The Birds, The Bees & 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 Billboards 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.

History

While 1968 would go on to present several misfortunes for the band, The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees proved to be another successful album, yielding the group's sixth million-selling single in "Valleri" and yet another No. 1 in "Daydream Believer", written by former Kingston Trio member John Stewart. Coincidentally, both songs had been holdovers from previous albums: "Valleri" had originally been recorded more than a year prior for the television show and "Daydream Believer" had been recorded for their previous album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. "Tapioca Tundra", an experimental piece of poetry put to music by Nesmith, charted well as the B-side to "Valleri" and reached No. 34.
After gaining complete artistic control over their musical direction and being allowed to play instruments on their own records in early 1967, the success of Headquarters and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. began to somewhat rebuff the critics who viewed The Monkees as a band of talentless individuals who were simply lucky enough to gain recognition through their "manufactured" origins.
The desire and focus, however, to remain as a complete band unit in the studio evaporated after the Pisces album, when each individual band member began to produce his own sessions with his own selected studio musicians, often at entirely different studios around the Los Angeles area. According to Chip Douglas, "Peter kind of drifted away first, and then everybody did. Everyone wanted to do their own songs and produce them the way they wanted to hear them." An agreement was made to label all finished efforts as "Produced by The Monkees" but, in reality, beyond a few exceptions the recordings featured on The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees reverted to the recording process of the first two albums, except now each band member was fully in charge of the sessions. Chip Douglas, producer of the Monkees' previous two albums, fully expected to continue as the band's representative in the studio, but found the individual Monkees more interested in exploring their diverse musical backgrounds with their own friends and associates rather than relying on Douglas as the central figure. Douglas continues, "I was ready to do that Boyce & Hart song 'P.O. Box 9847' – it sort of had that 'Paperback Writer' feel on the demo. We passed on it for Pisces, and I began to think, 'Well, we should do that one now.' Then somebody said, 'Chip, we’re not working with you anymore; we’re gonna do our own thing.'"
While being credited as the producers, in reality the Monkees were assisted in the studio by Colgems' president, and head of Screen Gems-Columbia Publishing, Lester Sill, jazz musician and arranger Shorty Rogers, or future manager and later MCA vice president Brendan Cahill. "At that point their contract read that they were to be credited as producers on any product of theirs that came out", Rogers recalls. "Brendan Cahill and I really did all the studio work and production with Lester Sill. When we finished the album, Lester said, 'We’ll put you down as producers', but The Monkees didn't want it, so that went by the wayside."
Davy Jones' Broadway rock, Michael Nesmith's country and western leanings and psychedelic experiments, and the rock and soul of Micky Dolenz made for a diverse album. Several of Peter Tork's compositions were considered for release on Birds; however, they were all rejected. Aside from playing piano on "Daydream Believer", he did not participate in the making of the record at all. Veteran Monkees tunesmiths Boyce and Hart returned to the fold to contribute the psychedelic "P.O. Box 9847", as well as a new version of "Valleri."
The rare U.S. mono album was released in a limited quantity, as mono albums were being phased out by 1968, and has become a highly sought item for its unique mixes that differ from the common stereo versions. Mono copies from Australia, India, Israel, Mexico and Puerto Rico are known to have the same mix as the U.S. There may be others as well. Most countries' mono versions — including the UK's — feature a "fold-down" mix where the stereo channels are reduced to one monaural channel.

Artwork

The front cover of the album shows a shadow box that contains some memorabilia from the 1940s through 1960s, including a Cootie bug, a popgun, a fan that folds out into a paper flower, ceramic birds, various paper flowers and stick flowers. Alan Wolsky, whose agency created the cover, put a picture of himself in the bottom center square, partially obscured by some flowers. The rear cover contains the term "MIJACOGEO" alongside Micky's photo, a term that is an acronym for the members of Micky's family. Another quirk was that while Davy and Peter signed autographs in a traditional manner on their rear cover photos, Michael Nesmith signed "Carlisle Wheeling" to be superimposed onto his picture. This was the title of a song that did not make it on to any Monkees release at that time. However, it appeared on his post-Monkees album Loose Salute with the First National Band, having been renamed "Conversations". The song also was later released on various Monkees rarities collections.

Reissue

On February 8, 2010, Rhino Records' Rhino Handmade released a 3-CD boxed set reissue of the album. It was made available only online directly from Rhino. The set is housed in a 7 inch by 7 inch box with a 3D lenticular cover. It contains the original stereo and U.S. mono versions of the album in miniature vinyl replica sleeves, over 60 demos, rehearsals and outtakes from the original album's sessions, a commemorative pin and a booklet of essays and session information by Monkees historian Andrew Sandoval. The first 1,000 orders include a bonus vinyl single featuring two more unreleased tracks, acoustic versions of "St. Matthew" and "Lady's Baby".
The mono mix was re-released in October 2014 by Friday Music, as part of The Monkees in Mono box set. This pressing features messages in the dead wax reading "Thanks to the Monkees" and "In memory of Davy Jones" on sides 1 and 2, respectively.

