Essential Monkees - Disc 1

The Essential Monkees is a Monkees Greatest Hits compilation album compiled by C.Syde65. It was burnt in late 2011 - early 2012. It is not an official Monkees album and thus can not be bought.

This 2-disc compilation album includes 54 of The Monkees' finest hits and rarities - 27 songs on each disc. The featured songs were all my favourite Monkees tracks at the time of its compile date.

It includes every song that was featured on The Monkees' "25th Anniversary Collection" and the first disc of "The Definitive Monkees". Some of the songs from the Monkees' "Original Album Series", and the second disc of "The Definitive Monkees" are also featured.

Here is the track listing for the first of the two discs. The track listing for the second disc can be found on this page.

Disc One
"(Theme from) The Monkees"
 * Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocals: Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, Wayne Erwin, and Ron Hicklin
 * Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, and Louie Shelton
 * Bass Guitar: Larry Taylor
 * Drums: Billy Lewis
 * Percussion: Gene Estes
 * Organ: Bobby Hart
 * Produced by Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart and Jack Keller
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, 5 and 19 July, 1966 (2:00 – 7:30 PM)
 * Released: 10th October 1966
 * Original Album: The Monkees
 * Recording Session: The Monkees
 * Duration: 0:02:22
 * Genre: Rock Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1966 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - The Monkees (album)
 * An earlier version of the song can be found on the 1994 reissue of "The Monkees"

"Saturday's Child"
 * Written by David Gates
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocals: Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, Wayne Erwin, and Ron Hicklin
 * Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee and Louis Shelton
 * Bass Guitar: Larry Taylor
 * Drums: Billy Lewis
 * Tambourine: Gene Estes
 * Organ: Bobby Hart
 * Produced by Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart and Jack Keller
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, 9 July, 1966 (2:00 - 9:00 PM)
 * Released: 10th October 1966
 * Original Album: The Monkees
 * Recording Session: The Monkees
 * Duration: 0:02:45
 * Genre: Blues-Rock
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1966 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - The Monkees (album)

"Take a Giant Step"
 * Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, and Unknown
 * Acoustic Guitar: Tommy Boyce
 * Electric Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, and Louie Shelton
 * Bass Guitar: Larry Taylor
 * Drums: Billy Lewis
 * Piano: Jack Keller
 * Harpsichord: Michael Rubini
 * Glockenspiel: Bobby Hart
 * Percussion: Gene Estes
 * Oboe: Bob Cooper
 * Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, 9 July, 1966 (2:00 - 9:00 PM)
 * Released: 16th August and 10th October 1966
 * Original Single: Last Train to Clarksville (B-Side)
 * Original Album: The Monkees
 * Recording Session: The Monkees
 * Duration: 0:02:32
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1966 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - The Monkees (album)

"I Wanna Be Free"
 * Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Lead vocal by David Jones
 * Acoustic Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, and Louie Shelton
 * Harpsichord: Michael Rubini
 * Violin: Bonnie Douglas and Paul Shure
 * Viola: Myra Kestenbuam
 * Cello: Fred Seykora
 * Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, 19 July, 1966 (2:00 – 7:30 PM)
 * Released: 10th October 1966
 * Original Album: The Monkees
 * Recording Session: The Monkees
 * Duration: 0:02:27
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1966 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - The Monkees (album)
 * First song on the compilation to feature David Jones.

"Gonna Buy Me a Dog"
 * Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Lead vocals by Micky Dolenz, and David Jones
 * Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, and Louie Shelton
 * Bass Guitar: Larry Taylor
 * Drums: Billy Lewis
 * Organ: Bobby Hart
 * Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studio #1, Hollywood, 23 July, 1966 (2:00 - 8:00 PM)
 * Released: 10th October 1966
 * Original Album: The Monkees
 * Recording Session: The Monkees
 * Duration: 0:02:44
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1966 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - The Monkees (album)
 * First song on the compilation to feature the participation of two Monkees.

