Missing Links Volume Three is the third and final volume in a series of Missing Links compilations by The Monkees. Like the original (Missing Links and Missing Links Volume 2), the album is composed of unreleased material. The release marks the first time the television edit of the series' opening theme song was made available. Previous releases featured the album version, which is twice as long but lacks the television version's final verse.
"Little Red Rider" and "Hollywood" were re-recorded by Michael Nesmith for his solo album Magnetic South.
"(Theme From) The Monkees" (TV Version)
Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Other personnel unknown
Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, CA, August 6, 1966
The TV version of the song was recorded during the sessions for More of the Monkees
"Kellogg’s Jingle"
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Other personnel unknown
Recorded in Hollywood, 1966
A commercial jingle sung by Micky with the instrumental backing track borrowing riffs from the theme song. It was recorded during the sessions for The Monkees' debut album
"We’ll Be Back in a Minute"
Written by Micky Dolenz
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Backing vocal: Micky Dolenz
Acoustic Guitar: Micky Dolenz
Banjo: Henry Diltz
Bass: Chip Douglas
Kazoo: Unknown
Produced by Brendan Cahill and Micky Dolenz
The song was recorded during the sessions for The Monkees Present
Recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, July 1, 1969
"Through the Looking Glass" (First Recorded Version)
Written by Red Baldwin, Tommy Boyce, and Bobby Hart
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, and Ron Hicklin
Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, and Louie Shelton
Acoustic Guitar: Tommy Boyce
Bass: Larry Taylor
Drums: Billy Lewis
Piano: Michel Rubini
Percussion: Alan Estes
Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, September 10, 1966
This version of the song was recorded during the sessions for More of the Monkees. It was later re-cut for The Birds, The Bees & the Monkees, and released on Instant Replay.
"Propinquity (I've Just Begun to Care)"
Written by Michael Nesmith
Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
Acoustic Guitar: Wayne Moss
Steel Guitar: Lloyd Green
Banjo: Sonny Osborne
Bass: Norbert Putnam
Drums: Kenny Buttrey
Organ: David Briggs
Produced by Michael Nesmith and Felton Jarvis
The song was recorded during the sessions for Head. It is also one of the songs that Michael Nesmith had written before he became a member of The Monkees.
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Nashville, May 28, 1968
"Penny Music"
Written by Michael Leonard, Jon Stroll, and Bobby Weinstein
Lead vocal by Davy Jones
Backing vocals: Bill Chadwick and Davy Jones
Guitar: Unknown
Bass: Unknown
Drums: Unknown
Piano: Unknown
Harpsichord: Unknown
Brass: Unknown
Produced by Bill Chadwick and Davy Jones
The song was recorded during the sessions for The Monkees Present
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, May 1 and July 11, 1969
"Tear the Top Right off My Head" (mono version)
Written by Peter Tork
Lead vocal by Peter Tork
Guitar: Peter Tork and Lance Wakely
Drums: Dewey Martin
Harmonica: Lance Wakely
Unknown: Ron Brown
Produced by The Monkees
The song was recorded during the sessions for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees.
Recorded at Western Recorders, February 5, 6, and 8, and RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, February 12, 1968
"Little Red Rider"
Written by Michael Nesmith
Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
Backing vocal: Michael Nesmith
Guitar: Al Casey and Louie Shelton
Bass: Max Bennett
Drums: Hal Blaine
Piano: Larry Knechtel
Tenor Saxophone: Clifford Solomon
Trumpet: Mack Johnson
Trombone: Lester Robertson
Cowbell: Unknown
Produced by Michael Nesmith
The song was recorded during the sessions for The Monkees Present
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, May 28 and June 17 and 26, 1969
"You're So Good"
Written by Robert Stone
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Guitar: James Burton and Louie Shelton
Electric Guitar: Unknown
Bass: Bob West
Drums: Earl Palmer
Cowbell: Earl Palmer
Piano: Michel Rubini
Tenor Saxophone: Clifford Solomon
Trumpet: Mack Johnson
Trombone: Lester Robertson
Unknown: John Williams
Produced by Michael Nesmith
"You're So Good" was recorded during the sessions for The Monkees Present. It is unique as it was produced by Michael Nesmith, sung by Micky Dolenz and written by an outsider, Robert Stone. It features Sam & The Goodtimers on the backing track.
