Bobby Hart: The Songwriting Force Behind The Monkees and Beyond
Bobby Hart,a prolific songwriter whose work defined a generation of pop music,passed away on April 3,2024,at the age of 84. He leaves behind a legacy brimming with chart-topping hits, iconic television themes, and a significant contribution to the sound of the 1960s and beyond. This article delves into Hart’s remarkable career, exploring his collaborations, influences, and enduring impact on the music industry.
From Phoenix Roots to Hollywood Dreams
Born Robert Luke Harshman in Phoenix, Arizona, Hart was the son of a minister. He recalled being a shy child with a powerful drive to make his mark, a sentiment he later detailed in his memoir, Psychedelic Bubblegum. Music quickly became his chosen path.
By high school, he had mastered the piano, guitar, and Hammond B-3 organ. He even established his own amateur radio station, complete with a mixing console, turntables, and microphones, foreshadowing his future in sound production. After a stint in the Army reserves, Hart moved to Los Angeles in the late 1950s.
Initially hoping to become a disc jockey, he soon transitioned into songwriting and session work. Adopting the stage name Bobby Hart, he toured with Teddy Randazzo and the Dazzlers. Alongside Randazzo and Bobby Weinstein, he co-wrote “Hurt So Bad,” a hit for Little Anthony and the Imperials, later famously covered by Linda Ronstadt.
The Dynamic Partnership with Tommy Boyce
A pivotal moment arrived when Hart befriended Tommy Boyce, a singer and songwriter hailing from Charlottesville, Virginia. Boyce possessed a uniquely charismatic personality, described by Hart as “spontaneous and extroverted, yet very cool.”
Together,Boyce and Hart formed a songwriting powerhouse. Thay penned “Come a Little Bit Closer” for Jay and the Americans, a Top 10 hit that showcased their burgeoning talent. This success caught the attention of Don Kirshner, who recruited them for his Screen Gems songwriting factory.
Crafting the Monkees’ Sound
Kirshner assigned Boyce and Hart to write songs for a new television project: The monkees. The show, intentionally modeled after the Beatles, needed a soundtrack to match its rising popularity.
responding to the challenge, they created a twangy guitar riff reminiscent of the Beatles’ “Paperback Writer.” This inspired ”Last Train to Clarksville,” which became the Monkees’ first and biggest hit in 1966. When Kirshner requested a song featuring a girl’s name, they delivered “Valleri,” another Top 5 success.
You might be surprised to learn the origin of the iconic Monkees theme song. Hart recounted in his memoir that it came about organically during a simple walk.
“Boyce began strumming his guitar and I joined in by snapping my fingers & making noises with my mouth that simulated an open & closed hi-hat cymbal,” he wrote. “We had created the perfect recipe for inspiration and started singing about just what we were doing: ’Walkin’ down the street.'”
Beyond the Monkees: A Diverse Career
Hart’s creativity didn’t stop with the Monkees. Throughout the 1970s and 80s, he continued to collaborate with various artists. He contributed material to the popular television show, The Partridge Family.
He also worked with Austin Roberts on “Over You,” a poignant ballad performed by Betty Buckley in Tender Mercies and received an Oscar nomination. Additionally, he teamed up with Dick Eastman to write “My Secret (Didja Gitit Yet?)” for New edition.
Hart and Boyce even toured with Monkees members Micky Dolenz and davy Jones in the 1970s, releasing the album Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart. the Monkees’ 1980s comeback further reignited interest in their work.
A Lasting Legacy
Boyce passed away in 1994, but their collaborative spirit lived on. A 2014 documentary, The Guys who Wrote ‘Em, celebrated the songwriting partnership of Boyce
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