Take a Giant Step (song)
"Take a Giant Step" is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King and released by the American band The Monkees in 1966. It was also covered in 1969 by singer Taj Mahal.
"Take a Giant Step" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
US single label | ||||
Single by The Monkees | ||||
from the album The Monkees | ||||
A-side | "Last Train to Clarksville" | |||
Released | 16 August 1966 | |||
Recorded | 9 July 1966 RCA Victor Studios, Studio C Hollywood, CA | |||
Genre | Pop rock | |||
Length | 2:31 | |||
Label | Colgems #1001 | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
The Monkees singles chronology | ||||
|
History
The song was released as the B-side to the band's single "Last Train to Clarksville" and also as the closing track on side 1 of their debut album The Monkees.[1] Micky Dolenz performed lead vocals.[1]
The song is presented as a plea to a heartbroken girl to move on from her past romantic disappointments, and to "learn to live again at last", by "taking a giant step outside your mind". Critic Eric Lefcowitz describes the song as "proto-psychedelic."[2]
The song was later covered by singer Taj Mahal, in a significantly rearranged version, and included as the title track to his 1969 double album release Giant Step/De Ole Folks at Home.[3] It was also recorded by Taj Mahal, Ry Cooder, and the Rising Sons in 1966 but not released until 1992 on their self-titled album.
The song was also covered by Bobby Sherman on the March 20, 1970, episode of the television series Here Come the Brides entitled "Absalom".
Fountains of Youth,] also released a version of the song,again with a different arrangement.[4]
Nina Hagen released a German version, titled "Riesenschritt", of the song on her 1995 album FreuD euch.[5]
References
- Planer, L. "Take a Giant Step". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
- Lefcowitz, E. (2011). Monkee Business. Retrofuture. pp. 43, 52. ISBN 9780943249018.
- Planer, L. "Giant Step". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCl-m33YZ2Q
- "freuD euch - Nina Hagen Songs, Reviews, Credits AllMusic". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 22 November 2019.