D. W. Washburn

"D.W. Washburn"
Single by The Monkees
B-side	"It's Nice to Be With You"
Released	May 27, 1968
Recorded	February 17 and March 1, 1968
Label	Colgems 66-1023 / RCA 1706
Writer(s)	Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
The Monkees singles chronology
"Valleri" (1968) "D.W. Washburn" (1968) "Porpoise Song" (1968)

"D.W. Washburn"
Single by The Coasters
B-side	"Everybody's Woman"
Released	July 1968
Recorded	October 31, 1967
Label	Date Records 1617
Writer(s)	Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
The Coasters singles chronology
"She Can" (1968) "D.W. Washburn" (1968) "Act Right" (1969)

"D.W. Washburn" is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Two famous recordings of the song are by The Coasters and The Monkees. It was also included in the musical Smokey Joe's Cafe.

Lyrics

The lyrics tell a story of a derelict (Washburn), chosen by a well-meaning charity for a wash-up and a meal. Washburn rejects the offer, though, being jobless and preferring drunkenness to having to go to work.

Recordings

The Monkees' version of "D.W. Washburn" was the first single they released after the second and final season of their series on NBC concluded. All their previous singles reached the #1, #2, or #3 positions from strong promotion through their use in various episodes; without this boost, the song became the band's first to miss the Top Ten in the U.S. Billboard charts. Competition from the Coasters version also cut into sales.

The Monkees continued to perform the song, during their 1980s and later reunions. One performance was on Nashville Now; a country music showcase.