This psychedelic departure was the centerpiece for the 1968 Monkees movie “Head.” Written by husband and wife Gerry Goffin and Carole King, Micky sings the lead vocals on the song, which also features a string section, horn section, and percussion instruments, including chimes and tubular bells. Adding to the psychedelia are porpoise sound effects.
By the time “Head” was released, the Monkees as a teen pop sensation were done. The movie attempted to shatter their boy band image and was successful. But it didn’t catch on, and their stars all but faded going into the 1970s.
“Head,” written in part by Jack Nicholson, has since become a cult classic and is admired by the likes of Quentin Tarantino and Edgar Wright. In past years, Mike Nesmith called its soundtrack one of the band’s “crowning achievements.”
