About the song
“Pleasant Valley Sunday” is a timeless classic that has become synonymous with the iconic pop-rock band the Monkees. Written by the legendary songwriting duo Gerry Goffin and Carole King, the song was recorded and released by the Monkees in the summer of 1967. Inspired by their own experiences moving to the suburbs of West Orange, New Jersey, Goffin and King penned a song that captured the ennui and disillusionment that often accompanies the American Dream.
The Monkees’ version of “Pleasant Valley Sunday” is a masterclass in pop craftsmanship, with a memorable guitar intro played by Michael Nesmith and a hauntingly beautiful fade-out that has become one of the most recognizable in rock music. The song’s lyrics, which lament the monotony and superficiality of suburban life, are both poignant and relatable, speaking to the universal human desire for authenticity and connection.
Released as a single in the summer of 1967, “Pleasant Valley Sunday” became one of the Monkees’ most successful singles, peaking at No. 3 on the charts and cementing the band’s status as one of the most popular and influential acts of the 1960s. The song was also included on the Monkees’ fourth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., which was released in November 1967. With its timeless themes and unforgettable melody, “Pleasant Valley Sunday” remains a beloved classic of the era, continuing to inspire new generations of music lovers.
Video
Lyrics
Your local rock group down the street
Is trying hard to learn this song
To serenade the weekend squire
Just came out to mow his lawn
Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Charcoal burnin’ everywhere
Rows of houses that are all the same
And no one seems to care
See Mrs. Gray she’s proud today
Because her roses are in bloom
And Mr. Green he’s so serene
He’s got a TV in every room
Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Here in status symbol land
Mothers complain about how hard life is
And the kids just don’t understand
Creature comfort goals they only numb my soul
And make it hard for me to see
My thoughts all seem to stray to places far away
I need a change of scenery
Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Charcoal burning everywhere
Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Here in status symbol land
Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Another Pleasant Valley Sunday