The Monkees assembled to be the stars of an American television series of t… Read Full Bio ↴The Monkees assembled to be the stars of an American television series of the same name, which ran on NBC from 1966 to 1968. The original lineup was: Micky Dolenz (drums, vocals), Michael Nesmith (guitar, vocals), Davy Jones (percussion, vocals) and Peter Tork (bass, keyboards, vocals) . The Monkees were formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California and initially disbanded in 1970 at the conclusion of their recording contract. At their peak they were competing with The Beatles for the top spot on album charts.

In the years since their original disbanding, the group has reunited in various incarnations, mostly involving Dolenz, Tork and Jones, but not Nesmith. The first reunion began in 1986 and at first featured only Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork. Davy Jones joined the others and a new album was released before they split again in 1989.

The next regrouping took place between 1993 and 1997 and featured a new album that included the particpation of all four members. A further reunion between 2001 and 2002, was followed by another reunion in 2011 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the television show. This reunion was cut short before 2011 had ended due to scheduling problems with the anniversary tour.

The unexpected death of Davy Jones at the beginning of 2012 prompted the most recent reunion tour, this time featuring Dolenz, Tork and Nesmith.

Created by producers of a TV series to be an American Beatles, the antics of the Monkees band members on the television series were very reminscent of Beatles' antics in films like 'Help' and 'Hard Day's Night'. Indeed, in songs like 'Forget that Girl...', the band and even the lead singer could sound just like the Beatles. With songs provided by Don Kirshner from such writers as Neil Diamond and Carole King, among others, the Monkees were assured of pop success. However, in the beginning, the four group members were hired only as actors to front the band and to provide the vocals whilst studio musicians recorded the backing music. These recordings were provided by Kirshner. Things changed though after the success of the single Last Train to Clarksville, the first hit, leading to demands that the band play live gigs. Having learned to play the music, the band became angry when the second LP was recorded (by Kirshner) by studio musicians, without their knowledge or musical input. They therefore demanded and obtained control of the music.

Nesmith who revealed that the band did not perform on their records was also instrumental in getting Don Kirshner sacked. the next album Headquarters was recorded by The Monkees alone, using hand picked producer Chip Douglas. While not as successful as their first two albums it made it to number one, only to be replaced a week later by The Beatles' Sgt Pepper album. The Monkees eventually settled on a formula of using their own talents as well as those of studio musicians. After two seasons the network and the group could not reach agreement on the format of a third season and the show was canceled even though the ratings were still high. A feature film named Head co-written by The Monkees, Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson) followed.

Peter Tork was the first to leave the band, in 1968, during 1969 The TV show went into Saturday morning reruns and the three remaining Monkees recorded two more albums. in 1969 Nesmith departed and began a serious foray into merging country and rock music. He also eventually developed a format that became MTV. By the way his mother invented a product called Liquid Paper, sold it to the Gillette Company for $47 million dollars then died a year later leaving the money to her only son. The remaining two Monkees Dolenz and Jones recorded one last album named Changes in late 1969.

There has, however, been a resurgent interest in The Monkees' music Rhino Records has been instrumental in restoring all their albums, adding bonus tracks, and equipping them with complementary liner notes and stories.

Davy Jones died on February 29, 2012 in Indiantown, Florida.

Peter Tork died on February 21, 2019, at his home in Mansfield, Connecticut.

Michael Nesmith died on December 10, 2021, in Carmel Valley, California.

DISCOGRAPHY (from www.themonkees.net):

The Monkees (1966)
More of The Monkees (1967)
Headquarters (1967)
Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd. (1967)
The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees (1968)
Head (1968)
Instant Replay (1969)
The Monkees Present (1969)
Changes (1970)
Then & Now...The Best of the Monkees (1986)
Pool It! (1987)
Live 1967 (1987)
Justus (1996)
Good Times! (2016)

Love You Forever
The Monkees Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I one went with a belly dancer (Lum do dee ally day)
One around I didn't stand a chance a (Lum do dee ally day)
I, I, I love you better
I, I, I love you better

Then I went with a gospel singer (Lum do dee ally day)
She tried to wrap me around her finger, now (Lum do dee ally day)
But I say

I, I, I love you better
I, I, I love you better

Ha, ha, ha, lum do dee ally day.
Ha, ha, ha, lum do dee ally day.

I once went with a history teacher (Lum do dee ally day)
I really tried but I couldn't reach her (Lum do dee ally day)
I, I, I love you better
I, I, I love you better

Well, let me tell you now
I, I, I love you better
I, I, I love you better

Ha, ha, ha, lum do dee ally day
Ha, ha, ha, lum do dee ally day

There were some that I can't remember (Lum do dee ally day)
Think I went with Miss November (Lum do dee ally day)
But I say

I, I, I love you better
I, I, I love you better.

Overall Meaning

The Monkees' song "I Love You Better" seemingly tells a tale of a man who has gone through a series of failed relationships with diverse women. Each verse talks about a different woman with whom the singer has had a relationship, but despite their varied backgrounds, he affirms that he loves the current woman he is with, "better" than all of them. The song's upbeat melody and chorus make it an anthem of love and loyalty.

In the first verse, the singer reminisces about his past relationship with a belly dancer. Although the relationship didn't work out, he still remembers it fondly. He then moves on to a Gospel singer whom he suggested was trying to manipulate him, but again affirms his love for the current woman as better than the singer. In the third verse, he talks about a former history teacher who seemed out of his reach. Still, he now seems content with his current beau, and the chorus repeats the affirmation that he loves her better than all of them.

The song's lighthearted tone and catchy beat make it a classic pop standard that is easy to listen to and sing along. The lyrics' humorous descriptions of the singer's past love interests and his unwavering devotion to his current love make it an enjoyable and relatable song. The simplicity of the chorus line reinforces the message that love is all about finding the right person who complements you and fulfills you in ways that no one else can.

Line by Line Meaning

I one went with a belly dancer (Lum do dee ally day)
At one point, I dated a belly dancer, but it didn't work out.

One around I didn't stand a chance a (Lum do dee ally day)
I wasn't her only love interest and didn't stand a chance.

I, I, I love you better
But now I'm saying that I love you more than anyone else I've been with before.

Then I went with a gospel singer (Lum do dee ally day)
Then I dated a gospel singer who I thought was trying to control me.

She tried to wrap me around her finger, now (Lum do dee ally day)
She was manipulative and wanted me to do things her way.

But I say
However, I'm telling you that

Ha, ha, ha, lum do dee ally day.
Laughed it off with a silly phrase.

I once went with a history teacher (Lum do dee ally day)
Another time, I was involved with a history teacher who I just couldn't connect with.

I really tried but I couldn't reach her (Lum do dee ally day)
I attempted to connect with her, but it didn't work out.

Well, let me tell you now
But now, I want to let you know that

There were some that I can't remember (Lum do dee ally day)
I've forgotten about some of the people I've been with.

Think I went with Miss November (Lum do dee ally day)
I might have dated someone who was a Playboy Playmate in November, but it doesn't really matter.

But I say
Because what really matters is that

I, I, I love you better
I love you more than anyone else I've been with, and I want you to know it.

Ha, ha, ha, lum do dee ally day
Once again, I laugh off this past and celebrate my love for you.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDY KIM, JEFF BARRY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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