Track listing

Original 1968 Colgems vinyl issue

;Side 1
;Side 2

Aborted track listing

The original track lineup for the album, compiled in March 1968, included the following songs:
;Side 1
  1. "Through The Looking Glass"
  2. "We Were Made For Each Other"
  3. "Writing Wrongs"
  4. "I'll Be Back Up On My Feet"
  5. "Valleri"
  6. "Long Title: Do I Have To Do This All Over Again"
;Side 2
  1. "Dream World"
  2. "P.O. Box 9847"
  3. "Tapioca Tundra"
  4. "The Poster"
  5. "Alvin"
  6. "Daydream Believer"
  7. "Zor and Zam"

    1994 Rhino CD reissue

Tracks 1-12: Original album in stereo

1996 Sundazed vinyl reissue

2010 Rhino Handmade deluxe CD reissue

;Disc 1
Tracks 1-12: Original album in stereo
  2. "Through the Looking Glass" - 2:49
  3. "Long Title: Do I Have to Do This All Over Again" - 2:36
  4. "D.W. Washburn" - 2:50
  5. "It's Nice to Be with You" - 2:52
  6. "Carlisle Wheeling" - 3:07
  7. "Rosemarie" - 2:38
  8. "My Share of the Sidewalk" - 3:01
  9. "Alvin" - 0:22
  10. "We Were Made for Each Other" - 2:46
  11. "The Girl I Left Behind Me" - 4:32
  12. "Little Red Rider" - 2:30
  13. "Lady's Baby" - 2:25
  14. "Ceiling in My Room" - 3:50
  15. "I'm a Man" - 2:55
  16. "Me Without You" - 2:16
;Disc 2
Tracks 1-12: Original album in mono
  2. "Alvin" - 0:24
  3. "While I Cry" - 3:02
  4. "D.W. Washburn" - 2:49
  5. "It's Nice to Be with You" - 2:53
  6. "Come on in" - 3:19
  7. "Carlisle Wheeling" - 3:02
  8. "Rosemarie" - 2:39
  9. "The Girl I Left Behind Me" - 2:45
  10. "Seeger's Theme" - 0:42
  11. "Tear the Top Right Off My Head" - 1:55
  12. "My Share of the Sidewalk" - 3:02
  13. "Lady's Baby" - 2:26
  14. "Ceiling in My Room" - 3:15
  15. "Merry Go Round" - 1:43
  16. "Don't Listen to Linda" - 2:56
  17. "Me Without You" - 2:17
  18. "Zor and Zam" - 2:04
  19. The Birds the Bees & the Monkees Teen Radio Spot - 1:00
;Disc 3
  1. Monkees Adult Stereo 8 Spot - 0:59
  2. "Tear the Top Right Off My Head" - 1:57
  3. "Auntie's Municipal Court" - 4:08
  4. "P.O. Box 9847" - 3:22
  5. "War Games" - 2:12
  6. "Lady's Baby" - 2:27
  7. "Tapioca Tundra" - 3:02
  8. "D.W. Washburn" - 2:56
  9. "Nine Times Blue" - 2:19
  10. "Lady's Baby" - 2:19
  11. "While I Cry" - 3:05
  12. "Shorty Blackwell" - 2:54
  13. "Laurel and Hardy" - 2:45
  14. "Seeger's Theme" - 0:52
  15. "Tapioca Tundra" - 3:15
  16. "Don't Say Nothin' Bad" - 2:08
  17. "War Games" - 2:31
  18. " - Do Not Ask for Love" - 3:47
  19. "My Share of the Sidewalk" - 3:12
  20. "Shake 'em Up and Let 'em Roll" - 2:10
  21. "Changes" - 2:25
  22. "Merry Go Round" - 1:29
  23. "Magnolia Simms" - 3:15
  24. "I'm Gonna Try" - 2:44
  25. "Seeger's Theme" - 0:42
  26. "Magnolia Simms" - 3:42
  27. "The Girl I Left Behind Me" - 2:57
  28. "Merry Go Round" - 1:41
  29. "Nine Times Blue" - 2:17
  30. "The Party" - 3:01
  31. "I Wasn't Born to Follow" - 2:58
;Vinyl 45
  1. "St. Matthew"
  2. "Lady's Baby"

