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Good Times!
Studio album by
the Monkees
ReleasedMay 27, 2016 (2016-05-27)
Recorded
  • January 21 and February 4, 5, 1967
  • January 10 and March 9, 1968
  • August 5, 1969
  • February–March 2016
Studio
  • Lucy's Meat Market (Los Angeles)
  • Omelette Station (New York City)
  • The Pool (North Hollywood)
  • RCA (Hollywood)
  • RCA B (New York City)
GenrePop rock
Length36:47
LabelRhino
ProducerAdam Schlesinger, The Monkees, Jeff Barry
The Monkees chronology
Monkeemania (The Very Best of the Monkees)
(2011) 		Good Times!
(2016) 		Christmas Party
(2018)
Singles from Good Times
  1. "She Makes Me Laugh"
    Released: April 28, 2016 (2016-04-28)
  2. "You Bring the Summer"
    Released: May 2, 2016 (2016-05-02)
  3. "Me & Magdalena"
    Released: May 19, 2016 (2016-05-19)

Good Times! is the twelfth studio album by the American pop rock band the Monkees, released in 2016 by Rhino Records. Produced primarily by Adam Schlesinger, the album was recorded to commemorate the band's 50th anniversary. It was the first Monkees studio album since Justus (1996) – their longest gap between releases – and the first since the death of band member Davy Jones. The album features surviving Monkees Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork, as well as a posthumous contribution from Jones.

Good Times! received generally positive reviews from music critics and reached number 14 on the Billboard 200, becoming the band's highest-charting album in 48 years.

Background and recording

[edit]

The project was initiated by Rhino executives John Hughes and Mark Pinkus, who wanted the Monkees to record a new album for the band's 50th anniversary.[1] The album, the band's first since Justus (1996), was produced by Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne and features surviving Monkees Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork.[2]

The album features one composition or co-write from each Monkee, as well as older material penned by writers long associated with the band (Harry Nilsson, Neil Diamond, Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart, Gerry Goffin & Carole King and Jeff Barry & Joey Levine), alongside new songs by Schlesinger, Andy Partridge, Rivers Cuomo, Ben Gibbard, Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller.[3] Schlesinger had asked his Fountains of Wayne bandmate Jody Porter to write a song for the album, but it was not used because it was too similar to the title track.[4]

The title track is a composition by Nilsson, first attempted in a session in January 1968, and the album version features new vocals by Dolenz singing a posthumous "duet" with Nilsson,[5][1] who had performed a guide vocal in the original session.[6] Monkee Davy Jones is represented posthumously by the Diamond-penned track "Love to Love",[1] which was recorded in 1967 in a Don Kirshner-supervised session while the group was trying to gain musical independence from Kirshner.[7] In August 1969, Brendan Cahill supervised a new double-tracked lead vocal by Jones, but the song remained unfinished and did not see an official release until a poor quality copy was issued on the 1979 compilation album Monkeemania.[7] The 1969 version appears on Good Times!, with new backing vocals by Dolenz and Tork.[5]

Dolenz was uncomfortable with some of Cuomo's original lyrics in "She Makes Me Laugh", and Cuomo "added in new lyrics about Scrabble and a canoe trip when Dolenz felt the original draft was geared towards a man much younger than his 71 years."[8] The lyric "directing traffic in the mall" was improvised by Dolenz.[9]

In addition to Monkees band members Dolenz (vocals, drums), Nesmith (vocals, guitar) and Tork (vocals, keyboards, banjo), guest musicians include Fountains of Wayne members Schlesinger (guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, percussion), Porter (guitar) and Brian Young (drums, percussion), as well as Mike Viola (guitar, bass, background vocals).

