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)
I'll Be True to You
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be true to you, yes I will
I won't look twice when
The other girls go by
I'll be true to you, yes I will
Somehow this time, it's all so clear to me
The way to go is easy to see
The girl I've waited for
And I'll be true to you, yes I will
Yes I will
I used to be the kind
Who said that every girl's the same
And love was just a game for having fun
But when I looked at you
I knew that I was wrong
And that I really could belong to only one
I'll be true to you, yes I will
Every dream that you have, I'll fulfill
I never promised this to anyone before
But I'll be true to you, yes I will
I'll be true to you, yes I will
Every dream that you have, I'll fulfill
I never promised this to anyone before
But I'll be true to you, yes I will
Yes I will, yes I will
The Monkees' song "I'll Be True to You" is a romantic ballad that expresses the singer's commitment to his lover. The lyrics declare his loyalty and devotion to one woman, promising not to be swayed by any other temptations. He is willing to fulfill all her dreams and desires, and he acknowledges that he has never made such a promise before.
The opening lines of the song, "I'll be true to you, yes I will," set the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the singer's sincerity and determination to remain faithful. He even acknowledges that he won't look twice when other girls pass by, indicating that his attention is solely focused on the one he loves.
The second verse offers insight into the singer's transformation. He used to believe that all women were the same and that love was just a game for fun. However, when he met his current partner, he realized that he was wrong and that he could belong to only one person. The lyrics suggest that his love for her has changed his entire outlook on romance, leading to his newfound commitment.
Overall, "I'll Be True to You" is a deeply sentimental song that speaks to the desire for love and loyalty in a relationship. The lyrics express a sense of vulnerability and honesty that is often difficult to convey in words. The powerful message of the song has resonated with fans for decades, making it one of The Monkees' most beloved tracks.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be true to you, yes I will
The singer promises faithfulness to their lover.
I won't look twice when The other girls go by
The singer will not let their attention wander to other women.
Somehow this time, it's all so clear to me The way to go is easy to see
The singer has finally discovered the right path in love.
My heart is sure you're The girl I've waited for And I'll be true to you, yes I will
The singer is positive that their lover is the one they want to be with forever.
I used to be the kind Who said that every girl's the same And love was just a game for having fun
The singer used to be cynical about love and dating.
But when I looked at you I knew that I was wrong And that I really could belong to only one
The singer has changed their mind after falling for their current lover.
Every dream that you have, I'll fulfill
The singer is committed to helping their lover achieve their goals and desires.
I never promised this to anyone before But I'll be true to you, yes I will
The singer is making a special promise to their current lover that they've never made to anyone else.
Yes I will, yes I will
The singer reiterates their promise to stay true to their lover.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GERRY GOFFIN, RUSS TITELMAN
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.