@themoonspinner. This is a lovely reading of a traditional carol but to suggest The Monkees were anywhere close to The Beatles in any aspect of their respective career, impact or influence suggests, to me at least, you've had one portion too many of the figgy pudding or far more than a cup of holiday cheer. "Maybe even more so." Seriously? ;-)
If it's still available, you can find this on one of the "Missing Links" CDs released by Rhino Records that feature several other songs that The Monkees did which either were never released before, or are alternate takes. OF COURSE the guys were talented....three of them were involved in music before they were cast for the show! Yes, they had one other person singing with them - Chip Douglas, who was one of their producers - but the other voices are Peter, Mike, Davy and Micky!
@mariomaniac6411 Look, I've spoken Spanish for 55 years (supposing I learnt to speak when I was one), I've known this song for at least 40 and never asked myself the meaning of riu chiu. I always imagined it was sort of "scat", In any case, it is medieval Spanish and you would hardly come across it in three years of study no matter how intense :)). But Wikipedia says this: "The nonsense syllables ríu ríu chíu are meant to represent the song of a nightingale". I believe it is the answer.
@ricadrew Have you tried the free You Tube downloader? You can use it to download the video, or just the song. There are several free programs that do this. Good Luck.
@emmelle53 Thanks for letting me know, didn't know anything like that existed, there's allot of other music that's only on YT that I'll be able to get now. This one I finally did find on i-tunes, but it's studio and although it's almost identical, there's subtle differences that reveal for sure that they did this one live. Like they carry the last note a few seconds more here than in the studio version. Gotta get this on too, thanks again!
@ricadrew The definitive monkees 2cd Wea international 2001 Made in germany by warner music manufacturing europe 857386692-2 is what is says on the cd i'm holding right now. Riu Riu is the tenth song on disc 2. also a demo version of midnight train and an italian? version of the monkees theme.
@ricadrew - two days ago at staples i bought a 2 disc CD entitled "Have a Fun Christmas" and stumbled upon this gorgeous recording and was shocked to hear it was the Monkees. Always a fan, I nonetheless never thought they could be this great - even my husband was stunned. The CD was produced by 2004 Universal Music Enterprises a Division of Music Enterprises (also a TIme Life mention is made..)- $7.99 at Staples two days ago.
@playdohtheatre i'm curious-did u sing this in a high school choral group or college? I sang all 4 yrs.in my h.s.acapella group but never got to sing anything like this! i would have LOVED to have sung this for xmas concert! ur so lucky!
One of my favorite moments from all the shows. I remember the original version had a scene of Mickey taking the group behind the set to sing this. It seems that part of the show has been edited out for some reason in subsequent releases. I know I'm not crazy, I remember it. Nonetheless this version, not the studio version of Riu Chiu is my all time favorite. And a great Monkee memory for me.
Love this song! Just got the Monkees season 2 DVD and had to replay this a few times it was so beautiful! It really shows how good they were musically. You can tell they were loving it - the smiles on Peter and Davy's faces as Micky does his solo parts say it all. It's kind of unexpected in amongst their 'wacky' TV show, but I think it's the best moment of the whole show.
Thank you so much for posting this! When I was a kid, I recorded all of the Monkees episodes from Nick at Nite. I must have listened to this 100 times and never forgot it. Just popped into my head again and decided to look for it here. So happy to see it!
This song made the best music of the net, first all world, Big List. Best new music in the world. (Or new music to most of the world because of the net). Big List
The category was
Best A-cappella Monkee Christmas Carol, The Monkees, "Riu Chiu" (yt).
Thank you all for the comments. I had no idea when I posted it that it would be so popular here. I really appreciate you all for watching and sharing this beautiful song. ~ML
I remember being very impressed by the Monkees' version of this song the first time I saw it on its original airing on Irish TV in 1967, it was so unexpected...
They sound like four Monks instead of four Monkees! Seriously, I have this on a Christmas compilation CD and it gets the most comments from guests who are shocked to hear who is singing it. Proof that the Monkees were a real band. They were clearly on the same page melodically
I love the Monkees -- ever since I first heard "Ditty Diego War Chant" in a used record store in Seattle in 1982. There's so much more to them than most people give them credit for. I like to think of them as like Pinocchio -- they started out something that was manufactured, but grew into a real band. This is a gorgeous version of this carol.
@nebutron There's a version of it available on CD. It's one of the Billboard Christmas discs, the one with favoirite TV Christmas songs. That version is different, though, as Boyce & Hart provide additional vocals. However, it's still acapella and a truly beautiful performance.
I LOVE this!! Totally forgot about it until a friend posted it on Facebook. Wonderful. I will always love my Monkees! This just shows how talented they are!
