#SLS — Joanne by Mike Nesmith (with First National Bank)

Jim Adams is the unwavering host of Song Lyric Sunday.  This weekly feature is more important than ever in these times.  Jim, thank you for hold down the fort.  Jim says:
This week we have Touch/Feel and I think that everyone should be able to find a song that uses one of these prompt words.

Here are the “rules”:
• Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not. If it does not fit, then please explain why you chose this song.
• Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
• Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
• Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
• Ping back to this post or place your link in the comments section below.
• Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
• Feel free to suggest future prompts.
• Have fun and enjoy the music.

When I saw the prompt words were touch or feel, this song popped into my mind. It has “touch’d” in the lyrics and it’s also a song full of feeling. Back in the day of The Monkees, that fab 4 seemed so carefree and their songs followed suit. Mike Nesmith was always my favorite, even though all of them are cute and cuddly in their own ways. When Joanne hit the airwaves it touched my heart.

I listen to it now and understand it is a song most people can relate to. Everyone pretty much has had that ill-fated romantic encounter that was never meant to be, but it leaves a poignant and lasting impression on your soul.

Robert Michael Nesmith (born December 30, 1942) is an American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, novelist, businessman, and philanthropist, best known as a member of the pop rock band the Monkees and co-star of the TV series The Monkees (1966–1968). Nesmith’s songwriting credits include “Different Drum” (sung by Linda Ronstadt with the Stone Poneys.)

After the break-up of the Monkees, Nesmith continued his successful songwriting and performing career, first with the seminal country rock group the First National Band, with whom he had a top-40 hit, “Joanne”, and then as a solo artist. He is a noted player of the 12-string guitar, performing on custom-built 12-string electric guitars with the Monkees (built by Gretsch) and various 12-string acoustic models during his post-Monkees career.

He is also an executive producer of the cult film Repo Man (1984). In 1981, Nesmith won the first Grammy Award given for Video of the Year for his hour-long television show, Elephant Parts.

Magnetic South is his first solo album. Released by RCA Records in 1970, the album peaked at Number 143 on the Billboard Pop Albums charts. Magnetic South is considered an early example of country rock. A single, “Joanne/One Rose” was taken from the album and reached Number 21 on the Billboard singles charts and Number 6 on the Adult Contemporary charts. It was the highest position of Nesmith’s solo career.

Nesmith formed the backing group “The First National Band” and gave them billing on both the cover and label of the record. Band member John London had previously played bass on several Monkees tracks and appeared as an extra on several episodes of the TV show, while Red Rhodes had played on a few 1969 Monkees tracks, notably “Steam Engine.”

Personnel in The First National Band:
Michael Nesmith – vocals, rhythm guitar
O.J. “Red” Rhodes – pedal steel guitar
John Ware – drums
John London – bass
Earl P. Ball – piano

Five of the album’s eleven tracks are from Nesmith’s career with The Monkees. As Nesmith would attempt to distance himself from The Monkees, he did, however, dedicate the album to Bert Schneider, David, Micky, and Peter (as well as to Lester Sill).

“Joanne” was Nesmith’s only hit as a solo artist. In the United States, the song peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Top 100 on 3 October 1970. It went to No. 4 in Canada, No. 3 in Australia, and No. 1 in New Zealand. In the U.S., it was the most successful solo chart hit for any member of The Monkees.

Her name was Joanne, and she lived in a meadow by a pond.
And she touch’d me for a moment,
with a look that spoke to me of her sweet love.
Then the woman that she was drove her on with desperation,
and I saw as she went a most hopeless situation.
For Joanne, and the man, and the time that made them both wrong.
She was only a girl, I know that will, and still I could not see;
That the hold she had was much stronger than the love she had for me.
But staying with her, and my little bit of wisdom,
broke down her desires like a light thru a prism;
into yellows and blues and a tune that I could not have sung.
Tho’ the essence is gone,
I have no tear to cry for her
and my only tho’t of her is kind.
Her name was Joanne, and she lived in a meadow by a pond.
And she touch’d me for a moment,
with a look that spoke to me of her sweet love.
Then the woman that she was drove her on with desperation,
and I saw as she went a most hopeless situation.
For Joanne, and the man, and the time that made them both wrong.
For Joanne, and the man, and the time, that made them both wrong.
Songwriters: Michael Nesmith