An underrated psychedelic classic from the band’s fourth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. ‘Daily Nightly’ is widely considered the first use of the Moog on a rock recording, or at least the first one that most people heard, because it was broadcast on a national TV show. The experimental track helped the Monkees move from their Pre-fab Four status into the latter, trippy part of the decade on an album that showed that they offered more musical resonance than reruns.
DAILY NIGHTLY
Darkened rolling figures move
Through prisms of no color
Hand-in-hand, they walk the night
But never know each other
Passioned pastel neon lights
Light up the jeweled traveler
Who, lost in scenes of smoke filled dreams
Find questions, but no answers
Startled eyes that sometimes see
Phantasmagoric splendor
Pirouette down palsied paths
With pennies for the vendor
Salvation’s yours for just the time
It takes to pay the dancer
And once again such anxious men
Find questions, but no answers
The night has gone and taken its infractions
While reddened eyes hope there will be a next one
Sahara signs look down upon
A world that glitters glibly
And mountain sides put arms around
The unsuspecting city
Second hands that minds have slowed
Are moving even faster
Toward bringing down someone who’s found
The questions but no answers
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© Michael Nesmith
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