I'm a Believer

"I'm a Believer" is a song written by Neil Diamond and recorded by the American pop rock band the Monkees in 1966 with the lead vocals by Micky Dolenz. The single, produced by Jeff Barry, hit the number-one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week ending December 31, 1966, and remained there for seven weeks

The song topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in January and February 1967. Also, it reached number one in several other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland.

Billboard described the song as "an easy-go dance mover" that "will hit with immediate impact". Cash Box said the single is a "medium-paced rocker [that] is full of the group's top-notch harmonies and is laced with infectious sounds". Record World said it was "sensational".

History

In addition to the Monkees, Diamond also suggested the song to the Fifth Estate, who recorded it as a 1967 album cut to follow up their hit "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" on their album of the same name.

Diamond recorded his own version of the song for his second album, Just For You, in 1967. This version became a minor chart hit in 1971. A new recording by Diamond, featuring additional lyrics, appears on his 1979 album September Morn. Diamond also performed it in a duet with Linda Ronstadt as part of a medley of his songs on an episode of The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour in 1970.

Charts

Neil Diamond

{| class="wikitable sortable"

!Chart (1971)

!Peak<br />position

|Canada RPM Adult Contemporary

| style="text-align:center;" |21

|Canada RPM Top Singles

| style="text-align:center;" |61

|Germany

| style="text-align:center;" |23

|Netherlands

| style="text-align:center;" |29

|U.S. Billboard Hot 100

| style="text-align:center;" |51

|U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary

| style="text-align:center;" |31

|U.S. Cash Box Top 100

| align="center" |52

Recording

Session guitarist Al Gorgoni (who played on "The Sound of Silence" and later on "Brown Eyed Girl") had worked on Diamond's "Cherry, Cherry" and also contributed to "I'm a Believer". Other personnel on the record include Sal DiTroia on rhythm guitar, Neil Diamond on acoustic guitar, Russ Savakus on bass, George Butcher on electric piano, Stan Free on organ, George Devens on tambourine, and Buddy Saltzman on drums.

The song is listed at number 48 on Billboards All Time Top 100. In 2021, it was listed at number 341 on Rolling Stones list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

Personnel

The Monkees

Micky Dolenz – lead and backing vocals
Davy Jones and Peter Tork – backing vocals

Additional personnel

Al Gorgoni, Sal DiTroia – electric guitars
Neil Diamond – acoustic guitar
Stan Free – Vox Continental organ
George Butcher – electric piano
George Devens – tambourine
Russ Savakus – bass
Buddy Saltzman – drums
Jeff Barry – producer
Artie Butler – arranger

Charts

Weekly charts

{| class="wikitable sortable"

!Chart (1966–1968)

!Peak<br />position

|Australia (Go-Set)