So Much Stuff

Like Merlin I am a Mike kind of guy, but then I’ve always been a little bit country. As for the “finger picked electric figure” I’m pretty sure that’s a banjo; like the one that Peter is almost certainly not really playing in the video.

merlin:

The Monkees - “What Am I Doing Hangin’ Round?” (1967)

I’ve always been a “Mike” kind of guy. And, although my appreciation of this track came at least 30 years after my first, preschool-aged Monkees freak-out, it’s now absolutely one of my favorites songs of theirs.

Also, worth noting here, although it’s a debate I wouldn’t dare try to settle, a lot of people consider this recording to be the first “Country Rock” song. And, whoa, I’d never heard there were Byrds on there:

AMG:

Another highlight of the Monkees’ finest album statement (Pieces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.), “What Am I Doing Hangin’ ‘Round?” was also a unique glimpse of Michael Nesmith’s foray into what was to be soon dubbed country-rock. A breezy ballad, the song is built on a country two-step and taken at a locomotive tempo. A fine story-song, it’s a little cameo of love found and lost. Utilizing a geographic location (Mexico), it’s almost like a short film. The recorded version features some members of the Byrds and is an excellent vehicle for Michael Nesmith’s exquisite vocals. Songwriter Michael Murphy would later find fame with the country-pop hit “Wildfire.”

Far as I know, none of the credited players were in the Byrds, but I do wonder if Mike was up to playing that finger-picked electric figure. Because, it’s insane, and now I want to hear it over and over all day.

Great, great song. But, Mickey? Get a room.