Daily Nightly

Album: Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd. (1967)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Mike Nesmith wrote the song's trippy lyrics as a retelling of the night Pandora's Box, a famous nightclub on Sunset Strip, burned down. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Sean - Chicago, IL
  • Micky Dolenz owned one of the first Moog synthesizers ever sold and he introduced it to the group. He played the electronic instrument on this song and it is thought to be the first use ever of a Moog on a pop record. Quincy Jones claims the first use of the Moog on a commercial recording for his work on the theme song for the 1967 TV show Ironside.

Comments: 15

  • ThemaskedmarvylThis is one of their best songs, and shows what the Monkees were capable of.
    I'm glad they kept Mickey's comment at the end of the video!
  • Shermaid 1 from Chicago Darlings, the word is PSYCHEDELIC. There is no letter A in there, anywhere. Mmmkay?
  • Crucita from ConnecticutCan you, please, tell me whats the message on "She hangs out"? My brother insist that he must keep an eye on her because she is going to be a better dancer than him. But I think that the girl is doing "Bad things" at night. Who is right?
  • Adrienne from New YorkAccording to Michael Nesmith, this song *is* about the press and their inability to process the Pandora’s Box demonstrations and subsequent burning down.
    https://www.monkeeslivealmanac.com/blog/peter-and-mike-talk-about-mickys-moog-and-daily-nightly
  • George from Belleville, NjThis has got to be one of the coolest psychadelic songs of all time.The song is like a trip into the 60's with the use of synthasizer and other instruments to create a surreal sound of colors that produce an interesting listening experience. There are plenty of melody shifts. I think it's a classic and a real treat for the ears.
  • Sean from Chicago, IlVictoria -- if Mike's surprised, then he better pay attention to what he says, because it was in an interview with Mike himself where I found the Pandora's Box info.
  • Lance from Pittsburgh, PaAmazing how the Monkees looked in just over a year from their debut. From lovey-dovey songs to this psychadelic tunes.
  • Anthony from Overland Park, KsMicky Dolenz plays the Moog synthesizer on this track. It is the first time a Moog had been recorded for an album. Micky had the third in existance. The other two were owned by Walter (Wendy) Carlos and Buck Owens.
  • Sam from Hipsville, CaJennifer,MI----Thanks for the info.---i never knew that.
  • Daevid from Glendale, Cagood song for when the era was getting heavy, but not really one of their best.
  • Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, MiPsychadelic! I loved the video! It's about Pandora's box,which was a nighclub on sunset strip,which burned down.
  • Linc from Beaumont, TxI think this song has a lot to do with drugs not being the "answers" people thought they would be. And when they joined in the drug cultures spawning largely fom LA and San Fran - they only had more questions which was every frustrating...this song eludes to this as if it is all a big joke, just psychodelia not psychology.
  • Ken from Louisville, KySome people say this song (and "Star Collector" which was also on this album) were the first two pop songs to use a Moog synthasizer. Micky Dolenz bought one of the first Moogs that were commercially available and brought it into the studio for the sessions. Micky is seen on the TV show playing it. At the end of the song video he ad-libs "psychadelic!"
  • Victoria from Pittsburgh, PaMike actually said in an interview that it wasn't about Pandora's Box and that he was surprised it was linked to it.
  • Madison from Norway, MeI heard that this was about riots and marches that were happening in the 60's.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real Group

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real GroupSong Writing

The leader of the Modern A Cappella movement talks about the genre.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright IIISongwriter Interviews

"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop.

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."