@junkielora The verb "guardar" meant to keep something from. So it wasn't keeping the wolf safe from the lamb, it was keeping the wolf AWAY FROM the lamb.
@riufosc Si buscas otras versiones, hay muchos grupos hispanos que usan la misma letra. No es un error de los no hispanohablantes, es una cuestión del uso antiguo del verbo "guardar".
ppl looking for this on vhs, are able to get the Monkees Christmas Special, this is song is at the end, after the show... (we watch the special once every year.) look it up at Amazon . com
This is still a Christmas Gift. I first heard it on a CD of Christmas songs by various artists. My kids are so into the tune they are working on their own version of it. imagine 40 years later my babies are inspired by the Monkees.
This was a Christmas gift from the Monkees, back in the days when fans only got to see or hear something once on tv. Was not released on record. It was an unexpected art piece, and really floored everyone. I've lived on to study early music and have heard many different versions of this haunting carol, and can say the Monkees totally nail it. Great work Mickey!
For those who wondered how they came to record this song, I believe this is the answer.
Chip Douglas was producing the Monkees at this time. He was formerly a member of the folk group The Modern Folk Quartet who had recorded this very arrangement in about 1963. There was another verse in their version which was probably cut for time here. The other difference was the MFQ sang it in tune....
@junkielora, seguramente se limitan a leer el texto con el error, pues es común en muchas transcripciones, y los intérpretes no hispanos caen en él una y otra vez.
oh my god!! have been looking for this for a long time. This track is on "Missing Links Volume 2", but it's nice to see it as well as hear it. The Monkees just f-kin' rule!!
@darrinbaker00 I don't think it's at all weird. Like all of us, Davy has a range that includes both high and low aspects of his voice. Many of the songs he sang lead on with the Monkees did not show off his lower range very often, but if you listen, he does have a very nice quality to that part of his voice. I thought it was nice that they showcased it here.
Peter is on record as saying that doing this song was the best time of the Monkees for him because it felt like the music they were doing was "real" and that he felt like they were a true group of musicians.
As a kid I loved this song. I could sing it phonetically but never knew what language it was. Turns out it is villancico style post renaissance spanish. In my early 20s I met Davey Jones at a private gathering and had a chance to ask him about it. I even wanted to sing it with him. Instead I was too shy to ask and I lost my chance. I was finally able to learn more about this song because of this video. Thanks!
Nesmith was/is a Christian Scientist, and he lived/lives his faith. No surprise that such a spiritual song worked its way into their catalog. Look up the lyrics,and check out the translation.
@ChihuahuaMama2010 I think he was-- I read his autobiography a few years back, and I vaguely remember him mentioning that he's an atheist (and so for many years)
@TwistedResolve huh...I read part of his autobiography where he talked briefly about his beliefs, but didn't really explain in depth. I'd be interested in knowing just bc I've always loved the Monkees and I'm interested in how ppl's minds work.
I am really amazed. I was looking for versions of my favorite Christmas song, and found that the Monkees had done it?!?! And surprise, they actually did it pretty well. I listened to the Monkees when I was a kid, but I never ever realized they had recorded Riu Riu Chiu.
I saw this ONCE when the show was new; I've never forgotten it and have been looking for a copy ever since. What a great Christmas present to stumble across it here! It went straight to my Favorites and to my sisters, who are fellow Monkees fans. Thank you for posting it!
Aww! I want The Monkees' Christmas album! I wish some studios would make that available again! I have never forgotten listening to this beautiful Christas song, sung by the Monkees. I would love to hear more Christmas songs by the Monkees. You're lucky to have that album!
Thanks for posting the video. Hadn't seen it since the 60s. Wow. What a great sound. I too love Renaissance era music and I thought they did an excellent job. Of course I loved the Monkees back in the day and owned most if not all of their albums. They were indeed better than many people gave them credit for. Merry Christmas Davy, Peter, Mike, and Micky. You guys were the best!
I'm sure the reason anyone chooses to sing this is the sheer beauty of the piece. I have always wondered how the Monkees came across this music, but not because of any difficulty of pronunciation. Rather, the difficulty of how they found out about a medieval piece of part-singing in late 20th Century culture, when surrounded by popular American culture--now THAT's the real question!
