Kayden's Thoughts On: Different Drum

Kayden's Thoughts On: Michael Nesmith's Different Drum

A Brief History

If I were to say: 'The Monkees' to you, most people my generation would be like: "Who?", but if you were lucky enough to grow up in the good old days, you would know it as a TV show about 4 lads,  Davy Jones, Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith who formed a band together, trying to make it big in the world. It was meant as America's answer to The Beatles and their hit film 'A Hard Day's Night'. 

However, they did get a wee bit of controversy upon audiences discovering none of the band members were actual musicians, thus leading to a few labelling them as 'fake'. But even if so, they certainly put in plenty of work to become musicians in their own right. 

Nesmith certainly stands out the most in this regard, in my opinion. He had already tried writing songs prior to joining the Monkees and even tried pitching a song to the producers to have in the show. Unfortunately, they rejected it, saying that it wasn't 'Monkees Material'. It did make its way into the episode 'Too Many Girls', albeit performed in a rushed, comedic manner by Nesmith during an audition scene in the episode. 

That song, was 'Different Drum'. 

It did get properly recorded by the Greenbrier Boys in 1965, but became best known through Linda Ronstadt and The Stone Poneys in 1967. The song features a folk-rock sound and is known for its catchy melody and introspective lyrics.

They express a sense of independence and a desire to break free from a stifling relationship. The narrator rejects societal expectations and expresses a desire to follow their own path, even if it means leaving behind someone they care about.

The song was a hit for Linda Ronstadt and the Stone Poneys, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has since become one of Ronstadt's signature songs and is considered a classic of 1960s folk-rock music. While her version of the song is amazing, as can be expected of her, I do find Nesmith's later rendition in 1972 to capture the spirit of the song a lot more.

My Personal Thoughts

For me at least, Different Drum is a song about coming to terms with reality, that you and someone you know are sadly not meant for each other. As much as you love them and the cherished memories that you two share, not every relationship is meant to last forever, as much as you would like to. Sometimes, the break ups are your fault, sometimes it's theirs, but either way, it's okay. Try to leave off on as good terms as possible, but either way, once it's in the past, it's in the past and you'll get along just fine. 

Thus, Nesmith's version that's slower and features a soulful accoustic guitar beat, for me at leat, captures the vibe of the song, the sort that you could plug your headphones in, curl up in your blanket and cry to yourself, by the end of it, you'll be refreshed, knowing everything will be okay, or at least, be on the path to it. 

Last year, when I discovered The Monkees and eventually this song, I broke up with one of my best friends, who I had known since 2020 and grew to love like a brother. My break up with him was challenging , to say the least, as they all say, losing your best friend hits harder than losing your boyfriend/girlfriend. Thus, songs like Different Drum have helped me to move on with life, still cherishing the memories that we share, but separation is the best for us, for we travel at different beats. 

Of course, nothing wrong with Linda's version, it's more upbeat and I'd say it's like a 'Yeah, we broke up, so what?' kind of theme, which is quite enlightening! But if you just want to slow down and think back about the time you've had, I would recommend the version made by the man himself. 

Unfortunately, Michael Nesmith is one of my many heroes who sadly passed during my lifetime, so I'll probably never get to thank him for the effect his song had on my life, at least not until the afterlife, if you believe in that. Even so, thanks to his work, it will live on for hopefully many generations more. After all, nobody expected people would still remember the Monkees after the final season in 1968!