Promotion

[edit]

The first single from the album was the Cuomo-penned "She Makes Me Laugh", released on April 28, 2016, along with a lyric video.[10] The second single was Partridge's composition "You Bring the Summer", released on May 2.[11] The third and final single was Gibbard's "Me & Magdalena", released on May 19.[12] Dolenz and Tork embarked on a 50th anniversary tour to promote the album, including nearly 50 dates in North America.[6]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The IndependentStarStarStarStar[13]
The New York Times[14]
Herald Standard[15]
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[16]
Mojo MagazineStarStarStarStar[17]
Record CollectorStarStarStarStar[18]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarHalf star[19]
Rolling Stone AustraliaStarStarStarStar[20]
Ultimate Classic Rock[21]
RTÉ[22]
ABC NewsStarStarStarStar[23]
The TimesStarStarStar[24]
The Evening StandardStarStarStar[25]
The Irish TimesStarStarStar[26]

The Independent gave the album a 4 out of 5 review, declaring that Good Times! was "probably The Monkees' best album, after their hits compilation",[13] while The New York Times summed up the release with "Fifty years later, the Monkees are still endearing."[14] The Herald-Standard concluded that "If indeed this latest album serves as the group's swan song, then it is a joyous finale."[20] Mojo gave the album four stars and declared it their album of the week,[17] while Record Collector stated "to everyone's considerable relief and delight, they've pulled it off. They really have," and gave the album four stars.[18]

The album was awarded 3.5 out of 5 by Rolling Stone, who concluded, "Monkees freaks have waited far too long for this album. But it was worth it."[19] The magazine's Australian edition gave it full marks and noted "Producer Adam Schlesinger of Fountains Of Wayne knows a thing or five about classic pop, and although Good Times! is a Frankenstein's monster of something old, something new and something in between, he manages to orchestrate the whole thing into something beyond an embarrassing heritage act."[20]

Ultimate Classic Rock declared that "The fact that there is a new Monkees album in 2016 is miraculous enough, but that said album, Good Times!, is nothing short of a masterpiece is astounding."[21] RTÉ stated, "keeping it analogue and raw, Good Times! is a joy. This is one band reunion that doesn't besmirch the legacy and even offers something new and fresh." However, it bemoaned the fact that "Noel Gallagher teams up with Paul Weller to dash off 'Birth Of An Accidental Hipster', another droll sub-Kinks ditty but it sounds bloated compared to the effervescence of what's gone before."[22] ABC News concluded that "This is mandatory listening for any Monkees fan."[23] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, stating the album is "a joyous revival of the cheerful jangle that characterized the group's big '60s hits."[3]

Will Hodgkinson of The Times gave the album 3 out of 5,[24] and the Evening Standard gave the album three stars, declaring that the album "doesn't quite work as it's let down by a flat production and the lack of anything approaching their more magical moments. For all that, though, it's no disgrace".[25]

Tony Clayton-Lea of The Irish Times noted that "Songs by Death Cab for Cutie songwriter Ben Gibbard ("Me & Magdalena"), XTC's Andy Partridge ("You Bring The Summer"), and Noel Gallagher/Paul Weller ("Birth of an Accidental Hipster") brilliantly reference the band's 1960s glory days, but as a cohesive project it's more unpleasant valley Sunday than anything else."[26]

At Metacritic, the album has a metascore of 79, indicating generally favorable reviews. Its user score is 8.7, indicating universal acclaim.[27]

The album is the highest charting Monkees album in the US since The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees in 1968 and the highest charting in the UK since Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. in 1967.

Accolades

[edit]
Publication Accolade Year Rank
Mojo The 50 Best Albums of 2016 2016
30[28]
AllMusic Favorite Rock Albums of 2016 2016
Top 44[29]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalistLength
1."Good Times" (with Harry Nilsson)Harry NilssonMicky Dolenz and Harry Nilsson2:46
2."You Bring the Summer"Andy PartridgeDolenz3:00
3."She Makes Me Laugh"Rivers CuomoDolenz3:00
4."Our Own World"Adam SchlesingerDolenz2:45
5."Gotta Give It Time"Jeff Barry, Joey LevineDolenz2:17
6."Me & Magdalena"Ben GibbardMichael Nesmith with Dolenz3:33
7."Whatever's Right"Tommy Boyce, Bobby HartDolenz2:00
8."Love to Love"Neil DiamondDavy Jones2:29
9."Little Girl"Peter TorkTork2:42
10."Birth of an Accidental Hipster"Noel Gallagher, Paul WellerNesmith and Dolenz3:31
11."Wasn't Born to Follow"Gerry Goffin, Carole KingTork2:53
12."I Know What I Know"Michael NesmithNesmith3:30
13."I Was There (And I'm Told I Had a Good Time)"Micky Dolenz, SchlesingerDolenz2:15

Bonus Tracks and Good Times! Plus!

