Monkees, The - Valleri Lyrics

I'm still shocked by the fact that Davey was the first Monkee to pass, he was the freakin kid.

My favorite guitar riff from a most unique band. I’m 54! They did very well in syndication! Tripled there sales!

the lead break was a sure "tell" that these guys were not playing.... a little research confirmed it... usually when session greats play on teen band records they dumb it down so as not to be so obvious but watching the drummer, bass player and guitar player here anyone with a modicum of musical involvement knows these guys can't really "play"... later they probably learned a few chords but that is about it.

And before anyone diss's The Monkees, remember that Mike Nesmith, before the Monkees, wrote "A Different Drum" for Linda Ronstadt.. her first hit. Remember that Stephen Stills tried out for the Monkees but was turned down because his teeth were'nt perfect and so he went back home and encouraged his room mate, Peter Tork, to try out the auditions.. Stephen, in the room shared with Tork.. looking down from their room and seeing the riots on Sunset Strip.. Stephen wrote the song "For What It's Worth", a hit single later for The Buffalo Springfield.. The rest is history.

Satisfaction Valerie.

Anyone notice the Stones Satisfaction riff in this song at about 1.00

My favorite Monkees song. In summer camp, 1968, one kid in the cabin brought a little record player with a stack of 45's and he played this song incessantly.
There is an interesting line in Wikipedia about this video, "...and singer Davy Jones appearing to physically outgrow his bandmates, through forced perspective and camera trick shots."
That's a little flowery, but they really just have Davey sit on the camera crane in the director's chair and then take it up and down. 20+ years later, Go West used the same gag for their video, "Don't Look Down," and several guys in the band get to go for a ride on the camera crane.
Thanks for posting!

Peter's smile was everything and reminds me of a childhood crush. Micky's afro and Michael's hat...off the hook. Love watching their show.

I HATE this spelling of "Valleri," but I sure DON'T mind seeing and hearing Davy & The Monkees perform THIS song! And I think this song is the ONLY REASON why I semi like MY name!! (Valerie) Anyone else feel this way? 😉🎶

This is the version of Valleri that I loved when it first came out! Then all of a sudden the radio version was full of brass almost drowning out Louie Shelton's great flamenco guitar.

1-03-2020 - - - Look - it's DEXTER on drums.! ( 1:44 )

Great song.. but it was actually Glenn Campbell that played the lead riff on the recording...

No, it was played by Louis Shelton, as multiple folks posted above.

I would like to know what he is using to give his guitar that real grungy sound

I always thought this would be a great heavy metal remake! Metallica or Disturbed should put their spin on this classic!

Can't help to think of the Brady bunch when I hear or see Davy Jones

It was said that they couldn't play the musical instruments. It was a truth in a sense.But they were the great performer of America.

i love how mike is so focused lol

emma gallagher I would be too. Just making sure I didn’t mess up playing anything 😂

Why Nesmith and Jones didh't make a new group is beyond me except for Nesmiths inheritance

I don't think "mike" was playing the guitar.

Is this real or a show? This show really blurred reality and fiction, Rousseau would have been proud.

Davy was so cute. RIP Davy and Peter. Love The Monkees ❤.

Actually, all FOUR of the Monkees were accomplished musicians before they got this gig. Micky and Mike, in particular, were VERY good songwriters in their own right, and Peter was a multi-instrument player. Micky was also an accomplished vocalist, who has been underrated all his life; in fact, most of the Monkees' songs you will hear have Micky as the lead vocalist, including Pleasant Valley Sunday, I'm A Believer, and Last Train To Clarksville.

And before anyone argues this point, DAYDREAM Believer did have Davy Jones as the lead vocal.

I have a daughter named Valerie (I know it's not spelled the same as the song, but most people spell it the way I do) and I hear this song in my head sometimes Btw, I am NOT Amy Saderup, I am her mother, somehow I am stuck postimg in her name.

We Love you...Aaaa...aaa..a...aaamy ! With Valerie, too.... ...however anyone spells it.

I could hardly wait for Saturday morning, when the Monkees were on TV..!!

That thing mike played... if you played that ever in your life and cornered all four squares my friend you ARE a good guitarist by any measure.

I can't believe I used to pretend to dance like that in school... in the 2000s.

