About the Song

The Monkees were an American pop rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965. The band was created for the NBC television series of the same name, which ran from 1966 to 1968. The band members were Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones.

The Monkees’ debut single, “Last Train to Clarksville,” was released in August 1966. The song was written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, and it was produced by Don Kirshner. “Last Train to Clarksville” was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. The song was also a critical success, with many critics praising its catchy melody and upbeat tempo.

“Last Train to Clarksville” is a pop rock song with a simple, yet effective, structure. The song begins with a catchy guitar riff, which is followed by the verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus format. The lyrics of the song are about a young man who is leaving his hometown to go to Clarksville, Tennessee. The song is full of hope and excitement, as the young man is looking forward to starting a new life in Clarksville.

The Monkees’ performance on “Last Train to Clarksville” is energetic and enthusiastic. Micky Dolenz’s lead vocals are strong and clear, and the band’s backing vocals provide a solid foundation for the song. The song’s instrumentation is simple, but effective, with the guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards all playing important roles.

“Last Train to Clarksville” is a classic pop rock song that has stood the test of time. The song’s catchy melody, upbeat tempo, and positive lyrics have made it a favorite among fans of all ages. “Last Train to Clarksville” is an important song in the history of the Monkees, and it is a testament to the band’s talent and popularity.

Some additional information about the song:

  • The song was inspired by Boyce and Hart’s experience of being drafted into the United States Army.
  • The song’s title refers to Clarksville, Tennessee, which is home to Fort Campbell, a United States Army base.
  • The song was featured in the first episode of The Monkees television series.
  • The song was covered by many artists, including The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and The Rolling Stones.

Video

Lyrics: Last Train To Clarksville

Take the last train to Clarksville
And I’ll meet you at the station
You can be here 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 homeTake 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 homeTake the last train to Clarksville
And I’ll meet you at the station
You can be here by four thirty
‘Cause I made your reservation
Don’t be slow, oh, no, no, no!
Oh, no, no, no!
And I don’t know if I’m ever coming homeTake the last train to Clarksville
Take the last train to Clarksville
Take the last train to Clarksville
Take the last train to Clarksville
Take the last train to Clarksville…

 

You Missed

Dolly Parton turned a simple handmade coat into one of the most powerful songs of her life because to her, it was never really about the fabric. “Coat of Many Colors” sprang directly from Dolly’s growing-up years in East Tennessee. Her mother, Avie Lee, pieced the jacket together by sewing colorful rags the family already owned. Cash was mighty tight, so there was no running down to the store for brand-new clothes. Instead, Avie Lee took what was on hand and stitched together something warm for her little girl to wear. While the needle flew, she shared the Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colors, turning an ordinary piece of clothing into something special in Dolly’s eyes. Proudly wearing that coat to school, Dolly felt rich, but the other kids saw it differently. They laughed at the patches and teased her for having so little. Years down the road, Dolly penned those childhood memories into “Coat of Many Colors.” Released in 1971, the tune became a shining example of why her songwriting touched so many souls. She never tried to hide hard times or dress up her youth to look prettier than it was. She simply laid the sting of teasing side-by-side with the deep love that stitched the coat together, letting that honest truth speak for itself. The song eventually grew far beyond that original vinyl record. Its spirit inspired the 2015 television movie Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, followed by Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love the very next year. Those films opened a window into Dolly’s mountain home, introducing folks to the hardworking parents and siblings who shaped her long before the bright lights found her. By then, Dolly had worn glittering stage gowns worth more than her family could ever have dreamed. Yet the garment folks remember best remains that humble little coat stitched by a mother’s loving hands when buying something new simply wasn’t in the cards. That is why the memory stayed alive. The scraps faded away, but the lesson underneath never did.