Shades of Gray (song): Difference between revisions
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{{About|the Monkees song|other songs|Shades of gray (disambiguation)#Music}} |
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| ⚫ | "'''Shades of Gray'''" is a song |
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{{Infobox song |
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| name = Shades of Gray |
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| cover = |
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| alt = |
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| caption = |
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| artist = [[The Monkees]] |
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| album = [[Headquarters (the Monkees album)|Headquarters]] |
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| released = {{start date|1967|05|22}} |
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| recorded = March 16 and 22, 1967 |
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| studio = [[RCA Records|RCA Victor, C]] (Hollywood) |
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| genre = [[Chamber pop]]<ref name= "Masley 2024">{{cite web|first= Ed|last= Masley|title= Best Monkees songs of all time: 30 classics, from their biggest hits to album tracks|website= [[The Arizona Republic]]|date= January 7, 2024|url= https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/01/07/the-monkees-greatest-hits-of-all-time/72079810007/|accessdate= January 12, 2024}}</ref> |
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| length = 3:20 |
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| label = [[Colgems Records|Colgems]] |
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| writer = {{Plainlist| |
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*[[Barry Mann]] |
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*[[Cynthia Weil]]}} |
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| producer = [[Chip Douglas]] |
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}} |
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| ⚫ | "'''Shades of Gray'''" is a song written by [[Barry Mann]] and [[Cynthia Weil]], recorded by [[the Monkees]] for their 1967 album ''[[Headquarters (the Monkees album)|Headquarters]]''. Lead vocals were shared by [[Davy Jones (actor)|Davy Jones]] and [[Peter Tork]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc19808/m1/|title=Show 44 - Revolt of the Fat Angel: Some samples of the Los Angeles sound. [Part 4]|work=UNT Digital Library}}</ref> 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]]). |
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The song had been recorded previously by a folk-rock trio, [[the Will-O-Bees]], and released in 1967 on the Date Records label.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqcoU_Y-uSA "Shades of Gray"] video. YouTube. Retrieved on December 17, 2016.</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2024}} This version was accorded "Chart Spotlights{{snd}}Predicted to reach the HOT 100" status in the December 31, 1966 issue of [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']].<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine |title= Chart Spotlight{{snd}}Predicted to reach the HOT 100 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=December 31, 1966 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eCIEAAAAMBAJ&q=Shades+of+Gray}}</ref> |
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[[Sons of Champlin]] recorded the song at about the same time, but the ''Headquarters'' version was released first. The album ''Fat City'',<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000I7X9 Amazon.com: Fat City: The Sons of Champlin: Music<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> released in 1999 by Big Beat UK, finally featured the Sons of Champlin version of the song, named "Shades of '''Grey'''" (whereas the original Monkees release was titled "Shades of '''Gray'''"). |
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==Personnel== |
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The [[Will-O-Bees]] (Janet Blossom, Steven Porter, Robert Merchanthouse), recorded a mid-tempo, slightly heavier and more focused version, in 1966, on Date 1543. |
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Credits adapted from 2022 Rhino "Super Deluxe Edition" box set.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Headquarters (Super Deluxe Edition) |last=Sandoval |first=Andrew |author-link=Andrew Sandoval |others=[[The Monkees]] |type=CD box set liner notes |publisher=[[Rhino Entertainment|Rhino Records]] |id=R2 695257 |date=2022 |url=http://www.monkee45s.net/CDs_USA_RhinoBox/R2695257.html}}</ref> |
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'''The Monkees''' |
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Another version was recorded in 1970 by P.K. Limited (Screen Gems/Columbia Music songwriters Dan Peyton and Marty Kaniger); it was featured in the film ''[[Getting Straight]]. |
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*[[Peter Tork]] – lead vocals, backing vocals, piano |
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*[[Davy Jones (musician)|Davy Jones]] – lead vocals, [[maracas]], tambourine |
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*[[Michael Nesmith]] – [[pedal steel guitar]] |
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*[[Micky Dolenz]] – drums, harmony vocals |
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'''Additional musicians''' |
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A cover of "Shades of Gray" by ''Mind Venertion'',<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/MindVeneration?fref=ts Mind Veneration Facebook page]</ref> appears on the album, ''Through the Looking Glass - Indie Pop Plays The Monkees'',.<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/Various-Through-The-Looking-Glass-Indie-Pop-Plays-The-Monkees/release/2986914 Through the Looking Glass - Indie Pop Plays The Monkees]</ref>" |
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*[[Jerry Yester]] – bass guitar |
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*[[Vincent DeRosa]] – [[French horn]] |
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*Frederick Seykora – [[cello]] |
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'''Technical''' |
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==Cultural references== |
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*Chip Douglas (as Douglas Farthing Hatlelid) – producer |
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In the 1986 film ''[[Soul Man (film)|Soul Man]]'', [[C. Thomas Howell]]'s character Mark attempts to impress a girl, so he says, "Today there is no black or white, only shades of gray," a direct quote from the song. |
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*[[Hank Cicalo]] – engineer |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.monkees.net/shades-of-gray/ monkees.net Lyrics to the Monkees song] |
*[http://www.monkees.net/shades-of-gray/ monkees.net Lyrics to the Monkees song] |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:The Monkees songs]] |
[[Category:The Monkees songs]] |
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[[Category:Songs written by Barry Mann]] |
[[Category:Songs written by Barry Mann]] |
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[[Category:Songs with lyrics by Cynthia Weil]] |
[[Category:Songs with lyrics by Cynthia Weil]] |
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[[Category:1960s ballads]] |
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[[Category:Pop ballads]] |
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Latest revision as of 04:35, 8 July 2024
| "Shades of Gray" | |
|---|---|
| Song by The Monkees | |
| from the album Headquarters | |
| Released | May 22, 1967 |
| Recorded | March 16 and 22, 1967 |
| Studio | RCA Victor, C (Hollywood) |
| Genre | Chamber pop[1] |
| Length | 3:20 |
| Label | Colgems |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | 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][better source needed] This version was accorded "Chart Spotlights – Predicted to reach the HOT 100" status in the December 31, 1966 issue of Billboard.[4]
Personnel
[edit]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
References
[edit]- ^ Masley, Ed (January 7, 2024). "Best Monkees songs of all time: 30 classics, from their biggest hits to album tracks". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ "Show 44 - Revolt of the Fat Angel: Some samples of the Los Angeles sound. [Part 4]". UNT Digital Library.
- ^ "Shades of Gray" video. YouTube. Retrieved on December 17, 2016.
- ^ "Chart Spotlight – Predicted to reach the HOT 100". Billboard. December 31, 1966.
- ^ Sandoval, Andrew (2022). "Headquarters (Super Deluxe Edition)" (CD box set liner notes). The Monkees. Rhino Records. R2 695257.
External links
[edit]
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