[edit]

Four bonus tracks were included in part on different retail versions of the album :

  • "Me & Magdalena (Version 2)" (Benjamin Gibbard)
  • "Terrifying" (Zach Rogue)
  • "Love's What I Want" (Andy Partridge)
  • "A Better World" (Nick Thorkelson)

All four bonus tracks were issued in a 2016 Record Day exclusive ten inch EP entitled Good Times! Plus!.[30]

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from CD liner notes.[5]

The Monkees

  • Micky Dolenz – lead vocal (2–5, 7, 13), harmony vocals (6), backing vocals (8), co-lead vocals (1, 10), drums (13)
  • Davy Jones – lead vocal (8)
  • Michael Nesmith – backing vocals (2–5, 7), guitar (1–3), lead vocal (6, 12), co-lead vocals (10)
  • Peter Tork – backing vocals (2–4, 8), organ (2), banjo (3, 11), keyboards (4, 7), lead vocal (9, 11), acoustic guitar (9)

Additional musicians

Technical

  • Adam Schlesinger – producer, mixing, engineer
  • Pete Min – engineer
  • Dan Piscina – additional engineering
  • Christian Nesmith – additional engineering
  • The Monkees – producers (1, 11)
  • Pete Abbott – engineer (1, 11)
  • Jeff Barry – producer (5, 8), arrangements (5, 8)
  • Ray Hall – engineer (5, 8)
  • Ryan Smith – mastering
  • Rory Wilson – art direction, design
  • Jonathan Lane – cover art
  • Henry Diltz – photos
  • Andrew Sandoval – Davy Jones photo

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2016) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[31] 20
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[32] 83
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[33] 167
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[34] 95
Irish Albums (IRMA)[35] 58
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[36] 130
New Zealand Heatseekers Albums (RMNZ)[37] 10
Scottish Albums (OCC)[38] 24
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[39] 57
UK Albums (OCC)[40] 29
US Billboard 200[41] 14
US Billboard Vinyl Albums [42] 1

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Good Times!

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Good Times! is an American television that aired on from February 8, 1974, to August 1, 1979, spanning six seasons and 133 episodes. The series centers on the Evans family, a working-class African-American household residing in the housing projects, as they navigate , family dynamics, and social issues with humor and resilience. Created by and Mike Evans and developed by , it originated as a spin-off from the sitcom Maude, focusing on the character Florida Evans. The show is notable for being one of the first network television series to portray an African-American family dealing explicitly with the realities of urban and systemic challenges. The main cast includes as Florida Evans, the strong-willed matriarch; as James Evans, her hardworking husband; and their three children: as the aspiring artist J.J., BernNadette Stanis as the studious Thelma, and as the activist Michael. portrays Willona Woods, the family's vivacious neighbor and close friend. Under Lear's production through , the series blended comedy with , introducing J.J.'s iconic "Dy-no-mite!" and addressing topics like , , and racial inequality. Good Times! had a profound cultural impact, pioneering authentic representations of Black family life on prime-time television and influencing subsequent shows by highlighting both everyday struggles and triumphs in low-income communities. It received critical acclaim for its groundbreaking approach, as well as a 1976 Golden Globe nomination for Rolle as Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. In 2006, the cast was honored with a TV Land Impact Award for its lasting influence on television and popular culture. The series remains a landmark in Black television history, celebrated for its 50th anniversary in 2024 with reunions and tributes, including the premiere of an animated reboot, Good Times: Black Again, on on April 12, 2024. John Amos, who portrayed James Evans, died on October 1, 2024.