This song is similar to another Monkees' song "You're So Good to Me" which was recorded the following year and released on Changes. It is possible that You're So Good to Me was adapted from You're So Good. Although only Jeff Barry and Bobby Bloom received writer's credit for writing You're So Good to Me, several sources claim Robert Stone to be a third composer of the song.
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, May 27 and June 26, 1969
"Look Down"
Written by Carole King and Toni Stern
Lead vocal by Davy Jones
Guitar: Dennis Budimir, Al Casey, and Tommy Tedesco
Bass: Larry Knechtel
Drums: Hal Blaine
Percussion: Ken Watson
Piano: Michel Rubini
Saxophone: Jim Horn and Jay Migliori
Trumpet: Jules Chaikin and Tony Terran
Trombone: Lew McCreary
Produced by The Monkees
The song was recorded during the sessions for Head. It was considered for, but rejected from Changes.
Recorded at T.T.G Studios, Hollywood, April 6, 1968
"Hollywood"
Written by Michael Nesmith
Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
Guitar: Michael Nesmith, Harold Bradley, and Felton Jarvis
Steel Guitar: Lloyd Green
Banjo: Bobby Thompson
Bass: Norbert Putnam
Drums: Kenny Buttrey
Piano: David Briggs
Harmonica: Charlie McCoy
Violin: Buddy Spicher
Produced by Michael Nesmith and Felton Jarvis
The song was recorded during the sessions for Head
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Nashville, May 29 and 31, 1968
"Midnight Train" (Demo Version)
Written by Micky Dolenz
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Harmony vocal: Coco Dolenz (Micky's sister)
Acoustic Guitar: Micky Dolenz
The song was recorded during the sessions for Headquarters
Later re-cut during the sessions for The Monkees Present and released on Changes
(available on "Headquarters Sessions")
While Micky Dolenz is officially credited as the writer of the song, several sites and sources claim Chris McCarty, Kenny Lee Lewis and Steve Miller to have co-written the track.
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, February, 1967
"She Hangs Out" (Original Single Version)
Written by Jeff Barry
Lead vocal by Davy Jones
Backing vocal: Unknown
Guitars: Al Gorgoni, Don Thomas, and Hugh McCracken
Bass: Louis Mauro and James Tyrell
Drums: Herb Lovelle
Piano: Stan Free
Organ: Arthur Butler
Tambourine: Thomas Cerone
Produced and Arranged By: Jeff Barry
Engineered By: Ray Hall
While Jeff Barry is officially credited as the writer of the song, several sites and sources claim Ellie Greenwich to have co-written the track.
The song was recorded during the sessions for Headquarters. It was later re-cut for Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.
Recorded at RCA Studio B, New York City, January 21 (11:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.) and 24, and February 4 and 5, 1967
"Shake 'Em Up" (and Let 'Em Roll)
Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz and Unknown
Electric Guitar: Keith Allison
Acoustic Guitar: Bill Chadwick
Bass: Chip Douglas
Drums: Eddie Hoh
Clarinet: Henry Diltz
Produced by The Monkees
Micky’s "Mister Henry Diltz on Clarinet" lyric is a reference that Henry Diltz plays clarinet in the song.
The song was recorded during the sessions for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees. It was considered for, but rejected from Changes.
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, February 24, 1968
"Circle Sky" (Alternate Mix)
Written by Michael Nesmith
Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
Guitar: Michael Nesmith, Keith Allison, and Bill Chadwick
Drums: Eddie Hoh
Organ: Michael Nesmith
Percussion: Michael Nesmith, and Eddie Hoh
Produced by The Monkees
The song was recorded during the sessions for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees.
