“I’m a Believer” by The Monkees is one of the defining pop-rock singles of the 1960s. Written by Neil Diamond and recorded by the American band The Monkees, the song was released in November 1966 as a single from their album More of the Monkees. It was issued by Colgems Records, produced by Jeff Barry, and features Micky Dolenz on lead vocals. (Wikipedia)

Musically, “I’m a Believer” combines pop rock with touches of blue-eyed soul. Its upbeat sound is driven by electric guitars, acoustic guitar, Vox Continental organ, electric piano, bass, drums, tambourine, and layered backing vocals. The recording includes session musicians such as Al Gorgoni and Sal DiTroia on electric guitars, Neil Diamond on acoustic guitar, Stan Free on organ, George Butcher on electric piano, Russ Savakus on bass, and Buddy Saltzman on drums. (Wikipedia)

The song tells the story of someone who had lost faith in love but changes completely after meeting the right person. Its direct lyrics, energetic rhythm, and instantly memorable chorus helped make it one of The Monkees’ biggest hits.

“I’m a Believer” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the end of 1966 and stayed there for seven weeks. It became the biggest-selling single of 1967 in the United States and also topped the charts in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and several other countries. (Wikipedia)

One curiosity is that Neil Diamond wrote the song but originally offered it to more than one artist before The Monkees recorded the definitive version. Diamond later released his own recording in 1967 and made a new version with additional lyrics for his 1979 album September Morn. (Wikipedia)

Another major curiosity is its revival through Smash Mouth’s 2001 cover for the Shrek soundtrack. The song’s opening line about believing love exists only in fairy tales made it a natural fit for the film, while Eddie Murphy also performed it as Donkey in Shrek. (Wikipedia)

I thought love was only true in fairy tales
Meant for someone else but not for me
Oh, love was out to get me
That's the way it seems
Disappointment haunted all my dreams

Then I saw her face
Now I'm a believer
Not a trace
Of doubt in my mind
I'm in love
I'm a believer
I couldn't leave her if I tried

I thought love was more or less a given thing
Seems the more I gave the less I got
Oh, what's the use in trying
All you get is pain
When I needed sunshine I got rain

Then I saw her face
Now I'm a believer
Not a trace
Of doubt in my mind
I'm in love
I'm a believer
I couldn't leave her if I tried

Oh, love was out to get me
That's the way it seems
Disappointment haunted all my dreams

Then I saw her face
Now I'm a believer
Not a trace
Of doubt in my mind
I'm in love
I'm a believer
I couldn't leave her if I tried

Yes, I saw her face
Now I'm a believer
No not a trace
Of doubt in my mind
Said I'm a believer

(6x)
Yeah

I'm a believer
Said I'm a believer, yeah
I'm a believer
Said I'm a believer, yeah
I'm a believer

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