Rediscover the Psychedelic Charm: Enjoy “Can You Dig It?” by The Monkees (1968)
When discussing the vibrant tapestry of late 1960s pop and psychedelic rock, few groups captured the whimsical yet compelling sound of the era quite like The Monkees. Often labeled as the “Prefab Four” due to their origins as a made-for-television band, The Monkees consistently defied industry expectations, evolving from a studio-controlled pop group to artists asserting increasingly greater creative control. Released in 1968 as part of their experimental and genre-blurring album, Head, the track “Can You Dig It?” stands as a testament to their artistic ambition and openness to the changing cultural tides.
By 1968, America’s youth was in the midst of an ideological awakening. The Summer of Love and the psychedelic movement left a deep impression on music, and it was in this rich, transformative milieu that The Monkees released this intriguing track. Unlike the foursome’s earlier offerings—cheerful, radio-friendly hits like “I’m a Believer” or “Daydream Believer”—“Can You Dig It?” dives headfirst into an atmospheric, almost eastern-influenced sonic landscape. The song was written by band member Peter Tork, and his influence is unmistakable in the track’s meditative rhythm and abstract lyrical phrasing.
“Can You Dig It?” isn’t a song that aims for immediate gratification. Rather, much like the film Head itself—a surreal cinematic project that accompanied the album—it invites listeners into an expansive auditory journey. Built on a hypnotic instrumental bedrock, the track weaves in elements of psychedelia, spiritual introspection, and a subtle commentary on perception and reality. The listener is encouraged not just to hear, but to ponder the message beneath the lyrics, a defining feature of much late-60s musical output.
Noteworthy too is the arrangement. With its rolling tribal drums, sitar-influenced motifs, and dissonant harmonics, the song breaks with conventional pop structure, aligning more closely with acts like The Beatles’ later experimental phase or the avant-garde fringes of folk rock. This pivot reflects The Monkees’ growing maturity as musicians willing to push boundaries. While the track wasn’t a commercial single, it has endured in the hearts of longtime fans and curious newcomers who discover it through the soundtrack of Head or reissues of the band’s discography.
What truly makes “Can You Dig It?” worth revisiting today, over half a century later, is its quiet reverence for change—a musical elegy for a time when much of American youth was seeking deeper meaning beyond the material world. It reminds us that The Monkees, often unfairly dismissed as mere television fodder, had something far more nuanced and soulful to offer. Whether you’re rediscovering the track or hearing it for the first time, this song remains a thoughtful, intriguing slice of psychedelic pop history.