Added: 5 years ago
From: monkeemen
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  • rip davy miss u.

  • Heard this for the first time at four years. Was entranced then, and see no reason to change my opinion 43 years later. Dear God. That...is...beautiful.

  • RIP Davy Jones - you will be missed

  • And hacks dismiss the Monkees as "untalented." Ha!

    And as awesome as the song is, the part afterwards is even better, expressing gratitude to the show crew.

  • Lovely!  Always a favorite.

  • Does anyone know who arranged the harmonies ?

  • @thoughtnot1

    It says in the Credits. Four names, including the ever-present Chip Douglas.

  • WE SANG THIS IN OUR CHOIR!!!!

  • @kiwiawsom1 we are too!! i luv this song!! lol

  • To all the haters out there...JUST LISTEN TO THIS! They were amazing back then and I have had the opportunity to see all four of them perform this past year (Mike did a special appearance with another group just after I saw Peter, Micky, & Davy during their reunion tour). All I can say is that they are just as talented and versitle as ever. They ARE muscians and wonderfully funny actors. Their version of Riu Chiu has been a favorite for years. Those harmonies...you can't make that stuff up!

  • Sang this in middle school, but never knew the Monkees sang it. Peter Tork is from the town next to where I was born & went to my High School.

  • I stand corrected. They really can sing. (But Nesmith and Jones were obviously trying to delink with at least part of the reason for the season, while Tork and Dolenz were really sincere).

    Whatever, I thought it was phony at first as I had never heard the Monkees sing like that before. Now I am convinced. Now,, I'm A Believer. Sorry Harry and all dedicated fans. And MIckey and ...

  • Wow! Serious Monkees! And very nice!

  • Wow, their voices are so amazing! You can tell by the end that they really did appreciate all their background people which is really good. I've never seen the end of this, only the song, so thanks for posting! :)

  • This is wonderful! I loved the Monkees as a kid, and missed this the first time around and am delight to view it now!!! Thanks to whom ever posted this.

  • The end party is funny.

  • people didn't believe me when I told them of this hauntingly beautiful song, they thought I'd imagined it. Ha, some people don't know the monkees like they think

  • "A Raybert Production."

  • I have been looking for that song forever!!! Thank you I absolutely LOVED it the first time I heard them sing it and love it now as well!!! Thank you!!!

  • Maybe they couldn't play their instruments on their albums, but this is proof that they could sing.  and then some.

  • I love this so much...it's even on my iPod year-round! :)

  • we sing this is my choir :)

  • 0:30 - Peter sniffs his incense ^_^

    Micky's voice is....mindblowing! I melt everytime I hear it <3

  • no mamarrr!! según en ispanich y no se le entiende ni madres

    dont meims

  • What beautiful beautiful voices!  Just pure talent!

  • Beautifully Sung

  • Wow! Those vocals are LIVE!!!

  • I love this song :) I love the Monkees :)

  • "Rick Cline, he's a poof." Censor fell asleep on that one. :)

  • Does anyone know the name of the DVD video where I can see this show?

  • Isn't this a wonderful performance? Totally proves the guys can sing, and sing well. And all the fun they had bring the crew on to the set!

    I miss this kind of fun on TV.

  • Patchie97, it's been 11 years since I've heard this song.

  • I love the Monkees and watched them every week when I was a little girl. My sister had all their albums.

    Beautiful harmony on this song, wow...

    Sure wish their old shows would be back on TV. Good memories.

    Merry Christmas everyone!!

  • Yea... though i didn't get them when they first started... I got them in the 8-s. I remembeer watching Monkee-Mondays on Nick-@-Nite.... I will NEVER forgive that station for stopping that.

    Micky's solo voice is just... amazing and harmony is also... wow

  • their show is on me tv but usually around summer. i wish they made shows like thier's!

  • God, I remember learning this back in high school, 1995.

  • Do you remember the lyrics?

