The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees

The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees
Studio album by
the Monkees
ReleasedApril 22, 1968
RecordedJune 14, 1967 – March 14, 1968
Studio
GenrePop rock
Length37:00
LabelColgems
ProducerThe Monkees, Chip Douglas
The Monkees chronology
Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.
(1967) 		The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees
(1968) 		Head
(1968)
Singles from The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees
  1. "Daydream Believer" / "Goin' Down"
    Released: October 25, 1967
  2. "Valleri" / "Tapioca Tundra"
    Released: February 17, 1968
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
MusicHound[2]
popdose(favorable)[3]
Record Collector[4]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[5]

The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees is the fifth studio album by the American pop rock band the Monkees, released in 1968 by Colgems Records. It was the first album released after the cancellation of their TV show and subsequently was their first not to reach No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200, peaking at No. 3, and their first not to chart in the UK, with their four previous efforts all having reached the top ten. The album has sold over a million copies.

Background

In 1968, The Monkees faced a number of professional setbacks. Their television series, The Monkees, was canceled; their debut feature film, Head, performed poorly at the box office; and founding member Peter Tork departed the group in December of that year. Despite these challenges, the band released The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees, which produced two successful singles: "Daydream Believer", written by John Stewart, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Valleri," which became the group's sixth million-selling single. The B-side to "Valleri," titled "Tapioca Tundra," written by Michael Nesmith, spent six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 34 in late March 1968.[6][7]

Following their 1967 albums Headquarters and Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., The Monkees had gained creative control over their music and were permitted to play their own instruments in the studio. This shift helped counter earlier criticism that the band was merely a manufactured pop act lacking musical credibility. However, after the release of Pisces, the group's collaborative studio dynamic began to dissolve. Each member increasingly recorded his own material independently, using different producers, musicians, and studios.

Producer Chip Douglas, who had overseen the band's previous two albums, noted that the group's collaborative spirit declined during this period, with each member expressing a preference to work independently.[8] Although all album tracks except "Daydream Believer" were credited as "Produced by The Monkees," many sessions were in fact supervised by others, including Colgems Records president Lester Sill, jazz arranger Shorty Rogers, and future MCA executive Brendan Cahill. According to Rogers, while the band retained formal producer credit per contractual agreement, much of the technical and organizational production work was carried out by the aforementioned staff.[8][9]

The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees reflected the members' individual musical preferences. Davy Jones contributed songs in a Broadway pop style; Michael Nesmith explored country rock and psychedelic elements; and Micky Dolenz drew on soul and rock influences. Though Peter Tork submitted several compositions for the album, none were included in the final release. His sole contribution was playing piano on "Daydream Believer."[8]

Songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, who had previously contributed to the group's early hits, returned to contribute two songs: a revised version of "Valleri" and the psychedelic "P.O. Box 9847."[8]

Cover artwork

The front cover of The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees features a shadow box containing various nostalgic items from the 1940s to the 1960s. Included are a plastic Cootie bug, a popgun, a folding paper fan shaped like a flower, ceramic birds, and a combination of paper and stick flowers, which were popular in 1968. The cover was designed by the agency of Alan Wolsky, who placed a photograph of himself in the bottom center compartment of the shadow box, partially obscured by paper flowers.

The back cover contains several personalized elements. One is the acronym "MIJACOGEO," located near Micky Dolenz's photo, which represents the names of Dolenz's family members: Micky, Janelle, Coco, and George. Davy Jones and Peter Tork signed their back cover portraits in a conventional manner, while Michael Nesmith included the inscription "Carlisle Wheeling" on his image. At the time, this was the title of an unreleased song that was not included on any Monkees album. The song was later re-recorded and released under the title "Conversations" on Nesmith's 1970 solo album Loose Salute with The First National Band, and it has also appeared on several Monkees compilation albums featuring rarities.[10]

Release history

The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees was released in the U.S. on April 22, 1968, in both stereo and mono formats.[11] The U.S. mono edition was pressed in limited quantities, as mono LPs were being phased out, and it has since become a highly sought-after collector's item due to its dedicated mixes that differ from the stereo versions.[12] Mono pressings from Australia, India, Israel, Mexico, and Puerto Rico are known to use the same dedicated mix as the U.S. mono release, while most other countries' mono editions, including the United Kingdom, were fold-down mixes in which the stereo channels were combined into a single monaural track.[13] In Canada, RCA Victor issued the album in April 1968, using the same catalogue numbers. The Canadian mono edition was a fold-down of the stereo mix rather than a unique mix.[13] The UK release followed on July 5, 1968, through RCA Victor. As with Canada, the UK mono LP was a fold-down of the stereo version and did not feature the U.S. dedicated mono mixes.[13]

