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)
Circle Sky
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Telling lies
Here I stand
At demand
'Cause it looks like we've made it once again
Yes, it looks like we've made it once again
Is all around
Wing-tipped smile
Sees for miles
And it looks like we've made it once again
Yes, it looks like we've made it once again
It's a very extraordinary scene
To those who don't understand
But what you have seen you must believe
If you can, if you can
Hamilton
Smiling down
Telling more
Than before
And it looks like we've made it once again
Yes, it looks like we've made it to the end
The Monkees’s song Circle Sky can be interpreted as a commentary on the music industry and its constant pressures for the artists to perform and meet the demands of their fans. The opening line “Circle sky, telling lies” suggests that the music industry is a never-ending cycle of hype and falsehoods. However, the artist is willing to comply with the demands of the industry – “Here I stand, at demand” – as they feel that they have made it once again with their successful albums and performances. The line “Color sound, is all around” can represent the recording studio where the artist is surrounded by instruments and recording equipment. The “wing-tipped smile” may refer to the artist’s fake persona put on for their fans, and the fact that their smile “sees for miles” suggests that the artist’s image is stretched out beyond their own control.
The lyrics also suggest that despite the industry’s artificiality, there is still something extraordinary and genuine about music. The line “But what you have seen, you must believe, if you can, if you can” emphasizes that music is not just about appearances and that those who appreciate it will recognize the artists’ efforts. The reference to Hamilton, who is likely referring to musical composer Richard Rodgers’ grandson Hamilton Camp, can be seen as a nod to the long-standing history of music and the importance of tradition in the music world. The closing lines of “it looks like we’ve made it to the end” suggest that the artist is relieved to be able to rest after a long period of performing and recording music.
Line by Line Meaning
Circle sky
The circular sky
Telling lies
Speaking falsehoods
Here I stand
Present, standing
At demand
Upon request
'Cause it looks like we've made it once again
Appears that we have succeeded once more
Yes, it looks like we've made it once again
Indeed, it seems we have succeeded again
Color sound
Vibrant sound
Is all around
Present and encompassing
Wing-tipped smile
Smiling expression
Sees for miles
Has an extensive view
It's a very extraordinary scene
An extremely remarkable situation
To those who don't understand
For those who lack comprehension
But what you have seen you must believe
What has been witnessed must be accepted
If you can, if you can
If possible
Hamilton
Hamilton, the name of a person or place
Smiling down
With a downward-facing smile
Telling more
Sharing more information
Than before
More than previously
And it looks like we've made it once again
Appears that we have succeeded once more
Yes, it looks like we've made it to the end
Indeed, it seems we have succeeded to the end
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL NESMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Kohntarkosz
I saw Peter Tork in concert about 12 years ago. It played a great show, afterwards, he signed autographs. When it came my turn, I walked up and said "Head is one of my all time favorite movies", and without missing a beat, Peter says, "You have a very sick mind, my friend!" LOL RIP Peter
@jeanieruter8728
@Timothy Ursch No. Suppose you tell us?
@BigAL68xyz
I've seen the Monkees twice in concert.. Both times, Peter made jokes about Head. He would announce he was about to play "Do I have to do it over again" from the cult movie, Head. The audience would cheer and he'd turn to the band and say something like "See? THEY saw it!"
@BackToTheBlues
Was this with his band 'Shoe Suede Blues'? I sw him playing with them, it was a good show and it seemed quite amazing to me that there was this guy from a TV show I loved as a kid, right there in front of me! I bought a CD at the end and had a chat with him and he came across as a thoroughly nice guy.
@KJWaymont_watt
I wish I got to see them. I was 8 years old in 1992, when I saw an episode of the Monkees on TV, and loved them ever since.
@jamescruz4217
Head - the greatest Rock And Roll movie ever -
@jpm9628
RIP Michael Nesmith. Incredible artist, songwriter, and producer. My hero
@agroecology
Yes, wonderful writer and musician
@Whitman1819
he certainly had talent r.i.p.
@hadji828
👍👍 My hero, too. 😢😭