Mickey was my boyfriend AND my Barbie's boyfriend...I knew I was going to be tall so Davy was out lol

That's hilarious and sentimental, too, jan

Much better than the album version. I always felt the horns were unnecessary. The Guitar rocks on this one!

The Monkees were conceived as a TV series about a Pop Group. From their third album they did play more of their own instruments on their LPs, and Micky Dolenz sang and wrote one of their best songs: Randy Scouse Git (Alternate Title in the UK). But as entertainment, that TV series was brilliant and the on-screen chemistry between the four of them meant, quite simply, that you could have found better musicians, better singers and better writers, but the TV series wouldn't have been as much fun.

alternate mix of the song

The Wrecking Crew and a couple of vocalists.

Oh those were the happy days of young teenage years. I loved this song. I still do all these years later.

Davy and Peter are wearing the two shirts that got worn by everyone.

Anyone else think Nez was secretly flipping off Kirschner in that first part?

Bassist Larry Taylor passed away on August 19th, 2019 at his home in Lake Balboa, California after a 12-year battle with cancer. He was 77 years old...
He was the bassist for the blues boogie rock band Canned Heat from 1967 until 1970, performing a legendary set with the band at the original Woodstock in 1969...
He started as a teenager touring with Jerry Lee Lewis, then became a regular studio bass player for the Monkees. He played bass on many of the Monkees hit songs including “Last Train to Clarksville,” “Valleri,” and “Words”...
Taylor played on many of Tom Waits records and toured with him playing upright bass...
May he R.I.P.

Omg wow

This isn't one of the better versions of this song. I like this song. Although Davy isn't one of my more favourite members of the Monkees, I like the job he does on this song. Mike is still my favourite Monkee and the most talented of the band.

It's not so funny now is it?.

Always loved davy the best. Sorry he is gone. Eddies wife cheryl

WoW!
I'm Impressed!

This song is going out of their usual style,

With Nimble Nesmith's flyin
Fingers, pluckin awaY all the While!!!😃

My first concert.

Favourite Monkees song

Davy Jones was so sexy I loved this group.

best production of this hit

the BEST... made for TV band... never again.

Captain Crocodile ( where this song and clip is from), Monkees At The Circus and The Monkees In Paris are my favorite episodes

I grew up in this time frame my little sister would rave about these
guys saying they were better than the Beatles.
She had a little song that went.."Monkeys Forever Beatles Never"
She realizes now that the Beatles were on a different level way better
than most bands. What a great time to be alive Those were the days 4 sure!!

Look at that sneaky Mike Nesmith pretending to play the lead guitar part. That part was played in the studio version and on the video version (which I'm assuming is this one) by session musician Louie Shelton. That's right, hide behind your bandmates when the camera is on you "playing". PS, I love the song and I loved the Monkees but this just "ain't right".

Ah yes, one of my favorite songs from my teen years. Davy Jones was the best lip syncer. IMO, they should have used this song instead of the Amy Winehouse song in that Amazon Echo commercial.

Geesh! I’m still swooning!!

Micky and Davy are both fathers of music videos.

This was the moment I fell in love with Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz.

RIP Davy I am a big fan of yours.i miss you so much.

I love you.

When you have this much tambourine there is no need for cowbell!! What a Timeless classic so glad my mom had this music and all the other greatest in the background and thank you Lord for my grandparents who listened the Great's going all the way back to the 30s and goodness I almost forgot my bluegrass roots! Music has been essential in my life

I miss Davy Jones and Peter Tork

The Monkees were one of the most talented, with flexibility and versatility, of any music group in the history of music. They were always willing to try different venues of music. They will never be forgotten.

The phenomenon of the Monkees was, as an individual had expressed, "like catching lightening in a bottle."

Correction, favorite songs.

The song, "Valerie" is one of my selections that this extremely talented, and versatile group, "The Monkees", had performed. They are forever a legend.

genuine Americana

I AM LOVING SOME OF THE COMMENTS HERE ABOUT THE MONKEES BEING REAL MYSICIANS. While being heavily criticized by people even today. The Monkees were extremely talented people who faced adversity from the mentality of the times. Looking back, the Monkees accomplished more as musicians than any boy band or pop musician today. They played live and in the studio. They wrote songs, some which actually were hits. Historically wise from today's standards the Monkees are trully a real band and people should accept them, back them up and be inspired by them.

