First time hearing The Monkees “Goin' Down” Reaction | Asia and BJ

[@jimbrown868]

Oh YEAH!! Someone finally found this song. Thank you guys. One of my all time favorite Monkee tunes. And I'm 70, so that's saying a LOT. Thanks againl.

[@cmsrick]

I am 68 and an ex- rock & roll drummer. This is mega-Mickey. I, also, love this Monkees tune.

[@nauniwhitewave-runningmout4526]

yes mine also and many Monkees fans do not even know about this song

[@lisarainbow9703]

Mickey Dolenz was an incredible, energetic performer---- a friend saw him live in concert, and said he sang this song, live, while dancing and running laps through the football stadium where the concert was held. This was 30 years after the Monkees were on tv, so Dolenz would've been in his 50's by that time.

[@kentclark6420]

Which is probably why he's the last one around.

[@elmobolan4274]

We saw MD perform in 2019 just before the pandemic hit and he sounded amazing!!

[@lindas.5191]

He's still going strong, bless him!

[@sallyatticum]

When I saw Mike, Micky and Peter in 2013, it was Peter that was dancing around the stage like a kid.

[@lindas.5191]

@@sallyatticum Yep, that was Peter!

[@lyndabrown9431]

Micky, the only living Monkee, is still touring and still has an incredible blues voice. He has also done some Broadway and off Broadway over his years in show business. He would probably answer any question you have concerning their music.

[@rommix0]

I keep forgetting that Mike recently passed away. Yeah Micky is the sole Monkee now.

[@lindagroundwater4836]

My favorite Monkees tune. He still does this song in concert. I got to sing it with him twice! Brilliant scat singing. The Monkees came together through auditions in late 65 and debuted in 1966.

[@misseva7404]

I was a kid in the '80s and grew up on the Monkees' TV show. I absolutely love it when people appreciate these guys, especially Micky, who is my favorite. It's a pleasure to watch your faces as you take in this totally unique song. Thanks for this!

[@jrepka01]

When the Monkees were put together Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork were the only members who came from the music industry. Mickey Dolenz (featured here) and David Jones came mostly from the acting scene. Though Jones was a capable drummer the producers of the show felt he was too short (and good-looking) to put in the background so Mickey was put on the drums. It didn't matter at first, as the songs were recorded with studio musicians. Eventually they were given more freedom to write and play music. Goin' Down began as a collaboration between Nesmith, Tork, and Dolenz. They approached Diane Hildebrand, one of the production's writers, to create the lyrics. Originally released as the B-side to the hit "Daydream Believer" this song has lingered in obscurity over the years. I've always loved it myself. It tells the story of a young man who has lost the girl of his dreams at a party held in a house that abuts the Mississippi river. Despondent and drunk, he leaps into the river to end it all but immediately regrets his decision. After a bit of panic he realizes he can stay afloat and will eventually make it ashore downstream to perhaps a better life. Goin' Down was plucked from obscurity during the final season of the AMC show Breaking Bad when it was played over a quick-cut montage of methamphetamine cooking. Though the song itself has no drug references, its used was to highlight the inexperience of a new cook trying to learn the complex recipe/method used by the show's protagonist).

[@bentighe4811]

Generally correct but subject to some interpretation. Another take is that rather than recovering from panic and figuring out how to float, the narrator has found peace and cognizance in death. That puts some of the ending lyrics in a different light, for instance "now the sky is getting light" (he's been in the water overnight) and "waving to the folks on shore" (his arm is moving with the motion of the waves and current).

[@danieldietrich9969]

Nice copy/paste

[@rhondaflesher8313]

Davy did already have a solo album out before joining the Monkees. I had a copy of it, years ago.

[@davidhattman7649]

And to Think Jimi Hendrix was an opening act on one of their tours

[@ItaliaPolskaQT85]

Well said

[@johnmclaughlin6682]

Goin' Down was supposedly one of Lou Reed's favorite songs. The Monkees have a ton of great tunes. Check them out!

[@joegausch]

What I find really cool about this video is that a 50 some odd year song transcends all barriers. Cultures,demographics,generations. Simply music.. Gotta love it...

