THE MONKEES - THEME FROM THE MONKEES

Released: February 1967

Album: The Monkees

“(Theme from) The Monkees” was the first song written and recorded for The Monkees TV series (1966–1968). Written and produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart before the cast was chosen, it introduced the band as a playful, Beatles-inspired act. Two versions were recorded: a full-length album version and a shorter TV theme. An Italian version appeared on a Monkees compilation

“(Theme From) The Monkees” served as both the opening track on the band’s debut album and the theme for all 58 episodes of their TV show. The full-length version was released as a single in several countries, becoming a hit in places like Australia (No. 8), Mexico (Top 10), and Japan (Top 20). A slower version, sung by Boyce and Hart, was used in an early pilot and is included in the Season 1 DVD set’s special features.

The song features Micky Dolenz on vocals and session musicians playing the instruments. Though it effectively introduced the band on TV, Peter Tork disliked its self-congratulatory tone and refused to perform it live, opting instead to use it as entrance music during concerts.

The song captured the Monkees’ fun, approachable image with a catchy, upbeat style that contrasted the rebellious tone of 1960s rock. The chorus emphasized their friendly persona—“We’re too busy singing to put anybody down”—to suit television standards.