"I Don't Think You Know Me"
 * Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Harmony vocals: Michael Nesmith
 * Backing vocals: Michael Nesmith
 * Guitar: James Burton, Glen Campbell, and Al Casey
 * Drums: Hal Blaine and Jim Gordon
 * Organ: Larry Knechtel
 * Produced by Michael Nesmith
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, 25 June, 1966 (7:30 PM – 12:15 AM)
 * Arranged by Don Peake
 * Released: July 1987 (Michael's vocal mix), September 1994 (Micky's vocal mix)
 * Original Album: Missing Links (Michael's vocal mix), The Monkees [1994 Reissue Bonus Tracks] (Micky's vocal mix)
 * Recording Session: The Monkees
 * Duration: 0:02:18
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Rhino Records
 * Mix/Version: First Recorded Version + 1994 Stereo Mix + Micky Dolenz Vocal
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - The Monkees (album)
 * Two mixes were made of this song. The first featured Micky on lead vocals and was mixed by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Michael recorded his own vocals later that year.
 * Being recorded in June 1966 makes "I Don't Think You Know Me" the first recorded Monkees' song on the compilation. The reason it appears as the 6th track is due to a mistake on one of the sites saying that it was recorded in July. The mistake was fortunate because I think the song suits it's current spot on the compilation.
 * First song on the compilation to feature Michael Nesmith.

"Last Train to Clarksville"
 * Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocals: Unknown
 * Electric Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, and Louie Shelton
 * Acoustic Guitar: Tommy Boyce
 * Bass Guitar: Larry Taylor
 * Drums: Billy Lewis
 * Percussion: Gene Estes and David Walters
 * Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studio A, Hollywood, 25 July, 1966 (7:00 PM - 3:00 AM)
 * Released: 16th August and 10th October 1966
 * Original Single: Last Train to Clarksville (A-Side)
 * Original Album: The Monkees
 * Recording Session: The Monkees
 * Duration: 0:02:48
 * Genre: Rock Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1966 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - The Monkees (album)
 * The song was originally released as a single, reaching #1 on the pop music charts

"Mary, Mary"
 * Written by Michael Nesmith
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocal: Micky Dolenz
 * Guitar: Peter Tork, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, and Michael Deasy
 * Bass Guitar: Bob West
 * Drums: Hal Blaine
 * Piano: Michael Cohen and Larry Knechtel
 * Percussion: Gary Coleman and Jim Gordon
 * Produced by Michael Nesmith
 * Arrangement: Don Peake
 * Recorded at Western Recorders, Hollywood, 25 July, 1966
 * Released: 9th January 1967
 * Original Album: More of the Monkees
 * Recording Session: More of the Monkees
 * Duration: 0:02:17
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1966 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - More of the Monkees (album)
 * The 1990 Arista CD version of the original album features the Extended Stereo Mix, the same that appears in the More Greatest Hits of the Monkees CD Version.
 * First song on the compilation to feature Peter Tork. The first song on the compilation to feature a member of the Monkees playing an instrument. And the first song on the compilation to be written by a member of the Monkees.

"(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone"
 * Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocals: Tommy Boyce, and Bobby Hart
 * Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, and Louie Shelton
 * Bass Guitar: Larry Taylor
 * Drums: Billy Lewis
 * Organ: Bobby Hart
 * Percussion: Henry Levy
 * Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Arrangement: Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Recorded at Western Recorders, Studio #1, Hollywood, 26 July, 1966
 * Released: 21st November 1966 and 9th January 1967
 * Original Single: I'm a Believer (B-Side)
 * Original Album: More of the Monkees
 * Recording Session: More of the Monkees
 * Duration: 0:02:25
 * Genre: Rock Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1966 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - More of the Monkees (album)
 * Reached #20 on the pop charts, making it the first Monkees B-Side to chart
 * The original mono and stereo mixes differ slightly in two spots. On the stereo mix, Micky's vocal is dubbed in at the end of the instrumental bridge just before the second verse; this vocal bridge does not appear on the mono mix. During the fade, Micky's repeated, "Not your steppin' stone" begins sooner on the stereo mix than on the mono mix. The mono single fades out earlier than the track from the mono album, despite that both versions are shown with a playing time of 2:25.