RIFF RIP OFF SATISFACTION

Man how I miss those days.

Great rocky 60’s song with that famous guitar riff. Contrary to what a few hard core rock critics say, the gorgeous and much loved Davy Jones, sang all sorts of songs really well including big Monkees hits.

Micky And Davy,They really awesome.

Person: The Monkees are a soft pop group.

Me: Valleri.

Both Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork were proficient in both bass and lead guitars and in their prime could play these lead guitar notes as well!!

1:43 Drummers like - "holy sh-t ! Is that our guy playing lead !!?? "

Michael and Davy lookin' like a snacc

I have loved this song forever but didn't know the artist. I have more respect for the Monkees than I ever had. Used to watch their show but never really understood how awesome they really were

Did the Monkees play their own instruments? Another question for another time. All I know is that this is probably the best thing I've ever heard!
Amy winehouse brought me here. I just heard Valerie and my mind went first to quarterflash and then to this song. Apologies for not coming here first

Love these guys. Mike Nesmith is a very underrated guitarist!

And he played the 12 string- which is no easy feat

One of the heaviest licks of 60s rock and roll.

I wonder if Mike Nesmith wrote or played it-

gotta love the mistakes they made when recording these songs --------- but ------------ there's still no one that could take their place ---------- liked them a lot! ------------ RIP Pete and Davey

The lead guitar parts were played by session musician Louie Shelton.

@lane99 Not sure but my dad has his own youtube page so you might ask him. There are several interviews with him on youtube.

I mean Louie Shelton. He also happens to be my dad.

@Granny Donovan your Dad played that epic solo verses on this song?...

@Matt desu He did indeed.

@Matt desu He did indeed.

I was 13 when this song came out , loved it then and I love it now

Anyone know what year this was ?

STILL MY FAVORITE SONG BY THEM. 50 Plus years later

Good Old Days 😞

Dubbed poorly. Feel sorry for the guys They could play but not here. Listen and watch the tambourine. Love the Monkees! RIP Davey!

i can't ....believe that peter died

Baby Boomers unite! These guys should be in Hall of Fame as should the Turtles!

Mike Nesmith the first guitar shredder

Mike Naismith could play. Wrote "Different Drum" which Linda Ronstadt later had a hit with. The rest were just camera guys who sang a bit.

Mickey and Davy were the actors. Mike and Peter were actually musicians before the Monkee's audition.

Rest In Peace. Davy and Peter. Hey Hey The Monkees.

i named my daughter Valerie cause i love this song

So many hits!

At the start it's very obvious that Davy is not playing the tambourine in time with the backing track - I suspect it's a case of bad film editing.

Same with Michael Nesmith not playing the guitar in time with the backing track. He's strumming the strings too gently and too slowly.

Everyone nicely positioned so you can't see Dolenz's pathetic attempt at drumming. My cat was a better drummer than him.

Their music touches me deeply, their succumbing to death saddens me even more.

This was the U.S. response to the Beatles.
A contrived "band" thrown together.
They had casting calls to determine who was on the band. All "pop", no substance.

Regardless, they we great. Sold a lot of records, too.

Davy can't even fake the tambourine part. Who hired Mike Nesmith, he always looks so disinterested.

Do you mean valleri

Love the subtle use of the crane for Davey in the beginning.

I miss these days. Such great harmonies

hi the best one thank you from the tv show I love it the first time

That blue Jen jacket is the money for mike

Great song!

Youtube:
A Beatles video/song. People talking about the Beatles.
A Monkees, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, The Who, Kinks, etc video/song: People talking about the Beatles.

Please stop it with all that stupid nonsense. Monkees, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, etc.... where SUPERB groups. It just happens that, compared to the Beatles, their influence and impact -or simply put: the best band EVER-, the rest lives in a complete sub-level league. For many reasons. Can we PLEASE just comment about the Monkees?

this song was a hit in late 1968, but the video is from early 1967/late 1966, so i guess it was their Ace in the Hole (Hit song for a later yr) much like 'Yellow Submarine' for the Beatles was recorded in 1966, but not showcased as a Animation film song until 1968, as well.

Fun days