solo artist with a country-rock leaning. - It continues to be a standout track of The Monkees' repertoire and his contribution to the blending of rock and country music.
Cover Versions
Several artists have covered the song due to its unique blend of country and rock. These covers have further solidified the song's place in music history.

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    Listen to the Band

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1969

    Billboard #63


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