@CriticalListener: There was a LOT of interest in folk music from all over the world in the 1960s, which led some to delve deeper into the back catalogs, which led in turn to groups like Renaissance, Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, etc. So there was an awareness. Plus Mike Nesmith has always been interested in Spanish music--maybe he knew it (he was a native Texan) and brought it to them--maybe that's why he sang the first verse, even though Micky usually sang lead. <-- Pure speculation
Mike sang the first line, joined next by Peter, then by Davy and Micky, and I think it was for practical reasons. In a cappella music, strong musicianship trumps other considerations. They had to establish the key first, and Micky, much as I admire him as a lead singer, tends to let the pitch center drift when not backed up by instruments. Even here, if you listen closely, the other guys had to nudge the pitch up a little after each verse. (I know I'll get thumbs down for that, but it's true.)
You pose an interesting question. Why did they (or their producer) choose this particular song for them, ignoring all the traditional ones? I send this out every year as my christmas card. Medevil Rocks!
This is a Spanish Chant, and since I speak Spanish, it's NOT Portuguese. It states Lord protect our Lamb from the Wolf - symbolic. I LOVE Medieval/Renaissance Music! And I have to say The Monkees did this BRILLIANTLY!
As someone else pointed out, it's "Dios guardo del lobo a nuestra Cordera.." It's really hard to understand why, among the many many beautiful villancicos out there, English speaking people choose this one which is so difficult to pronounce (so many "r"s!)
I've always loved this. When everyone in my family watches A Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve, I always go to my room and watch the Christmas episode of the Monkees. It even has the kid from the Munsters in it. They do this song at the end. Lovvvvve love love.
I watched this on DVD last night, and read the trivia that this version was recorded live in that take. I am extra impressed with how good it sounds. Plus, the arrangement is brilliant. Love it!
I'm so stoned right now,,,,
PufferBluntman 1 month ago
@themoonspinner. This is a lovely reading of a traditional carol but to suggest The Monkees were anywhere close to The Beatles in any aspect of their respective career, impact or influence suggests, to me at least, you've had one portion too many of the figgy pudding or far more than a cup of holiday cheer. "Maybe even more so." Seriously? ;-)
dweeborama 1 month ago
I still own the VHS with this on it. ^_^
KittyRyu 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
So gorgeous!!! I listen to this every Christmas. I love you all Micky, Peter, Davy, and Mike, I wish you a beautiful Christmas!!!
mickydolenz4ever 1 month ago
Comment removed
mickydolenz4ever 1 month ago
Ehh I'll stick with David Archuleta's version.
girlygirl2192 1 month ago
If it's still available, you can find this on one of the "Missing Links" CDs released by Rhino Records that feature several other songs that The Monkees did which either were never released before, or are alternate takes. OF COURSE the guys were talented....three of them were involved in music before they were cast for the show! Yes, they had one other person singing with them - Chip Douglas, who was one of their producers - but the other voices are Peter, Mike, Davy and Micky!
MarkInChicagoSuburbs 1 month ago
Defiantly my favorite version of this song. The monkees did a wonderful job.
EPICPartyPoison 3 months ago
I am SURE I watched this that night. and
I'm SURE I have not heard since!
Hauntingly beautiful. Thanks!
lotus65 3 months ago
Not bad not bad. Ríu, ríu, chíu, la guarda ribera
Dios guardó del lobo a nuestra cordera Éste que es nascido es el Gran Monarca
Cristo Patriarca de carne vestido
Ha nos redimido con se hacer chiquito
Aunque era infinito finito se hiciera.
PLEASE Pray this for Carlos Estevez (aka Charlie Sheen)...
ScapularSaves 4 months ago
@mariomaniac6411 o ok, thanks o(|:)
MsNancydrew12 6 months ago
my favorite song
jackskellington21498 6 months ago
My favorite Christmas song <3
KnightsofSin 6 months ago
this is amazing
beatlefan157333 6 months ago
Meant "does" not "dies" o(|;)
MsNancydrew12 6 months ago
This is stupid question... But what dies riu chiu mean?
MsNancydrew12 6 months ago
@MsNancydrew12 It's not a stupid question. :) I did spanish for three years and still had to look up the translation!
It means roaring river apparently
mariomaniac6411 6 months ago in playlist the monkees
Comment removed
55anaC55 6 months ago
Comment removed
55anaC55 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@mariomaniac6411 Look, I've spoken Spanish for 55 years (supposing I learnt to speak when I was one), I've known this song for at least 40 and never asked myself the meaning of riu chiu. I always imagined it was sort of "scat", In any case, it is medieval Spanish and you would hardly come across it in three years of study no matter how intense :)). But Wikipedia says this: "The nonsense syllables ríu ríu chíu are meant to represent the song of a nightingale". I believe it is the answer.
55anaC55 6 months ago
...i just wasted 30 minutes of my life looking for a better version of "riu riu chiu" than THIS. (Nothing can compare to my monkee mania:)
Kishiskool 7 months ago in playlist My childhood memories(songs)
so.....beautiful/hot/amazing/wonderful/awesome.....*rapes replay button*
Kishiskool 7 months ago
I LOVE THIS !! Beautiful....
