Eric Burdon & The Animals
image from Best Classic Bands website, which also has an article about Monterey
I know that today’s song is supposed to be about a mode of transport. The airplane in it is not explicitly used as a mode of transport in it; however, I will argue that the song and the videos included will transport you to a specific place and time. Although it will not be by land, water, or air, you will, instead, be carried by your senses of sight and sound that will spark your memories. Now, let’s get to it…
Before Monterey, the first American hippie-style rock festival was held June 10–11, 1967 at Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, California, produced by radio station KFRC as the Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival. Star performers included the Doors, the Sons of Champlin, the Steve Miller Blues Band, Jefferson Airplane, Hugh Masekela, Country Joe and the Fish, Canned Heat, and the Byrds; the latter six acts also played Monterey Pop one week later.
Early ad for Monterey Pop 1967
The Monterey International Music Festival, held on June 16-18, was planned in seven weeks by John Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas, record producer Lou Adler, event producer Alan Pariser and publicist Derek Taylor (best known for his role as press officer to the Beatles.) Monterey had been known as the site for the long-running Monterey Jazz Festival. The promoters saw a notional Monterey Pop festival as a way to validate rock music as an art form in the way in which jazz and folk were regarded. The festival’s board of governors displayed initial enthusiasm but did little to organize the event. Paul McCartney, who had recently joined the board of governors, strongly advocated for the inclusion of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, reportedly telling organizers that the event would be “incomplete” without him—and reportedly agreeing to serve on the board only if Hendrix were booked.
Although not mentioned on the playbill, Eric Burdon played on Friday night, leading his new incarnation of the Animals, introduced as the New Animals, re-interpreting the Stones song “Paint It Black,” adding electric violin. With this appearance, Burdon signaled a change to more of a politically charged hard rock style mixed with psychedelia. He later wrote the song, “Monterey” about his experience at the concert. – from wikipedia
They released, “Monterey” later that same year. In it is quoted a line from the Byrds’ song “Renaissance Fair” (“I think that maybe I’m dreamin'”) and mentioned performers the Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, Ravi Shankar (but mispronounced as Shanknar,) Jimi Hendrix, the Who, Hugh Masekela, Grateful Dead, and the Rolling Stones’ Brian Jones (“His Majesty Prince Jones smiled as he moved among the crowd”). The instruments used in the song imitate the styles of these performers.
I’m including 3 different videos of the same song. Two of them have liberal clips of people at the festival. One is a studio live (lip-synched) version.
Monterey
In the beginning
The people came and listened
Some of them came and played
Others gave flowers away
Yes they did yeah!
Down in Monterey
Down in Monterey
Young gods smiled upon the crowd
Their music being born of love
Children danced night and day
Religion was being born
Down in Monterey
The Byrds and the Airplane
Did fly
Oh, Ravi Shankar's
Music made me cry
The who exploded
Into fired light (yeah)
Hugh Masekelas music
Was black as night
The Grateful Dead
Blew everybody's mind
Jimi Hendrix, baby, believe me
Set the world on fire, yeah!
His majesty
Prince Jones smiled as he
Moved among the crowd
Ten thousand electric guitars
Were groovin' real loud, yeah
You wanna find the truth in life
Don't pass music by
And you know
I would not lie
No, I would not lie
No, I would not lie
Down in Monterey
Huh! Huh-huh!
Alright!
Three days of understanding
Of moving with one another
Even the cops grooved with us
Do you believe me? Yeah!
Down in Monterey
Down in Monterey, yeah
Down in Monterey
Down in Monterey, yeah
I think that maybe I'm dreamin'!
Monterey!
Monterey-yeah!
Down in Monterey
Did you hear what I said?
Down in Monterey, ay-ay
Monterey
I said Monterey, Monterey, Monterey
Yeah-yeah, hey-hey-hey
A-ay, a-ay, a-ay-a-ay
Monterey, a-ay-a-ay
Ow, Monterey, oh baby
Written by: Eric Victor Burdon, Barry Jenkins, Johnny Weider, Vic Briggs, Danny Mcculloch
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. This week, as suggested by Di of pensitivity101, we need to find a song that includes a mode of transport, either going by land (road or rail,) water, or air.
Tao Talk 
good choice Li I like this one! :D
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Thanks, CA!
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GREAT song by one of the best British bands and performer in Eric. I love this song and this era of the Animals. It slipped my mind that he mentioned so many artists. I love namecheck songs and this one I forget at times. Thanks for this one!
PS… it sucks…Bob Weir passed away.
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Yeah, I saw earlier tonight Weir passed away.
