About the Song
Background
- Songwriters: Written by the popular songwriting duo Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart.
- The Monkees Connection: The Monkees, a manufactured band for a TV show, were initially seen as lacking musical authenticity. “Last Train to Clarksville” became a massive hit, proving the band had real musical chops and launching their successful career.
- Production: The song features studio musicians (part of the LA group The Wrecking Crew) rather than the Monkees themselves. Micky Dolenz’s distinctive lead vocals are what made it a Monkees classic.
Themes
- Romantic Longing: The song is about a man pleading with his girlfriend not to leave on an impending train. It captures the desperation and urgency of trying to hold on to a relationship.
- Anti-War Sentiment (Possible): Some interpretations suggest an anti-war theme. The train represents a soldier leaving for deployment (‘Clarksville’ potentially being a stand-in for a military base). The “war” is the Vietnam War, prominent during the song’s release.
Lyrics
Here’s a look at some key lyrics and their implications:
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“Take the last train to Clarksville / And I’ll meet you at the station / You can be here by 4:30 / ‘Cause I’ve made your reservation”: The speaker has a sense of urgency, knowing the time constraints and making efforts to see his lover.
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“Oh, and I don’t know why I love you like I do / All the time and everywhere I know / In time, I’ll know the reason why”: He’s deeply in love, even if he doesn’t yet fully understand his feelings.
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“And I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello”: He highlights a disconnect in their communication; he wants to stay together, and she wants to leave.
Video
Lyric
Take the last train to ClarksvilleAnd I’ll meet you at the stationYou can be here by 4:30‘Cause I’ve made your reservation
Don’t be slowOh, no, no, noOh, no, no, no
‘Cause I’m leavin’ in the morningAnd I must see you againWe’ll have one more night together‘Til the morning brings my train
And I must goOh, no, no, noOh, no, no, noAnd I don’t know if I’m ever comin’ home
Take the last train to ClarksvilleI’ll be waiting at the stationWe’ll have time for coffee flavored kissesAnd a bit of conversation
Oh, no, no, noOh, no, no, no
Take the last train to ClarksvilleNow I must hang up the phoneI can’t hear you in this noisy railroad station, all alone
I’m feelin’ lowOh, no, no, noOh, no, no, noAnd I don’t know if I’m ever coming home
Oh
Take the last train to ClarksvilleAnd I’ll meet you at the stationYou can be here by 4:30‘Cause I’ve made your reservation
Don’t be slowOh, no, no, noOh, no, no, noAnd I don’t know if I’m ever coming home
Take the last train to ClarksvilleTake the last train to ClarksvilleTake the last train to ClarksvilleTake the last train to Clarksville