Torkgasmicgirl8 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
It is always a treat to listen to this any time of the year. I'm hoping to have my 4 kids do this for a talent show.
josumaya 8 months ago
It is always a treat to listen to this any time of the year. I'm hoping to have my 4 kids do this for a talent show.
josumaya 8 months ago
This was on a Rhino records release.
PeekskillFencing 8 months ago
Perfect.
BettinaBalser 8 months ago
OMG. I haven't heard this song in so so long.
sandinmyears1 8 months ago
What sucks is you can't buy this anywhere!
ricadrew 9 months ago
@ricadrew Have you tried the free You Tube downloader? You can use it to download the video, or just the song. There are several free programs that do this. Good Luck.
emmelle53 9 months ago
@emmelle53 Thanks for letting me know, didn't know anything like that existed, there's allot of other music that's only on YT that I'll be able to get now. This one I finally did find on i-tunes, but it's studio and although it's almost identical, there's subtle differences that reveal for sure that they did this one live. Like they carry the last note a few seconds more here than in the studio version. Gotta get this on too, thanks again!
ricadrew 9 months ago
@emmelle53 no sir, i have not but i will now, thank you VERY much. good day!
GordosMama1111 8 months ago
@ricadrew Good news, you can buy it on iTunes now. :-)
jonthom11702 9 months ago
@ricadrew it was released on album back in the 810s by Rhino on some rarities thing
genericgeorge 9 months ago
@ricadrew
I have a copy of the song which came of the "The definitive Monkees" CD set
joanlennon 8 months ago
@ricadrew you can get it on a album
coltmanm 7 months ago
@ricadrew YOu can download it on amazon.com for .99 it's not this version exactly, but it's on the Missing Links Vol2. CD. ^_^
amiricolderakh 7 months ago in playlist themonkees via you tube suggestion
@ricadrew The definitive monkees 2cd Wea international 2001 Made in germany by warner music manufacturing europe 857386692-2 is what is says on the cd i'm holding right now. Riu Riu is the tenth song on disc 2. also a demo version of midnight train and an italian? version of the monkees theme.
waagzangertje 3 months ago
@ricadrew it's on this really old christmas Billboard album
eiggam107 3 months ago
@ricadrew Billboard Family Christmas Classics
eiggam107 3 months ago
@ricadrew - two days ago at staples i bought a 2 disc CD entitled "Have a Fun Christmas" and stumbled upon this gorgeous recording and was shocked to hear it was the Monkees. Always a fan, I nonetheless never thought they could be this great - even my husband was stunned. The CD was produced by 2004 Universal Music Enterprises a Division of Music Enterprises (also a TIme Life mention is made..)- $7.99 at Staples two days ago.
marilyn5910 2 months ago
I used to listen to the Kingston Trio's version with my mom when I was a kid, amazing song, thanks for posting this version!
dragon76988 10 months ago
THE MONKEES ARE THE BEST AND SUPER ULTRA MEGA AMAZING ANYONE WHO SAIDS OTHER WISE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT MUSIC.
RutheyFields 10 months ago
THE MONKEES ARE THE BEST AND SUPER ULTRA MEGA AMAZING ANYONE WHO SAIDS OTHER WISE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT MUSIC.
RutheyFields 10 months ago
I sang this with my chorus for a concert this year, finding this just basically made my whole life x)
playdohtheatre 10 months ago
@playdohtheatre i'm curious-did u sing this in a high school choral group or college? I sang all 4 yrs.in my h.s.acapella group but never got to sing anything like this! i would have LOVED to have sung this for xmas concert! ur so lucky!
beauteandamour 10 months ago
One of my favorite moments from all the shows. I remember the original version had a scene of Mickey taking the group behind the set to sing this. It seems that part of the show has been edited out for some reason in subsequent releases. I know I'm not crazy, I remember it. Nonetheless this version, not the studio version of Riu Chiu is my all time favorite. And a great Monkee memory for me.
assignmentearth 10 months ago
amazing.
sara75ish 11 months ago
This performance still gives me chills. So Talented
dollparts71 11 months ago
This is just freaking stupid good!!!!
ricadrew 11 months ago
Love this song! Just got the Monkees season 2 DVD and had to replay this a few times it was so beautiful! It really shows how good they were musically. You can tell they were loving it - the smiles on Peter and Davy's faces as Micky does his solo parts say it all. It's kind of unexpected in amongst their 'wacky' TV show, but I think it's the best moment of the whole show.
punkcat77 1 year ago
love watching this video every 5,000,000 times
canada320 1 year ago
this is really lovely.