"She"
 * Written by Angelo Badalamenti, Jeff Barry, Tommy Boyce, Marianne Faithfull and Bobby Hart
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, David Jones, Peter Tork, Tommy Boyce, Wayne Erwin, Bobby Hart, and Ron Hicklin
 * Guitar: Wayne Erwin, Gerry McGee, and Louie Shelton
 * Bass Guitar: Larry Taylor
 * Drums: Billy Lewis
 * Percussion: Norm Jefferies, Unknown
 * Organ: Bobby Hart
 * Produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studio A, Hollywood, 15 August, 1966
 * Released: 9th January 1967
 * Original Album: More of the Monkees
 * Recording Session: More of the Monkees
 * Duration: 0:02:41
 * Genre: Rock Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1966 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - More of the Monkees (album)
 * The song was written by Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, Jeff Barry, Angelo Badalamenti and Marianne Faithfull, but only Boyce and Hart received writer's credit.

"Hold on Girl (Help is on its Way)"
 * Written by Billy Carr, Jack Keller and Ben Raleigh
 * Lead vocal by David Jones
 * Backing vocal: Micky Dolenz
 * Other personnel unknown
 * Produced by Jeff Barry and Jack Keller
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, 10 September, and American Studios, Studio City, 23 October, 1966
 * Released: 9th January 1967
 * Original Album: More of the Monkees
 * Recording Session: More of the Monkees
 * Duration: 0:02:29
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1966 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - More of the Monkees (album)
 * An earlier slower version of the song was released on "Missing Links Volume Two" in 1990
 * This was the only track to appear on the Monkees' "25th Anniversary Collection" that unfortunately did not appear on the "Music Box", the first disc of "The Definitive Monkees" and "Monkeemania (The Very Best of the Monkees)". Was it just not as commercially well known and / or successful? The earlier version however does appear on the second disc of "The Definitive Monkees"

"Sometime in the Morning"
 * Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz and Carole King
 * Other personnel unknown
 * Produced by Jeff Barry, Gerry Goffin, and Carole King
 * Recorded at New York City, 13 and 25 October, 1966
 * Released: 9th January 1967
 * Original Album: More of the Monkees
 * Recording Session: More of the Monkees
 * Duration: 0:02:29
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1966 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: Monkeemania (The Very Best of the Monkees) - Disc 1
 * The copy I was originally going to use was from the "Original Album Series" from the album "More of the Monkees". Although the sound quality was remarkable, I was a touch disappointed by the fact that the copy contained two dropouts that had not been corrected before the "Original Album Series" was issued. Thankfully I discovered a copy of the song from "Monkeemania (The Very Best of the Monkees" with equally remarkable sound quality and without the two drop outs. I was a little worried that the copy had a sharper fade than the copy from the "Original Album Series" partly due to it been a second shorter. But it turns out the fade only seemed sharper due to the copy being at a slightly higher volume.

"Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)"
 * Written by Neil Diamond
 * Lead vocal by David Jones
 * Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, David Jones and Peter Tork
 * Acoustic Guitar: Neil Diamond
 * Drums: Buddy Salzman
 * Organ: Maurgan Cheff
 * Percussion: Kauren Seguer
 * Other personnel unknown
 * Produced by Jeff Barry
 * Recorded in New York City, 15 and 23 October, 1966
 * Released: 9th January 1967
 * Original Album: More of the Monkees
 * Recording Session: More of the Monkees
 * Duration: 0:02:16
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1966 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - More of the Monkees (album)
 * An extended mix of the song featuring an organ solo can be found on the 1994 reissue of "More of the Monkees"

"I'm a Believer"
 * Written by Neil Diamond
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, David Jones and Peter Tork
 * Guitar: Al Gorgoni and Sal Ditroia
 * Acoustic Guitar: Neil Diamond
 * Bass Guitar: Dick Romoff
 * Drums: Buddy Salzman
 * Piano: Jeff Barry
 * Organ: Artie Butler
 * Tambourine: Jeff Barry
 * Produced by Jeff Barry
 * Recorded in New York City, 15 and 23 October, 1966
 * Released: 21st November 1966 and 9th January 1967
 * Original Single: I'm a Believer (A-Side)
 * Original Album: More of the Monkees
 * Recording Session: More of the Monkees
 * Duration: 0:02:50
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1966 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - More of the Monkees (album)
 * Reached #1 on the pop charts, and becoming The Monkees' biggest hit
 * An earlier version of the song can be found on the 1994 Reissue of "More of the Monkees"

