🌻 About the Song
It’s almost impossible to hear Daydream Believer and not grin like an idiot. Released in 1968, this cheerful slice of pop sunshine was written by John Stewart (formerly of The Kingston Trio) and recorded by The Monkees at the tail end of their television glory days. Davy Jones sang lead with that unmistakable boyish croon — half heartthrob, half mischief.
The song’s about that gentle domestic moment between fantasy and reality — waking up next to the one you love, realising life’s not perfect, and loving it anyway. It’s both sweet and slightly sad, like the end of a perfect weekend. Stewart later said he never expected it to be a hit, but The Monkees’ version turned into one of the biggest feel-good anthems of the decade.
It’s pure 60s optimism: equal parts coffee, sunlight, and good intentions — which makes it absolutely ripe for the uke.
🎸 Ukulele Playing Tips
- Chords: G – Em – C – D, with a tasty A7 or Bm in the bridge if you fancy the full flavour.
- Strumming pattern: Down–down-up-up-down-up, bouncy and relaxed at around 124 bpm.
- Tone: Bright and happy — use the fleshy part of your thumb for the downstrokes to keep it warm, not harsh.
- Dynamics: Start soft on the verses (“Oh, I could hide ‘neath the wings…”) and open up on the chorus (“Cheer up, sleepy Jean…”).
- Optional trick: Play the last verse finger-picked — soft arpeggios — then strum the final chorus full tilt. Instant goosebumps.
- Singalong secret: This is one of those songs where everyone knows the chorus, even if they swear they don’t. Slow down the final “Oh, what can it mean…” and let the crowd finish it for you.
🧠 Trivia You Can Drop Casually
- Writer John Stewart was a member of The Kingston Trio — he sold Daydream Believer for $500 and later joked, “I should’ve asked for points.”
- The Monkees’ producer almost cut the line “Now you know how happy I can be” for being “too corny.” He didn’t — thank god.
- Davy Jones claimed he didn’t like his own vocal take, but fans disagreed — it became his signature performance.
- The song was revived multiple times — most famously by Anne Murray in 1980 — proving daydreamers never really go out of style.
🌈 Final Word
Play Daydream Believer like a sunrise — gentle at first, glowing by the end.
Let the uke sparkle, keep your smile audible, and remember: the whole point is to sound like happiness got turned into sound waves.