On February 8, 2010, Rhino Records' Rhino Handmade imprint issued a three-CD boxed set reissue of the album, sold exclusively online. The set included the original stereo and U.S. mono versions in miniature replica sleeves, more than 60 demos, rehearsals, and outtakes from the 1968 sessions, a commemorative pin, and a booklet of essays and session notes by Monkees historian Andrew Sandoval. The first 1,000 orders included a bonus vinyl single featuring previously unreleased acoustic versions of "St. Matthew" and "Lady's Baby."[14]

The U.S. mono mix was again reissued in October 2014 by Friday Music as part of The Monkees in Mono vinyl box set. This edition featured etchings in the runout grooves, reading "Thanks to the Monkees" on side one and "In memory of Davy Jones" on side two.[15]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Dream World"
Davy Jones3:22
2."Auntie's Municipal Court"
Micky Dolenz4:05
3."We Were Made for Each Other"
Davy Jones2:25
4."Tapioca Tundra"Michael NesmithMichael Nesmith3:08
5."Daydream Believer"John StewartDavy Jones3:00
6."Writing Wrongs"Michael NesmithMichael Nesmith5:08
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."I'll Be Back Up on My Feet"
Micky Dolenz2:26
2."The Poster"
  • David Jones
  • Steve Pitts
Davy Jones2:21
3."P.O. Box 9847"Tommy Boyce • Bobby HartMicky Dolenz3:16
4."Magnolia Simms"Michael NesmithMichael Nesmith3:48
5."Valleri"Tommy Boyce • Bobby HartDavy Jones2:15
6."Zor and Zam"
  • Bill Chadwick
  • John Chadwick
Micky Dolenz2:10

Aborted track listing

The original track lineup for the album, compiled in March 1968, included the following songs:[16]

Side one

  1. "Through the Looking Glass"
  2. "We Were Made for Each Other"
  3. "Writing Wrongs"
  4. "I'll Be Back Up on My Feet"
  5. "Valleri"
  6. "Long Title: Do I Have to Do This All Over Again"

Side two

  1. "Dream World"
  2. "P.O. Box 9847"
  3. "Tapioca Tundra"
  4. "The Poster"
  5. "Alvin"
  6. "Daydream Believer"
  7. "Zor and Zam"

Personnel

Credits adapted from Rhino Handmade 2010 "Deluxe Edition" box set.[17]

The Monkees

  • Davy Jones – vocals (1, 3, 5, 8, 11)
  • Micky Dolenz – vocals (2, 7, 9, 12), backing vocal harmony (5), percussion (12)
  • Michael Nesmith – harmony vocals (2), guitar (2, 4–6, 10), percussion (2, 4), vocals (4, 6, 10), keyboards (6)
  • Peter Tork – piano (5)

Additional musicians

  • Mike Deasy – guitar (1, 3, 7–8)
  • Al Hendrickson – guitar (1, 3)
  • Gerry McGee – guitar (1, 3, 9, 11)
  • Don Randi – harpsichord (1), organ (8)
  • Max Bennett – bass guitar (1, 3, 7, 10, 12)
  • Earl Palmer – drums (1, 3, 7, 10)
  • George Kast – violin (1, 3, 5, 8, 12)
  • Sam Freed – violin (1, 3)
  • Nathan Kaproff – violin (1, 3, 5, 8, 12)
  • Marvin Limonick – violin (1, 3, 8)
  • Alexander Murray – violin (1, 3, 5, 8, 12)
  • Erno Neufeld – violin (1, 3, 5, 8, 12)
  • Marie Fera – cello (1, 3)
  • Edgar Lustgarten – cello (1)
  • Jacquelyn Lustgarten – cello (1, 3)
  • Fredrick Seykora – cello (1)
  • Buddy Childers – trumpet (1, 3, 7–8, 12)
  • Jack Sheldon – trumpet (1, 3, 8, 12)
  • George Roberts – trombone (1)
  • John Cave – horn (1)
  • David Duke – horn (1, 3)
  • Arthur Maebe – horn (1)
  • Keith Allison – guitar (2, 12), background vocals (2)
  • Bill Chadwick – guitar (2, 12), background vocals (2)
  • Rick Dey – bass guitar (2, 6, 12)
  • Eddie Hoh – drums (2, 4–6, 12), percussion (6, 12)
  • James Burton – guitar (3)
  • Michael Melvoin – harpsichord (3, 7), piano (12)
  • Kurt Reher – cello (3)
  • Eleanor Slatkin – cello (3)
  • Lewis McCreary – trombone (3, 7–8, 10–12)
  • Vincent DeRosa – horn (3)
  • Richard Perissi – horn (3)
  • Chip Douglas – bass guitar (5, 12), percussion (5), piano (5)
  • Bill Martin – percussion (5)
  • Pete Candoli – trumpet (5)
  • Al Porcino – trumpet (5)
  • Manny Stevens – trumpet (5), piccolo trumpet (5)
  • Richard Noel – trombone (5)
  • Richard Leith – bass trombone (5), trombone (8, 12)
  • Philip Teele – bass trombone (5)
  • Dennis Budimir – guitar (7)
  • Al Casey – guitar (7–8)
  • Milt Holland – percussion (7, 12), mallets (1), drums (12)
  • Stan Levey – percussion (7, 12), drums (12)
  • Bill Hood – sax (7)
  • Ollie Mitchell – trumpet (7, 10–11)
  • Lou Blackburn – trombone (7)
  • Howard Roberts – guitar (8)
  • Lyle Ritz – bass guitar (8)
  • Hal Blaine – drums (8, 12), percussion (12)
  • Gary Coleman – percussion (8), mallets (8)
  • Gene Estes – percussion (8), mallets (8)
  • Clyde Reasinger – trumpet (8, 12)
  • Tony Terran – trumpet (8, 12)
  • Milt Bernhart – trombone (8, 12)
  • Frank Rosolino – trombone (8, 12)
  • John Lowe – sax (8, 12), woodwind (8)
  • Ambrose Russo – violin (8, 12)
  • Louie Shelton – guitar (9, 11)
  • Joe Osborn – bass guitar (9, 11)
  • Bobby Hart – tack piano (9)
  • Billy Lewis – drums (9, 11), percussion (9), tambourine (11)
  • Victor Arno – violin (9)
  • Jack Pepper – violin (9)
  • Philip Goldberg – viola (9)
  • Ray Kelley – cello (9)
  • Paul T. Smith – tack piano (10)
  • Jim Horn – sax (10–11)
  • Jack Nimitz – baritone sax (10)
  • Jay Migliori – sax (11)
  • Roy Caton – trumpet (11)

