Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn,
& Jones, LTD.

Goin' Down

(Diane Hildebrand/Peter Tork/Michael Nesmith/Micky Dolenz/David Jones)

Also issued as Colgems Single #1012, October 25, 1967

Lead Vocals: Micky Dolenz

Guitar: Michael Nesmith

Percussion: Davy Jones

Bass: Peter Tork

Drums: Eddie Hoh

Trumpet: Bud Brisbois, Virgil Evans, Uan Rasey, & Thomas Scott

Trombone: Louis Blackburn, Richard Leith, Richard Nash, & Philip Teelee

Sax: William Collette, William Hood, Plas Johnson, & John Lowe

Arranged By: Shorty Rogers

Recorded At: RCA Studios, Hollywood

Date: June 10 & 11, 1967

"Goin' Down", a variation of Mose Allison's "Parchment Farm", was credited to the group and Diane Hilderbrand. This song was released as the flip side to "Daydream Believer", and an alternate longer mono mix is a bonus on the fourth album. Also, an alternate vocal version was used in the TV show several times. This vocal was recorded "live" to ensure synchronization of Micky's singing and lip movements.

On CD:
The Monkees Music Box (2001), Rhino Records R2 76706 (stereo mix)
Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, & Jones, LTD. (1995), Rhino Records R2 71793 (extended mono mix)

Lyrics:

Floating in the river

With a saturated liver

And I wish I could forgive her,

But I do believe she meant it

When she told me to forget it,

But I bet she will regret it

When they find me in the morning,

Wet and drowned and word gets round.

I'm goin' down, I'm goin' down.

I'm coming up for air,

It's pretty stuffy under there,

I'd like to say I didn't care,

But I forgot to leave a note

And it's so hard to stay afloat

All soakin' wet without a boat

And I knew I should have taken off my shoes

It's front page news.

Goin' down, goin' down.

I wish I had another drink,

It wouldn't so hard to sink,

I should have taken time to think,

Besides I got the picture straight,

She must have had another date.

I didn't need this extra weight;

I wish that I could see the way to shore.

I don't want no more.

Goin' down, I'm goin' down.

Now I see the life I led,

I slept it all away in bed,

I should have learned to swim instead.

And now it's really got me stumped,

I can't remember why I jumped.

I'd like to get my tummy pumped,

And I can't believe they drink this stuff in town.

This dirty brown.

Goin' down, Goin' down.

I wish I looked before I leaped,

I didn't know it was so deep.

Been down so far I'm soakin' wet,

And I haven't touched the bottom yet.

This river scene is getting old,

I'm hungry, sleepy, wet and cold.

She told me to forget it nice,

I should have taken her advice.

I only want to go on home,

I'll gladly leave that girl alone.

What a way to spend the night,

If I don't drown, I'll die of fright.

My pappy taught me how to float,

But I can't swim a single note.

He threw me in to teach me how,

I stayed there floating like a momma cow

And now I've floated way down stream,

I know this has got to be a dream.

If I could find my way to shore,

I'd never do this any more.

They give you three, I been down nine,

And going down one more time.

Goin' down, goin' down.

Now the sky is getting light,

And everything wil be alright,

I think I've finally got the knack,

Just floating lazy on my back.

I never really liked that town,

I think I'll ride the river down,

Just moving slow and floating free,

This river swinging under me.

Waving to the folks on shore,

I should have thought of this before.

I'll float on down to New Orleans,

And pick up on some swinging scenes,

I'm gonna know a better day,

I'll go down groovin' all the way.

Goin' down, goin' down.

Goin' down, goin' gown.

[repeat & fade]

Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn,& Jones, LTD.

Goin' Down

Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn,
& Jones, LTD.