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Circle Sky
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Wikipedia article
"'Circle Sky'" is a song written by Michael Nesmith which appeared on The Monkees' sixth album, the 'Head' soundtrack, and also in the film 'Head' as a live concert performance.
Background and inspiration
The song is written and performed in style reminiscent to the work of musician Bo Diddley, staying mostly on a single chord (A Major), while strumming barre chords (from B Major to E Major) down the guitar neck for the intro, outro, and breaks, and from B minor to D minor for the bridge.
The lyrics are impressions of sights and sounds on a Monkees tour, while "Hamilton's smiling down" refers to a Hamilton music stand, used for rehearsals and recording.
Release
While the movie included the song performed live by the Monkees in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 17, 1968 during a free show at the Valley Auditorium, the original soundtrack album instead substituted a studio recording, made by Nesmith and session musicians (an unexplained decision that became a major source of tension in the group). The film version intercut Vietnam War footage with concert footage and featured several mirrored shots of the band onstage.
A lo-fi transcription of the concert version was included on 'Monkeemania (40 Timeless Hits)', a compilation from the early 1980s, and an alternate studio take appeared on 'Monkee Flips' in 1984. A stereo recording of the concert version appeared on 'Missing Links Volume Two' in 1990.
A reworked version of the song opened the Monkees's 1996 reunion album 'Justus', featuring a rare performance by Davy Jones on guitar.
Personnel
Studio version:
*Michael Nesmith - lead vocal, guitar, organ, percussion
*Keith Allison - guitar
*Bill Chadwick - guitar
*Eddie Hoh - drums, percussion
Live version (May 17, 1968):
*Michael Nesmith - lead vocal, guitar
*Davy Jones - percussion, organ
*Peter Tork - bass
*Micky Dolenz - drums, percussion
'Justus' version:
*Michael Nesmith - lead vocal, guitar
*Davy Jones - guitar
*Peter Tork - bass
*Micky Dolenz - drums
References
Category:The Monkees songs
Category:1968 songs
Category:Songs written by Michael Nesmith
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