THE MONKEES - DAYDREAM BELIEVER

Released: October 25, 1967

Charts: US: #1 (4 weeks) UK: #5 

“Daydream Believer,” written by John Stewart and sung by Davy Jones, became The Monkees’ third US No. 1 hit in December 1967, holding the top spot for four weeks. It also reached No. 5 in the UK. The Monkees performed the song during the second season of their series. Davy Jones named "Daydream Believer" his favorite Monkees song.

Folk artist John Stewart wrote it after leaving the Kingston Trio. Initially rejected by other bands, the song was picked up by The Monkees producer Chip Douglas and became the group’s final US. Inspired partly by an Andrew Wyeth painting, it was the most successful and profitable song Stewart ever wrote, later covered widely and used in media. A small lyric change (“funky” to “happy”) was made to appease the band’s label. Stewart passed away in 2008, leaving behind an extensive musical legacy.

“Daydream Believer” re-entered the charts in 1986 when a new version by the reunited Monkees reached #79, fueled by a resurgence in popularity after MTV began airing reruns of their show 20 years after its original debut.