Don't Call On Me

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

Songfacts®:

  • Mike Nesmith wrote this song as an exercise in playing major-sevenths chords on a guitar, specifically, Eb-maj7 and Ab-maj7. Nesmith demoed the song in 1963, a year before Gerry & the Pacemakers released "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Keith - Dallas, TX
  • The liner notes to the 1994 CD reissue of the Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. refer to the fictitious Pump Room mentioned by Micky Dolenz in his voice-over at the beginning of the track. The truth is that the Pump Room and the Palmer House, both mentioned in the voice-over, are real. The Palmer House is a historic hotel in downtown Chicago now owned by Hilton, and the Pump Room is a restaurant in the Gold Coast neighborhood of the city. However, the Pump Room never was part of the Palmer House, despite Micky's voice-over. The group recorded a good deal of the album in Chicago, which may explain Micky's use of Chicago landmarks. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Sean - Chicago, IL

Comments: 9

  • Stephanie Stavropoulos from CaThe Pump Room was not a ficticious place!! It was/is located at 1301 North State Parkway, Chicago Illinois.
  • Jim "woody" Woods from Long BeachForgive me. No flame please, but I honestly can't tell who is singing this. It doesn't have the twank of Mike, but it's too soft for Mickey or Peter, and doesn't sound like Davy either. Anybody?
  • Jennifur SunThank you Mike for what will always be my fav Monkees tune. So pretty.
  • Connee from Chestertown, MdTo Olivia of Philadelphia -- I posed the question to Peter Tork on his Facebook page. This was his staff's reply: "It's not a black eye. It's like a temporary tattoo they used to wear in the 60s. If you notice, he has one on his right hand in Pleasant Valley Sunday."
    -Connee, Chestertown, MD
  • Esskayess from Dallas, TxYou hear Peter say, "Check, please!" as it fades out.
  • Olivia from Philadelphia, PaIn the "What am I Doing Hanging Round" video, why does Peter have a black eye?
  • George from Belleville, NjWhat a haunting beautiful ballad.I love the melody and chord changes.The lyrics are good too.All around a really good listening experience.
  • Sean from Chicago, IlOh...speaking of recording in Chicago...it's pretty well known among Monkees fans that the "rainbow" films et al -- "Daydream Believer," "No Time," "She Hangs Out," "Salesman," "What Am I Doin' Hangin' Round," "Love Is Only Sleeping,' "The Door Into Summer," "Randy Scouse Git", and "Pleasant Valley Sunday" (am I forgetting any?) -- were filmed in Chicago. Well, what I just found out was that the studio where they did the films for those songs (I hestitate to call them "music videos" because they weren't called that then) is now known as Harpo Studios!
  • Larry from Coral Springs, FlNice slow song with feeling
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.