About the song
The “Musical Number for 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee” is a standout track from The Monkees’ 1969 TV special 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee. This experimental, avant-garde piece was part of a surreal and ambitious project that pushed the boundaries of what viewers expected from The Monkees at the time. The special, which was a mix of absurdist comedy, musical performances, and psychedelic visuals, captured a departure from the band’s earlier, more straightforward pop songs.
The musical number itself is chaotic, experimental, and deeply influenced by the psychedelic rock movement of the late 60s. It features frenetic rhythms, layered sound effects, and disjointed vocals. The track is a reflection of the experimental nature of the entire TV special, where the musical arrangements are more abstract and less focused on traditional pop song structures. The psychedelic instrumentation includes a blend of electric guitars, reverb-laden vocals, and distinctive sound effects, contributing to the overall trippy atmosphere of the song.
Lyrically, the musical number doesn’t follow a traditional narrative or theme but instead is a cacophony of sound meant to convey the surreal and absurdist nature of the TV special itself. The randomness and nonlinear qualities of the lyrics reflect the band’s shift toward more experimental and conceptual art during this time. The song’s erratic changes in tempo and style mirror the psychedelic influences that dominated the late 60s and gave the band a more avant-garde edge.
“Musical Number for 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee” is part of The Monkees’ attempt to explore new creative territories, experimenting with sound and performance in ways that would surprise their audience. It was a reflection of the band’s artistic evolution and willingness to step away from their pop roots and embrace more avant-garde and psychedelic elements that were becoming popular during that era.
Though the special itself was not a commercial success and received mixed reviews, this musical number remains an interesting and bold piece of The Monkees’ catalog, representing a period in their career where they were unafraid to experiment with new forms of expression, paving the way for future creative endeavors. Today, “Musical Number for 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee” is remembered for its avant-garde qualities and its place in the band’s musical legacy as a moment of artistic exploration.