  • Absolutely awesome! Memories!!! Thank you!

  • My favorite traditional Christmas carol - and what a cool thing to do to bring out staff and crew to thank them and acknowledge them for their efforts.

  • i have to sing this song in choir and i don't take spanish so hearing it sung is really helping me with my pronounciation... thanks for the video

  • my middle school choir and i performed this song last year for our winter concert and hearing it again done by the monkees brings back a lot of memories PEACE AND LOVE!

  • This was adorable. I've worked in TV production and when a show is on for such a long time, it does start to feel like family. I can't imagine how script revisions got copied and distributed in the days before laser printers and computers, but I would've loved to work on that show.

    I've known Monkee music all my life, seems like, but not the show until I was 15. I've loved them (and Papa Nez) ever since. I always sing Micky's part of this song!

  • yea... i grew up with the monkees. Music and show (I think music first) literally as long as I can remember. and I'm 18 now.

    lol I'm opposite.. i can only sing the chorus.

  • ????does anybody has the song at end "riu riu chiu" as mp3 file and can send it me ??????

  • I love this song! I am still trying to learn how to pronounce the words!

  • I have ben looking for this song forever. Infinite thank yous!

  • I think I am obsessed with Micky!!!! His voice is just amazing and of course he looks really hot!!

  • Discovered The Monkees like everyone else my age did: MTV. I think the second season was better when they got rid of the laugh track.

    I've been wondering for years where to find this song and the translation. Thanks, monkeemen!

  • gotta say i havent heard this song for years....

    but the feeling is still the same..i can just listen to this for hours...

    beautiful rendition MONKEES..

    thanks for posting MONKEEMEN..

  • Woot Micky solo!!!

  • i never saw this special back in the day.

    had i seen it, my respect for the monkees would have doubled. Riu Chiu is one of my favorite songs and they do a great job!! Today I work in art dept of films, and the fact that they thanked EVERYONE and got them up on front of camera... that's way cooler than you can imagine - I love the fact that Davy introduces them all and knows (mostly) who they are and what they do - that's very rare these days!!! awesome!!! great post!!!!

  • This was the best harmonizing the Monkees ever did, I think. For sure, it's MY favorite Monkees song. Happy Holidays-2008!!!!!! :-)

  • I wish some one would print the words to this song in English.

  • Refrain: Riu, riu, chiu (nightingale's sounds) The river bank protects it, As God kept the wolf from our lamb. The rabid wolf tried to bite her, But God Almighty knew how to defend her, He wished to create her impervious to sin, Nor was this maid to embody original sin. Refrain The newborn child is the mightiest monarch, Christ patriarchal invested with flesh. He made himself small and so redeemed us: He who was infinite became finite.
  • Many prophecies told of his coming, And now in our days have we seen them fulfilled. God became man, on earth we behold him, And see man in heaven because he so willed. Refrain A thousand singing herons I saw passing, Flying overhead, sounding a thousand voices, Exhulting, "Glory be in the heavens, and peace on Earth, for Jesus has been born." He comes to give life to the dead, He comes to redeem the fall of man;
  • This child is the light of day,

    He is the very lamb Saint John prophecied.

    Refrain

    Now we have gotten what we were all desiring,

    Go we together to bear him gifts:

    Let each give his will to the God who was willing

    To come down to Earth man's equal to be.

  • I have always been a Monkee fan, these guys were awesome, too bad they didn't let the talent flourish.

  • To any detractors of these guys - No one is playing any instruments for them here. Monkees unplugged - and perfect. They must be inducted into the Hall of Fame; stop all the hatin', Jann Werner!

  • Oh. My. God. WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeee­...!!!

  • Todlely awsone. I listen to it every time I am on

  • Micky also sang the spanish version of "Hey Hey We're The Monkees". He's so talented!

  • Just exquisite. Anyone who thinks the Monkees had no talent needs to watch this.

