Classic Pop Icons

The Monkees’ smash hit “I’m a Believer” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons.

“I’m a Believer” was released on single in November 1966, backed with “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone”. It also featured on the Monkees’ second album, “More of the Monkees,” which was released in January 1967.

The Monkees had been brought together to star as a Beatles-inspired band in an American musical/comedy television show in early 1966. The members had very limited control over their musical output at the outset and were relegated to vocal duties on their recordings, until demanding a more significant role later on. Some critics have maligned the band for this, perhaps unfairly given the context of their formation and the fact that the use of session musicians was far more widespread than many bands of the era would care to admit. The band members could all in fact play, with varying degrees of proficiency, as proved when they took over band duties on record and on the road.

Everyone involved must have been surprised by the huge success of the Monkees’ first single, “Last Train to Clarksville” b/w “Take a Giant Step,” and their self-titled debut album. This television show about an imaginery band had spawned a chart act that was outselling the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Buoyed by this success, the band’s producers set to work bringing together material for a new single and follow-up album. Neil Diamond’s “I’m a Believer” came to the attention of record executive Don Kirshner, who was known for his ability to spot a hit song. After several years peddling his songs around New York, Diamond had achieved his first success as a performer earlier in the year with the hit “Cherry, Cherry”. In 2008, Mojo asked Diamond how he felt about the Monkees having such a big hit with a song he had written:

“I was thrilled, because at heart I was still a songwriter and I wanted my songs on the charts. It was one of the songs that was going to be on my first album, but Donny Kirshner, who was their music maven, hears ‘Cherry, Cherry’ on the radio and said, ‘Wow, I want one like that for The Monkees!’ He called my producers, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich – ‘Hey, does this kid have any more?’ And they played him the things I had cut for the next album and he picked ‘I’m A Believer,’ ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You’ and ‘Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow),’ and they had some huge hits. But the head of my record company freaked. He went through the roof because he felt that I had given #1 records away to another group. I couldn’t have cared less because I had to pay the rent and The Monkees were selling records and I wasn’t being paid for my records.”

The popularity of the Monkees’ “I’m a Believer” was certainly bolstered by the hit television show, but it is a very fine pop song and would have been a deserved chart topper anyway. The catchy guitar riff and colourful organ part help drive the song along, but it’s Mickey Dolenz’s top-notch vocal that elevates the recording from good to excellent. Dolenz had a distinctive and underrated voice, full of confidence, flair and fun. There have been many covers of “I’m a Believer” but none contain a moment quite as memorable as Dolenz’s final attempt at the chorus, complete with enthusiastic “yea yea yeas”. Dolenz also did a good job when he revisited the song on his 2012 album “Remember” – complete with Everly Brothers-inspired guitar riffs.

“I’m a Believer” was the biggest selling song of 1967 in the US.

“I’m a Believer” – The Monkees

Authorship

“I’m A Believer” was written by Neil Diamond.

Recording date/location

“I’m A Believer” was recorded in New York City on October 15 and 23, 1966.

Musicians

The following musicians appeared on “I’m A Believer”:

• Micky Dolenz – lead vocals
• Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones & Peter Tork – backing vocals
• Al Gorgoni and Sal Ditroia – guitars
• Artie Butler – organ
• Jeff Barry – piano and tambourine
• Dick Romoff – bass
• Buddy Salzman – drums.

The session was produced by Jeff Barry.

Chart performance

“I’m a Believer” topped Billboard’s Hot 100 for seven weeks, debuting at the top on December 25, 1966.

The single topped the UK singles chart in January 1967. This was the band’s first and only UK number one.

The album on which the song appeared, “More of the Monkees,” topped the Billboard 200 chart for 18 weeks, displacing the band’s self-titled debut album from the top spot. The album also topped the UK album chart.

Notable other versions

“I’m a Believer” – Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond released his version of the song on his second album “Just For You” in August 1967. It has much in common with the Monkees’ version, with the main distinction being the different vocal delivery. As such, the version you prefer will likely be determined by which vocalist you are drawn to.

Diamond re-recorded the song for his 1979 album “September Morn,” including additional lyrics. The easy-listening arrangement and melodic changes were an interesting experiment and the result is perfectly listenable, but some of the charm of the original is lost. Both versions are included in this video.

Diamond also made an appealing recording of the song in ballad style for his 2010 album “Dreams“.

“I’m a Believer” – Smash Mouth

Smash Mouth’s had a #25 hit in the US with their cover of “I’m a Believer” thanks to its inclusion on the soundtrack of the 2001 movie “Shrek”. The recording draws on the familiar elements of the original hit, but has the heavier production that you would expect from a later recording. It’s a solid, if not particularly imaginative cover, which works well in the context of the film.

The Monkees’ “I’m a Believer” is available on “More of the Monkees” and various compilations, including the 2-CD “Monkeemania – The Very Best of The Monkees”.

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