"A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You"
 * Written by Neil Diamond
 * Lead vocal by David Jones
 * Backing vocals: Neil Diamond, and Unknown
 * Guitar: Al Gorgoni, Don Thomas, and Hugh McCracken
 * Bass Guitar: Louis Mauro and James Tyrell
 * Drums: Herb Lovelle
 * Piano: Stan Free
 * Organ: Arthur Butler
 * Tambourine: Thomas Cerone
 * Produced by Jeff Barry
 * Arrangement: Jeff Barry
 * Engineered By: Ray Hall
 * Recorded at RCA Studio B, New York City, 21 (11:00 AM - 7:00 PM) and 24 January, and 4 and 6 February, 1967
 * Released: 6th March (Withdrawn) and 8th March 1967 (Reissued)
 * Original Single: A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You (A-Side)
 * Recording Session: Headquarters
 * Duration: 0:02:51
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Single Version + 1969 Stereo Mix
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: 25th Anniversary Collection
 * Reached #2 on the pop charts
 * The mono mix of the song includes handclaps while the stereo mix does not. The master recordings of the song disappeared after the 1960s. A later issue was made from dubs of the earlier mixes. The 1969 stereo mix which features David Jones singing "Oh girl, oh girl" over the bridge first appeared on the Monkees' greatest hits album in 1969 and later on other collections until the multi-track master was found by Rhino Records. A new stereo remix, complete with the handclaps, but without the additional "Oh girl, oh girl" over the bridge, was issued as a bonus track on the two CD deluxe version of Headquarters released by Rhino Records in 2007.
 * I insisted on using the 1969 stereo mix of the song for the compilation, because it's the one I grew up with. Sadly the 1987 mono mix of the song remains to be more commercially known. The 1987 mono mix lacks the additional backing vocals during the "walk out" and "talk out" lyrics. I prefer these and the additional vocals during the bridge to the handclaps found in the 1987 mono mix and the 2007 stereo mix. Well at least I was able to chose the 1969 stereo mix for my compilation, I suppose.

"The Girl I Knew Somewhere"
 * Written by Michael Nesmith
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork
 * Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
 * Acoustic 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
 * Bass Guitar: John London
 * Drums: Micky Dolenz
 * Tambourine: John London
 * Harpsichord: Peter Tork
 * Produced by Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studio A, Hollywood, 23 February, 1967 (2:00 - 10:00 P.M.)
 * Released: 8th March 1967
 * Original Single: A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You (B-Side)
 * Recording Session: Headquarters
 * Duration: 0:02:36
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Single Version + 1967 Stereo Single Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: 25th Anniversary Collection
 * Reached #39 on the pop charts
 * The 1987 stereo mix of the song which is more commonly used today features additional backing vocals during the harpsichord solo, while the mono mix doesn't. The original 1967 stereo mix does not include the additional backing vocals, so it is otherwise more similar to the mono mix, only it's in stereo.
 * I could have chosen to include the 1987 stereo mix which is perhaps more commercially well known today, but because I grew up with the original 1967 stereo mix, I chose to use that one instead.
 * First song on the compilation to have been recorded and produced completely outside of Don Kirshner's control.

"Love to Love"
 * Written by Neil Diamond
 * Lead vocal by David Jones
 * Guitar: Al Gorgoni, Don Thomas, and Hugh McCracken
 * Bass Guitar: Louis Mauro and James Tyrell
 * Drums: Herb Lovelle
 * Piano: Stan Free
 * Organ: Arthur Butler
 * Tambourine: Thomas Cerone
 * Produced by: Jeff Barry
 * Arranged by Jeff Barry
 * Engineered By: Ray Hall
 * Recorded at RCA Studio B, New York City, 21 (11:00 AM - 7:00 PM) and 24 January, and 4 and 5 February, 1967, and 5 August, 1969
 * Released: 1979, March 1996
 * Original Album: Monkeemania (40 Timeless Hits), Missing Links Volume Three
 * Recording Session: Headquarters/The Monkees Present
 * Duration: 0:02:31
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Arista Records
 * Mix/Version: 1996 Stereo Mix
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Definitive Monkees - Disc 2
 * The 1996 stereo mix of "Love to Love" is considered to be in an alternate mix, even though as of 2001 it is the most commonly used, and probably the most commercially known mix to date.
 * All versions of the song include a vocal that David Jones re-recorded in 1969.
 * Last song on the compilation to have been recorded under Don Kirshner's supervision.

