🎶The Monkees released their song ‘I’m A Believer’ 55 years ago {as of 2021}, November 12, 1966

The Monkees- I'm a Believer (music video)

Classicrockfan611
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885,329 views May 27, 2013

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I'm a Believer


US single cover

Single by the Monkees from the album More of the Monkees
B-side: " (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone "
Released: November 12, 1966
Recorded: October 15 and 23, 1966
Label: Colgems
Songwriter(s): Neil Diamond
Producer(s): Jeff Barry

"I'm a Believer" is a song written by Neil Diamond and recorded by the Monkees in 1966 with the lead vocals by Micky Dolenz. The single, produced by Jeff Barry, hit the number-one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week ending December 31, 1966, and remained there for seven weeks, becoming the last No. 1 hit of 1966 and the biggest-selling single for all of 1967. Billboard ranked the record as the No. 5 song for 1967. While originally published by Screen Gems-Columbia Music (BMI), it is now published by Stonebridge Music/EMI Foray Music (SESAC), with administration passed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Universal Music Publishing Group.

The song was No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in January and February 1967 and reached the top spot in numerous countries, including Australia, New Zealand,[5] Canada, and Ireland.

Billboard described the song as 'an easy-go dance mover' that 'will hit with immediate impact'.[7] Cash Box said the single is a "medium-paced rocker [that] is full of the group's top notch harmonies and is laced with infectious sounds."

The song appeared in four consecutive episodes of the television series The Monkees in December 1966. The Monkees principals later played it for themselves in live appearances, on overseas tours, and at reunion concerts.[

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Recording

Session guitarist Al Gorgoni ( who played on "The Sound of Silence" and later on "Brown Eyed Girl" ) had worked on Diamond's "Cherry, Cherry" and also contributed to "I'm a Believer". Other personnel on the record include Sal DiTroia on rhythm guitar, Neil Diamond on acoustic guitar, Russ Savakus on bass, George Butcher on piano, Stan Free on Vox Continental organ, George Devens on tambourine, and Buddy Saltzman on drums.

The song is listed at No. 48 on Billboard's All Time Top 100. In 2021, it was listed at No. 341 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time"

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