Snicki1946 1 year ago
what a different world it was back then
fabfamily2009 1 year ago
Thank you so much for posting this! When I was a kid, I recorded all of the Monkees episodes from Nick at Nite. I must have listened to this 100 times and never forgot it. Just popped into my head again and decided to look for it here. So happy to see it!
kcsunshine914 1 year ago
Davy is short.
TwistedSister09 1 year ago
I love Davy Jones.
TwistedSister09 1 year ago
Wow, that is beautiful! Whoever said the Monkees had no talent, put that in there pipe and smoke it! Epic Monkee win!!!
greatscott1984 1 year ago 11
This song made the best music of the net, first all world, Big List. Best new music in the world. (Or new music to most of the world because of the net). Big List
The category was
Best A-cappella Monkee Christmas Carol, The Monkees, "Riu Chiu" (yt).
TomHendricksMusea 1 year ago
Beautiful song! I love the Monkees!
joymar322 1 year ago
Wow! Loved it! Can't believe I've never heard it.
miloscaleb 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I don't know why, but I was thinking about this song tonight. I love it as much today as I did when I first heard it. Thank you for posting this!
crzycatlady62 1 year ago
I don't know why, but I was thinking about this song tonight. I love it as much today as I did when I first heard it. Thank you for posting this!
crzycatlady62 1 year ago
To me, Micky, Peter, Michael and Davy were just as important as John, Paul, George and Ringo. Maybe even more so.
themoonspinner 1 year ago 7
@themoonspinner I like the Monkees. The Beatles will always be best!!!
TwistedSister09 1 year ago
Very beautiful!!
onepoet63 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Blew me away when I first viewed it (initial airing '67) and it still has the same affect all these years later.
ModGirl1967 1 year ago
Comment removed
ModGirl1967 1 year ago
oh they had talent alright! this proves it and its lovely for sure, Ive always loved it too thanks.
marciemeow 1 year ago
why is davy picking his fingernails thru the whole thing?
TheSuperkooz 1 year ago
@TheSuperkooz because he's green with envy of Micky!
ksjoyjespeace 1 year ago
@TheSuperkooz He's actually holding a stick of incense that he fiddles with at times, it just doesn't show up very well here.
thewickedfae 1 year ago
This is the best response to anybody who thinks The Monkees aren't great musicians.
tbirdy 1 year ago 3
Thank you all for the comments. I had no idea when I posted it that it would be so popular here. I really appreciate you all for watching and sharing this beautiful song. ~ML
emmelle53 1 year ago 14
I remember being very impressed by the Monkees' version of this song the first time I saw it on its original airing on Irish TV in 1967, it was so unexpected...
theprophet20 10 months ago
Davy, Peter, Mike & Mickey are all legends! Merry Christmas Monkees! Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GiantJboy400 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Merry Christmas! Davy, Peter, Mike and Micky!
Merry Christmas everybody!
GiantJboy400 1 year ago
Nice! Very Nice. I wish it were longer.
debrazone 1 year ago 2
I have loved this somg since I was a kid which is quite a long time considering I am almost 40 years young
Pandaro2 1 year ago 2
They sound like four Monks instead of four Monkees! Seriously, I have this on a Christmas compilation CD and it gets the most comments from guests who are shocked to hear who is singing it. Proof that the Monkees were a real band. They were clearly on the same page melodically
petey1892 1 year ago 2
Mick's voice is so pretty. I wonder how they could film Peter with his um, cigaret in hand...
cookmoore 1 year ago
@cookmoore Peter was holding an incense stick not a cigarette.
mnmcookie76 1 year ago
@mnmcookie76 :) Okay...I thought it was something...else...
cookmoore 1 year ago
Beautiful, i bet a lot of Monkees fans would love to see this!! thank you.
funnyguy52 1 year ago
I love the Monkees -- ever since I first heard "Ditty Diego War Chant" in a used record store in Seattle in 1982. There's so much more to them than most people give them credit for. I like to think of them as like Pinocchio -- they started out something that was manufactured, but grew into a real band. This is a gorgeous version of this carol.
sourisvoleur 1 year ago 4
Great work! Nice harmony. Wish there were a cleaner version of this.
nebutron 1 year ago
@nebutron There's a version of it available on CD. It's one of the Billboard Christmas discs, the one with favoirite TV Christmas songs. That version is different, though, as Boyce & Hart provide additional vocals. However, it's still acapella and a truly beautiful performance.
greenmonsterprod 1 year ago
@greenmonsterprod What is more is the fact that this particular rendition is being performed live, and not lipsynced to the aforementioned recording.
