Top 10 Monkees Songs (RIP Davy Jones)

With the sad passing of Davy Jones (okay, he was the least likeable of The Monkees, but he's A Monkee fercryinoutloud!) it only seems fair to pay some kind of tribute to him and the band that made him a star.

No. His brief spot on a popular British soap doesn't count.

And so, to avoid been overly sentimental fans, we've decided to simply let the music do the talking and push our worthless opinion in your face. Basically, here are the ten best tracks by The Monkees and as ever, you're advised to tell us about your favourite songs either through the comments or through various social networking technology.

It should go without saying that these videos are in No Particular Order (except Number One) because there's such a strong back catalogue to choose from concerning The Monkees.

Naturally, we are legally obliged to mention that they were a Prefab Four, but that doesn't worry us one bit. Afterall, Aretha Franklin ain't much of a songwriter and Elvis didn't put pen to paper too often, so there's no need to pooh-pooh The Monkees on that score, especially given that they had some of the greatest songwriters EVER working for them (Carol King, Harry Nilsson, Neil Diamond and more).

Besides, wouldn't you rather listen to The Monkees when great people were writing songs for them or listen to Ed stupid Sheeran who writes his own tepid junk? Exactly.

Anyway, here's to Davy Jones who played the cheeky dreamboat with that all important English accent in one of the best pop groups there ever were! We'll raise a glass throughout these songs and so should you, first chance you get.

10. Shades Of Grey

It seems fitting to start with a Davy Jones-led reflective ballad given the circumstances. Here we find The Monkees in sombre, orchestral mood, creating near-perfect baroque-pop. Tremendous stuff.

9. Do I Have To Do This All Over Again?

Taken from the Jack Nicholson written Monkees film, Head, Do I Have To Do This All Over Again? is a Peter Tork written barnstormer that appears in one of the more lucid moments in what is a completely insane film. If you haven't seen Head, it is effectively The Monkees committing intentional career suicide with talking cows, Frank Zappa, giant eyeballs, extreme violence, getting hassled from The Man, dandruff commercials and some brilliantly schlocky hippie nonsense. A must see for fans of incredibly curious cinema. Also – check out the bassline.

8. Valleri

Tremendously rousing pop with a chorus that enables you to choose a harmony and stick with it while the gang sing around you. Super stuff!

7. What Am I Doin' Hanging 'Round?

Mike Nesmith (grumpiest/coolest of The Monkees) was always keen to show his love for country. In What Am I Doin' Hanging 'Round?, The Monkees were way ahead of the curve of the country-rock genre that took over America in the early 70s. Gram Parsons and The Byrds make take credit for Cosmic American Music, but Nesmith was carrying the Olde Timey flag to a much larger audience first.

6. Pleasant Valley Sunday

Sometimes, pop can flood your head with pictures and Pleasant Valley Sunday is one of the most evocative songs ever written. From the neighbour mowing his lawn, to the roses all in bloom, to the TV obsessive, to the smell of barbecues that surround the neighbourhood while the teen frat band learn the latest songs in the garage, Pleasant Valley Sunday places you into the heart of '60s America and lets you simply watch.

5. A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You

When The Monkees where really on form, they could throw a chorus at you from absolutely nowhere. This song, direct and perfect, is one such moment. It's the track which sees Davy Jones really showing his chops.

4. Cuddly Toy

The twee and cheeky Cuddly Toy is a Nilsson penned track which, basically, may not seem like much to you, but in the hecklerspray hellhole, Harry Nilsson is GOD and we must mention him at every opportunity we get.

3. Last Train To Clarksville

Countrified, refried folk rock at its best from The Monkees, with this jangly slice of pop heaven. Again, keeping up with The Byrds and not forgetting to make a catchier-than-mumps record along the way. This is the sound of the alt-sixties without having a po-face. That's why the Prefabs were so necessary.

2. Stepping Stone

Garage punk staple (alongside Louie Louie) which any band worth their salt performed at the time. Very few made Stepping Stone as infectious as The Monkees did.

1. Porpoise Song

The Monkees psychedelic masterpiece which is far-reaching and heavy with druggy metaphor – Porpoise Song is the credible pop-fan's wet-dream. It has everything from pompous strings, chimes, crazy studio effects and tripped out, dead-eyed lyrics about 'clicks, clacks' and 'riding the backs of giraffes for laughs'. Ostensibly, its the moment The Monkees both meant it, and mocked it. Proving they could make as weird a record as their contemporaries as well as throw in the humour to whistle-blow about how daft the '60s actually were, The Porpoise Song is unswerving, silly perfection. Daydream Believer is really cool too, but this is the song that The Monkees should have at the top of their CV.