The Monkees

Last Train to Clarksville

(Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart)

Lead Vocals: Micky Dolenz
Acoustic Guitar: Tommy Boyce
Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, & Louie Shelton
Bass: Larry Taylor
Drums: Billy Lewis
Percussion: Gene Estes & David Walters
Produced By: Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
Recorded At: RCA Victor Studio A, Hollywood
Date: July 25, 1966

Surprisingly, both Nesmith and Boyce/Hart produced sessions (and in the case of Boyce/Hart, a very long one) on this day at different studios with Micky Dolenz participating in both! Although all four Monkees were given tries at singing lead on "Clarksville", Micky Dolenz sang the lead on the released version with The Candy Store Prophets, Wayne Erwin, Louie Shelton, Tommy Boyce (acoustic guitar) and David Walters (percussion) doing the backing track. Unfortunately, the vocal takes from the other three were erased. The tune of course went on to become the group's first release, single, gold record, and #1. It was also included on the album.

On CD:
The Monkees Music Box (2001), Rhino Records R2 76706
The Monkees (1994), Rhino Records R2 71790

Lyrics:

Take the last train to Clarksville,
And I'll meet you at the station.
You can be be there by four thirty,
'Cause I made your reservation.
Don't be slow, oh, no, no, no!
Oh, no, no, no!

'Cause I'm leavin' in the morning
And I must see you again
We'll have one more night together
'Til the morning brings my train.
And I must go, oh, no, no, no!
Oh, no, no, no!
And I don't know if I'm ever coming home.

Take the last train to Clarksville.
I'll be waiting at the station.
We'll have time for coffee flavored kisses
And a bit of conversation.
Oh... Oh, no, no, no!
Oh, no, no, no!

Take the last train to Clarksville,
Now I must hang up the phone.
I can't hear you in this noisy
Railroad station all alone.
I'm feelin' low. Oh, no, no, no!
Oh, no, no, no!
And I don't know if I'm ever coming home.

Take the last train to Clarksville,
Take the last train to Clarksville,
[repeat and fade]


The Monkees Music Vault

The Monkees (C) 2001. Rhino Records, Inc. All rights reserved.


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