Top 5 Overlooked Monkees Songs

Hey, hey, they’re still The Monkees, gray hair and all.

The band lost Davy Jones earlier this year, but reluctant Monkee Mike Nesmith is back in the fold for a new, albeit limited 12-city tour kicking off tonight in Escondido, Calif.

We all know the band’s hits, from “Last Train to Clarksville” to “I’m a Believer.” Let’s reconsider the following five songs, all perfect pop gems which don’t get the attention they deserve.

1. “The Girl I Knew Somewhere” – This great track made the cut during the group’s two-season television run, but for some reason it didn’t join the pantheon of Monkees hits. What a shame. Micky Dolenz simply crushes this one, an early track written by Nesmith. That break near the end, the one snapped by that snarling guitar riff? Perfection. 
2. “All of Your Toys” – A cheery organ kicks off this hard-to-find Monkees track, a snarky ode to a woman who treats lovers like “Playthings.” The simple melodies build toward a rousing finale, anchored by Dolenz and Nesmith’s fading but fierce chorus.
3. “Sometime in the Morning” – The Monkees enjoyed the handiwork of some of the ’60s best songwriters, and with “Morning” the Gerry Goffin/Carole King tandem came up huge. “Morning” is  just plain gorgeous, with Dolenz evoking the fleeting emotions of love and remorse as well as any crooner from his era.
4. “Circle Sky” – Yes, the Monkees can rock. Infectious bass lines blend with Nesmith’s understated vocals for a track that rushes by in a blur. 
5. “Goin’ Down” – Dolenz channels his jazzier side with this barn burner, a blistering track recently featured in both “Breaking Bad” and the “Straw Dogs” remake.

(Honorable Mention: “Saturday’s Child,” “The Door Into Summer,” “Star Collector,” “Shades of Gray” and “She.”)