B-side "Goin' Down" Format 7" Length 2:54 | Released October 25, 1967 Genre Psychedelic pop | |
Recorded June 14 & August 9, 1967
RCA Victor Studios
Hollywood, CA | ||
"Daydream Believer" is a song composed by John Stewart shortly before he left the Kingston Trio. It was originally recorded by The Monkees, with Davy Jones singing lead vocals. The single hit the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1967, remaining there for four weeks, and peaked at number five in the UK Singles Chart. It was the Monkees' last number one hit in the U.S.
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In 1979, "Daydream Believer" was recorded by Canadian singer Anne Murray, whose version reached number three on the U.S. country singles chart and number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has been recorded by many others, including a 1971 version by John Stewart himself.
Stewart said that it was supposed to be the third in a trilogy of songs about suburban life. Married couples start out in an idealistic haze, but after a few years it wears off, and each sees the other as they really are. This is when genuine love is proven.
Background
Producer Chip Douglas was friends with John Stewart and ran into him at a party at Hoyt Axton's home in Hollywood's Laurel Canyon. Douglas told Stewart that he was now producing the Monkees and asked if he had any songs that might work for the group. Stewart offered "Daydream Believer."
It was recorded during the sessions for their 1967 album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., but was ultimately included on their 1968 album The Birds, The Bees & the Monkees. All four Monkees appear on the track, with Michael Nesmith on lead guitar, Peter Tork on piano (he created the catchy piano introduction; the orchestral arrangement was created by noted jazz trumpeter and composer, Shorty Rogers, who included the same seven-note phrase preceding the chorus that can be heard on the Beach Boys' "Help Me, Rhonda") and Micky Dolenz on backing vocals.
Many people did not think the song would be popular. It had been turned down by the We Five and Spanky and Our Gang, and even Davy Jones was "pissed off" about that. He recorded the vocal with a hint of annoyance at the ongoing takes.
RCA Records did not like it as Stewart wrote it either, and insisted on changing a critical word. Stewart originally wrote "Now you know how funky I can be," but RCA wanted to change that to "Now you know how happy I can be." One meaning of "funky" is "smelly."
Stewart initially objected because it completely reverses the meaning of the line and makes no sense in the context of the song. But he relented because RCA was adamant and he realized it could well be a hit—which it was. In 2007, Stewart said that the proceeds of Daydream Believer "[didn't just] pay the rent. It kept me alive all these years."
In 1986, three of the four Monkees (Dolenz, Jones, and Tork) mounted a successful reunion tour and had a major hit with the newly recorded "That Was Then, This Is Now." Arista Records, which owned the Monkees' masters at the time, re-released "Daydream Believer" as a follow-up single, remixed with a heavier drum track by Michael Lloyd who had produced "That Was Then, This Was Now."
Background
Canadian singer Anne Murray recorded a cover version of "Daydream Believer" for her Platinum-certified 1979 studio album, I'll Always Love You. Produced by Jim Ed Norman and issued on Capitol records the following year, Murray's single became her eighth number 1 hit on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart. It reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and charted at number 3 on Billboard's list of the most popular country songs. She re-released the song as a duet with Nelly Furtado on her 2007 album, Anne Murray Duets: Friends and Legends.