1967 Rock Song, With 21-Year-Old Singer of The Monkees, Is Still a Powerful Hit 59 Years Later

By late 1967, The Monkees were beginning to push far beyond the polished pop sound that first made them television and music superstars.

One of the clearest examples of that evolution was “Star Collector,” a standout track from the band’s album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. Released on Nov. 6, 1967, the song featured Davy Jones, who was still just 21 years old at the time.

“Star Collector” showcased a more experimental side of the band.

Written by legendary songwriting team Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, the song tells the story of a woman who collects famous romantic partners rather than lasting relationships. Its witty lyrics were paired with an inventive arrangement that reflected the psychedelic influences becoming increasingly popular during the late 1960s.

“I’ve never claimed to be a pop star,” Jones said in a 1967 interview. “I’m an actor and the public has made me a rock and roll singer—now I’m pleased about that. It’s bought me a lot of good things and I’m still new enough to all this success to enjoy the crowds, the autograph hunters and the adulation.”

The recording also broke new musical ground.

Produced by Chip Douglas, “Star Collector” famously incorporated one of the earliest uses of the Moog synthesizer on a rock recording. Performed by electronic music pioneer Paul Beaver, the futuristic sounds added an otherworldly quality that helped distinguish the track from much of the pop music being released at the time.

Although it was never released as a standalone single, the song became one of the highlights of Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.

The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, becoming The Monkees’ fourth consecutive chart-topping record in the United States. As the years passed, “Star Collector” earned a reputation as one of the band’s finest deep cuts, admired for its adventurous production and memorable vocal performances.

Today, it remains an essential part of The Monkees’ legacy.

Fans and critics alike continue to celebrate the song as evidence of the group’s artistic growth during one of the most creative periods of its career. Its combination of sharp songwriting, psychedelic experimentation, and Davy Jones’ expressive vocals has helped it endure well beyond the television era that first introduced the band to audiences.

“Everybody said The Monkees were the American answer to The Beatles, and that was not the case,” drummer Micky Dolenz told Goldmine. “The Monkees was a television show about this band who wanted to be The Beatles and on the television show, we never made it. It was that struggle for success that I think helped endear it to an entire generation of kids that were in their basements and living rooms and garages, playing and practicing and forming bands and who wanted to be The Beatles and maybe eventually The Monkees.”

Fifty-nine years after its release, “Star Collector” continues to captivate listeners with its inventive sound and timeless charm. Featuring a 21 year-old Davy Jones at the microphone, the 1967 rocker remains one of The Monkees’ most beloved and forward-thinking recordings.

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