The Headquarters Sessions cover

The Headquarters Sessions

The Monkees · 2000

235 min · 84 tracks · pop rock

A treasure trove of raw creativity and playful experimentation, showcasing the Monkees' musical evolution through studio outtakes and demos.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    She’s So Far Out, She’s In (tracking session takes 1 & 2) Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
  • →
    Randy Scouse Git (tracking session composite) — This track demonstrates the Monkees' unique blending of humor and musicality, capturing the essence of their playful songwriting style. Its inclusion reveals the experimental nature of their recording sessions.
  • →
    All of Your Toys (tracking session composite takes 1 to 10) — This version reveals the evolution of a song that reflects the band's shifting dynamics and sound during recording, making it an important piece in understanding their artistic journey.
  • →
    The Girl I Knew Somewhere (first version) (tracking session composite takes 1 to 16) — As an early iteration of one of their well-known songs, this track showcases the raw potential of their material before reaching its final form, offering fans an authentic glimpse into the creative process.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • playful experimentation in studio
  • wave-like pacing with peaks
  • detailed headphone listening experience
  • nostalgic vibes from raw takes
  • conversational studio dialogue interludes

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking polished finished tracks
  • prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Experimental — Showcases raw creativity and playful experimentation, diverging from their mainstream sound.
Themes
1960s nostalgia· playful experimentation· studio outtakes authenticity
Career context
Released in 2000, The Headquarters Sessions captures The Monkees during a period of retrospective appreciation, nearly three decades after their initial success in the 1960s. This compilation followed their resurgence in popular culture due to nostalgia and reissues, highlighting their role as pioneering pop rock artists who were more than just a TV show band.
Stylistic neighbors
The Beach Boys· The Byrds· The Turtles

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Randy Scouse Git (tracking session composite)

    The playful narrative shifts from whimsical storytelling to a more introspective reflection on fame and identity.

    This transition from lighthearted lyrics to deeper contemplation highlights the band's range and ability to weave complex themes into catchy pop tunes.

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 She’s So Far Out, She’s In (tracking session takes 1 & 2) Start here 4:00
  • 2 The Girl I Knew Somewhere (first version) (tracking session composite takes 1 to 16) 7:13
  • 3 The Girl I Knew Somewhere (first version) (master backing track take 22) 2:59
  • 4 All of Your Toys (rehearsal) 1:53
  • 5 All of Your Toys (tracking session composite takes 1 to 10) 5:33
  • 6 All of Your Toys (master backing track take 20) 3:09
  • 7 The Girl I Knew Somewhere (second version) (tracking session composite featuring take 15) 3:24
  • 8 The Girl I Knew Somewhere (second version) (tracking overdub session takes 1 & 2) 4:15
  • 9 The Girl I Knew Somewhere (second version) (master backing track take 13a) 2:41
  • 10 Seeger’s Theme (demo) 1:25
  • 11 Can You Dig It (demo) 2:20
  • 12 Nine Times Blue (demo vocal) 2:14
  • 13 Until It’s Time for You to Go (demo vocal) 3:05
  • 14 She’ll Be There (demo vocal) 2:36
  • 15 Midnight Train (demo vocal) 2:30
  • 16 Sunny Girlfriend (acoustic remix of master vocal) 2:15
  • 17 Sunny Girlfriend (tracking session take 7 with scratch vocal) 2:37
  • 18 Mr. Webster (tracking session take 28) 2:12
  • 19 Band 6 (stereo master) 0:42
  • 20 Setting Up the Studio for Randy Scouse Git (studio dialogue) 6:19
  • 21 Randy Scouse Git (tracking session composite) 6:29
  • 22 Randy Scouse Git (alternate version take 18 vocal) 2:27
  • 23 You Told Me (master backing track) 2:27
  • 24 Monkee Chat (studio dialogue) 2:40

