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)
Cuddly Toy
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're not only cuddly toy that was ever enjoyed by any boy
You're not the only choo-choo train that was left out in the rain
The day after Santa came
You're not the only cherry delight that was left out in the night
And gave up without a fight
You're not the only cuddly toy that was ever enjoyed by any boy
The kind of company you keep
I never told you not to love no other
You must of dreamed it in your sleep
You're not only cuddly toy that was ever enjoyed by any boy
You're not the only choo-choo train that was left out in the rain
The day after Santa came
You're not the only cherry delight that was left out in the night
And gave up without a fight
You're not the only cuddly toy that was ever enjoyed by any boy
you're not the kind of girl to tell your mother
The kind of company you keep
I never told you not to love no other
You must of dreamed it in your sleep
You're not only cuddly toy that was ever enjoyed by any boy
You're not the only choo-choo train that was left out in the rain
The day after Santa came
You're not the only cherry delight that was left out in the night
And gave up without a fight
You're not the only cuddly toy that was ever enjoyed by any boy
La la la la
The lyrics to The Monkees' Cuddly Toy express the idea that the woman is not the only thing that a man has enjoyed or loved, much like a cuddly toy or any other previously enjoyed object. The repeating chorus emphasizes this point, stating that she is not the only "cuddly toy" or "choo-choo train" that has been left out in the rain, or the only "cherry delight" that has given up without a fight. The verse then goes on to detail the woman's perceived insecurities, as she is not the type to tell her mother about the people she spends time with and has possibly dreamed of being cheated on.
Overall, the song seems to be a playful and somewhat sarcastic take on the idea that no one person is truly unique or special, and that there will always be others who share similar experiences and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
La la la la
Repeated sound used for emphasis
You're not only cuddly toy that was ever enjoyed by any boy
You're not the only one to have had a loved toy
You're not the only choo-choo train that was left out in the rain
You're not the only one to have been neglected
The day after Santa came
Christmas morning
You're not the only cherry delight that was left out in the night
You're not alone in feeling neglected and alone
And gave up without a fight
Having given in to the feeling of abandonment
You're not the kind of girl to tell your mother
You're not the type to share your personal life with your mom
The kind of company you keep
The type of person you associate with
I never told you not to love no other
I've never forbidden you to love anyone else
You must have dreamed it in your sleep
It must have been a dream
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARRY NILSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dougmedina4619
The song had Nilsson all over it, but the boys make it their own. Great tune!
@kategilpin5982
No kidding, pure Nilsson--down to the grace notes. But the kids do a decent job of it, for sure, in spite of the silly-ass costumes.
@dougmedina4619
@Kate Gilpin Ha,ha!!!
@redbeard3606
That’s my great uncle and Igor there. Great musician
@teledoink
Not exactly a kids song, is it? I remember watching The Monkees reruns and loving this song as a kid, having no idea about the lyrics until very recently watching a documentary about Harry Nilsson. Harsh lyrics, great song.
@teledoink
@@kategilpin5982Davey Jones dancing is a lot 😂
@Mark_Wheeler
I love the songs where all the Monkees contributed instrumentally. I grew up believing the hype that they were phonies, and was pleasantly surprised to find out otherwise. They were all so talented.
@TheMonkeesArchives
Yes, they had a certain sound!
@Malachishouse
They all had their own genuine talents. All very amazing. Then when they bright it together, final cuts, were wonderful. I'm so happy they worked as long as they did together, but I really wish they did more together
@billyboy2010gp
And yet, this was a song written by Harry Nilsson for the Monkees 👍🏼