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)
All of Your Toys
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's hard to remember to smile
Just like all of your toys
Can't you see I don't want to play
I don't need it
Can't you say you want me to stay
I'd believe it
Just like all of your toys
[Chorus]
When all of your play things
Someday disappear
Girl, will you be happy
With nothing but tears?
With nothing but tears?
Once upon a once in a while
It's hard to remember to smile,
Just like all of your toys
Don't you ever feel kind of sad?
'Cause you're lonely
Think about the love that we had
Are you lonely?
Just like all of your toys
[Chorus]
Ah...
Just like all of your toys, I don't want to be
Just like all of your toys, I don't need to be
Just like all of your, just like all of your toys...
I should have known I'd be alone
No, no, no I don't need it
Oh, don't you have me believe it
Just like all of your toys
The lyrics of The Monkees’ song “All of Your Toys” deal with the complex nature of romantic relationships and the fear of being left alone. The verse suggests that there are times in a relationship when it is tough to maintain happiness or feel contentment. The comparison to toys highlights the idea that people can sometimes become objects to be played with and then discarded when the fun is over. The chorus builds on this concept by asking the listener to reflect on the possibility of being left with nothing but tears if all their playthings someday disappear. In doing so, it emphasizes the fragility of love and the importance of cherishing those we care about while we have them.
In the second verse, the singer questions his romantic partner's emotional state, whether she ever feels "kind of sad" and "lonely." He then invites her to reflect on the love they once shared, emphasizing his desire to be needed by her. This section underscores the idea that relationships require effort and active participation from both parties in order to remain sustainable. The song concludes with a reiteration of the theme of loneliness and the singer's refusal to be treated like an object, again emphasizing the need for mutual respect and commitment in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a once in a while
Occasionally, but not frequently
It's hard to remember to smile
It is difficult to be happy sometimes
Just like all of your toys
Similarly to how you don't care about your toys
Can't you see I don't want to play
I don't want to be treated like a toy
I don't need it
I am not dependent on your attention
Can't you say you want me to stay
Do you care enough to ask me to stay with you?
I'd believe it
I would trust you if you said you wanted me to stay
When all of your play things
When you lose everything that brought you joy
Someday disappear
One day, they will all be gone
Girl, will you be happy
Will you truly be content?
With nothing but tears?
When all you have left is sadness?
Don't you ever feel kind of sad?
Do you ever feel unhappy?
'Cause you're lonely
Because you are alone
Think about the love that we had
Remember the affections we once shared
Are you lonely?
Do you also feel alone?
Just like all of your toys
Similar to how your toys can't keep you company
Ah...
An exclamation of emotion
I don't want to be
I do not wish to become like your toys
I don't need to be
I do not have to be like your toys
I should have known I'd be alone
I should have realized I would be by myself
No, no, no I don't need it
I reject the idea that I need your attention
Oh, don't you have me believe it
Please don't deceive me into thinking you care
Just like all of your toys
Like your toys, I do not have much value to you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BILL MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Words
A good and catchy song by The Monkees.
Philip Kassabian
on D.W. Washburn
A good song by The Monkees.
Philip Kassabian
on Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere
A good song by The Monkees.
Philip Kassabian
on That Was Then, This Is Now
This is a great Monkees song.
Philip Kassabian
on Last Train to Clarksville
A good Monkees song.
Philip Kassabian
on A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You
An excellent Monkees song.
Philip Kassabian
on Daydream Believer
A great Monkees song.
Philip Kassabian
on I'm a Believer - 2006 Remaster
This song is amazing.
Philip Kassabian
on Listen to the Band
Yet another classic song by The Monkees.
Philip Kassabian
on Pleasant Valley Sunday
I've always loved this song ever since I heard it when I was a kid.