I also loved the Monkees— they were tremendous— and they merge with the Banana Splits for me. I always thought it was because they were equally bonkers, but maybe they were on after each other like Lou says (never considered that possibility before….)
Have you heard Mike Nesmith’s version of Different Drum, Tobias? Nothing will shake my love for the Linda Ronstadt version, but this is also fab
Jon Millington (of this parish) also immediately name-checked the Banana Splits, but I remember the credits sequence and nothing else, I'm patently going to have to go and hunt some down and try and jog my memory. Some day this 'On the box' strand is going to have an entry for every show in the BBC kid's summer holiday schedule.
I hadn't heard that Nesmith version and I agree - it's great but the Ronstadt version is still my favourite. I think it's the sincerity. Nesmith can't quite help but laugh at himself (weirdly reminded me of Loudon Wainwright in parts), whereas Ronstadt just goes for it with both feet. That also led to me discovering other covers including P. P. Arnold, Sunsanna Hoffs and rather nice one by Tanya Donnelly.
I have very hazy memories of The Monkees TV show. I think it may have been on after The Banana Splits? Weirdly though, Daydream Believer was the soundtrack to my A levels - it’s the one track I can recall from the mixtape that was constantly playing in our sixth form common room.
That must have been my A Level year as well - its obviously the perfect soundtrack to revision and stress: summery, optimistic and companionable. I'm going to credit them with the English and History results and blame Maths on The Cure
I also own the 80s Then and Now compilation, and I also love the Monkees. Thank you for celebrating these absolute titans of catchiness. That is all. 🙌
I also loved the Monkees— they were tremendous— and they merge with the Banana Splits for me. I always thought it was because they were equally bonkers, but maybe they were on after each other like Lou says (never considered that possibility before….)
Have you heard Mike Nesmith’s version of Different Drum, Tobias? Nothing will shake my love for the Linda Ronstadt version, but this is also fab
https://open.spotify.com/track/3CCnivgdriWwvr8KWTMg1Q?si=QwmO4Tv_Te-5SwAkSigNoQ
Jon Millington (of this parish) also immediately name-checked the Banana Splits, but I remember the credits sequence and nothing else, I'm patently going to have to go and hunt some down and try and jog my memory. Some day this 'On the box' strand is going to have an entry for every show in the BBC kid's summer holiday schedule.
I hadn't heard that Nesmith version and I agree - it's great but the Ronstadt version is still my favourite. I think it's the sincerity. Nesmith can't quite help but laugh at himself (weirdly reminded me of Loudon Wainwright in parts), whereas Ronstadt just goes for it with both feet. That also led to me discovering other covers including P. P. Arnold, Sunsanna Hoffs and rather nice one by Tanya Donnelly.
Will be fully expecting features on Why Don’t You? And The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn!
I mean, Battle of the Planets first, obviously, but exactly.
Full disclosure, my son is named after a member of G-Force. Definitely looking forward to that one!
He's called 'Keyop', right?
😂
I have very hazy memories of The Monkees TV show. I think it may have been on after The Banana Splits? Weirdly though, Daydream Believer was the soundtrack to my A levels - it’s the one track I can recall from the mixtape that was constantly playing in our sixth form common room.
That must have been my A Level year as well - its obviously the perfect soundtrack to revision and stress: summery, optimistic and companionable. I'm going to credit them with the English and History results and blame Maths on The Cure
I also own the 80s Then and Now compilation, and I also love the Monkees. Thank you for celebrating these absolute titans of catchiness. That is all. 🙌