from the 7” single, Colgems Records, 1967“…and the kids just don’t understand…” The suburbs have been topical fodder since their inception, the epitome of the American dream for some & indicative of the evil empire for others---the ironic thing about that being that families who live in suburbs are no more/less similar than yuppies living downtown or heads living in the hills, and it’s foolish to attempt painting them with a broad brush. That hasn’t stopped numerous songwriters & poets from decrying the presupposed malevolence that neighborhoods full of similar looking houses must presumably espouse, and this sprightly and delicious treat from the Monkees is a great example of that; written by Carole King & Gerry Goffin, it’s a sarcastic mockery of all things cookie-cutter, very of it’s time and place, and one in a long line of Monkees tracks that sound happier than a double rainbow but include heavy-ish lyrics. This single came right as the Monkees were beginning to show their countercultural leanings more and more, rocking love beads and dashikis all over the place, having grown tired of being seen as teen pop idols. Another pleasant valley Sunday indeed, only the “charcoal burning everywhere” is just as likely to be found alight in a hookah as it is on a grill.
