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 Peaches Bananas and Pears
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 Monkees's song "Apples Peaches Bananas and Pears" is a catchy love song that expresses the singer's affection for a girl. The song's chorus repeats the phrase "I bring you Apples, Peaches, Bananas, and Pears" as the singer promises to provide all sorts of fruits to his beloved as a symbol of his affection. The lyrics suggest that the singer is deeply in love with the girl and is willing to do anything to make her happy. The verse "Give me just a little help / And to show how much I care" also indicates that the singer wants the girl to reciprocate his feelings.
In the second verse, the lyrics suggest that the singer is looking for a long-term commitment from the girl. He promises to be loyal to her and asks her to do the same, saying "Promise me no matter what / Forever you'll be there." The lines "Take it for what it's worth, / Throw the rest into the sun" suggest that the singer is willing to let go of any negativity or doubts and focus on the positive aspects of their relationship.
Overall, "Apples Peaches Bananas and Pears" is a cheerful and optimistic love song that expresses the singer's commitment to his beloved. The repetition of the refrain creates a catchy and memorable melody that reinforces the song's message.
Line by Line Meaning
Apples, Peaches, Bananas and Pears
Listing out a variety of fruit as a way to show affection and express willingness to give gifts
I love you, girl, now that's the truth
Stating with conviction and sincerity that the singer is in love with the girl
I need you
Expressing dependence on the girl and her presence in the singer's life
Don't be cruel, don't be cruel
Pleading with the girl not to hurt the singer and to treat him kindly
Give me just a little help and to show how much I care
Asking for some assistance from the girl and offering to demonstrate the depth of the singer's feelings for her
Run to me
Urging the girl to come to the singer quickly
Girl don't wait too long
Advising the girl not to delay in coming to the singer
And you'll see
Promising that the girl will understand and appreciate the singer's love for her
I won't do you wrong
Assuring the girl that the singer will treat her well and not cause her harm
Promise me no matter what
Requesting a commitment from the girl to be there for the singer regardless of the circumstances
Forever you'll be there
Describing the desired long-term relationship between the singer and the girl
I've said all I can today, girl
Conveying that the singer has expressed all that he can at this moment
That's the way I am
Asserting that the singer's words and actions are an authentic reflection of his character
Take it for what it's worth,
Leaving it to the girl to interpret the significance of the singer's words and gestures
Throw the rest into the sun
Encouraging the girl to forget about anything that doesn't matter and focus on the singer's love
Give me you
Requesting the girl's love and affection in return
Girl, that's all I ask
Clarifying that the singer's desire for the girl's love is the only thing he truly wants
Please be true
Asking the girl to be honest and authentic in her own feelings for the singer
All I want's a love to last
Expressing a desire for a long-lasting and committed relationship with the girl
I'll give it all back to you
Committing to putting in whatever effort and resources are necessary to make the relationship work
And just to prove I'm fair
Offering to demonstrate the singer's commitment to treating the girl fairly
Whoa!
An expression of excitement and enthusiasm
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOBBY HART, TOMMY BOYCE
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.