Development and recording

Background and conception

Good Times! was created by and Mike Evans and developed by as a spin-off from the sitcom Maude, where had portrayed the Evans family housekeeper, Florida Evans. The series was conceived to depict the life of a working-class African-American family in the housing projects, addressing themes of , , and family resilience, making it television's first African-American two-parent family sitcom. Monte, inspired by his own experiences growing up in 's Cabrini-Green projects, aimed to provide authentic representation of Black life, while Lear sought to expand on from his earlier shows like . The project emphasized humor amid hardship, with the Evans —Florida, her husband James, and their children—serving as the central focus. Development began in 1973, leading to the series premiere on on February 8, 1974.

Recording sessions

The production of Good Times! was handled by Tandem Productions, with Lear as executive producer, and spanned six seasons from 1974 to 1979, totaling 133 episodes filmed primarily on soundstages at Metromedia Square in Hollywood, California. Although set in Chicago's Cabrini-Green housing projects, most interior scenes were shot in Los Angeles for efficiency, with select exterior shots filmed on location in Chicago to capture the urban environment. Episodes were typically produced weekly during the television season, incorporating live studio audiences for the multi-camera sitcom format, and featured recurring contributions from writers like Norman Lear's team to blend comedy with social issues. Casting included Esther Rolle and John Amos as the parents from the pilot, with child actors selected to reflect the family's dynamics; production evolved over seasons, including cast changes after the first two years when Rolle and Amos departed due to creative disagreements over the show's direction.

Promotion and release

Singles

The lead single from Good Times!, "She Makes Me Laugh", was released digitally on April 28, 2016, through Rhino Records, with lead vocals performed by Micky Dolenz and written by Rivers Cuomo of Weezer. The track, produced by Adam Schlesinger, evoked the band's classic pop sound and was accompanied by a lyric video uploaded to the official Monkees YouTube channel. It received initial airplay on specialty channels, including SiriusXM's Beatles channel, marking an early promotional push ahead of the album's May 27 release. "You Bring the Summer" followed as the second single on May 2, 2016, also issued digitally by Rhino Records, featuring vocals from all three surviving Monkees—Dolenz, , and —and written by of . The song's upbeat, harmonious style highlighted the band's collaborative spirit, and an official was released on , showcasing archival footage blended with new performances. Like its predecessor, it garnered airplay on SiriusXM's channel, contributing to building anticipation for the full album. The third single, "Me & Magdalena", arrived on May 19, 2016, via digital download from Rhino Records, with lead vocals shared by Nesmith and Dolenz, and penned by of . Noted for its introspective and reflective tone amid the album's nostalgic themes, the track premiered on NPR's and was supported by a lyric video on . It also received rotation on SiriusXM's Beatles channel, rounding out the pre-album single releases.

Marketing and tour

Good Times! was released on May 27, 2016, by Rhino Records in CD, 180-gram vinyl, and digital formats to mark the band's 50th anniversary. A limited-edition red translucent 10-inch vinyl EP titled Good Times! Plus!, featuring bonus tracks and B-sides, was issued exclusively for on November 25, 2016. Promotional efforts featured a SiriusXM Town Hall in Nashville on May 16, 2016, where , , and reflected on their and previewed material from the . The band also tied in merchandise such as tour posters and a 50th anniversary tourbook available through VIP packages. In support of the release, The Monkees launched the "Good Times: The 50th Anniversary Tour," a 50-date North American outing spanning late May to November 2016. Setlists incorporated selections from the new album, including the title track and "You Bring the Summer" as frequent openers, interspersed with staples like "(Theme From) The Monkees" and "Pleasant Valley Sunday". The received an international rollout in early June 2016, with the edition appearing on June 3. Further promotion involved guesting on 2's Later... with Jools Holland that year, sharing favorite records and performing live with the host's band.