paladin313 1 year ago
@nebutron Additional info: It's "Billboard's Family Christmas Classics", released by Kid Rhino.
greenmonsterprod 1 year ago 2
This is The Monkees at their best! Just shows how versatile and talented they are. Excellent
TheLozzer56 1 year ago
I LOVE this!! Totally forgot about it until a friend posted it on Facebook. Wonderful. I will always love my Monkees! This just shows how talented they are!
longfink 1 year ago 3
The Monkees were cooler and much more talented than most people know. I LOVE listening to them sing this!
sbarr10 1 year ago 4
@junkielora The verb "guardar" meant to keep something from. So it wasn't keeping the wolf safe from the lamb, it was keeping the wolf AWAY FROM the lamb.
@riufosc Si buscas otras versiones, hay muchos grupos hispanos que usan la misma letra. No es un error de los no hispanohablantes, es una cuestión del uso antiguo del verbo "guardar".
clafond 1 year ago
Beautiful.
terrybrass 1 year ago
ppl looking for this on vhs, are able to get the Monkees Christmas Special, this is song is at the end, after the show... (we watch the special once every year.) look it up at Amazon . com
jamdeeder 1 year ago
Love it(: were singing this in choir(: .....i love how there is only 2 dislikes
sammielover22296 1 year ago
does mike start them off?
mariomaniac6411 1 year ago
@mariomaniac6411
yes
HankLandMan 1 year ago
@mariomaniac6411 Yes. The first line is sung by Mike solo, then Peter joins him for the second line.
MarnieReeves 1 year ago
@mariomaniac6411 Im pretty sure Mike is starting them off cause I can hear a little of his country voice
retroalex1 1 year ago
they're all completely mesmerised by Mickey.. and i can't say I blame them!
mariomaniac6411 1 year ago
Holy cwap, that was really good!
ricadrew 1 year ago
Love this version of Riu Chiu. The Monkees sang it really well, and Micky's solo moments were great!
88Mickyfan 1 year ago 2
listen to that harmony and with no music back up ! who says these guys werent talented ?
poptopia1 1 year ago 64
@poptopia1 Idiots say it, that's who.
PlaceSoFarAway 1 year ago
I don't care what anyone says, these guys really do have talent!
yvonnedenisedanson 1 year ago 37
@yvonnedenisedanson Amen!
PlaceSoFarAway 1 year ago
oh yes for sure they had talent, as we can see. me too have always loved this of them singing this too.
marciemeow 1 year ago
I loved the monkees from childhood and now I remember why.
violatione 1 year ago 2
Oh my, seeing this again reminds me that I once got a Christmas postcard from the Monkees! Oh my, so long ago. : (
calendarpage 1 year ago 2
@calendarpage 0_o You did?!?! Lol if i got one I would keep it in a safe place from my family so they don't sell it on ebay!! lol
TheBestLoser001 1 year ago
Micky is amzing at singing! Mike, Davy, and Peter are good to but Micky has to be one of my favorites!
skibbyskibinski 1 year ago 2
@skibbyskibinski I just got Micky's Carole King CD that just came out. His version of "Will You Still Love Me" gave me chills.
PlaceSoFarAway 1 year ago
I had to sing this in choir...It is kind of hard remembering some of the words
shaz0077 1 year ago
This is a beautiful song...Ive always loved it
sherrybarnhard 1 year ago 2
This is still a Christmas Gift. I first heard it on a CD of Christmas songs by various artists. My kids are so into the tune they are working on their own version of it. imagine 40 years later my babies are inspired by the Monkees.
josumaya 1 year ago
@josumaya I agree it's still a beautiful song
ChihuahuaMama2010 1 year ago
This was a Christmas gift from the Monkees, back in the days when fans only got to see or hear something once on tv. Was not released on record. It was an unexpected art piece, and really floored everyone. I've lived on to study early music and have heard many different versions of this haunting carol, and can say the Monkees totally nail it. Great work Mickey!
chookiechooks 1 year ago 2
i remember seeing this when i was little
joshuamjoshua 1 year ago
really gorgeous song:)
magicpony9 1 year ago
This is so beautiful. I have never heard it until now. Epic!
zephrah 1 year ago 2
As beautiful as what The Beatles did on "Because".
NicholeChoiceMusic 1 year ago
@NicholeChoiceMusic
That's comparing apples and oranges though in terms of production. This song doesn't have any doubletracking.
HankLandMan 1 year ago
i think this was there best song bar none yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
joebonni 1 year ago
For those who wondered how they came to record this song, I believe this is the answer.
