Classic Pop Icons

The Mamas & the Papas’ timeless folk-pop hit “Monday, Monday” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons. “Monday, Monday” appeared on the Mamas & the Papas debut album, “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears” in January 1966 and was released on single the following month, backed with “Got a Feelin'”.

The Mamas & the Papas formed in 1965 as the New Journeymen, bringing together members from the folk groups The Journeymen (John Phillips), and The Mugwumps (Denny Doherty and Mama Cass), as well as Phillips’ wife Michelle. After a period getting to know each other in the Virgin Islands, they auditioned for pop impresario Lou Adler, who had worked with artists such as Jan & Dean, Sam Cooke, Johnny Rivers, and Mama Cass’ friend Barry McGuire. Adler liked what he heard and signed the four to a record contract.

The breakthrough hit for the Mamas & the Papas was the great “California Dreamin’,” which featured bright and polished production, and the intricate harmonies that would become the group’s trademark. “Monday, Monday” was the follow-up single, but recorded before “California Dreamin'” had become a hit. It’s said that John Phillips was being urged by the other members to come up with new material and optimistically replied that he would go home and write something with “universal appeal.” It wasn’t an idle boast. The song would become the group’s biggest hit and a perfect follow-up to “California Dreamin'”.

The well-worked vocal harmonies and strong lead by Denny Doherty are the most important factors in the success of “Monday, Monday.” It simply would not be the same without the “Ba-da-ba-da-da-da” intro, which has its roots in doo-wop songs such as the Fleetwoods’ “Come Softly To Me”.

The song also carries the universal theme of Monday being the day when things get back to normal after the weekend and the mundane realities of life kick in. The lyrics are too vague to know precisely what John Phillips had in mind beyond that.

“Monday, Monday” earned the Mamas & the Papas a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

“Monday, Monday” – The Mamas & the Papas”

Authorship

“Monday Monday” was written by John Phillips.

Recording date/location

“Monday Monday” was recorded on December 16, 1965 at Western Recorders, 6000 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles.

Musicians

The following musicians appear on “Monday, Monday”:

• Denny Doherty – vocals
• Cass Elliot – vocals
• John Phillips – vocals, guitar
• Michelle Phillips – vocals
• P.F. Sloan – guitar
• Larry Knechtel – keyboards
• Joe Osborn – bass
• Hal Blaine – drums.

The session was produced by Lou Adler and engineered by Bones Howe.

Chart performance

“Monday, Monday” topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the US on May 1, 1966 and stayed there for three weeks. The song was the group’s only US number one.

The single reached number three on the UK singles chart.

The album “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears” topped the Billboard album chart.

Other notable versions

“Monday, Monday” – Neil Diamond

“Monday, Monday” was one of a number of cover songs on Neil Diamond’s debut album “The Feel of Neil Diamond,” released in October 1966. It’s a well produced effort, with the most successful elements of the original retained.

“Monday, Monday” – Wilson Phillips

Wilson Phillips featured “Monday, Monday” on their third album “California” in 2004, and also released an a capella version on single that year, and a re-recording on their 2012 album “Dedication.” The point of interest here is that Wilson Phillips is a trio comprising John and Michelle Phillips’ daughter Chynna Phillips, and Brian Wilson’s daughters Carrie and Wendy Wilson. All three recordings are worthwhile. Here’s the 2012 cut.

“Monday, Monday” – Dee Dee Warwick

Dee Dee Warwick moves “Monday, Monday” away from its folk-pop roots to deliver an energetic soulful cover. The original arrangement is so strong that most covers have deviated very little from it, so it’s nice to hear something different. Even the vocal intro is dropped completely, with that same melody instead played by the horn section.

“Monday, Monday” was the B-side of Dee Dee Warwick’s 1968 single “I’ll Be Better Off (Without You )”.

There will be a new Song of the Week on July 23.

“Monday, Monday” is available on “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears” and many compilations.

Title
Mamas and the Papas – If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
The Best Of the Mamas and the Papas (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
The Mamas and the Papas – Complete Anthology (4 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now