"Mr. Webster"
 * Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocal: David Jones
 * Guitar: Micky Dolenz
 * Steel Guitar: Michael Nesmith
 * Bass Guitar: John London
 * Tambourine: David Jones
 * Piano: Peter Tork
 * Produced by: Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, 24 February, 1967 (1:00 - 7:30 PM)
 * Released: 22nd May 1967
 * Original Album: Headquarters
 * Recording Session: Headquarters
 * Duration: 0:02:05
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1967 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - Headquarters (album)
 * A remake by the band; the earlier, slower version with session musicians was recorded during the sessions for More of the Monkees and is featured on Missing Links Volume Two.
 * First song on the compilation to feature the participation of all the Monkees, and the first to feature all the Monkees on instruments.

"She'll Be There"
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Harmony vocal: Coco Dolenz
 * Acoustic Guitar: Micky Dolenz
 * Produced by: Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, February, 1967
 * Released: March 1996
 * Original Album: Missing Links Volume Three
 * Recording Session: Headquarters
 * Duration: 0:02:36
 * Genre: Acoustic Music
 * Label: Rhino Records
 * Mix/Version: 1996 Stereo Mix
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Definitive Monkees - Disc 2
 * Micky and his sister Coco were responsible for the arrangement of the song "She'll Be There". However it is unknown exactly who wrote it, and as a result no official writer's credit was given.

"You Just May Be the One"
 * Written by Michael Nesmith
 * Lead vocal by Michael Nesmith
 * Harmony vocal: Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, David Jones, Peter Tork, and Chip Douglas
 * Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
 * Acoustic Guitar: Michael Nesmith
 * Bass Guitar: Peter Tork
 * Drums: Micky Dolenz
 * Tambourine: David Jones
 * Produced by: Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, 2 March, 1967, and 16 March (12:00 - 7:00 PM)
 * Released: 22nd May 1967
 * Original Album: Headquarters
 * Recording Session: Headquarters
 * Duration: 0:02:04
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1967 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - Headquarters (album)
 * A remake by the band; the earlier version which featured session musicians was recorded during the sessions for the Monkees' debut album; this earlier version was used several times during Season One of the Monkees' television series. It was eventually released on Missing Links Volume Two.
 * First song on the compilation to feature Michael Nesmith on lead vocals.

"Randy Scouse Git (Alternate Title)"
 * Written by Micky Dolenz
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocals: David Jones, and Peter Tork
 * Electric Guitar: Michael Nesmith
 * Bass Guitar: Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Drums: Micky Dolenz
 * Timpani: Micky Dolenz
 * Organ: Peter Tork
 * Piano: Peter Tork
 * Produced by: Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studio B, Hollywood, 2 March (7:00 PM - 12:00 AM), and Studio C, 4 (12:00 PM - 1:00 AM) and 8 March, 1967 (12:30 PM - 12:00 AM)
 * Released: 22nd May 1967
 * Original Album: Headquarters
 * Recording Session: Headquarters
 * Duration: 0:02:40
 * Genre: Rock Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1967 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - Headquarters (album)

"I'll Spend My Life with You"
 * Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Harmony vocal: Peter Tork
 * Electric 6-String Guitar: Micky Dolenz
 * Acoustic 12-String Guitar: Peter Tork
 * Steel Guitar: Michael Nesmith
 * Bass Guitar: Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Tambourine: David Jones
 * Organ: Peter Tork
 * Celesta: Peter Tork
 * Produced by: Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, 4 (12:00 PM - 1:00 AM), 9 (12:30 PM - 1:00 AM), 10, 11 (12:00 PM - 12:00 AM) and 18 March, 1967 (12:30 PM - 2:30 AM)
 * Released: 22nd May 1967
 * Original Album: Headquarters
 * Recording Session: Headquarters
 * Duration: 0:02:26
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1967 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - Headquarters (album)
 * A remake by the band; the earlier version was recorded during the sessions for More of the Monkees which featured session musicians.

