Interesting little tid bit from another great band of that era...Paul Revere and the Raiders also recorded "I'm not your stepping stone". Not sure who was first but the Monkee's made it famous.
Wikipedia says PR's version was released in May ('66), Monkees in November, but it was a Boyce and Hart tune. You know how it was back then, songwriters cranked 'em out and anybody who wanted to cover it, did.
The MOnkees had the weekly show to help exposure, don't think P&R got similar exposure until they were almost the house band for "Where the Action Is", but "Kicks" was a hit before the Monkees were ever heard of.
HAHA!
Like a teenager's hair without Prell shampoo, this place would be dull and lifeless without 'em!