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I had just seen it…I had no clue he was even sick. He was the youngest original member.
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Max, there is a lot of info on the festival at wiki, including who was *not* there (The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles.) UK was represented instead by The Who and The Animals. Interesting section about why The BB weren’t there.
Yes, I just learned that about Bob Weir :( A key person in a key band :(
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The Beach Boys lost alot of their credibility after this. I don’t know which story to believe. I think they would have been recieved fine…people knew who they were and what
they were about…and they just released Good Vibrations.
When I think of that festival I always think of Hendrix, The Who, Janis, and Otis because other than Otis…the other 3 weren’t as known. It was kinda like their debut on a huge stage. I want to watch it again and pay attention to the Animals on this. The Stones and Beatles were not touring at the time so I can see why they didn’t perform….and that is around the time Keith and Mick got busted.
I’m watching it now…Janis was just electric. Eric did a nice version of Paint It Black….thanks Lisa… I’ll be watching this on and off the rest of the day!
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Max, thanks for the extra information. I read The Kinks wanted to be there but were having visa trouble and couldn’t get in (something like that.)
Very cool you are watching it. I need to!
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Yes…they were barred from touring over here…that is why their career went down a little until they could tour again with Lola. Some say it’s because the drummer Mick Avory hit Dave Davies on stage with something…they were always fighting.
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Nice choice, Lisa and the Byrds and the Airplane did fly.
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:) Thanks, Jim. I thought you would like it because it has The Grateful Dead in there and thought Max would like it because of The Who. Did you know about these festivals? It does mention at wiki that Woodstock was just a few years later.
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Thanks, Lisa and I do enjoy songs that mention the Grateful Dead. I have written several posts about this very important rock concert and how John Phillips helped to organize it and I actually wrote a post on this song.
Thursday Inspiration #249 Monterey – A Unique Title For Me
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Jim thanks much for sharing the link. Lots of good comments also.
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Very cool song, one I haven’t heard in a long time.
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Nancy, glad to give you a refresher on it.
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Wonderful – I loved the Animals their sound is unique the live version does indeed transport you to another time and place so thanks Lisa 🥰
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Ange, my pleasure! <3
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This is so cool. I haven’t really revisited The Animals since hearing them as a kid. I love Alan Price’s solo stuff though.
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Steve, I’m glad you approve. Will have to look into Price.
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What a great choice- and an even better listen for first thing this morning! Sometimes you just have to kick back at the parameters!
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V, lovely comment, thank you!
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Great choice, Lisa. One of my favorite groups from the sixties.
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They are an iconic group for sure :)
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Those videos did indeed transport as promised!!
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:)
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I always found this to be an interesting song – a kind of mini documentary. Sadly Brian and Jimi would only live two more years …
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Paul so much going on in the crucible of the time.
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Yes Li, I was transported there! What a terrific song from Eric Burdon and a chance to see 1960s Rock Royalty. I loved your write up on the history of festival. Fantastic post 🥰❤️
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Christine, wikipedia has a wealth of info about the fest. Thanks much <3
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Clever take on the prompt, Lisa! :-)
Eric Burdon is one of the most compelling white blues vocalists I can think of, and “Monterey” is one heck of a psychedelic song! And, yes, it does take you back to that time and place! :-)
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Thanks, Christian. I’ve added the festival to my TMBL. Can’t wait!
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I was definitely transported! Excellent post today!
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J, thanks so much :)
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Hi Lisa this was great … really enjoyed it and all the information 💜💜💜
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Willow, you are very welcome <3
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Thank you so much 🙏
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<3
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A very creative take on the prompt, Lisa! Just popped in here after reading Randy’s post on the same topic.
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Steve, please will you send me Randy’s link? I just looked for it at his blog and didn’t see it.
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Hi, Lisa, here it is: https://mostlymusiccovers.com/2026/01/11/jambalaya-on-the-bayou-by-hank-williams-with-his-drifting-cowboys/
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Thank you very much for the link. Now what topic is this about again? Trying to find the connection between Monterey and Hank Williams’ cover of a pirogue song? I think I lost the train (a mode of transport?) of thought? lol
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So many ways of getting around! 😉
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Wasn’t that a time? Now I have to look for my Byrds cds. (K)
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Indeed. I was still in the single digits in age at the time, but eventually caught up. When my time machine is operational I may just live in that decade for awhile.
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I like to visit it if only musically.
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<3
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Such a terrific lineup! And that brochure is so welcoming. Imagine “food and drink at reasonable prices” instead of trying to suck every dollar out of a captive audience.
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YES. The shift is shocking isn’t it.
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