Released 16 August 1966 | Format 7" Length 2:31 | |
Recorded 9 July 1966RCA Victor Studios, Studio CHollywood, CA | ||
"Take a Giant Step" is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King and released by the American band The Monkees in 1966. It was also covered in 1969 by singer Taj Mahal.
History
The song was released as the B-side to the band's single "Last Train to Clarksville" and also as the closing track on side 1 of their debut album The Monkees. Micky Dolenz sang the lead vocal.
The song is presented as a plea to a heartbroken girl to move on from her past romantic disappointments, and to "learn to live again at last", by "taking a giant step outside your mind". Critic Eric Lefcowitz describes the song as "proto-psychedelic."
The song was later covered by singer Taj Mahal, in a significantly rearranged version, and included as the title track to his 1969 double album release Giant Step/De Ole Folks at Home. It was also covered by Taj Mahal's band Rising Sons on their 1992 self-titled album.