| Porpoise Song | |
| Cover: | The_Monkees_single_08_Porpoise_Song.jpg |
| Caption: | US single cover |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | the Monkees |
| Album: | Head |
| B-Side: | As We Go Along |
| Released: | 5 October 1968 |
| Recorded: | 26 and 28 February 1968 California Recorders Hollywood, CA |
| Length: | 2:56 (LP) 4:00 (single) |
| Label: | Colgems #1031 |
| Producer: | Gerry Goffin |
| Prev Title: | D. W. Washburn |
| Prev Year: | 1968 |
| Next Title: | Tear Drop City |
| Next Year: | 1969 |
"Porpoise Song" is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King and performed by the Monkees as the theme song for their 1968 film Head and its accompanying soundtrack album. The single version contains an extended instrumental outro not included on the album version or in either of the song's appearances in Head. The song also appears on several Monkees greatest-hits albums.
In the Monkees' 1968 feature film Head, the song appears at the beginning and end of the production in two variations on the same scene. At the start of the film, the group are being chased, running onto a bridge. In an attempt to escape, Dolenz jumps from the bridge as the others look on in shock. As Dolenz sinks, he is saved from drowning by a couple of beautiful mermaids. At the end of the film, the other members follow Dolenz and jump or fall from the bridge. As they appear to swim to shore, the camera zooms out, revealing them to be trapped in a large glass tank of water being pulled by a truck. Footage in both sequences is extensively solarized.[1]
Micky Dolenz provides the double-tracked vocals, except for the "goodbye, goodbye" part of the chorus which is sung by Davy Jones. A mix of organ riffs, cello, double bass, woodwinds, and horns float in and out of the song. Chimes, tubular bells and various aquatic sound effects can also be heard. The lyrics call into question the Monkees' prefabricated image and reflect their desire for creative freedom and authenticity, including a veiled reference to Dolenz’ childhood work on the television series Circus Boy.[2] [3] [4]
The song was recorded on February 26, 28 and 29 of 1968, with Goffin producing. Andrew Sandoval, author of , considered it "the most elaborate production ever for a Monkees recording."[5]
Bob Rafelson, the co-creator of the Monkees television series and director of Head, recalled:
Cash Box described the song as having a "'progressive' feel" and "a thundering rhythm line akin to the Beatles' 'I Am the Walrus.'"[6]
Noel Gallagher of Oasis called "Porpoise Song" "an amazing song" and "one of the great moments in recorded history" in a 2016 interview with the Detroit Free Press.[7]
"Porpoise Song" was released as a single in 1968 and reached #62 on the Billboard Hot 100.
. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012 . Joel Whitburn . 2013 . Record Research . 586.