  • I think my only complaint about their version is that it feels a bit slow to me... but it's still beautiful

  • Thank you! I couldn't agree with you more.

  • sublime....wow

  • Induct them into the R&R Hall of Fame them now! While they are all still with us.

  • This song is just absolutely beautiful. Their voices blend so perfectly, and it makes me forget everything, just for a few minutes.

  • this song is good by the monkees,it's pretty...

  • sparklers in a very crowded room? great song great voices!

  • They weren't sparklers; they were incense sticks they were burning.

  • well some were holding incense and those made smoke but towards the end micky was holding a sparkler and those were spiting fire all over the place

  • Oh! I thought you were talking about during the song; you meant in the sequence afterward when they were introducing their crew and staff. Well, they also had a lit candle.... guess nobody got burned or hurt, lol! I never tire of hearing that song; I've heard a few different renditions of "Riu Chiu" over the years, including here on YouTube, and have yet to hear one I like as well as the Monkees version.

  • I recorded this on a cassette tape once LONG ago. The player had speed control, so I slowed them WAY down. Now as basses, they still sound fabulous! No false notes. Just good, tight, four-part harmony.

    I've sampled other versions of this classic and none compare to their a capella quartet!

  • I absolutely could not agree more. I've listened to every version here on YouTube, and I've heard a couple other versions over the years. I'm a singer myself, and wish I could sing this with a choir or small group, as I love Madrigals.

    But of all the versions I've heard, this simple, beautiful a capella rendition from the late 60's by, of ALL people, the so-called "fake" and "no-talent" Monkees, blows all of the others away, always has. I've loved it since I was a kid. Still do, always will.

  • David always seems to smile or laugh or even goof around during songs, nothing new there lol. He also was always one to look at people, especially right in the eye.

  • I'm not saying the other three weren't into what they did but Davy seemed to be more into it then the others.

  • I really do think that Micky's voice in this was more amazing then ever before.

  • I love this. It is actually on the remastered double cd of Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones LTD. Their first four albums are all remastered on double CDS. By the way does anyone know when the remastered double CDS of the other albums are cpming out?

  • I always loved this song.

  • How could anyone dare say the Monkees were not talented?.

  • I agree totally. I always knew they were talented

    And i always thought it was neat that they brought on the crew

  • thanks paulinebeat i thought it was spanish

  • what language is this sung???

    somebody please tell me.

  • I haven't seen this since I was a kid! It was always my favorite!! Anyone know where the song originally came from? I'd love to find the lyrics somewhere.

  • Google the lyrics. Type in "Riu Chiu Lyrics". And this song is a spanish carol I think.

  • Yes, it's a Medieval Spanish Christmas carol. And I've heard a couple other examples of this song over the years..... but still none more lovely than the a capella version by The Monkees. Loved it when I was a kid, still love it.

  • Have you heard the ANUNA Version? It's Great.

  • No! Is there a link somewhere online for it? I like Anuna very much. Like many others, I was introduced to their talent via the original production of "Riverdance". If there is somewhere to listen to it, let me know, thanks!

  • Well, I saw them perform Riu Chiu on PBS of all places. I looked for it on youtube, But I can't find it anymore! Maybe you will have better luck, the video is there performance in china I think, And They sing riu Chiu towards the middle. Hope you find it =)

  • Thanks, I'll look around for it!

  • davy looks like he enjoys this song. i wish i could sing with them

  • perfection

  • Favorite Monkees song! They are awesome!

  • Holy Shit! Brilliant... I never realized that this existed! One of my fave Xmas songs....these guys were magic...

  • i agree this is my favorite xmas song too

    GREAT show clipping

  • It's so nice and amazing thing to hear a cappella of the Monkees. Many thanks to monkeemen! As Peter Tork said this piece is his most favorite of the Monkees time at his 2005 interview, I wish to sing in the same tune cause I'm the greatest fan of him :). Does anyone has the musical note of this arrange? I wish to sing this with my friends someday...