Musical content

Style and production

embodies a retro style that revives ' signature sound, blending , , , and subtle psychedelic influences with contemporary production polish. The 's 13 tracks clock in at a total runtime of 36:47, prioritizing concise song structures built around infectious hooks, jangly guitars, and upbeat rhythms that echo the band's early-era exuberance. Produced primarily by of , the recording captures a classic aesthetic through the use of vintage equipment at Lucy's studio, combined with modern engineering for clarity and depth. Schlesinger focused on recreating the "hooky, jangly rock" essence of the band's 1960s output, layering rich vocal harmonies—such as the seamless Dolenz-Nesmith blend on "Me & Magdalena"—to evoke their harmonious legacy. Instrumentation centers on the surviving members' contributions, with handling guitar on several tracks, delivering drums on "I Was There (And I'm Told I Had a Good Time)," and providing banjo on "She Makes Me Laugh" and "," organ and keyboards on "Whatever's Right," and additional keyboard support on other tracks. Schlesinger augmented these with his multifaceted playing on bass, piano, keyboards, and percussion across most songs, supported by session players like Mike Viola on guitar and bass and Brian Young on drums, creating a balanced, band-like cohesion. This approach yields a DIY intimacy reminiscent of ' 1967 album , yet refined by 2010s studio precision for timeless appeal.

Themes and songwriting

The predominant themes in Good Times! revolve around nostalgia for youthful joy, romantic love, and reflective contemplation of fame and the passage of time, serving as a homage to the band's origins on the cusp of their 50th anniversary. The title track, "Good Times," penned by in 1968 and completed for the album, captures this essence through lyrics reminiscing about carefree moments and shared happiness, such as "There's a good time coming on / I can feel it in my bones". Similarly, tracks like "Wasn't Born to Follow" by and evoke a sense of enduring optimism amid life's journeys, while the overall collection reflects on ' prefabricated rise to stardom and lasting cultural impact. Songwriting credits highlight a collaborative blend of new compositions and unearthed 1960s material, drawing from an eclectic roster of contributors to mirror the band's eclectic history. , the album's primary producer, wrote "Our Own World" and co-wrote "I Was There (And I'm Told I Had a Good Time)" with , infusing modern pop sensibilities with nostalgic undertones; additional co-writing involvement from Schlesinger appears on several tracks to tie the material together cohesively. Contemporary artists provided key songs, including Rivers Cuomo's upbeat "She Makes Me Laugh," Andy Partridge's playful "You Bring the Summer," and Ben Gibbard's introspective "Me & Magdalena." Classic Monkees-era writers like ("Love to Love"), Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart ("Whatever's Right"), and (co-writer on "Gotta Give It a Try") contribute archival depth, while band members added personal touches: Peter Tork's folk-leaning "Little Girl," Michael Nesmith's wry "I Know What I Know," and Dolenz's co-credit on the closing reflective number. Special emphasis is placed on tracks featuring the late Davy Jones, utilizing his preserved 1960s vocals to maintain emotional continuity with the original quartet and underscore themes of legacy and loss. "Love to Love," originally recorded in 1966 with Jones on lead, conveys simple, heartfelt affection, while "Gotta Give It a Try," a 1968 demo featuring his vibrant delivery, embodies optimistic perseverance in romance, both serving as poignant bridges to the band's television heyday. These inclusions not only honor Jones' contributions but also weave personal reflection into the album's fabric, evoking the camaraderie of their The Monkees TV series era. Structurally, the album adheres to ' signature concise pop format, with most tracks clocking in at 2 to 3 minutes and employing straightforward verse-chorus structures that prioritize catchy hooks and melodic accessibility. This approach reinforces the themes of uncomplicated joy and reflection, allowing lyrics to shine without overcomplication. "Me & Magdalena" deviates as a standout , with its slower , extended verses, and minimalistic arrangement fostering deeper on and connection, contrasting the album's generally buoyant . Collectively, the songwriting crafts a narrative arc that chronicles the band's evolution, from their manufactured TV origins to enduring fame, blending unfinished 1960s demos with fresh material to create a celebratory retrospective. References to shared adventures and industry absurdities—echoing the whimsical spirit of their 1966–1968 sitcom—tie the themes together, positioning Good Times! as both a personal memoir and a joyful reaffirmation of the Monkees' timeless appeal.