Chip Douglas was producing the Monkees at this time. He was formerly a member of the folk group The Modern Folk Quartet who had recorded this very arrangement in about 1963. There was another verse in their version which was probably cut for time here. The other difference was the MFQ sang it in tune....
jnf91 1 year ago 2
I LOVE THIS SONG it has to be one of my favorites
misamisa31 1 year ago
¡Gooood! They are a pop music group singing a 15ct spanish renaissance song. The solist has a very good pronunciation. ¡Bravo Monkees!
riufosc 1 year ago
"dios guardo al lobo de nuestra cordera"?
its like saying "god saved the wolf from our lamb". what kind of sadic lamb is it?!!
the truth version says "dios guardo del lobo a nuestra cordera" --> "god saved our lamb from the wolf"
junkielora 1 year ago 2
@junkielora, seguramente se limitan a leer el texto con el error, pues es común en muchas transcripciones, y los intérpretes no hispanos caen en él una y otra vez.
riufosc 1 year ago
oh my god!! have been looking for this for a long time. This track is on "Missing Links Volume 2", but it's nice to see it as well as hear it. The Monkees just f-kin' rule!!
themoonspinner 1 year ago 4
Is it just me, or does anyone else think it's weird that Davy is singing the low part?
darrinbaker00 2 years ago 2
@darrinbaker00 I don't think it's at all weird. Like all of us, Davy has a range that includes both high and low aspects of his voice. Many of the songs he sang lead on with the Monkees did not show off his lower range very often, but if you listen, he does have a very nice quality to that part of his voice. I thought it was nice that they showcased it here.
AngelaCelesteMay 1 year ago
Peter is on record as saying that doing this song was the best time of the Monkees for him because it felt like the music they were doing was "real" and that he felt like they were a true group of musicians.
papillonaquatique 2 years ago 3
Peter keeps laughing because he can't light his candle lol..
Hope2009pc 2 years ago
Actually, I think those are incense sticks.
67jpt 1 year ago
I extract the sound from these clips to mp3 simple and free - lookup mp4ify on any search engine
kaleriyaebezano 2 years ago
I am jazzed about the new audio quality settings on mp4ify. The best site 2 get mp3s or mp4s from youtube.
kujunisibozugi 2 years ago
Really, really, lovely.
lalovelylinda 2 years ago 3
I totally agree
misamisa31 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
الحسني بس
mgn000n 2 years ago
As a kid I loved this song. I could sing it phonetically but never knew what language it was. Turns out it is villancico style post renaissance spanish. In my early 20s I met Davey Jones at a private gathering and had a chance to ask him about it. I even wanted to sing it with him. Instead I was too shy to ask and I lost my chance. I was finally able to learn more about this song because of this video. Thanks!
bushin64 2 years ago 2
Nesmith was/is a Christian Scientist, and he lived/lives his faith. No surprise that such a spiritual song worked its way into their catalog. Look up the lyrics,and check out the translation.
Quite a beautiful Christmas hymn.
infidelpuppy 2 years ago
@infidelpuppy And it's amusing that they let the atheist of the group have the solo.
Dimloep 1 year ago
Maybe he wasn't back then?
ChihuahuaMama2010 1 year ago
@ChihuahuaMama2010 I think he was-- I read his autobiography a few years back, and I vaguely remember him mentioning that he's an atheist (and so for many years)
TwistedResolve 1 year ago
@TwistedResolve huh...I read part of his autobiography where he talked briefly about his beliefs, but didn't really explain in depth. I'd be interested in knowing just bc I've always loved the Monkees and I'm interested in how ppl's minds work.
ChihuahuaMama2010 1 year ago
@ChihuahuaMama2010 Micky's Wikipedia entry clarifies it 'No, God is a verb' ; )
peaceiscontagious 1 year ago
I am really amazed. I was looking for versions of my favorite Christmas song, and found that the Monkees had done it?!?! And surprise, they actually did it pretty well. I listened to the Monkees when I was a kid, but I never ever realized they had recorded Riu Riu Chiu.
Chicagoan444 2 years ago
I saw this ONCE when the show was new; I've never forgotten it and have been looking for a copy ever since. What a great Christmas present to stumble across it here! It went straight to my Favorites and to my sisters, who are fellow Monkees fans. Thank you for posting it!
ClaWhe 2 years ago 2
@ClaWhe
I have this song on a Christmas CD by The Monkees. It's one of my favorites by them.
buckeyegirl32 2 years ago
Aww! I want The Monkees' Christmas album! I wish some studios would make that available again! I have never forgotten listening to this beautiful Christas song, sung by the Monkees. I would love to hear more Christmas songs by the Monkees. You're lucky to have that album!
