The Music Court

Alright today is Monday, in case anybody forgot and is now running super late for work. Monday means misery for some and for others, like myself, it means a wealth of music to choose from. I must apologize for all the themed music and I promise I will stop myself from continuing to pull convenient daily songs from my musical head but today I just could not help it.

                  “Monday, Monday” by the drama and Doughnut-filled The Mamas And The Papas first appeared in the musical world in 1966. The song was written by John Phillips (Papa John, yes the original Papa John) who actually was a pretty talented song writer even years after the end of The Mamas And The Papas. The end of The Mamas And The Papas that came in 1967 and then again in 1968 because first Cass Elliot (Mama Cass), who was rather over-weight, was insulted by John Phillips (most likely Yo’ Mamma So Fat) in front of a young Mick Jagger. She was so embarrassed and insulted she left the band and then came back and then left again after wanting to embark on a solo career that culminated in heart failure in 1974.

            Okay now to the song. Phillips has an odd relationship with Mondays. According to the song, Monday’s are good to him but then they make him cry (possibly because they are leaving without him? Leaving in favor of the abusive Tuesday?) I find this to be an interesting predicament and almost certainly a catch-22 that can make your head swirl. Let us leave it that he was confused. The song is great though. A catchy piece of vocal harmonies and a good lead croon by Denny Doherty. Fun Fact: First song by a sexually integrated group to reach #1 on the charts. Leading the way for such bands like No Doubt and Black Eyed Peas, almost certainly posing the question what is going on.

Check it out on this glorious Monday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7KrlDZ5Hkw (Black and white makes it awesome).

              Oh The Monkees. Many have a warped love/hate relationship with them. You do not want to admit that you like their songs but they are so incredibly catchy. How can one deny “I’m a Believer” or “Daydream Believer” or anything that has to do with believing in something. The songs latch themselves onto your susceptible minds and quite literally need to be knocked out of there by another, equally as catchy song. May I suggest today’s Song of the Day. “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” by the annoyingly catchy four, The Monkees. 

            The Monkees were obviously just a poor man’s Beatles in their joking attempt to create a band name that misspells one letter in an animal/insects name. No respect to our beloved Monkeys and Beetles. But, over their vast list of material one song is a pretty solid piece of social commentary. Yes, social commentary, fighting the man, you heard it correct. “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” while recorded by The Monkees in 1967 is actually a song by the tremendous lyric writing duo of Gerry Goffin and Carole King who wrote over 30 hits for different artists from 1960-1970. That is simply remarkable. “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” one of these hits that hit #3 on the Top 100 in 1967, is actually about life in suburbia, particularly in Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange, New Jersey. The song is a musical version of “keeping up with the Joneses’” which basically is another way of saying keeping track of people’s social status.’

            The song, like all Monkees’ songs, is catchy and stays in your head. Partly because the lyrics are somewhat humorous and also partly because the song is based off a Beatles guitar riff on Revolver in the song, “I Want to Tell you.”

Check it out on your own Pleasant Valley Sunday:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB0bnT4QRIc   (Awesome video also)