"Forget That Girl"
 * Written by Douglas Farthing Hatlelid
 * Lead vocal by David Jones
 * Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, David Jones, Peter Tork, and Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
 * Acoustic Guitar: Unknown
 * Bass Guitar: Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Drums: Micky Dolenz
 * Maracas: David Jones
 * Electric Piano: Peter Tork
 * Produced by: Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, 7 (12:30 PM - 2:00 AM) and 8 March, 1967 (12:30 PM - 12:00 AM)
 * Released: 22nd May 1967
 * Original Album: Headquarters
 * Recording Session: Headquarters
 * Duration: 0:02:26
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1967 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - Headquarters (album)

"Shades of Gray"
 * Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil
 * Lead vocals by David Jones and Peter Tork
 * Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, David Jones, and Peter Tork
 * Steel Guitar: Michael Nesmith
 * Bass Guitar: Jerry Yester
 * Drums: Micky Dolenz
 * Tambourine: David Jones
 * Piano: Peter Tork
 * Maracas: David Jones
 * Cello: Frederick Seykora
 * French Horn: Vincent DeRosa
 * Produced by: Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, 16 (12:00 - 7:00 PM) and 22 March, 1967
 * Released: 22nd May 1967
 * Original Album: Headquarters
 * Recording Session: Headquarters
 * Duration: 0:03:23
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1967 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - Headquarters (album)
 * Some compilations credit songwriting to Gerry Goffin and Carole King, and production to Boyce, Hart and Jack Keller.

"I Can't Get Her Off My Mind"
 * Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
 * Lead vocal by David Jones
 * Backing vocal: Micky Dolenz
 * Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
 * Bass Guitar: Jerry Yester
 * Drums: Micky Dolenz
 * Percussion: David Jones
 * Tack Piano: Peter Tork
 * Produced by: Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, 17 (12:30 - 7:00 PM) and 19 March, 1967 (2:00 - 11:00 PM)
 * Duration: 0:02:27
 * Genre: Pop Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1967 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - Headquarters (album)
 * A remake by the band; the earlier version was recorded in July 1966 during the sessions for the debut album featuring session musicians. It was released as a bonus track on the 1994 reissue of the Monkees' debut album.
 * The copy of the song used was ripped from the "Original Album Series" from the album "Headquarters". While the sound quality is remarkable, the copy of this song contains a dropout - a couple of seconds before the ending - that had not been corrected before the "Original Album Series" was issued. Thankfully the drop out was so minor, it can't easily be noticed without close observation.

"No Time"
 * Written by Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith, with David Jones and Peter Tork
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocals: David Jones, and Unknown
 * Electric Guitar: Michael Nesmith, and Unknown
 * Bass Guitar: Chip Douglas
 * Drums: Micky Dolenz
 * Tambourine: David Jones
 * Piano: Peter Tork
 * Produced by: Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, 17 (12:30 - 7:00 P.M.) and 22 March, 1967
 * Duration: 0:02:09
 * Genre: Rock and Roll
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1967 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - Headquarters (album)
 * The song was written by the four Monkees (according to Peter, composition was done primarily by Micky and Mike), but as a reward for his hard work on the album, the band decided to credit the song to recording engineer Hank Cicalo, guaranteeing him a large royalty check. The released version of the song was the second version recorded for the album; the first included session help from guitarists Keith Allison and Jerry Yester, but the released version has only Douglas assisting the quartet.
 * The chords of the song are fairly similar to those of The Beatles' cover of The Shirelles' song "Boys"
 * Micky's "Rock on, George, for Ringo one time" refers to The Beatles' cover of Carl Perkins' song "Honey Don't."

"For Pete's Sake"
 * Written by Joseph Richards and Peter Tork
 * Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz
 * Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, David Jones, and Peter Tork
 * Electric Guitar: Peter Tork
 * Electric 12-String Guitar: Michael Nesmith
 * Bass Guitar: Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Drums: Micky Dolenz
 * Tambourine: David Jones
 * Produced by: Douglas Farthing-Hatlelid
 * Recorded at RCA Victor Studio C, Hollywood, 23 and 24 March, 1967 (1:00 PM - 2:30 AM)
 * Duration: 0:02:11
 * Genre: Rock Music
 * Label: Colgems Records
 * Mix/Version: Album Version + 1967 Stereo Album Master
 * Channels: Stereo
 * Ripped from: The Monkees: Original Album Series - Headquarters (album)
 * An edited version of the song became the closing theme for the show's second season