♫ I’m A Believer ♫

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, music, music history

Time for some Monkees, methinks!  Surprisingly, I’ve only ever played a few of theirs here in the past.

I had no idea until tonight that Neil Diamond wrote (and recorded) this song!  According to SongFacts …

Neil Diamond wrote this song. He had his first big hit earlier in 1966 with “Cherry, Cherry,” which got the attention of Don Kirshner, who was looking for material for The Monkees. Kirshner was sold on “I’m A Believer,” and as part of the deal, allowed Diamond to record the song as well. Diamond’s version was released on his 1967 album Just For You. The Monkees version benefited from exposure on their television series.

This was The Monkees second single, after “Last Train To Clarksville.” It was released during the first season of their TV show.

The Monkees sang on this, but did not play any instruments. The producers used session musicians because they were not convinced The Monkees could play like a real band. This became a huge point of contention, as the group fought to play their own songs.

Monkees drummer Micky Dolenz sang lead on this.

Neil Diamond had intended the song to be recorded by the Country artist Eddy Arnold, and was surprised when record executive Don Kirshner passed it instead to The Monkees.

Monkees guitarist Michael Nesmith didn’t believe this would be a hit, complaining to the producer, Jeff Barry, “I’m a songwriter, and that’s no hit.” Jeff Barry banned him from the studio while Micky Dolenz recorded his lead vocal.

Dolenz has painful memories of performing this on tour. Literally painful. He told Entertainment Weekly in 2016. “I do remember lots of snatches of touring back then. Unbelievable. No monitors. Screaming. Screaming, screaming. [When we played ‘I’m a Believer’] I couldn’t hear myself. I just had to pound away. Even to this day, I sing with my eyes closed, because I had to close my eyes and hit myself in the leg to keep time on the drums. I had a big bruise.”

Neil Diamond’s recording charted only at #21 in Canada, #51 in the U.S., and not at all in the UK, but the Monkees version charted at #1 in all three, as well as most everywhere else in the world!

I’m A Believer

The Monkees

I thought love was only true in fairy tales
Meant for someone else but not for me
Love was out to get me
That’s the way it seemed
Disappointment haunted all of my dreams

Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind
I’m in love
I’m a believer, I couldn’t leave her if I tried

I thought love was more or less a giving thing
Seems the more I gave the less I got
What’s the use in tryin’
All you get is pain?
When I needed sunshine, I got rain

Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind
I’m in love
I’m a believer, I couldn’t leave her if I tried

Oh

Oh, love was out to get me
Now, that’s the way it seemed
Disappointment haunted all of my dreams

Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind
I’m in love
I’m a believer, I couldn’t leave her if I tried

Yes, I saw her face, now I’m a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind
Said, I’m a believer, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (I’m a believer)
Said, I’m a believer, yeah (I’m a believer)
I said, I’m a believer, yeah (I’m a believer)

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Neil Diamond

I’m a Believer lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

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29 thoughts on “♫ I’m A Believer ♫”

  5. Wonderful! Anything Monkees anytime is good with me!

    I like Neil Diamond’s version, too, it’s a different mood, though, for me. It’s a nice song!

    Truth or dare Saturday night: My crush was Michael Nesmith. Turns out he is a fine writer/performer on his own, as well. We may remember hearing his more recent stuff in the wake of his passing. Micky’s the only one left, now, I think. sigh He was my second favorite, which is no insult.

    Liked by 2 people

      • Everyone I knew was in love with Davy! He was cute, but there was just something about Michael-that black hair, blue eyes-and he and Micky seemed smarter than Peter and Davy. Peter was cool in his own way, though, I thought.

        Liked by 2 people

  7. Pingback: ♫ I’m A Believer ♫ | Filosofa’s Word | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  8. Jill, although The Monkees were a fabricated group with tryouts, they benefitted greatly from some excellent songwriters, Neil Diamond being only one of them. I have even heard the hard rock group Deep Purple record Diamond’s “Kentucky Woman,” which is an interesting cover. Keith

    Liked by 3 people

      • Jill, I actually watched their TV show in the 1960s. It was geared toward adolescents.

        The strangest thing I heard is Jimi Hendrix opened for The Monkees. It lasted about three stops. The teens and adolescents weren’t quite ready for “Purple Haze.”

        Keith

        Liked by 3 people

        • I used to watch it sometimes, too! My best friend had a terrible crush on Davy Jones, so we would sometimes watch it together while she moaned and crooned! Oh my … no, I cannot imagine Jimi Hendrix and the Monkees … I missed that!

          Liked by 2 people

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