Shades of Gray (song) explained

Shades of Gray
Artist:	The Monkees
Album:	Headquarters
Recorded:	March 16 and 22, 1967
Studio:	RCA Victor, C (Hollywood)
Genre:	Chamber pop^[1]
Length:	3:20
Label:	Colgems
Producer:	Chip Douglas

"Shades of Gray" is a song written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, recorded by the Monkees for their 1967 album Headquarters. Lead vocals were shared by Davy Jones and Peter Tork,^[2] and this is the only track on the album featuring instruments performed by session musicians instead of the band members (and producer Chip Douglas) themselves (French horn and cello).

The song had been recorded previously by a folk-rock trio, the Will-O-Bees, and released in 1967 on the Date Records label.^[3] This version was accorded "Chart SpotlightsPredicted to reach the HOT 100" status in the December 31, 1966 issue of Billboard.^[4]

Personnel

Credits adapted from 2022 Rhino "Super Deluxe Edition" box set.^[5]

The Monkees

• Peter Tork – lead vocals, backing vocals, piano
• Davy Jones – lead vocals, maracas, tambourine
• Michael Nesmith – pedal steel guitar
• Micky Dolenz – drums, harmony vocals

Additional musicians

• Jerry Yester – bass guitar
• Vincent DeRosa – French horn
• Frederick Seykora – cello

Technical

• Chip Douglas (as Douglas Farthing Hatlelid) – producer
• Hank Cicalo – engineer

External links

• monkees.net Lyrics to the Monkees song

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ed. Masley. Best Monkees songs of all time: 30 classics, from their biggest hits to album tracks. The Arizona Republic. January 7, 2024. January 12, 2024.
2. Web site: Show 44 - Revolt of the Fat Angel: Some samples of the Los Angeles sound. [Part 4]]. UNT Digital Library.
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqcoU_Y-uSA "Shades of Gray"
4. Chart SpotlightPredicted to reach the HOT 100 . . December 31, 1966 .
5. Web site: Headquarters (Super Deluxe Edition) . Sandoval . Andrew . Andrew Sandoval . . CD box set liner notes . . R2 695257 . 2022 .