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)
Apples
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I love you, girl, now that's the truth
I need you
Don't be cruel, don't be cruel
Give me just a little help and to show how much I care
I bring you Apples, Peaches, Bananas and Pears
Run to me
And you'll see
I won't do you wrong
Promise me no matter what
Forever you'll be there
I'll bring you Apples, Peaches, Bananas and Pears
I've said all I can today, girl
That's the way I am
Take it for what it's worth,
Throw the rest into the sun
Give me you
Girl, that's all I ask
Please be true
All I want's a love to last
I'll give it all back to you
And just to prove I'm fair
I bring you Apples, Peaches, Bananas and Pears
Whoa!
I love you, girl, now that's the truth
I need you
Don't be cruel, don't be cruel
Give me just a little help
And to show how much I care
I bring you Apples, Peaches, Bananas and Pears
Apples, Peaches, Bananas and Pears
The song "Apples, Peaches, Bananas, and Pears" by The Monkees is a love song with a cheerful and carefree melody. The lyrics express the strong affection the singer has for the girl he loves. He says that he needs her and promises to never do her wrong. He pleads with her to reciprocate his love, asking for her to be true and promising to give his all back to her. He concludes the song by repeating the chorus, which talks about how he will bring her apples, peaches, bananas, and pears as a symbol of his love and care for her.
The lyrics convey a straightforward message of how love should be expressed with simple gestures that are thoughtful and meaningful. The repetition of the fruits in the chorus adds an element of playfulness to the song, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the sweetness and variety of love. The song's upbeat melody and catchy chorus make it a popular addition to The Monkees' discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Apples, Peaches, Bananas and Pears
Listing out fruits to symbolize variety and the abundance of love the singer wants to give.
I love you, girl, now that's the truth
Confessing sincere love for the girl.
I need you
Expressing dependence and longing for the girl's presence.
Don't be cruel, don't be cruel
Pleading with the girl not to hurt the artist.
Give me just a little help and to show how much I care
Asking for assistance from the girl to prove the artist's love.
I bring you Apples, Peaches, Bananas and Pears
Using fruits as an offering to demonstrate affection and generosity.
Run to me
Requesting the girl to come to the singer.
Girl don't wait too long
Urging the girl to act quickly.
And you'll see
Promising that the girl will witness the artist's sincere intentions.
I won't do you wrong
Assuring the girl that the artist won't hurt her.
Promise me no matter what
Asking the girl to make a pledge to the singer.
Forever you'll be there
Requesting the girl's presence for an eternity.
I've said all I can today, girl
Admitting to expressing one's emotions fully.
That's the way I am
Declaring one's character and nature.
Take it for what it's worth,
Leaving the interpretation of one's words and actions to the girl.
Throw the rest into the sun
Dismissing any other interpretations or implications of the artist's words.
Give me you
Asking for the girl's affection and love.
Girl, that's all I ask
Stating the only request the singer has for the girl.
Please be true
Begging the girl to be sincere and honest with the singer.
All I want's a love to last
Expressing the artist's desire for a lasting and meaningful connection.
I'll give it all back to you
Offering to return all love received from the girl.
And just to prove I'm fair
Establishing the artist's honesty and integrity.
I bring you Apples, Peaches, Bananas and Pears
Reiterating the use of fruits as an offering of love and affection.
Whoa!
An expression of enthusiasm and excitement.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stephen3511
Great song from a great band. Thanks for uploading
@peterconroy2696
Gee....back to a time when it all seemed less intense. My cousin had the first Monkees album and that and the TV series got me into them. Even now at 65 I still play Monkees songs and still enjoy them. Sometimes think that Mike and Mr.Dolenz should get together with Paul Mc and Ringo and bring out a one off album under the name of The BeatMonks....
@TheMonkeesArchives
Their music doesn't age. I'll pass on the BeatMonkes! LOL
@truthinadvertising2702
I grew up during this period it was very intense but much different than now. We had Vietnam, the draft, the cold war with hiding under our desk drills, the Cuba crisis, the civil rights movement, and much more. The difference in my opinion was the media although propaganda it wasn't the well-oiled machine it is today. We lived our lives working hard those problems were not ground into us every moment of every day like it is now. I miss those times for sure.
@ChristianAlbert
Oh man, this is weird without "This Just Doesn't Seem To Be My Day".
That's how many times I've seen this episode (I mean, it IS the first one).
Thank you for this rarity!
@TheMonkeesArchives
On ABC, it was switched to "You Told Me"!
@jk-nl3js
The Monkees got a lot of mileage out of that guitar chord variation this song Last Train and Tear Drop City. Love them all..
@TheMonkeesArchives
Similar yes but smokin'! Much better than Clarksville IMO.
@jk-nl3js
@The Monkees Archives Tear Drop City for me..
@TheMonkeesArchives
@j k I like that one better than Clarksville as well!