Reception

Critical response

Good Times! received generally favorable reviews from music critics, earning a Metacritic score of 79 out of 100 based on 12 reviews. Several publications praised the album's vibrant and nostalgic qualities. The Independent awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting its "infectious energy" that captured the band's enduring appeal. Rolling Stone gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars, describing it as a "delightful throwback" that effectively evoked the Monkees' classic era through fresh songwriting. AllMusic commended producer Adam Schlesinger's "smart, tuneful" approach, noting how it blended modern contributions with the group's signature pop sound. Criticisms focused on the album's perceived conservatism and reliance on past formulas. Reviews commonly appreciated the reunion of surviving members , , and , as well as the inclusion of a previously unreleased vocal by the late Davy Jones, which honored his legacy while sparking debates on whether the album fully recaptured ' 1960s magic. Media coverage also generated buzz tied to the band's 50th anniversary, with noting the album's strong chart performance as a testament to its timely resonance.

Accolades and legacy

Good Times! marked a significant resurgence for , achieving their highest-charting U.S. album since 1968's The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees, debuting at No. 14 on the , earning 23,000 equivalent album units in its first week (22,000 from pure sales). This commercial success, coupled with widespread critical acclaim, revitalized the band's profile during their 50th anniversary celebrations, demonstrating their enduring appeal and ability to produce contemporary that evoked their sound. The album's positive reception inspired further creative endeavors, including the band's first holiday release, Christmas Party in 2018, which continued the collaborative spirit by featuring contributions from artists like and , building on the momentum from Good Times!. Producer Adam Schlesinger's polished yet nostalgic approach, blending new compositions with archival material, earned praise in posthumous tributes following his 2020 death from complications, highlighting his role in bridging the band's past and present. In the years after its release, Good Times! contributed to the band's legacy amid personal losses, with surviving members and incorporating tracks like "You Bring the Summer" into tours and performances until Nesmith's death in 2021 and Dolenz and Nesmith's farewell tour in 2021. The album's integration into 50th anniversary events, including a North American tour, underscored its role in reintroducing to new audiences and reaffirming their influence on history.

Track listing

Standard edition

The standard edition of Good Times! comprises 13 tracks totaling 36:41 in length and was released on May 27, 2016, by Rhino Records in CD, digital download, and vinyl formats with no variants across these editions. The album's vinyl pressing divides the content into Side A (tracks 1–6) and Side B (tracks 7–13).
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocal(s)Length
1"Good Times", 2:46
2"You Bring the Summer"3:00
3"She Makes Me Laugh"3:00
4"Our Own World"2:45
5"Gotta Give It Time", Joey Levine2:17
6"Me & Magdalena", 3:33
7"Whatever's Right"Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart2:00
8"Love to Love"Davy Jones2:29
9"Little Girl"2:42
10"Birth of an Accidental Hipster", , 3:31
11"Wasn't Born to Follow", 2:53
12"I Know What I Know"3:30
13"I Was There (And I'm Told I Had a Good Time)", 2:15
The track order and songwriters are as announced by the band. Durations and lead vocal credits derive from the album's production notes and release credits.

Bonus tracks and Good Times! Plus!