ReneandMae 2 years ago
I found this CD on ebay. If you want to know more just send me an email here.
buckeyegirl32 2 years ago
Thanks for posting the video. Hadn't seen it since the 60s. Wow. What a great sound. I too love Renaissance era music and I thought they did an excellent job. Of course I loved the Monkees back in the day and owned most if not all of their albums. They were indeed better than many people gave them credit for. Merry Christmas Davy, Peter, Mike, and Micky. You guys were the best!
hendrixson1 2 years ago
Thanks for filling me in on this song Bert! Awesome! They sang it so professionally!
p38p40p51 2 years ago
The Monkees surprised a lot of skeptics by doing such a great job on this old Medieval Spanish villancico!
LaPetiteChienneRouge 2 years ago
Wow, I totally forgot about this. ..dredging up memories from my childhood....awesome!
ArmorOfChrist777 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this! I've loved it for years and years...and wanted to share it with some friends online--and now I can!
smiddlecn 2 years ago
Merry Christmas! Davy, Peter, Mike and Micky!
Merry Christmas everybody!
GiantJboy400 2 years ago 4
Nope. It's not Gallego, Portuguese OR Catalan. It's plain old Castellano (Spanish), albeit a bit archaic.
nameisalreadytaken 2 years ago 2
Merry Christmas to Micky, Mike, Peter and Davy!!! Merry Christmas to all Monkee fans!!
Screengems1 2 years ago 3
I'm sure the reason anyone chooses to sing this is the sheer beauty of the piece. I have always wondered how the Monkees came across this music, but not because of any difficulty of pronunciation. Rather, the difficulty of how they found out about a medieval piece of part-singing in late 20th Century culture, when surrounded by popular American culture--now THAT's the real question!
CriticalListener 2 years ago
@CriticalListener: There was a LOT of interest in folk music from all over the world in the 1960s, which led some to delve deeper into the back catalogs, which led in turn to groups like Renaissance, Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, etc. So there was an awareness. Plus Mike Nesmith has always been interested in Spanish music--maybe he knew it (he was a native Texan) and brought it to them--maybe that's why he sang the first verse, even though Micky usually sang lead. <-- Pure speculation
ClaWhe 2 years ago
Mike sang the first line, joined next by Peter, then by Davy and Micky, and I think it was for practical reasons. In a cappella music, strong musicianship trumps other considerations. They had to establish the key first, and Micky, much as I admire him as a lead singer, tends to let the pitch center drift when not backed up by instruments. Even here, if you listen closely, the other guys had to nudge the pitch up a little after each verse. (I know I'll get thumbs down for that, but it's true.)
mprat001 2 years ago 3
You pose an interesting question. Why did they (or their producer) choose this particular song for them, ignoring all the traditional ones? I send this out every year as my christmas card. Medevil Rocks!
ponfarr69 2 years ago
this is a revelation - never heard them sing this in the 1960s. It's lovely.
mimsn55 2 years ago
I love the monkees i'm only 15 and i love them
gothicemostar666 2 years ago 3
This is so awesome! The Monkees continue to amaze, surprise, and delight me.
sbarr10 2 years ago 2
This is a Spanish Chant, and since I speak Spanish, it's NOT Portuguese. It states Lord protect our Lamb from the Wolf - symbolic. I LOVE Medieval/Renaissance Music! And I have to say The Monkees did this BRILLIANTLY!
atisaseret 2 years ago 4
It's actually medieval Galician dialect, so it's not technically Portuguese or Spanish, although it is very similar to the latter.
Angevin1154 2 years ago
Ahh...memories. My friends and I sung this as an advertisement for our church Christmas party.
SnapeKid 2 years ago 2
As someone else pointed out, it's "Dios guardo del lobo a nuestra Cordera.." It's really hard to understand why, among the many many beautiful villancicos out there, English speaking people choose this one which is so difficult to pronounce (so many "r"s!)
amsanvel 2 years ago
I've always loved this. When everyone in my family watches A Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve, I always go to my room and watch the Christmas episode of the Monkees. It even has the kid from the Munsters in it. They do this song at the end. Lovvvvve love love.
joanleary 2 years ago 3
Its beautiful
imjennilynn411 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Actually this is Portuguese not Spanish.
Poe397 2 years ago
Actually this is Catalan, not Portuguese.
stephenmolesey 2 years ago
So much for the idea that the monkees sucked. They were very talented in their own cool way...
cornbruiser 2 years ago 6
I watched this on DVD last night, and read the trivia that this version was recorded live in that take. I am extra impressed with how good it sounds. Plus, the arrangement is brilliant. Love it!
mydlands 2 years ago 7