Hey, Hey, Who Sings the Songs? Quiz

Answer: Micky Dolenz

Micky Dolenz was the lead vocalist for "Last Train to Clarksville". Written by Tommy Boyce and Tommy Hart, the song appeared on "The Monkees" (1966), the first album from the group. The album dates from the early days of the group where studio musicians played most of the instruments--in this case the Candy Store Prophets, who often worked with Boyce and Hart.

The song tells the story of a man who asks a woman to meet him at a train station before he leaves town, perhaps forever. The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Answer: Peter Tork

Peter Tork (born 1942) performed lead vocals on "Your Auntie Grizelda", a song where the narrator complains to his girlfriend about her disagreeable relative. Never released as a single, the song appeared on the group's second album, "More of the Monkees" (1967), which was the number one album on the US Billboard 200 chart for 18 weeks. Music for the song was written by Jack Keller and lyrics by Diane Hildebrand. Tork, a talented instrumental musician, would eventually play several instruments--most often bass guitar or keyboards--on several albums.

Answer: Davy Jones

Davy Jones performed lead vocals for "I Wanna Be Free". Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, the song talks about a teenager coming of age. The song appeared on the album "The Monkees" (1966) and also in the pilot of the television program "The Monkees" (1966-1968).

The song includes a string quartet, an acoustic guitar, and a harpsichord. The song reached number eight on the Australian Billboard Hits of the World Chart and number seven on Singapore's Billboard Hits of the World Chart. Prior to appearing in the Monkees, Jones (1945-2012) appeared as the Artful Dodger in the original London (1960) and Broadway (1962) productions of "Oliver".

Answer: Michael Nesmith

Michael Nesmith performed lead vocals for "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?" Written by Michael Martin Murphey and Owen Castlemen, the song was not released as a single, but appeared on the album "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Jones, Ltd." (1967). Nesmith (born 1942) performed lead vocals for five songs on this album, which reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart.

The song tells the story of a man who found romance in Mexico but returned to the United States and seemed to regret his decision.

Answer: Micky Dolenz

Micky Dolenz (born 1945) performed lead vocals for "Pleasant Valley Sunday". The song reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, the song appeared on the album "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Jones, Ltd." (1967). Named for a street near where Goffin and King lived, the song was a commentary on social status in suburbia.

Although Dolenz appeared as the drummer on the television series, he did not learn to play the drums until he was hired for "The Monkees" (1966-1968).

Answer: Micky Dolenz

Micky Dolenz performed the lead vocals for "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone". The song, written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, was first recorded by Paul Revere and the Raiders. On the recording by the Monkees, Boyce and Hart provide backing vocals. The song, which appeared on the album "More of the Monkees" (1967), was the first B-side Monkees single to chart, reaching number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Micky Dolenz auditioned for the television series "The Monkees" by singing the song "Johnny B. Goode".

Answer: Michael Nesmith

Michael Nesmith performed lead vocals for "Listen to the Band", a song which he wrote. He had a clause in his contract that allowed him to write two songs per album. The song appeared on the album "The Monkees Present" (1969). The song was the first with a Nesmith vocal to be the A-side of a single. "Listen to the Band" reached number 63 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song appeared in the 1969 television special "33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee". In the early 1970s, Nesmith would re-record the song with the First National Band.

Answer: Davy Jones

Davy Jones performed lead vocals for "Valleri". Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart wrote the song, which appeared on the album "The Birds, The Bees, & The Monkees" (1968). Boyce and Hart wrote the song in response to the request of producer Don Kirshner for a "girl's name song". "Valleri" reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Although the instrumental contribution of Davy Jones for "Monkees" songs was usually percussion (tambourine or maracas), he would occasionally play bass guitar when Peter Tork played keyboards.

Answer: Peter Tork

Peter Tork performed the lead vocals for "Long Title: Do I Have to Do This All Over Again?" as well as playing guitar. Written by Tork, the song was not released as a single. The song, instead, appeared on "Head" (1968), the soundtrack album for the motion picture of the same name. "Head", the movie, was financially unsuccessful when released but since has become a cult favorite. "Head", the album, would reach number 40 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

Answer: Davy Jones

Davy Jones performed lead vocals for "Daydream Believer". Written by John Stewart of the Kingston Trio, the song appeared on "The Birds, The Bees, & The Monkees" (1968). The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for four weeks as well as topping the charts in New Zealand, Ireland, and Canada.

The song reflects the experiences of a couple who have passed the newlywed stage and are discovering a long term love.