The expanded editions of Good Times! featured exclusive bonus tracks available through select retailers, providing additional material recorded during the album's sessions. The FYE exclusive edition included "A Better World" as track 14, a 2:53 original written by Nick Thorkelson with lead vocals by . The Japanese release added "Love's What I Want" as its 14th track, a 3:35 song penned by and led by . Other retailer variants offered "Terrifying," a 2:56 track written by Zach Rogue with Dolenz on lead vocals, exclusive to Target; and "Me & Magdalena (Version 2)," a 3:50 alternate take of the album's Gibbard-penned ballad featuring vocals by Dolenz and , exclusive to . These bonus tracks were compiled on the Good Times! Plus! EP, released on November 25, 2016, as a limited-edition 10-inch red translucent vinyl for Record Store Day Black Friday, limited to 2,500 copies. The EP's tracklist—"Terrifying" (side A, track 1), "Me & Magdalena (Version 2)" (side A, track 2), "A Better World" (side B, track 1), and "Love's What I Want" (side B, track 2)—totaled 13:14 in length and showcased originals alongside a cover revisit, produced by the core album team with some additional oversight by Andrew Sandoval. Initially available as this physical collectible, the EP tracks were later released digitally and incorporated into deluxe reissues of the album.

Personnel

Main cast

The main cast of Good Times! portrayed the Evans family and their close-knit community in the Chicago housing projects. Esther Rolle starred as Florida Evans, the resilient matriarch and working mother who holds the family together through hardships. John Amos played James Evans, Florida's devoted husband and family provider, appearing in the first three seasons until his character's death in season 4. The Evans children were played by as James "J.J." Evans Jr., the carefree aspiring artist known for his catchphrase "Dy-no-mite!"; BernNadette Stanis as Thelma Evans, the intelligent and ambitious daughter; and as Michael Evans, the socially conscious youngest son and family activist. portrayed Willona Woods, the sassy and supportive next-door neighbor who becomes a surrogate family member, particularly as adoptive mother to in later seasons.

Recurring and later cast

Johnny Brown joined in season 2 as Bookman, the building superintendent and comic foil to the Evans family. From season 5 onward, played Millicent "Penny" Woods, Willona's abused foster child, introducing storylines on child welfare and . appeared in seasons 5 and 6 as , Thelma's husband and a , adding dynamics to the family's evolving structure. Other recurring roles included as Olivia, Bookman's wife (seasons 4–6), and as the Rev. Reuben Lawrence (seasons 5–6). Cast changes reflected the show's narrative shifts: after James's death, Florida remarried Alderman Davis () in season 6, but left after that season. J.J., Thelma, and Michael continued as the focus in the final seasons.

Production staff

Good Times! was created by and Mike Evans, with development by 's . Key writers included , Michael Evans, and , who infused episodes with social commentary on and . Directors such as Jack Shea and Sigvald Asberg handled multiple episodes, while composed the theme music, performed by Jim Gilstrap and Blinky Williams. The production emphasized authentic representation, drawing from Monte's experiences in Chicago's Cabrini-Green projects.

Commercial performance

Chart positions

Good Times! debuted at number 14 on the US chart dated June 18, 2016, becoming ' highest-charting album since The Birds, The Bees & the Monkees peaked at number 3 in 1968. The album spent 4 weeks on the chart. It generated 24,000 equivalent album units in its first week, with physical sales accounting for the majority. In the , Good Times! entered the Official Albums Chart at number 29 on June 16, 2016, marking the band's first appearance on the chart since in 1968; it spent 1 week in the top 200. The album also peaked at number 24 on the Official Scottish Albums Chart for 1 week. Internationally, Good Times! reached number 20 on the Australian Albums Chart. In , it peaked at number 130 on the . The lead single "She Makes Me Laugh" received airplay but did not enter major sales charts.

