250 Albums- An Arbitrary Rumble Through My Record Collection # 146 The Monkees - Hey, Hey It's The Monkees 20 Smash Hits

 

'We're just trying to be friendly. ... We're the young generation. Amd we've got something to say...'

I'm sitting outside a virtual classroom for a business lesson with Insurance People un Dussledorf. It's alniost thrty minutes after the lesson was due to start. The sun is basting me through the high Georgian windows of my flat . It's mid August 2025. I'm closing in on 60 in a month. I suspect this is a no show.

I've been listening to The Monkees all morning as I prepare and teach my lessons. I imagine I've got the next hour off to write the rest of this review and keep listening to The Monkees do their thing. Twenty Golden Greats that perhaps weren't strictly all smash hits but still sound more familiar to you than your own skin,

I bought this album almost forty years ago in my first or second term at university . When I kidded myself that I was the young generation and I had something to say. I'm more modest nowadays. I'm just happy to have money tipping into my account for this lesson whuch is ten munites from being a no show. I'm happy just to be alive and listening to The Monkees.  

I'm listening to I Wanna Be Free. . Little Davy Jones. The Monkees took it in turns to sing. He wants to be free. Like the bluebirds. He is free now. These are sweet songs. They have no 'best before' day..

 It's 10.45 in Newcastle. Quarter to twelve in Dussledorf. I'm putting in my No Show' claim and listening to The Monkees for an hour until I have a catch up with my friend and boss. Asking if she can feed me some more classes. Perch on my stool,  clap my flippers together for more fish. Balance a ball on my nose. There are worse things to do. I'm not in an office and hope to be so never again. 'We got ta be free....'

'Look out here comes tomorrow. Oh how I wish tomorrow would never come.' It will folks. You'd better believe it. The Monkees had the best writers. They were all youmg. Handsome. Funny in a wry but honest way. Charles Manson apparently had an audition but it wouldn't have been the best idea to have a Monkee with a Swastika on his forehead.Monkees made love to millions in the sweetest most innocent way.

I think I'll flip the record. Better than flipping a burger. Here's Mt Green He's so serene. 'He's got a TV in every room.' But what about Mrs. Green. Visions of The Graduate.'No-one seems to care.' But you bet they were glad when their kids came home with Monkees albums or singles rather than ones by Jefferson Airplane.Ot Yje Rollig Stones

The Monkees had a great golden run which still endures. Even though they are now down to one. Dolenz holds the banner aloft. Here they come....