  • This is such a great snippet. This was the first time I'd ever heard this song (what year is this from? 1967? Oy . . .) and my introduction to madrigals and a capella music. I am a Monkees fan from their first shows. Thank you so much for posting this! Makes an old lady feel good on a rainy day. :)

  • Oh my gosh, this song is beautiful! I have been a fan of the Monkees since I was 5 years old and their shows were back on tv for their 20th anniversary. I love Davy's voice!

  • dude if you look at peter i think he's smoking

  • Peter's holding a stick of incense, as is Davy.

  • The best version of this song I've ever heard. I've heard choral groups sing it but this is definitely the best. Kudos to Chip Douglas for arranging this beautiful version way back when. This song has been a part of my Christmas since 1967!!

  • which is the english monkee?

  • The British Monkee's name is Davy Jones. He is known for being the shortest of the group, measuring in at about 5'3" tall. In this video, he's the second from the right side of the screen. Just a little Monkees info. ^_^

  • This song is so pretty. I recently got the Monkees anthology, but there was only one other Monkees cd at the store, and neither have this song.

  • I believe you can find it on one of the Monkees "Missing Links" CDs by Rhino.

  • The TV version is also available on the 2-CD remastered "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd."

  • SOOOOOOOO pretty. I really wish they'd put this recording on the Missing Links Vol. 2 CD instead of the version with Chip Douglas (that one isn't BAD or anything, but still...)

  • The 2-CD remastered version of "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd." has _this_ version of Riu Chiu as a bonus track.

    Amazon also has it available as an MP3 download.

  • If this isn't proof of their talent, I don't know what is. They went Acapella on us, and I love it!

  • LOL ... a lot of these clothes are back in fashion. Not that it's a bad thing, mind you!

  • Wow I have always loved this song.  And I love even more the diversity of the Monkees- where else could a Texan and and Englishman sing together in Spanish! I think their diversity is what made them so special and wonderful so they didn't sound just like everyone else.

  • Agreed.

  • Go Mickey!! Isn't this Hebrew?

  • Did Davey say that This is dave and he's a poof?

  • YEAH he says "Rick Klyne he's a poof" :O

    shocked that was allowed on tv lol

  • David Price was the Best Man at Davy's Wedding. The guys are all just little angels singing this song! I love hearing Davy's english accent speaking spanish!

  • I speak a good deal of Spanish and I do hear that in it, I'm wondering if it's Sephardic perhaps?!

  • Micky's voice makes me melt. how wonderful

  • Excellente"

  • This just goes to show how good these guys sounded "unplugged"....I am so impressed. I agree,....underrated.

  • Does anyone here actually know Spanish? I was under the impression "Rio" was the Spanish word for river. I looked "Ríu" up on several online dictionaries, but could find neither "Ríu" nor "Chíu".

    Are these words archaic, or just a different dialect of Spanish?

  • it is "rio" and "chio" its just in the song it sounds like a "u" not an "o"

  • i love this song

    it measn raging raging river

  • thank you, i've always wondered what it meant.

  • If you click "More" underneath "About This Video" you'll find the English Translation. :)

  • This is so cool, I never thought I could get the translation. Thanks. I've always thought these four guys had talent, together and apart.

  • thank you

  • If any of you are wondering where Mike is when all those people start piling in, look behind the Christmas tree!

  • I have loved this performance practically all of my life. Manufactured or not, they should be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. No other combination of young men could have pulled this off, and still have such a lasting influence forty years on.

  • Hello! Hear that!

  • One of my favorites-- The Monkees were quite talented and sadly underrated. Thank you for posting this!

  • I used this for my Christmas Video card this year-because it's so beautiful and also their Christmas message still holds.

  • wow I sang this version, this exact version in a choir once, I loved it

  • This is Peter's favorite recording the Monkees ever did! I agree! AMEN!

