“Last Train To Clarksville” / “Take a Giant Step” – Doyle’s Space: Music Hall of Fame – SOS Award

“Last Train to Clarksville” / “Take a Giant Step” was the debut single by The Monkees, released on August 16, 1966, just weeks before their television show premiered on NBC. The single was issued by Colgems Records (catalog number 1001), with “Last Train to Clarksville” as the A-side and “Take a Giant Step” as the B-side.

This release marked the beginning of a remarkable career for the manufactured-for-TV band that would soon evolve into legitimate pop stars and musicians in their own right. Written by the hit songwriting duo Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, “Last Train to Clarksville” was crafted specifically for The Monkees’ upcoming TV series.

Musically influenced by The Beatles’ “Paperback Writer,” the song is a bright, jangly pop tune with a slightly darker lyrical undertone. While it initially seems to be a typical love song, with lines like “And I don’t know if I’m ever coming home,” it carries a subtle anti-war message.

According to Hart, the lyrics were meant to hint at a soldier heading off to war (implicitly Vietnam), though this had to be toned down to avoid controversy with the show’s producers and network executives. The “Clarksville” referenced was not a real location at the time of writing—though many fans believed it referred to Clarksville, Tennessee, near Fort Campbell, a major U.S. Army base. Musicians on the track included members of the famous Wrecking Crew,

with Louis Shelton playing the distinctive lead guitar riff. Micky Dolenz provided the lead vocals, which were recorded before The Monkees had even begun filming the TV show. The song quickly gained traction and by November 5, 1966,

had reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making The Monkees an instant commercial success. It would go on to become one of their signature hits and remains one of the most enduring songs of the 1960s.

The B-side, “Take a Giant Step,” was penned by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, one of the most legendary songwriting partnerships of the era. Unlike the more radio-friendly A-side, this track was a lyrically sophisticated piece that encouraged listeners to overcome emotional limitations and loneliness by “taking a giant step outside your mind.”

It was a message of emotional liberation, particularly poignant for teenagers facing growing pains and personal challenges. The song blended elements of pop, folk-rock, and psychedelia, and though less commercially successful, it has been praised for its lyrical depth. Micky Dolenz also sang lead on this track,

which was included on The Monkees’ self-titled debut album released in October 1966. Though “Take a Giant Step” never charted separately from its A-side, it received moderate airplay and was respected among critics and fans for its introspective message. The Monkees even performed it in early episodes of the TV show, boosting its exposure. Both songs were featured on The Monkees’ debut LP and have been reissued countless times in various compilations.

“Last Train to Clarksville” has appeared on nearly every Monkees greatest hits collection, while “Take a Giant Step” has enjoyed a quieter afterlife, included on collections that delve deeper into the band’s catalog. In 1986, “Last Train to Clarksville” saw a brief chart resurgence during the 20th-anniversary Monkees revival. A live version was also included in their later tour albums, often showcasing Dolenz’s still-powerful vocals.

“Last Train to Clarksville” is consistently ranked among The Monkees’ top songs, appearing on Rolling Stone’s and other media outlets’ lists of the best 1960s pop singles. It remains a staple of oldies radio and is regarded as one of the defining songs of the television pop era. “Take a Giant Step,” while never a hit, has grown in stature over time, particularly among fans and collectors who appreciate The Monkees’ more introspective material. Some music historians even cite it as an early example of mainstream psychedelic pop.