[@danhuyck527]

First time I heard this was in a bar where a guy got up and sang it perfectly during karaoke night. The whole place was blown away. added it to my library later that night

[@marksimpson1991]

While my sister was listening to The Beatles, who I thought were boring, I was rocking out to this.

[@jeanneellis5090]

Good for you 👍

[@johndbrandhorst4434]

The video of Mickey doing this live on TV and dancing is a classic.🎸🎶

[@ninaelsbethgustavsen2131]

Just watched it...

[@LibraOwl]

There's a video of him performing this song in the show, "The Monkees", and the multi-coloured images of multi-image Mickys are great! So cool to see a row of Mickys all dancing in unison. Such a treat!

[@robynmatheson7687]

I’m one of the ones who requested this recently. I’m excited that you reacted to this! As I said in my previous comment, it was the B side of a 45, so it wasn’t on their 4th album. I found it because I was the kid who always checked out the B side. You could find some real gems.

[@musiclover7840]

The Monkees were formed as a TV version of The Beatles. Very few people took them as serious musicians, but considered them a novelty and "bubble gum pop". As they matured as people and as a band, they became more of a *legitimate* band, with music that was more experimental and serious.

[@marchristiansen]

Mike Nesmith guitar, Peter Tork Bass, Fast Eddy Hoe drums, Shorty Rogers Horn section, Mickey Dolenz vocals. For those who thought the Monkees didn't play on the records. The early records were studio musicians but the later records the Monkees played on.

[@redgreen82]

Micky still sings the song live and hasn't lost a step even though he's pushing 80.

[@louiselunardon6707]

Its called scatting! I've loved this song for a good part of 50 years, in 60 now!

[@agoodday4pi]

My reaction was just like yours the first time I heard this song. My exposure to the Monkees were through the songs I'm A Believer, Daydream Believer, The Monkees Theme, and For Pete's Sake. This song was so different but in a cool way. They have a solid catelog of great songs, but really happy you guys reacted to it!!

[@edwardthorne9875]

Thank you for doing this amazing song. Mickey is the only Monkee to appear on this track, but he nails it! It was not on any of their regular albums, but appeared on one of the shows as an add-on. This has got to be one of the happiest suicide attempt songs ever written. He has drunkenly thrown himself into the Mississippi, and is going down under the water. You really do need a lyrics sheet to catch the words as they fly by. How about trying 'Randy Scouse Git'?

[@peterfields4801]

Not many thought the band capable of music like this!

[@cherylbradley5356]

She broke up with him, he was drunk, and he jumped into the river to make a point. Now he realizes what a mistake. Great song and great job by Mickey. So talented.

[@retiredslamjamm]

Love the Monkees as a teenager, but I don't even remember this one. Crazy - That Trumpet was off the charts. Micky Dolenz the drummer sang it.

[@3DJapan]

The "goin down" part sounds Camille but I don't really recognize it either.

[@ToddFern]

I used to listen to this a lot when I was young. B side of I'm a Believer. 😁

[@lindagroundwater4836]

No, that was Stepping Stone. This was B side to Daydream Believer

[@wayneclendenen2036]

This band was put together for a TV show and became a hit band in the process... Mickey Dolenz was the singer on this...He was originally a child actor on a show called Circus Boy in the 50s...

[@AnnieVanAuken]

Alas, Mickey Dolenz is the only surviving Monkee. The son of an actor, Mickey starred in a TV series in the 1950s as a 12-year-old. It was called "Circus Boy". He was the only non-musician in this quartet. Peter was a folk guitarist. Mike, whose mom invented instant paper, was country, and Davy had a Broadway career. He played the Artful Dodger in OLIVER and appeared on Ed Sullivan's show the night the Beatles came to America. That was in 1964,

[@LibraOwl]

Actually, Micky was not a non-musician at the time. He is a guitarist who started out playing classical guitar, like Segovia, then moved on to folk... then, along came The Monkees.

[@seanmetro3496]

Timeless pop tunes. Funny episodes. Fond MONKEES memories. Rest Gents, stay strong MICKY

[@rosshartley5807]

This song was about a guy who threw himself in the Mississippi River to commit suicide, but had a change of heart.