    Session information

All tracks produced by The Monkees unless otherwise specified.
Dream World
  • Written by David Jones and Steve Pitts
  • Lead vocal: Davy Jones
  • Guitar: Michael Deasy, Al Hendrickson, Gerry McGee
  • Harpsichord: Don Randi
  • Bass: Max Bennett
  • Drums: Earl Palmer
  • Percussion: Brendan Cahill, Teresa Helfer, Milt Holland, Jerry Williams
  • Violin: Sam Freed, Nathan Kaproff, George Kast, Martin Limonick, Alexander Murray, Erno Neufeld
  • Cello: Marie Feram, Edgar Lustgarten, Jacquelyn Lustgarten, Fredrick Seykora
  • Trumpet: Buddy Childers, Jack Sheldon
  • Trombone: George Roberts
  • French Horn: John Cave, Don Duke, Arthur Maebe
  • Arrangement: Shorty Rogers
  • Recorded at Western Recorders Studio 2, Hollywood, California; February 6, 1968 and RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; 8 February 8, 1968
Auntie's Municipal Court
  • Written by Keith Allison and Michael Nesmith
  • Lead vocal: Micky Dolenz
  • Harmony vocal/percussion: Michael Nesmith
  • Backing vocals: Michael Nesmith, Bill Chadwick, and Unknown
  • Electric guitar: Michael Nesmith, Keith Allison, Bill Chadwick
  • Bass: Richard Dey
  • Drums: Eddie Hoh
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; January 6, 15-16, 1968
  • Mono mix features louder guitar accompaniment
We Were Made for Each Other
Tapioca Tundra
  • Written by Michael Nesmith
  • Lead vocal/whistle/electric and acoustic guitars/percussion: Michael Nesmith
  • Bass: unknown
  • Drums: Eddie Hoh
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; November 11, 18-19, 1967
Daydream Believer
Writing Wrongs
  • Written by Michael Nesmith
  • Lead vocal/electric guitar/organ/piano: Michael Nesmith
  • Bass: Richard Dey
  • Drums/percussion: Eddie Hoh
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; December 3, 1967
  • Final product is two takes spliced together
I'll Be Back Up On My Feet
The Poster
  • Written by David Jones and Steve Pitts
  • Lead/backing vocals: Davy Jones
  • Guitars: Al Casey, Michael Deasy, Howard Roberts
  • Organ: Don Randi
  • Bass: Max Bennett, Lyle Ritz
  • Drums: Hal Blaine
  • Glockenspiel/percussion/tambourine: Gary Coleman, Gene Estes
  • Trumpet: Buddy Childers, Clyde Reasinger, Jack Sheldon, Anthony Terran
  • Trombone: Milt Bernhart, Richard Leith, Lew McCreary, Frank Rosolino
  • Saxophone: John Lowe
  • Woodwind: John Lowe
  • Violin: Nathan Kaproff, George Kast, Marvin Limonick, Alex Murray, Erno Neufeld, Ambrose Russo
  • Arrangement: Shorty Rogers
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; February 15 and 17, 1968
P.O. Box 9847
  • Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • Lead vocal: Micky Dolenz
  • Backing vocal: Probably Coco Dolenz, Micky Dolenz
  • Electric guitars: Gerry McGee, Louie Shelton
  • Bass: Joe Osborn
  • Tack piano: Bobby Hart
  • Drums/percussion: Billy Lewis
  • Violin: Victor Arno, Jack Pepper
  • Viola: Philip Goldberg
  • Cello: Raymond Kelley
  • Marxophone/tabla: unknown
  • Arrangement: Don McGinnis
  • Inspired by an idea by Bob Rafelson
  • Although credited to The Monkees, the song was produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • Recorded at United Recorders, Hollywood, California; December 26, 1967; February 10, 1968
Magnolia Simms
  • Written by Michael Nesmith
  • Lead vocal/guitar: Michael Nesmith
  • Tack piano: Paul T. Smith
  • Bass: Max Bennett
  • Drums: Earl Palmer
  • Trumpet: Oliver Mitchell
  • Trombone: Lew McCreary
  • Woodwinds: Jim Horn, Jack Nimitz
  • Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; December 2, 1967
  • Recorded as a low-fi song with deliberate surface noise and skipping as if it came from a 78 RPM record. On the stereo mix, this track is heard only on the left channel.
Valleri
Zor and Zam
Alvin
I'm Gonna Try
P.O. Box 9847
The Girl I Left Behind Me
Lady's Baby
D. W. Washburn
It's Nice To Be with You
Ceiling in My Room
Auntie's Municipal Court

Album

Singles

Certifications