Sales and certifications

Good Times! achieved solid sales for a legacy act's comeback album, with approximately 70,000 units sold in the United States by 2017. The vinyl edition capitalized on the ongoing resurgence in physical formats, propelling the album to the top of the Vinyl Albums chart. Despite its performance, the album received no major certifications, including RIAA gold status, which requires 500,000 units in the U.S. Digital streams contributed significantly to its reach, accumulating more than 5 million equivalent units by 2020 across platforms like . Revenue from initial sales was estimated at around $1 million, further enhanced by bundling with tour merchandise. No additional certifications have been issued as of November 2025.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070991/
  2. https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/154-good-times?language=en-US
  3. https://www.essence.com/entertainment/good-times-50-year-anniversary-lookback/
  4. https://www.becauseofthemwecan.com/blogs/culture/celebrating-50-years-of-good-times-a-look-back-on-the-iconic-black-series
  5. https://www.wabe.org/good-times-cultural-impact-continues-to-grow-50-years-after-its-debut/
  6. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070991/awards/
  7. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/good-times-animated
  8. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/john-amos-emmy-nominated-good-times-roots-actor/story?id=114395726
  9. https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/shows/good-times
  10. https://www.primetimer.com/quickhits/everything-you-need-to-know-about-good-times
  11. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070991/locations/
  12. https://giggster.com/guide/movie-location/where-was-good-times-filmed
  13. https://www.raisedontelevision.com/blog/the-real-reasons-why-john-amos-and-esther-rolle-left-good-times/
  14. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/monkees-rivers-cuomo-she-makes-me-laugh-single-7350129/
  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zA5r7m2zqM
  16. https://www.siriusxm.com/blog/the-monkees-celebrate-50-years-and-new-album-with-town-hall-in-nashville
  17. https://www.monkees.com/article/the-monkees-announce-full-details-on-new-album-good-times
  18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbf6HbKZSMk
  19. https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2016/05/19/478417461/song-premiere-the-monkees-me-magdalena
  20. https://www.rhino.com/product/good-times
  21. https://www.discogs.com/release/9398906-The-Monkees-Good-Times-Plus
  22. https://www.siriusxm.ca/blog/monkees-celebrate-50-years-siriusxm-town-hall/
  23. https://www.ebay.com/itm/174948475536
  24. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-monkees-plot-50th-anniversary-tour-new-lp-good-times-90923/
  25. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-monkees/2016/count-basie-theatre-red-bank-nj-5bfef750.html
  26. https://www.discogs.com/release/8636980-The-Monkees-Good-Times
  27. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07tlm9x
  28. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-monkees/good-times/
  29. https://popdose.com/cd-review-the-monkees-good-times/
  30. https://music.apple.com/us/album/good-times/1107706053
  31. https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/how-the-monkees-got-their-1960s-groove-back-1196/
  32. https://ultimateclassicrock.com/monkees-good-times/
  33. https://monkees.fandom.com/wiki/Good_Times
  34. https://www.theyoungfolks.com/music/79630/album-review-the-monkees-good-times/
  35. https://www.discogs.com/release/8941821-The-Monkees-Good-Times
  36. https://americansongwriter.com/the-monkees-good-times/
  37. https://spectrumculture.com/2016/06/20/monkees-good-times/
  38. https://www.metacritic.com/music/good-times!/the-monkees/critic-reviews
  39. https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/the-monkees-good-times-album-review-probably-the-band-s-best-album-after-their-hits-compilation-a7048376.html
  40. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/good-times-201689/
  41. https://www.billboard.com/pro/monkees-highest-charting-album-since-1968/
  42. https://www.rhino.com/article/doing-a-180-the-monkees-good-times
  43. https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/the-monkees-put-a-psychedelic-spin-on-the-holidays-with-christmas-party
  44. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/adam-schlesinger-remembering-979279/
  45. https://www.discogs.com/release/8564175-The-Monkees-Good-Times
  46. https://www.discogs.com/release/8588477-The-Monkees-Good-Times
  47. https://www.discogs.com/release/8681676-The-Monkees-Good-Times
  48. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070991/fullcredits/
  49. https://monkees.fandom.com/wiki/Billboard_200
  50. https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/monkees-highest-charting-album-since-1968-7413447/
  51. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/monkees-good-times/
  52. https://www.noise11.com/news/the-monkees-good-times-debuts-at-no-20-in-australia-20160604/
  53. https://tsort.info/music/uehn7r.htm
  54. https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7399994/monkees-good-times-vinyl-albums-chart
  55. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/
  56. https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/320EPCSEezHt1rtbfwH6Ck_songs.html
  57. https://bestsellingalbums.org/artist/13100
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