“Monday, Monday” (The Mamas & the Papas)

Today’s classic song of the day for a late November Monday morning is “Monday, Monday” by the Mamas & the Papas. The single was released in March of 1966 and rose to #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 charts. It also won the group a Grammy for Best Contemporary Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental. The song was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Papa John Phillips wrote the song and Denny Doherty sang lead. Lou Adler produced and the backup musicians included Wrecking Crew members P.F. Sloan on guitar, Larry Knechtel on keyboards, Joe Osborn on bass, and Hal Blaine on drums.

“Monday, Monday” is about a young gentleman wondering whether his weekend lover will still be around on Monday evening. Monday morning is all he hoped it would be, but who knows what Monday evening will bring? Musically, it’s a lot of I and IV chords in the key of G, pretty standard folkie stuff, with a quick little F to A turnaround on “Oh Monday morning, couldn’t guarantee.” The chorus moves to an interesting Eb – C – Eb – G progression, which then leads to a modulated final verse in E (with the following chorus in F). Nothing fancy but eminently effective.

This track was the group’s second out of six total top ten singles: “California Dreaming’,” “Monday, Monday,” “I Saw Her Again,” “Words of Love,” “Dedicated to the One I Love,” and “Creeque Alley.” “Monday, Monday” was their only chart topper, although “Dedicated to the One I Love” came close, peaking at #2. The group broke up in 1968, although various members reformed for various projects and oldies tours in later years.

Cass Elliott passed away in 1974, aged 32. John Philips passed in 2001, aged 65. Denny Doherty passed in 2007, aged 66. Michelle Phillips is still with us, aged 79.