Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart were songwriters-for-hire back in the ’60s, penning hits for Jay and the Americans (“Come a Little Bit Closer”) and the Monkees (“Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone,” “Valeri,” and “(Theme From) The Monkees”). They also recorded a few tunes on their own, including 1968’s “I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight” and today’s classic song of the day, “Alice Long (You’re Still My Favorite Girlfriend).”
Boyce and Hart released “Alice Long” in the summer of 1968 and it was a moderate success, going all the way to #27 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was their last big hit, although they continued writing and producing, including several movie scores (including the Matt Helm flicks The Ambushers and Murderer’s Row) and a bevy of commercial jingles. They went their separate ways in the early ’70s, although they frequently reunited over the years, including several tours with former Monkees Davy Jones and Mickey Dolenz (as Dolenz, Jones, Boyce, and Hart).
“Alice Long” is a sunshine pop tune that sounds more than a little like something you might hear from the Monkees. That’s to be expected, as Boyce and Hart were two of the chief architects behind the sound of the Prefab Four. It’s certainly a very catchy tune.
Here’s one for you. It’s Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart lip-synching “Alice Long” on some television program back in 1968. It’s amazing what you can find on YouTube.