Unconfirmed personnel and duties

Technical

  • The Monkees – producers
  • Chip Douglas – producer
  • Henry Lewy – recording engineer
  • Hank Cicalo – recording engineer
  • Pete Abbott – recording engineer
  • Shorty Rogers – arranger (1, 3, 5, 7–8, 10, 12)
  • Don McGinnis – string arrangement (9), horn arrangement (11)
  • Lester Sill – music supervisor
  • Alan Wolsky & Friends – cover design

Charts

Album

Chart (1968) Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[18] 5
Canadian Albums (RPM)[19] 6
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[20] 8
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[21] 28
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[22] 44
US Billboard 200[23] 3

Singles

Year Single Chart Peak
position
1967 "Daydream Believer" Billboard Hot 100 1[24]
1967 "Daydream Believer" UK Charts 5[25]
1968 "Valleri" Billboard Hot 100 3[24]
1968 "Valleri" UK Charts 12[25]
1968 "Tapioca Tundra" Billboard Hot 100 34[24]

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[26] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/r44968
  2. ^ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide (2nd ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 774. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
  3. ^ Harris, Will (February 22, 2010). "CD Review: The Monkees, 'The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees'". popdose. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  4. ^ Easlea, Daryl (June 2010). "The Monkees – The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees". Record Collector. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  5. ^ Brackett, Nathan; with Hoard, Christian (eds) (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). New York, NY: Fireside/Simon & Schuster. p. 553. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  6. ^ The Monkees, Billboard Hot 100 – Billboard.com. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  7. ^ Billboard Hot 100, Week of March 9, 1968 – Billboard.com. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d Sandoval, Andrew. "The True Story of The Monkees". Album Liner Notes. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  9. ^ Sandoval, Andrew. "The Birds, The Bees". Album Liner Notes. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  10. ^ "birds". web.295.ca.
  11. ^ Sandoval, Andrew (2005). The Monkees: The Day-by-Day Story of the 60s TV Pop Sensation. Thunder Bay Press. p. 258. ISBN 1-59223-372-4.
  12. ^ "The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees (Colgems COM-109 Mono)". Monkee45s.net. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  13. ^ a b c "International Mono Issues of The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees". Monkee45s.net. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  14. ^ "The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees (Deluxe Edition)". Rhino Handmade (archived). February 8, 2010. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  15. ^ "Monkees Albums USA Friday Music Mono Box Set FRM-1966". Monkee45s.net. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  16. ^ Sandoval, Andrew (1994). The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees (CD liner notes). The Monkees. Los Angeles, California: Rhino Records. R2 71794.
  17. ^ Sandoval, Andrew. The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees (Deluxe Edition) (CD box set liner notes). The Monkees. Los Angeles, California: Rhino Handmade. RHM2 522248.
  18. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, NSW. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  19. ^ "RPM: The Monkees (albums)". RPM Magazine. Archived from the original on October 14, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  20. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 263. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  21. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Monkees – The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  22. ^ "Oricon Archive - The Monkees". Oricon. February 2, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  23. ^ "The Monkees US Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 13, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c "The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees - Charts and Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  25. ^ a b "UK Charts - Monkees". Official Charts. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  26. ^ "American album certifications – The Monkees – The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
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