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)
Kicks
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But when you wake up in the mornin' the world still gets you uptight
Well, here's nothin' that you ain't tried To fill the emptiness inside
But when you come back down, girl
Still ain't feelin' right
(And don't it seem like)
Kicks just keep gettin' harder to find
And all your kicks ain't bringin' you peace of mind
(You just need help, girl)
Before you find out it's too late, girl
You better get straight
No, but not with kicks
You just need help, girl
Well you think you're gonna find yourself a little piece of paradise
But it ain't happened yet, so girl, you better think twice
Don't you see no matter what you do
You'll never run away from you
And if you keep on runnin'
You'll have to pay the price
(And don't it seem like)
Kicks just keep gettin' harder to find
(Oh, you don't need kicks, girl)
And all your kicks ain't bringin' you peace of mind
(You just need help, girl)
Before you find out it's too late, girl
You better get straight
No, you don't need kicks
To help you face the world each day
That road goes nowhere
I'm gonna help you find yourself another way
(And don't it seem like)
Kicks just keep gettin' harder to find
(Oh, you don't need kicks, girl)
And all your kicks ain't bringin' you peace of mind
(You just need help, girl)
Before you find out it's too late, girl
You better get straight
(And don't it seem like)
Kicks just keep gettin' harder to find
(Oh, you don't need kicks, girl)
And all your kicks ain't bringin' you peace of mind
(You just need help, girl)
Before you find out it's too late, girl
You better get straight
The Monkees's song "Kicks" is a cautionary tale about chasing pleasures and instant gratification. It addresses the widespread desire to escape reality and the emptiness that often accompanies that pursuit. The first verse describes a girl who went on a "magic carpet ride" in search of answers but still feels unfulfilled. Despite her attempts to fill the void inside her, she can't seem to find peace. The chorus repeats the phrase "kicks just keep gettin' harder to find," reinforcing the idea that the temporary highs we seek become increasingly difficult to come by as time goes on.
The second verse highlights the futility of trying to run away from oneself. No matter what one does, they can't escape their inner struggles. The singer is warned that if she keeps running, she will eventually pay the price. In the final verse, the singer recognizes that the girl doesn't need more kicks to face the world each day. The road to instant gratification leads nowhere, and it's time to find a different approach to living. Overall, the song encourages listeners to look beyond external sources of pleasure and find deeper meaning and fulfillment in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl, you thought you found the answer on that magic carpet ride last night
You were chasing happiness through some excitement (a magic carpet ride) but it was only temporary
But when you wake up in the mornin' the world still gets you uptight
The exhilaration you felt last night has worn off and you still feel anxious and unfulfilled
Well, here's nothin' that you ain't tried To fill the emptiness inside
You have tried everything to find happiness and fulfillment but nothing seems to work
But when you come back down, girl Still ain't feelin' right
Even if you experience temporary highs, you still feel unhappy with your life
(And don't it seem like) Kicks just keep gettin' harder to find
It feels like it's becoming more difficult to find happiness through external means (kicks)
(Oh, you don't need kicks, girl) And all your kicks ain't bringin' you peace of mind
You don't need external pleasure or excitement to find inner peace and balance
(You just need help, girl) Before you find out it's too late, girl You better get straight
You need guidance and help to find a better way of living before it's too late and you miss out on true happiness
Well you think you're gonna find yourself a little piece of paradise But it ain't happened yet, so girl, you better think twice
You keep looking for your own version of paradise, but you haven't found it yet and it may not be where you think it is
Don't you see no matter what you do You'll never run away from you
You can't escape from yourself and your problems no matter how hard you try
And if you keep on runnin' You'll have to pay the price
Avoiding your problems will eventually catch up with you and have consequences
No, you don't need kicks To help you face the world each day That road goes nowhere I'm gonna help you find yourself another way
You don't need external pleasure or excitement to face the challenges of life, and there is a better way to find fulfillment and peace
(And don't it seem like) Kicks just keep gettin' harder to find (Oh, you don't need kicks, girl) And all your kicks ain't bringin' you peace of mind (You just need help, girl) Before you find out it's too late, girl You better get straight
Reiteration of the main message: External pleasure or excitement won't bring you true happiness and fulfillment, and seeking help to find a better way of living is urgent before it's too late
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY MANN, CYNTHIA WEIL
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.