[@yelnek4548]

I thought that was pretty obvious

[@Ian-lx1iz]

No, it ain't It's about carpet munchin'

[@QuikVidGuy]

Oh wow, with the "dirty brown," "I give you 3, I been down 9," "my pappy taught me how to float... he threw me in to teach me how," I always thought it was a song about drinking too much

[@stevetillcock7361]

Mickey is the real deal. True musical prodigy. Sang a lot of the Monkees lead vocals.

[@timmurphy5580]

This was one of my favorite monkey songs. Mickey for Hall of Fame .another good song was called the porpoise song it came off the movie, head .great reaction you guys

[@mollyhall2954]

I saw them live when I was young, and again when my husband and I took our youngest daughter to see them. One reason Micky is so great on this song is that he and his sister Coco had a jazz band before he auditioned for The Monkees tv show. (while he was in college studying to be an architect.) Mike was my favorite songwriter of the group, and he had a great voice, too, but Micky Dolenz had a spectacular rock voice for the sixties, and he still sounds great now. He says it's because during all those decades in between he wasn't wearing it out--there were many years when he worked as a tv director and producer in England, his wife's home, when he said he couldn't get a job singing. I was so happy for them when they had a hit album in the 2000s! My brother recommended that I listen to your reaction video and subscribe, and I'm glad I did--great!

[@echopryme]

Legend says he did that in ONE TAKE! 💯😎

[@garyarnett1220]

Love it love it love ! Thank you guys. He still does this in concert, although not quite this fast.

[@AsiaandBJ]

Our pleasure!

[@cabowabodude]

The Monkees tv show debuted in September of 1966 and they disbanded in mid 1971. they got back for the 20th anniversary in 1986 and toured through 1989. got back together again in 1996, 2001, 2011, 2012-2016. Micky Dolenz, the singing drummer, is the only Monkee still alive.

[@danielbenincasa770]

People freak out that the Monkees are more then just a bubble gum band. Micky did great with this song.

[@rhondaflesher8313]

The more official video of this song has him dancing to the music as he is singing.

[@roydownes2458]

there is a mesmerizing performance clip of him doing this in concert with the monkees attached to one of their tv episodes.

[@surlechapeau]

Asia & BJ, you’ll love their "I'm a Believer" and "Last Train To Clarksville”!!

[@ItaliaPolskaQT85]

Especially live. Dolenz still has it

[@jbjacobs9514]

If you want to hear fantastic scatting, outside of general jazz, please listen to George Benson's Masquerade. Not only is his voice a treasure, but the scatting is out of this world, and his guitar playing is right up there with the greats.

[@rebellibrarian]

YES! One of my favorites of theirs. So much fun to sing.

[@dagmar.6954]

I grew up listening to the Monkees music & watching their show. They could act silly but they actually were decent musicians & singers. They had many hits such as "Last Train To Clarksville", "Valleri", "Pleasant Valley Sunday", "Steppin' Stone" etc. Two of their big hits "I'm A Believer" & "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" were written by Neil Diamond. Davy Jones was considered a teenage heart throb. Sadly he died in 2012 & later Peter Tork in 2019. Michael Nesmith passed away last year. Only 1 member is remaining now Micky Dolenz.

[@ItaliaPolskaQT85]

You might just be the one...listen to the band...can you dig it...porpoise song...little bit me little bit you....what am I doing hangin' round...that was then this is now..circle sky(68 and 97 versions)...to name a few other ones that are great.

[@mjeffn2]

Last Train To Clarksville is one of the best 60s war protest songs. The Monkeys were so underestimated that even though anti war protest songs were verboten on tv and AM radio, The Monkeys were able to overcome. It’s also simply a beautiful but, very sad song.

[@JerryCordelli]

A spectacular arrangement that leaves 90% of what was being done at the time in the dust and Mickey gave a vurtuoso performance that has few equals among his peers at the time. The best example of one of the great vocalists of the late 60s. His vocals during the Monkees first time around truly stand the test of time.

[@starleemartin1961]

I first heard this as a kid when I watched the reruns with my parents and they had a sort of documentary on them touring and Mickey performed this live and I went nuts for it. You could tell immediately by the sound and his moves that he was channeling James Brown. My favorite of theirs next to Peter singing "Auntie Grizelda."

[@FrazzledPigeon]

Micky Dolenz is a legend!

