The lyrics are a veiled commentary on the Sunset Strip curfew riots, which occurred in Hollywood, California in late 1966. The record was arguably the very first rock recording to feature the Moog synthesizer, programmed by musician Paul Beaver and played by Micky Dolenz, who was the third owner of a Moog; the fills he played were described as "spacey UFO noises", and were characteristic of psychedelic music, which was then in vogue. The Moog sections were significantly different between the stereo and mono mixes of the track. Dolenz also provided the vocals. A music video in black and white was made for the series, with Dolenz miming his performance.
The song is simple musically, using the chords A Major, C Major, D Major, and E Major.
Daily Nightly
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through prisms of no color
Hand in hand, they walk the night
But never know each other
Passioned pastel neon lights
Light up the jeweled traveler
Who, lost in scenes of smoke-filled dreams
Startled eyes that sometimes see
Phantasmagoric splendor
Pirouette down palsied paths
With pennies for the vendor
Salvation's yours for just the time
It takes to pay the dancer
And once again, such anxious men
Find questions, but no answers
The night has gone
And taken its infractions
While reddened eyes
Hope there will be a next one
Sahara signs look down upon
A world that glitters glibly
And mountainsides put arms around
The unsuspecting city
Second hands that minds have slowed
Are moving even faster
Toward bringing down someone who's found
The questions, but no answers
The Monkees' song Daily Nightly is a surrealistic exploration of urban loneliness and the search for meaning in a world that seems to offer only artificial glitz and confusion. The lyrics describe a world of disconnection, where people move through the night like shadows, never truly knowing each other, lost in a sea of neon and smoke. The imagery is vivid and often unsettling, evoking a sense of disorientation and despair.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for what's to come: "Darkened rolling figures move/Through prisms of no color/Hand in hand, they walk the night/But never know each other." Here we have a vision of people wandering aimlessly through a desolate landscape, devoid of color or meaning. The use of the word "prisms" suggests a fractured, distorted view of reality, while the repetition of the phrase "but no answers" reinforces the theme of unfulfilled longing.
As the song progresses, we see glimpses of a world that is both alluring and dangerous. The "passioned pastel neon lights" are both beautiful and overwhelming, while the "smoke-filled dreams" suggest a state of confusion and disorientation. The idea of a "jeweled traveler" emphasizes the transience and superficiality of this world, while the repeated references to "questions" suggest a deeper yearning for meaning and understanding.
The final verse of the song is perhaps the most poignant: "Second hands that minds have slowed/Are moving even faster/Toward bringing down someone who's found/The questions, but no answers." Here we have a sense of time speeding up, with people frantically searching for something they know they may never find. The image of minds "slowed" suggests a kind of existential weariness, as people struggle to keep up with a world that is always changing and always out of reach.
Overall, Daily Nightly is a haunting and memorable song that captures the alienation and confusion of modern life, while also hinting at the possibility of redemption and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Darkened rolling figures move
Mysterious people are moving in the dark
Through prisms of no color
Through a colorless world
Hand in hand, they walk the night
Walking together, but not knowing each other
But never know each other
They don't connect on a deeper level
Passioned pastel neon lights
Bright lights that evoke strong emotions
Light up the jeweled traveler
Illuminate a worldly person
Who, lost in scenes of smoke-filled dreams
Who is distracted by illusions
Find questions, but no answers
Seeking meaning, but cannot find it
Startled eyes that sometimes see
Eyes that are occasionally shocked into awareness
Phantasmagoric splendor
Illusory, surreal beauty
Pirouette down palsied paths
Dance down shaky paths
With pennies for the vendor
With little to offer
Salvation's yours for just the time
You can temporarily save yourself
It takes to pay the dancer
By paying a performer
And once again, such anxious men
And yet, anxious people
Find questions, but no answers
Still find themselves lost
The night has gone
The night has ended
And taken its infractions
And taken its sins
While reddened eyes
With eyes still tired
Hope there will be a next one
Hope for another night
Sahara signs look down upon
Desert landmarks overlook
A world that glitters glibly
A world that superficially sparkles
And mountainsides put arms around
And the mountains embrace
The unsuspecting city
An unaware urban area
Second hands that minds have slowed
Ticking clocks, which slow down our thoughts
Are moving even faster
Are moving faster than expected
Toward bringing down someone who's found
Leading to the downfall of someone who has discovered
The questions, but no answers
The questions, without the answers
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Michael Nesmith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamesage24
If this had been written by Jim Morrison or performed by The Beatles it would be regarded as one of the great songs of all time and played daily nightly on classic rock stations (pun intended). But since it's The Monkees, it's relegated to second class & never gets any air play. Ridiculous. Put these guys in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame already.
@KristopherBernard
Totally. Even though it is completely original, it has the vibe of White Rabbit. Mickeys cadence feels a lot like Grace Slick...
@asylum00023
That is a great point! And this is not the only song that could be said about either. So much of their body of work is genius.
@tabbypappy
+James Age Amen!
@carmahammon7419
I so agree with you!
@jeffthewhiff
I wish the Monkees were in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame too, but I don't think it will ever happen.
@its-beady-eyes5120
This band was infinitely better than they ever got credit for. Other bands of the time got more accolades but now that I'm older it's the Monkees that I can't get enough of.
@danleggett5
Underrated LSD classic. Monkees shamefully underrated even today.
@BobbyGeneric145
Its funny lookin back on those bands and identifying the exact month they started getting high.
@QueenetBowie
C G
I remember telling friends of mine in high school that Mickey wrote Randy Scout Git himself, no one believed me, like flat out said I was wrong because they didn’t believe the actual Monkees could write such an incredible song. This was only in the mid 2000’s, so you’re correct, even today very few people recognize them as true talented musicians.