Came the dawn and you were gone...

Originally recorded by the California-based band The Electric Prunes, "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)" was penned by songwriting duo Annette Tucker and Nancie Mantz. The surreal song was a bit of a departure for the two, who previously wrote songs recorded by Tom Jones, Sonny and Cher, and The Brady Bunch. The Electric Prunes' recording reached as high as #11 in the pop charts,but and while the song is a little trippy, it showed only a glimpse of the song's psychedelic potential.

It wasn't until Rasputin and the Mad Monks recorded the song in late 1967 that "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)" reached its freak-out peak. This song is auditory acid. From its introductory countdown and lift off to the echo and sound effect heavy outro, the song sound as if it were recorded by someone who had too much of one thing or another last night. Lead singer Bob Raymond gives a powerful vocal performance, and avoids being lost in the midst of the song's layers of fuzz and sci-fi effects. During the song's freak-out (about 2/3 of the way through the song) you can hear backwards vocals, which if reversed reveal the band chanting "I had a dream last night," "psychedelic lollipops," and singing "Rock-a-bye Baby" amongst other gibberish.

Many cover songs sound redundant when placed side by side the original recording. But unlike many bands, Rasputin and the Mad Monks did a great job of interpreting the Electric Prunes' song by bringing something more to the table. Sure, a recording like this won't get you the #11 spot on the pop charts, but, nearly forty years later, the Mad Monks' version gives you a much better listening experience. Listeners are able to appreciate something hidden or previously unrecognized with each listen.


Rasputin and The Mad Monks
"I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)"
1967