[@ICU2HI]

The Monkees were formed in 1966 for a TV show. Most of their music was written by others that they performed. They were never included into the Rock in Roll Hall of Fame even though they had the number one hit album in 1967 beating out the Beatles and the Stones. Many groups in the Hall of Fame had other people writing their hit songs. The monkeys should definitely be included.

[@josephtingley654]

I love this song.

[@Malachishouse]

It's about drinking and drowning in his alcoholism. He wants out and he has friends who tell him to stop. but. he doesn't listen. He's going back home to becoming sober where he'll be supported. dirty brown is a term to indicate how deep he is in the sludge of the water he's drowning in-bc at the bottom of a lake is dirt. Jazzy tune. One of my favorites. They wanted to do a variety show to introduce new upcoming artists and even Charlie Smalls explaining differences between musical sounds. Charlie wrote the music for the movie "The Wiz", which was like "The Wizard of Oz".

[@rebeccabledsoe4550]

Micky dolenz parents both were singers and actors, his mom taught Micky and his sister coco to sing. Love this song and micky

[@harrisjames2047]

ASIA & BJ, FIND A VIDEO WITH MR. DOLENZ DOING THIS IN CONCERT. YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS GENTLEMAN'S ENERGY. THIS MAN IS STILL AWESOME.

[@rhondablake]

I’ve loved The Monkees since I was very young and this is one of the best songs. You two are right on with how you’ve described it, and I appreciate that y’all listened to a song that Micky Dolenz sang!

[@jeanneellis5090]

I love the Monkees, never thought they were given the credit they deserve because of that silly TV show They were great musicians and singers. I never heard ( or don't remember this song )

[@davidkosach3095]

Wow awesome for a cool white guy ! If you get the chance, watch the acid drug version ! Mickey dances like James Brown, sings like Cab Calloway, along with the all the colors in this spiral video will freak you out if not sober lol….

[@tcov22]

So happy that you reacted to this, it’s one of my favorite relatively-unknown Monkees songs.

[@davidwalker683]

Their song- words is awesome

[@nacnud1]

daily nightly is an unusual one for them...also, shades of grey is pretty

[@gillesmorin9439]

One of the best Monkeys songs very underrated

[@navagate1900]

That was cool, great reaction. For some really good scatting check out Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter - Tobacco Road (Live) 9 min. 20 sec. You have to watch live to see the talent.

[@richarddefortuna2252]

The amazing Fast Eddie Hoh killin' it on the drums on this track!

[@thomassullivan9692]

Eddie was an incredible player!

[@gasser217]

THIS SONG DOES'NT HAVE ENOUGH ENERGY!! :)

[@jbjacobs9514]

Next should be "I'm Gonna Buy Me a Dog". LOL

[@nauniwhitewave-runningmout4526]

i have seen them 3x in concert met Micky 2x seen every episode and the movie Head. I don't care what anyone says they were true musicians and actors they did not get the recognition they deserved.

[@markcraven8386]

Back in 2016 Avery singing Monkees "Going Down" came out, it's been on my KZbin watch later since then. She flat killed it ! The Monkees-Goin' Down upload by sterohysteria seems to be the definitive version. Era correct, saturated with artsy special effects and possibly lip-synched. Only Dolenz appears, not the group.

[@davegnarlsson4344]

Rap was invented in Jazz clubs. This is real rap. Harlem 1920's.

[@fishhookism]

The Monkees were created in 1966 for television

[@MarcusMitchell-j2e]

Its about guy who was gonna commit suicide by jumping off a bridge but on the way down he decided he didn't wanna die. After every show they would sing a song and he did this in one take, not in the studio on their tv show. Amazing isnt it!

[@Icurious14u]

Wow...A song that I have heard but lost due to lack of play but thanks to the guy who recommended it and for use (Not a typo) all for playing it....I like the songs we all forgot about but loved at some point.

[@stueyday]

A very, very underrated band. One of my funeral songs is 'As We Go Along'. Such a beautiful song.

[@candicelitrenta8890]

Ella Fitzerald was the Queen of scat

[@getschwifty8449]

They have to her sing and scat to Dukes Place

[@chetstevens4583]

One of the hardest songs to sing along with. But he says every word of the lyrics, that is practice making perfect!