  • I play this song almost constantly through the month of December. It's a very beautiful song.

  • I've never heard this song but its beautiful...the Monkees were awesome!!!

  • This is my all-time favorite Christmas song :)  I'm an old-fogie so I can remember seeing this on the TV show waaaaaaaaaay :) Have heard many other people singing this & the Monkees do it so much better. Whatever you celebrate (or don't celebrate) I hope everyone has FUN! PEACE! :D

  • Absolutely beautiful! The network didn't know shit, these guys could SING!

  • I totally agree. Finally someone who thinks like I do.

  • Awesome. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

  • I don't think that critics ever said the guys couldn't sing. The issue was that they supposedly didn't play their own instruments (also false). They didn't on the first 2 albums - not because they couldn't, but because they weren't allowed to.

    Anyway, they do a great version of this song!

  • The network didn't want them doing their own singing & playing. They just wanted them for their looks & silliness. That is where a lot of problems were,the guys wanted to do their own singing, play their instruments & write at least some of the songs. They could do it all but the network didn't want them doing it;but finally let them at least sing & play instruments on the show & for concerts they wrote songs & finally used them on the show.

  • That is absolutely not true. At the time of auditions, Mike & Peter were musicians with little or no acting experience. They were hired based on their musical (singing for Mike) and playing (for both) abilities. Davy & Micky were also singers, but they had acting experience as well. Many of the songs from The Monkees first album were recorded and released before the show aired, so clearly, they had to be able to sing. Please do some research before you post nonsense.

  • Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Thank you for posting this, especially since it's the best copy I have found on YouTube!

    I've always loved this song...!

  • :).Micky & Davy have always been my favorites :). Guess I could have said they all cute or maybe just said which was which let them chose which they think is cutest. With me I never could chose between Micky & Davy.

  • oh so that's what my chorus teacher was talking about! Ah, I hope my class can perfome that XD

  • hi thanks for posting this can i ask what is the are the names of the monkees? pleas i like this song thanks again for posting it

  • Here are the names of the Monkees Micky Dolenz(the cute one with curly bushy hair),Davy Jones( the cute short one,trimmed short hair), Michael Nesmith(tall skinny one), Peter Tork (the one with blonde hair).

  • one of the only holiday songs i'm not 100% completely sick of. peace.

  • It was totally cool how they brought out all the supporting cast and workers for a moment of recognition. That would never happen on any fictionalized TV show today.

  • OMG, I remember this episode!  They rocked the heck out of this song! Thank you for posting.

  • as it was..

  • They sound totally angelic. Thank you!

  • That is an excellent way to describe it

  • This was beautiful. THANK YOU!

  • I think their voices are beautiful - love it! Thanks.

  • I love Mickys face at 1:45 after Peter says "even in Debuke". Priceless.

  • ha ha! I never noticed that. Thanks for pointing that out!

  • This is so cool! :) Thanks for posting monkeemen. :)

  • Always a favorite of mine; thanks for sharing!!

  • I still love the Monkees!!!!!

  • there was a little intro to this where Mickey explains the origin of the song and they show that they are back stage doing this. You see the cameras and the back of ply wood sets...I always loved that little intro and thought of it as part of the number. I notice recently released versions of this episode have that cut out. don't know why. Shame

  • wow I'd love to see that

  • I am so glad I found this. I remember this episode. The Monkees are fabulous! Thanks so much for putting up the video!

  • I don't know how anyone could say these guys were fakes. Such amazingly talented young men.

  • Agreed!

  • I just wanna jump right into the screen and join the party......:)

  • I love The Monkees and this song in particular. I wish I could find the video of them performing "Through the Door Into Summer". That's my absolute favorite. Thanks for posting this!

  • dont we all just love the monkees.

  • wow this is hard stuff especally 4 micky (i love him) he has a couple solos. but ya its a hard song. (im micky dolenz's #1 fan go micky!)