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, December 9 and 17, 1967 and January 6 and 8, 1968
"Steam Engine" (Alternate Mix)
Written by Chip Douglas
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Chip Douglas, Clydie King, Jerry Yester, and Unknown
Guitar: Clarence White
Steel Guitar: Orville "Red" Rhodes
Bass: Lyle Ritz
Drums: Jim Gordon
Tambourine: Eddie Hoh
Organ: Bill Martin
Reed: Bill Green and Bob Hardaway
Trumpet: Bill Peterson, Sanford Skinner, and Tony Terran
Trombone: Bobby Knight and Lew McCreary
Produced by Chip Douglas
The song was recorded during the sessions for The Monkees Present. It was originally considered for but rejected from Changes. It was first released on Australia’s Monkeemania in 1979, then Monkee Business, Listen to the Band and the Music Box.
Recorded at Western Recorders, May 12, and RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, July 8, 1969
"Love to Love" (Alternate Mix)
Written by Neil Diamond
Lead vocal by Davy Jones
Guitars: Al Gorgoni, Don Thomas, and Hugh McCracken
Bass: Louis Mauro and James Tyrell
Drums: Herb Lovelle
Piano: Stan Free
Organ: Arthur Butler
Tambourine: Thomas Cerone
Produced and Arranged By: Jeff Barry
Engineered By: Ray Hall
The song was recorded during the sessions for Headquarters, except the vocal which was re-recorded during the sessions for The Monkees Present.
"Love to Love" is considered to be in an alternate mix, even though as of 2001 it is by far the most commonly used mix to date. The reason the mix is considered as such could be because it is a 1967 song featuring a Davy Jones vocal that was re-recorded in 1969. Or maybe because it had been remixed prior to release.
Later released on Good Times! featuring new backing vocals from Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork.
Recorded at RCA Studio B, New York City, January 21 (11:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.) and 24, and February 4 and 5, 1967, and August 5, 1969
"She'll Be There" (Acoustic Duet)
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Harmony vocal: Coco Dolenz
Acoustic Guitar: Micky Dolenz
Produced by Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
Micky and his sister Coco were responsible for the arrangement of the song "She'll Be There". However it is unknown exactly who wrote it, and as a result no official writer's credit was given.
The song was recorded during the sessions for Headquarters
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, February, 1967
"How Insensitive"
Written by Vinicus DeMaraes, Norman Gimbel and Antonio Carlos Jobim
Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
Guitar: Michael Nesmith, and Harold Bradley
Steel Guitar: Lloyd Green
Banjo: Bobby Thompson
Bass: Norbert Putnam
Drums: Kenny Buttrey
Piano: David Briggs
Violin: Buddy Spicher
Produced by The Monkees
The song was recorded during the sessions for Head
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Nashville, May 31, 1968
"Merry Go Round"
Written by Diane Hilderbrand and Peter Tork
Lead vocal by Peter Tork
Bass: Peter Tork
Organ: Peter Tork
Piano: Peter Tork
Unknown: Lance Wakely
Produced by The Monkees
The song was recorded during the sessions for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees
Recorded at Western Recorders, January 20, and RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, January 22 and 31, 1968
"Angel Band"
Traditional, arr. William Bradbury, Jefferson Hascall, and Michael Nesmith
Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
Backing vocal: Michael Nesmith
Acoustic Guitar: Al Casey and Louie Shelton
Drums: Hal Blaine
Double Bass: Max Bennett
Harmonium: Michel Rubini
Produced by Michael Nesmith
"Angel Band" is in the public domain. The writing credit shown for Michael Nesmith is for the song's arrangement.
The song was recorded during the sessions for The Monkees Present
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, June 9, 1969
"Zor and Zam" (First Recorded Version)
Written by Bill Chadwick and John Chadwick
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Other personnel unknown
Produced by The Monkees
The TV version of the song was recorded during the sessions for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees. The album version was completed later that month.
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, January 7, 13 and 18, and February 14, 1968
"We'll Be Back in a Minute" #2
Written by Micky Dolenz
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Other personnel unknown
Produced by Brendan Cahill and Micky Dolenz
Recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, July 1, 1969
"Tema Dei Monkees"
Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, with Nistri
Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
Harmony vocals by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
Other personnel unknown
Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
In another key than the English version
Recording info unknown
The song was recorded during the sessions for The Monkees