[@technomikelyons]

The story goes that Micky recorded his vocals in one take.

[@amberrose8756]

Work of art? YES! Damn Micky is freakin amazing! I love The Monkees!

[@BobDobbs-Woolhat1]

The Monkees were artist of the year in 1967 and they hold the record for the fastest three number one albums and the fastest four number one albums in history.

[@mermaidmelodies1492]

6:05 - A work of art YES! it was not copied by any other contemporary artist at the time (that I know of) either.

[@simmiewilliams5970]

Loved the Monkees as a kid.

[@Scott-v2l]

Monkees were crazy good ....I dont care if they were a made for TV band...They earned a nod from me as a great group.

[@kayeruss7313]

It's one of my favorite Monkee songs, so different and jazzy

[@kentclark6420]

Mickey- the singer on this, (and the drummer), is the only one still on this side.

[@debjorgo]

This song was used in the show that breaks the regular format. In it, they are complaining about the show having pretty much the same plot every week. They get fed up and they head to Paris. The show is called Monkees in Paris.

[@rccraig7580]

One of the few songs that Mickey Dolenz performed lead vocals on. My favorite is The Last Train to Clarksville. Good Ole Mickey Dolenz the last surviving member of the Monkees .

[@lindas.5191]

Micky did lots of vocals.

[@rccraig7580]

@@lindas.5191 I stand corrected Micky Dolenz is a prolific musician and producer and sometimes I think the TV show may have presented a distorted image of the group but I see Micky's work extends far beyond the TV show from the 60's.

[@lindas.5191]

@@rccraig7580 I agree. He is super talented.

[@TimothySielbeck]

High pitched trumpet is from player ability, no mute needed.

[@jackdusek7395]

I don't know for sure but it sure sounds like Bud Brisebois on the screaming trumpet improvisation. He was THE high note guy of Studios at that time.

[@yelnek4548]

Have not watched the reaction yet, but thank you for doing this song.

[@bridgetkelly5613]

Sing it Mickey! ❤

[@johnlong9534]

Remember it well. My brother had Daydream Believer and this was on the other side. I played the hell out of it. I actually learned most of the words to it. Strange how it all comes back to me.

[@notquitedone51]

Great pick! Other Monkees tracks people don't seem to select that I would like to submit: Star Collector, Saturday's Child, Cuddly Toy, Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow), Sunny Girlfriend, Circle Sky and Listen To The Band (last #1 hit).

[@TechItOut]

If the censors only knew what he was singing about this would have been banned :) LOL

[@allendesalme197]

Hard to believe there is a Monkees song I don't remember from my childhood - we never missed the show and got all their records. That is the singer who did Mickey's voice for the show songs.

[@ericablaschke3497]

Randy gouse skit , No time are good songs too

[@edithmaxim2041]

Never heard this one from the Monkee's. I love it.

[@elmobolan4274]

Just finding out how GREAT The Monkees were!!! Second generation (1970s) fan!!!

[@JDeez45]

Goin' Down is based on a song cakled Parchman's Farm. Its about a dude who tries to unalive himself by jumping in a river...he changes his mind.

[@nelsonmaud1]

This song there is a video to it was on the Monkees tv show him dancing ang singing remember as a 22ish year old

[@2199SPUDMAN]

MOAR MONKEES!!!! 😀

[@lisemzarate4029]

I've been trying to get people to watch this for ages!!! 😎😎😎😎

[@josemarcio2473]

The Monkees with Goin Down wonderful performance... Very good.. show!!!!!

[@vickiconley3638]

Lots of good tunes from the Monkees to react to!

[@karensaldanha4760]

Micky Dolenz (the one who is singing) is the only one still alive.

[@lyndabrown9431]

They were late 60's band

[@scotthannigan3569]

One of my faves, had the 45.

[@chrisgreise2006]

What an amazing fun song. I have loved the Monkees forever.

[@pamelabartholomew449]

Way ahead of its time. Always one of my favourites

[@barbaraburton8914]

How about the late 60's. They were children in the 50's.

[@edithmaxim2041]

I really really like this.

[@amberrose8756]

Best song and band EVER! I’ll die on this cross.