The Monkees – Last Train to Clarksville

About The Song

“Last Train to Clarksville” is a classic pop-rock song by the American band The Monkees, released in 1966. As the debut single for the group, it quickly became a chart-topping hit and is one of The Monkees’ most well-known songs.

Five facts about The Monkees’ “Last Train to Clarksville (1966)”:

Debut Single Success: “Last Train to Clarksville” was The Monkees’ debut single and set the tone for their success. It quickly climbed the charts, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, showcasing the band’s commercial appeal and launching their musical career.
Songwriting Team: The song was written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, a prolific songwriting duo known for their contributions to the pop and rock music scene in the 1960s. Boyce and Hart wrote several other hits for The Monkees during their career.
Vietnam War Connection: Despite its upbeat and catchy sound, the lyrics of “Last Train to Clarksville” have a darker undertone. The song is often interpreted as reflecting the experiences of soldiers during the Vietnam War, as Clarksville, Tennessee, was a key transportation hub during that time.
TV Show Tie-In: The Monkees were initially formed for a television show of the same name, and the success of “Last Train to Clarksville” was closely tied to the popularity of the show. The song was featured in the pilot episode and subsequently became a central part of The Monkees’ musical repertoire.
Controversial Album Cover: The single was included in The Monkees’ debut album, “The Monkees,” which had a cover that stirred controversy. The album cover featured a collage of pictures, including a Vietnam War-era image, leading to some controversy and discussions about the perceived incongruity with the band’s lighthearted image.

Video

Lyrics

Take the last train to Clarksville
And I’ll meet you at the station
You can be here by 4:30
‘Cause I’ve made your reservation

Don’t be slow
Oh, no, no, no
Oh, no, no, no

‘Cause I’m leavin’ in the morning
And I must see you again
We’ll have one more night together
‘Til the morning brings my train

And I must go
Oh, no, no, no
Oh, no, no, no
And I don’t know if I’m ever comin’ home

Take the last train to Clarksville
I’ll be waiting at the station
We’ll have time for coffee flavored kisses
And a bit of conversation

Oh, no, no, no
Oh, no, no, no

Take the last train to Clarksville
Now I must hang up the phone
I can’t hear you in this noisy railroad station, all alone

I’m feelin’ low
Oh, no, no, no
Oh, no, no, no
And I don’t know if I’m ever coming home

Oh

Take the last train to Clarksville
And I’ll meet you at the station
You can be here by 4:30
‘Cause I’ve made your reservation

Don’t be slow
Oh, no, no, no
Oh, no, no, no
And I don’t know if I’m ever coming home

Take the last train to Clarksville
Take the last train to Clarksville
Take the last train to Clarksville
Take the last train to Clarksville