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

License This Song 

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

More Songfacts:

Mercedes BoyPebbles

"Mercedes Boy" by Pebbles is about a real guy she fell in love with - they both drove Mercedes when she wrote it.

GhosttownMadonna

"Ghosttown" was Madonna's 45th chart-topper on the Dance Club Songs chart, breaking the record for the most #1s an artist has tallied on a single Billboard chart.

I'm A BelieverThe Monkees

Neil Diamond wrote "I'm A Believer" early in his career. It was a hit for The Monkees and revived by Smash Mouth in 2001 for the movie Shrek, helping make Diamond cool again.

The DilemmaYou Me at Six

The You Me at Six song "The Dilemma" got its title from the Vince Vaughn movie of the same name.

Won't Get Fooled AgainThe Who

"Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who is about a revolution, but it doesn't have a happy ending, since in the end the new regime becomes just like the old one. Pete Townshend thought that whoever was in power was destined to become corrupt.

No More I Love You'sAnnie Lennox

The Annie Lennox hit "No More I Love You's" is a cover, originally sung by a man.

Editor's Picks

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Bob Dylan Lyric QuizMusic Quiz

Think you know your Bob Dylan lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.