Song of the Day 10/16: Mickey Dolenz, “Shiny Happy People”

Rock is deep into its post-modern phase. How else to explain 78-year-old Mickey Dolenz, the last surviving Monkee, releasing an EP of R.E.M. covers? Well, maybe as time being a flat circle – R.E.M. was one of the first bands to cite the Monkees as an influence.

“Shiny Happy People” might be the song that best demonstrated it. Reviled by critics and many of the band’s fans, its sing-song melody and frothy lyrics translate perfectly into the Monkees’ style, expertly recreated by Christian Nesmith, Mike’s son, who plays most of the instruments as well.

The EP, which also contains covers of “Radio Free Europe” and “Man on the Moon,” drops Nov. 7.

R.E.M.’s original version, featuring back-up vocals by Kate Pierson of the B-52s, was the second single from their breakthrough “Out of Time” LP in 1991. It reached No. 10 on the Hot 100, the last of the band’s singles to reach the Top 10.

Some people prefer “Furry Happy Monsters,” the parody version the band performed on “Sesame Street” with new Michael Stipe lyrics and a muppet Kate Pierson.