Song Of The Day 12/13/2015: Davy Jones – “What Are We Going To Do”

Song Of The Day Outtakes 2015 – This was cut from the second installment of The Hidden '60s because it's far too lethal of a song. The original artist name on this record was "David Jones," but we're presenting it as Davy Jones because of all the things in the world, there is nothing so Davy Jones as this song. This is quintessential Davy Jones. "What Are We Going To Do" was Jones' second single from his pre-Monkees solo career and his first to chart in America, although in true Hidden '60s spirit it stalled out at #93. It didn't even chart in Jones' British homeland, a fact that is utterly mystifying to me. It's a deadly earworm as well. Even if you hate this song, and I figure there's at least a 50-50 chance that you'll be poisoned by its sucrose content, I'm pretty sure that after one listen you won't be able to get it out of your head without extended electro-shock therapy which is of course frowned upon. What is it about this number that's so infectious? Could it be the electric guitar that's played much more like a ukulele than a guitar? Is it the high-pitched bell chimes serving as a regimented Greek chorus to our overly worried puppy lovers? Maybe it's the lovers' baffling trepidation about telling the girl's dad that they're going steady. What's the worst that can happen? What is he, a vice cop? A priest? A member of parliament? Denholm Elliott? Or possibly it's the adorable way Davy sings the word "love" with the scantiest hint of a long "o" sound. (See also: The Rutles' "I Must Be In Love.") Whatever, you're left to ponder it for years and years and years, because it's never going to get away from you now. It'll haunt your days, star in your dreams, cozy up alongside you on the loveseat and ask you to take out the trash. For the rest of your life. See ya!