Disc 2

  • 1 You Told Me (take 15 with rough lead vocal) 2:34
  • 2 Zilch (Peter Tork vocal track) 1:06
  • 3 Zilch (Davy Jones vocal track) 1:09
  • 4 Zilch (Micky Dolenz vocal track) 1:07
  • 5 Zilch (Michael Nesmith vocal track) 1:08
  • 6 I’ll Spend My Life With You (master backing track take 9) 2:32
  • 7 Randy Scouse Git (master backing track take 23) 2:40
  • 8 Forget That Girl (rehearsal) 2:56
  • 9 Forget That Girl (master backing track) 2:34
  • 10 Where Has It All Gone (first version) (tracking session take 1) 2:51
  • 11 Memphis Tennessee 2:09
  • 12 Twelve-String Improvisation 3:07
  • 13 Where Has It All Gone (second version) (master basic track take 12) 2:37
  • 14 Jericho 2:28
  • 15 Forget That Girl (rough backing vocals) 2:36
  • 16 Peter Gunn’s Gun 3:40
  • 17 I Was Born in East Virginia (informal recording vocal) 2:30
  • 18 Forget That Girl (Rejected overdub session vocal) 5:10
  • 19 Randy Scouse Git (alternate mix with unused tag vocal) 2:57
  • 20 Micky in Carlsbad Caverns (studio dialogue) 1:05
  • 21 Pillow Time (take 1 vocal) 7:22
  • 22 Shades of Gray (master backing track take 98) 3:44
  • 23 Masking Tape (tracking session composite takes 6 to 8) 4:50
  • 24 You Just May Be the One (tracking session composite) 3:18
  • 25 You Just May Be the One (master backing track) 2:08
  • 26 No Time (first version) (tracking session composite takes 3 to 5) 4:44
  • 27 Blues (excerpt) 4:04

Disc 3

  • 1 I Can’t Get Her off My Mind (Master Backing Track) 2:33
  • 2 Banjo Jam (Excerpt) 3:14
  • 3 Cripple Creek 1:49
  • 4 Six-String Improvisation 0:46
  • 5 The Story of Rock and Roll (First Version) (Tracking Session Take 23) 2:43
  • 6 Early Morning Blues and Greens (Master Backing Track) 3:10
  • 7 Two-Part Invention in F major (Informal Recording) 1:35
  • 8 The Story of Rock and Roll (Second Version) (Tracking Session Take 5A) 3:27
  • 9 Don’t Be Cruel 0:47
  • 10 For Pete’s Sake (Master Backing Track) 2:19
  • 11 No Time (Second Version) (Tracking Session Composite) 4:10
  • 12 No Time (Second Version) (Master Backing Track Take 7A) 2:43
  • 13 Just a Game (Demo Takes 1 to 3) 3:54
  • 14 Fever 1:51
  • 15 Sunny Girlfriend (Master Backing Track) 2:37
  • 16 No Time (Second Version) (Master Take 7A with Backing Vocals) 2:31
  • 17 All of Your Toys (Mono Master) 3:02
  • 18 The Girl I Knew Somewhere (First Version) (Mono Master) 2:39
  • 19 For Pete’s Sake (Mono Master) 2:12
  • 20 I’ll Spend My Life With You (Mono Master) 2:25
  • 21 Forget That Girl (Mono Master) 2:24
  • 22 You Just May Be the One (Mono Master) 2:02
  • 23 Shades of Gray (Mono Master) 3:20
  • 24 Band 6 (Mono Master) 0:38
  • 25 Sunny Girlfriend (Mono Master) 2:33
  • 26 Mr. Webster (Mono Master) 2:04
  • 27 You Told Me (Mono Master) 2:24
  • 28 The Girl I Knew Somewhere (Second Version) (Mono Master) 2:34
  • 29 Zilch (Mono Master) 1:07
  • 30 Early Morning Blues and Greens (Mono Master) 2:34
  • 31 Randy Scouse Git (Mono Master) 2:35
  • 32 I Can’t Get Her off My Mind (Mono Master) 2:28
  • 33 No Time (Mono Master) 2:09

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata