Image: Wiki Commons by unknown photographer
About This Quiz
Although the Beatles formed slightly earlier than the Monkees — 1960 as opposed to 1966 — the early music from both bands was very much the pop-based standard that characterized popular music in the 1960s. And for that reason, much of the early hits from both bands are actually fairly simple in their lyrical makeup.The Beatles did cast their net further as their popularity grew. In particular, they moved away from their early pop sound, producing music from many different spectrums. And the lyrics produced by John Lennon and Paul McCartney certainly explored new themes. The Monkees were always held back by the fact that essentially, the band stemmed from a TV series. It was only later in their career that they actually were allowed to play their instruments on recordings, although they were all competent musicians. After the TV show was canceled in 1968, The Monkees had far more control over their output until they broke up in 1971.
Onto the task at hand then! If we gave you a sample of lyrics, would you be able to tell if it was penned by the Beatles or The Monkees? It's a far tougher task than you might think. Good luck!
Which of the Beatles or The Monkees is responsible for these lyrics? "Don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better. Remember to let her into your heart …”
Monkees
Beatles
These lyrics come from the Beatles' hit "Hey Jude," which was released in 1968 and is perhaps one of their most loved songs. This was also the first single the band released on its own record label, Apple Records.
Advertisement
"Oh, I could hide 'neath the wings of the bluebird as she sings," is a lyric from The Monkees or the Beatles?
Monkees
This lyric is taken from the Monkees hit "Daydream Believer." It was released in October 1967 and reached No. 1 in the United States on the Hot 100 Billboard chart. It peaked at No. 5 in the United Kingdom.
Beatles
Advertisement
Can you tell us if these lyrics, "What's the use in trying? All you get is pain. When I needed sunshine, I got rain" were penned by The Monkees or Beatles?
Monkees
"I'm a Believer" is probably The Monkees' most famous hit. A No. 1 for the group at the end of 1966, it performed well into 1967 and was the best-selling record of that year. Many groups have covered it, and it even appeared in the "Shrek" animated movies, this time sung by Smashmouth.
Beatles
Advertisement
Released in 1965, who wrote the song that contains these lyrics: “Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be. There's a shadow hanging over me.”
Monkees
Beatles
"Yesterday" appeared on the Beatles' album "Help," which was released in 1965. It is one of the most famous ever released by the group and was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. It has been covered more than 2,000 times by other artists.
Advertisement
Which band is responsible for the song with the lyric: "Floatin' down the river with a saturated liver."
Monkees
The b-side to "Daydream Believer," these lyrics come from the Monkees' song "Goin' Down," released in 1967. This b-side almost managed to break into the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and is the only song in which all members of the band contributed.
Beatles
Advertisement
“Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since its been here,” are lyrics penned by which of the options below?
Monkees
Beatles
These lyrics come from the Beatles classic "Here Comes the Sun," first released on the 1969 album, "Abbey Road." It was one of three songs written for the album by George Harrison and showed his prowess as a songwriter.
Advertisement
Who is responsible for the following lyrics: "The local rock group down the street is trying hard to learn their song. Serenade the weekend squire, who just came out to mow his lawn."
Monkees
Originally written by Gerry Goffin and Carol King, it was the Monkees' version of "Pleasant Valley Sunday" that proved to be the most popular out of all the different recordings of this song. It managed to chart at No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1967.
Beatles
Advertisement
The song attached to these lyrics, “Oh please say to me, you'll let me be your man," was released in 1964. But by which group?
Monkees
Beatles
One of the Beatles' early hits, "I Want To Hold Your Hand" was released in 1964. It quickly went to No. 1 in the United Kingdom and also became the group's first U.S. No. 1 single.
Advertisement
Which group is responsible for the 1960s song with these lyrics: "'Cause I'm leaving in the morning, and I must see you again."
Monkees
The first single from the Monkees "Last Train to Clarksville," was released in 1966. By the end of the year, it had topped the U.S. Billboard charts.
Beatles
Advertisement
The lyrics “You think you've lost your love. Well, I saw her yesterday. It's you she's thinking of, and she told me what to say,” was penned by which group?
Monkees
Beatles
A No. 1 hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom, "She Loves You" was released by the Beatles in 1963. As with most of their music, writing credits were given to John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Advertisement
The Monkees or Beatles? Which group was responsible for these famous lyrics: "When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom: Let it be."
Monkees
Beatles
A true Beatles' classic, "Let it Be" was one of the last recordings produced by the band and was released in 1970, after the group had split. It was a huge hit, quickly going to No. 1 in both the U.S. and U.K., as well as many other countries.
Advertisement
Who wrote these lyrics? “You know I love you, I'll always be true. So please …”
Monkees
Beatles
In 1962, the Beatles released their first single "Love Me Do." John Lennon and Paul McCartney had written the song in 1958. It has since been sung by many others, including Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Brady Bunch.
Advertisement
"There's a girl I know who makes me feel so good, and I wouldn't live without her, even if I could." Did The Monkees or Beatles write this?
Monkees
Released in 1968, "Valleri" was written for the Monkees by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Although it peaked at No. 1 in Canada, it only reached No. 3 in the United States and No. 12 in the United Kingdom.
Beatles
Advertisement
Did the Monkees or The Beatles pen this lyric? "All men must have someone, have someone who would never take advantage of a love bright as the sun."
Monkees
These lyrics come from the Monkees' song "You Just May Be The One." It's featured on the album, "Headquarters." Released by the band in 1967, it was their third major recording.
Beatles
Advertisement
The lyrics “In the town where I was born, lived a man who sailed to sea. And he told us of his life …” come from which band below?
Monkees
Beatles
Who can forget the Beatles' classic "Yellow Submarine," which was first released on the 1966 album, "Revolver." It was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and was sung by the band's drummer, Ringo Starr.
Advertisement
Is it the Beatles or The Monkees who penned these lyrics: "I know she's having a fit. She doesn't like me a bit."
Monkees
These lyrics are taken from The Monkees' song "Your Auntie Grizelda," and appeared on the album, "More of the Monkees," as well as their TV series in the late 1960s. It became a popular addition to their live set despite never having been released as a single.
Beatles
Advertisement
"Creature comfort goals, they only numb my soul and make it hard for me to see." Is this featured in a song by The Monkees or the Beatles?
Monkees
"Pleasant Valley Sunday" was a single off the Monkees' album "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd," released in 1967. It featured in the second season of the Monkees' TV series.
Beatles
Advertisement
Please tell us if these lyrics, “I'll buy you a diamond ring my friend, if it makes you feel alright" are from The Monkees or the Beatles?
Monkees
Beatles
Written by Paul McCartney, "Can't Buy Me Love" was released in 1964. The song's writing credits are still attributed to Lennon/McCartney.
Advertisement
Taken from a cover version, are the lyrics, "You know you look so good. You know you got me goin' now, just like I know you would” from a song by the Beatles or The Monkees.
Monkees
Beatles
Originally released in 1961 by the Top Notes, the Beatles covered "Twist and Shout" in 1963 for their album, "Please, Please Me." Although a cover, it sold more than 1 million copies! That's the power of the Beatles!
Advertisement
"Hey, hey, mercy woman plays a song and no one listens. I need help I'm falling again," was written by which band?
Monkees
Written by Michael Nesmith, "Listen to the Band" was released in 1969. Nesmith also featured on lead vocals, a first for him for a single from the Monkees. Nesmith revealed that the structure for the song was essentially the chords of another Monkees' song, "Nine Times Blue," backward.
Beatles
Advertisement
Which of The Monkees or Beatles wrote these lyrics? "Girl, don't you know every time I see you smilin', hurts so bad because when I see you, I start tryin'."
Monkees
Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, "Words" was the double-A side to another Monkees hit, "Pleasant Valley Sunday." It was found on the album, "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd."
Beatles
Advertisement
Are these lyrics, “Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see. It's getting hard to be someone. But it all works out…” from The Monkees or the Beatles?
Monkees
Beatles
"Strawberry Fields Forever" was released in 1967 as a double-A side with "Penny Lane" and firmly put the Beatles into the psychedelic rock realm. It never made it to No. 1 on the U.K. charts, peaking at No. 2 and breaking a four-year streak for the band.
Advertisement
Is this from a song by The Monkees or the Beatles? “Well, she was just seventeen. You know what I mean. And the way she looked was way beyond compare."
Monkees
Beatles
These lyrics are taken from the Beatles' song "I Saw Her Standing There," which was off the 1963 album, "Please Please Me." Despite been released as a B-side in the United States, it still managed to reach No. 14 on the charts.
Advertisement
Released in 1967, who wrote the song that contains these lyrics? "Why don't you cut your hair? Why don't you live up there?"
Monkees
"Randy Scouse Git" was released by the Monkees in 1967, although the title was later changed to "Alternate Title" as the record label found the original a little too risque. A piece of English slang, it means horny Liverpool jerk.
Beatles
Advertisement
Who is responsible for the following lyrics? “Some have gone and some remain/ All these places have their moments, with lovers and friends I still can recall."
Monkees
Beatles
A truly beautiful song, "In My Life" was one of the singles on the 1965 Beatles' album, "Rubber Soul." Although penned by John Lennon, it is credited to both Lennon and Paul McCartney. Rolling Stone ranked it at 23 on the Top 500 songs of all time.
Advertisement
“Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend." Do you think this is a Monkees or Beatles lyric?
Monkees
Beatles
"We Can Work It Out" was originally meant to be released on 1965's "Rubber Soul." Instead, it was released as the first double-A side in England, together with "Day Tripper."
Advertisement
Are these lyrics, "I wanna hold your hand, walk along the sand, laughing in the sun, always having fun," from The Monkees or the Beatles?
Monkees
Only released as a single in some countries, "I Wanna Be Free" first appeared on the Monkees' debut album in 1966. Its best charting success was in Australia, where it reached No. 17.
Beatles
Advertisement
Which of the Beatles or The Monkees can't decide which girl to date in these lyrics? "Mary, oh what a sweet girl, lips like strawberry pie. Sandra, the long hair and pigtails. Can't make up my mind."
Monkees
These lyrics are taken from the Monkees' song "Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)." It appeared on the album, "More of the Monkees," and was written by Neil Diamond.
Beatles
Advertisement
“Picture yourself in a boat on a river, with tangerine trees and marmalade skies ..." These lyrics come from a trippy song. Who wrote it?
Monkees
Beatles
"Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," released in 1967, is considered by many to be a reference to the psychedelic drug, LSD, although John Lennon always denied this. It sure is trippy, though, and has plenty of strange lyrics!
Advertisement
“He got hair down to his knee. Got to be a joker, he just do what he please." Is this a Monkees or Beatles song?
Monkees
Beatles
"Come Together" is the opening track on the Beatles' 1969 album, "Abbey Road." It reached No. 1 in the United States but in the United Kingdom, it only peaked at No. 4.
Advertisement
Are these song lyrics from a Monkees or Beatles song? "When the world and I were young, just yesterday, life was such a simple game a child could play."
Monkees
These lyrics are taken from the Monkees' song "Shades of Gray," which was found on "Headquarters," an album from 1967. This was the first Monkees song in which the band played their own instruments.
Beatles
Advertisement
Is this a lyric from The Monkees or the Beatles? “But now these days are gone, and I am not so self-assured."
Monkees
Beatles
"Help" was a single from a 1965 album with the same name by the Beatles. Oh, and it was the name of one of their movies as well.
Advertisement
"Your love has shown me things I never thought I could see. I didn't know it could be done so easily." Monkees or Beatles?
Monkees
"Sometime in the Morning" was released by the Monkees in 1967. It formed part of their studio album, "More of the Monkees," and features Mickey Dolenz on lead vocals.
Beatles
Advertisement
“Close your eyes and I'll kiss you. Tomorrow I'll miss you," was written by which of the bands below?
Monkees
Beatles
A track off their second album, "With the Beatles" from 1963, "All My Loving" was penned by Paul McCartney but credited to the Lennon/McCartney partnership. Despite the fact it was not a U.S. or U.K. single, it received impressive radio play.
Advertisement
Is this a lyrics from a Beatles or Monkees song? “I should be sleeping like a log. But when I get home to you, I'll find the things that you do make me feel alright.”
Monkees
Beatles
"Hard Day's Night" was first featured in a Beatles movie with the same name, released in 1964. It was also released as a single and went to No. 1 in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Advertisement
You Got:
/35
