From the first album I ever bought in the last post, to the first single I ever bought – The Monkees Alternate Title, aka Randy Scouse Git, written by Monkees’ drummer/singer Mickey Dolenz and released in 1967. When I bought this single I lived in a large bungalow called Kinder View referring to Kinder Scout the highest point in the Peak District. The house was between Glossop and Marple and it was here that I began to discover music, it was here that the family got the first record player (a Garrard) and it was here that I heard all these songs that I have been writing about in the last few days. It was here that I would listen to the chart show on Radio Luxemburg under the covers with a torch, writing the songs down on a piece of paper so I would remember the titles and who was where on the charts and it was here that I remember hearing Lady Madonna for the first time on the radio and where I listened to my elder brothers records by Cream, The Beatles, The Hollies and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich.

It was much later that I heard the story about the song being originally called Randy Scouse Git, apparently from Dolenz seeing Till Death Us Do Part with Alf Garnett on the television and written after a party thrown for them by The Beatles. The record company told Dolenz he must give it an alternate title as the title he gave it ‘wasn’t acceptable’ for the British public – so he did what they suggested. In America the song kept its original title. It seems that the song wasn’t released as a single in the US but in the UK it reached No.2 in the charts.

The lyrics refer to “The Four Kings Of EMI” (The Beatles) “Wonder Girl” (Samantha Juste, the ‘Disc Girl’ from Top Of The Pops who put the needle on the record that the appearing band was about to perform/mime – she married Mickey Dolenz in 1968). “She’s a wonderful lady” allegedly refers to Mama Cass Elliot from The Mamas & the Papas who was also at the party. Some lines make no sense to me at all but although parts of the lyric stood out, it was the catchy melody and the drums that must have attracted me to the song. Coincidentally, Chip Douglas from The Turtles played the bass, leaving The Turtles to work with The Monkees in 1967, producing their third album Headquartes as they began to take control of their musical destiny by actually playing on their own records. Randy Scouse Git was the last track on the US version of Headquarters that went to No.1 in the US charts, only to be knocked off the top spot by…The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s.

She’s a wonderful lady and she’s mine, all mine
And there doesn’t seem a way that she won’t come and lose my mind
It’s too easy hummin’ songs to a girl in yellow dress
It’s been a long time since the party and the room is in a mess

The four kings of EMI are sitting stately on the floor
There are birds out on the sidewalk and a valet at the door
He reminds me of a penguin, with few and plastered hair
Talcum powder on the letter, and the birthday boy is there

Why don’t you cut your hair?
Why don’t you live up there?
Why don’t you do what I do
See what I feel when I care?

Now they’ve darkened all the windows and the seats in Naugahyde
I’ve been waiting for an hour, I can’t find a place to hide
The being known as wonder girl is speaking I believe
It’s not easy trying to tell her that I shortly have to leave

Why don’t you be like me?
Why don’t you stop and see?
Why don’t you hate who I hate
Kill who I kill to be free?

Why don’t you cut your hair?
Why don’t you live up there?
Why don’t you do what I do
See what I feel when I care?

Why don’t you be like me?
Why don’t you stop and see?
Why don’t you hate who I hate
Kill who I kill to be free?

Why don’t you cut your hair?
Why don’t you live up there?
Why don’t you do what I do
See what I feel when I care?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monkees

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monkees_discography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Scouse_Git