The Monkees

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Zilch album cover

Zilch

The Monkees

Lyrics

[1st Part]
Zilch!
Mister Dobalina, Mister Bob Dobalina
Mister Dobalina, Mister Bob Dobalina
Mister Dobalina, Mister Bob Dobalina
Mister Dobalina, Mister Bob Dobalina

[2nd Part]
Zilch!
China Clipper calling Alameda
China Clipper calling Alameda
China Clipper calling Alameda
China Clipper calling Alameda

[3rd Part]
Zilch!
Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense
Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense
Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense
Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense

[4th Part]
Zilch!
It is of my opinion that the people are intending
It is of my opinion that the people are intending
It is of my opinion that the people are intending
It is of my opinion that the people are intendingSee The Monkees LiveGet tickets as low as $68

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Zilch by The Monkees is a unique spoken word tongue twister and a fan favorite from their third album, Headquarters. With a duration of only one minute and eight seconds, the track served as an interlude to the final three songs of the album and is thought to have a hidden meaning of nothing.

About Zilch

As the last track before the final three songs on the album, Zilch serves as a strange yet fitting interlude. The song consists of spoken word verses with each line overlapping the previous, creating a rhythmic and perplexing tongue twister that is challenging to follow without concentration. Despite its short length, Zilch is a thought-provoking track that builds anticipation for the rest of the album.

Although the track is often considered a fan favorite now, it was not initially intended to be included on the album. In fact, the label, RCA Victor, requested a few more songs to complete the album and Zilch was a last-minute addition. Fans speculate that the hidden meaning of nothing was a sarcastic response to RCA Victor's request.

Moreover, Zilch has been sampled in the 1991 song Mistadobalina, repeating the opening line as a captivating hook. The distinctive and memorable nature of Zilch is evident from its inclusion in the 2003 Headquarters Sessions, with each separate part of the song having its own spotlight and being uniquely featured.

The Monkees' Headquarters album was a significant achievement for the band, with them writing and producing all the songs themselves, unlike their previous albums. To illustrate, the album reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart and has since been cited as one of the band's best efforts, with Zilch playing an essential role as the odd yet intriguing interlude.

To add to the perplexity of Zilch, it is a track that requires effort and focus to follow, listening carefully to pick up the meaning behind each overlapping line. The song's purpose was not to provide a catchy tune but rather to arouse curiosity and keep the listener engaged.

In essence, Zilch is a fantastic interlude and fan favorite that has a magnetic and unique presence. It is thought to be a sarcastic response to RCA Victor's request for more songs to complete the album, with a hidden meaning of nothing. The Monkees' Headquarters album, including Zilch, was a significant achievement and has secured a place in music history for the band. The track's unusual yet perplexing nature makes it a fan favorite and an essential part of The Monkees' discography.