Hi!

I've always thought that the guitar riffs for the two songs are very similar ... even identical (?), but I never had the two side by side to compare.

Does anyone know how close they are?

And ... which was recorded first?

If anyone knows how to put links on here, it'd be fun to compare ...

Thanks!

Quoted from alexis

And ... which was recorded first?

If anyone knows how to put links on here, it'd be fun to compare ...

Run For Your Life came first, by about 6 months. By 'links', do you mean 'how to post audio' like on The Beatle Forum? I don't think you can on here.

I wouldn't think of comparing a Monkees song to a Beatles song ordinarily (especially one by Lennon)(it's like comparing George W. Bush to JFK IMO)
but yes, the riff is similar, but its a common one--in the early Monkee recordings, most of the guitar work was done skillfully by professional studio musicians hired by Don Kirshner. Later on Nesmith--by far the most talented of the "pre-fab four" took issue w/ this and began urging Tork, Dolenz & Jones to start playing their own instruments on future recordings resulting in possibly their best effort(by Monkee standards, that is)..1967's "Headquarters"

also...listen to the song "Tear Drop City"-also by the Monkees--the riff here is ALSO VERY similar to the riff in "Clarksville".


--IMO the only TRULY original riff the Monkees ever recorded was Mike's stunningly good bit on "Pleasant Valley Sunday"

I once read an interesting interview with Leiber-Stoller (the guys who wrote "Last Train..." and also several Elvis and Coasters songs). I wish I could remember where I read it. Anyway, one of them said that the "no, no, no" refrain was their private little dig at the Monkees not being a real band, in direct contrast to the Beatles ("yeah yeah yeah"). I think that's great. (I like the Monkees, mind you.)

I thought Boyce & Hart wrote "Clarksville"--I better go check

Quoted from Chris

I once read an interesting interview with Leiber-Stoller (the guys who wrote "Last Train..." and also several Elvis and Coasters songs). I wish I could remember where I read it. Anyway, one of them said that the "no, no, no" refrain was their private little dig at the Monkees not being a real band, in direct contrast to the Beatles ("yeah yeah yeah"). I think that's great. (I like the Monkees, mind you.)

cool. I didnt know that "no no no" story. Nice dig. Although, yeah, I liked a lot the "pre-fab four" did too. Grew up w/ them.

Sorry, Tommy & Bobby. You're right. I get the two teams mixed up constantly.

In fact, as far as accurately remembering names on here, I'm batting about zero! Maybe Mustard's manly aura is intimidating me.

Still, cool story. I hadn't thought to contrast the "no, no, no" with the famous "yeah, yeah, yeah" until I read that.

Quoted from Chris

In fact, as far as accurately remembering names on here, I'm batting about zero! Maybe Mustard's manly aura is intimidating me.

what "manly aura"?? I'm wearing a dress.

(kidding)

Quoted from Chris

Leiber-Stoller (the guys who wrote "Last Train..." and also several Elvis and Coasters songs)

Who also wrote "Kansas City," which the Beatles covered.


And another similarity... I was listening to the album by Rebel Meets Rebel, (metal band Pantera doing a country album heavy metal style with a country singer) and in the beginning of their song "One Nite Stands" the riff is the exact same as the "Day Tripper" riff played backwards.

Quoted from CleanOldMan

And another similarity... I was listening to the album by Rebel Meets Rebel, (metal band Pantera doing a country album heavy metal style with a country singer) and in the beginning of their song "One Nite Stands" the riff is the exact same as the "Day Tripper" riff played backwards.

You listen to Day Tripper backwards?

Quoted from BlueMeanie

You listen to Day Tripper backwards?

hahaha...ya got him there

No but I've picked up my guitar and played it backwards.

Quoted from 829

I wouldn't think of comparing a Monkees song to a Beatles song ordinarily (especially one by Lennon)(it's like comparing George W. Bush to JFK IMO)
but yes, the riff is similar, but its a common one--in the early Monkee recordings, most of the guitar work was done skillfully by professional studio musicians hired by Don Kirshner. Later on Nesmith--by far the most talented of the "pre-fab four" took issue w/ this and began urging Tork, Dolenz & Jones to start playing their own instruments on future recordings resulting in possibly their best effort(by Monkee standards, that is)..1967's "Headquarters"

What others sound like this, thanks!

Quoted from Chris

the "no, no, no" refrain was their private little dig at the Monkees not being a real band

When the three remaining Monkees play at concerts, they play together as a band. I've seen them on Leno, plus my family saw them in concert a few years back.

Quoted from CleanOldMan

When the three remaining Monkees play at concerts, they play together as a band. I've seen them on Leno, plus my family saw them in concert a few years back.

that's not what we meant--we were talking about the early Monkees record (circa 1966) "Last Train To Clarksville" at which time the Monkees really werent a "band" (in the classic sense)--studio musicians played all the instruments on the first two Lps (except for Mike Nesmith)

Hi MMM or anyone else - You mentioned above that the riff was pretty common ... I'd like to hear examples very much if you can think of any off the top of your head ...

Thanks!

Quoted from alexis

Hi MMM or anyone else - You mentioned above that the riff was pretty common ... I'd like to hear examples very much if you can think of any off the top of your head ...

Thanks!

I mentioned "Tear Drop City" already (where the riff sounds even closer to "Clarksville" than RFYL does)
also, Roger McGuinn (pretty much the progenitor of the 12-string in 60's folk/pop) used a similar riff (listen to the Byrds early stuff circa '64-'65) and..in more recent times, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.

Quoted from 829

I mentioned "Tear Drop City" already (where the riff sounds even closer to "Clarksville" than RFYL does)
also, Roger McGuinn (pretty much the progenitor of the 12-string in 60's folk/pop) used a similar riff (listen to the Byrds early stuff circa '64-'65) and..in more recent times, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.

THanks, MMM, do you think the Byrds released a song with that riff 1st, or John/Beatles? I'm hoping it's our boys, but I would want to know if not!  Thanks!!