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)
Ladies Aid Society
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somewhere in the neighborhood
You'll find a little band of ladies who
Can't stop doing good
Good for the pigeons in the park
Good for the weekly tea
Good for the national bank where they keep their treasury
And we're really a great bunch of girls
We're the ladies aid society
And soon we'll take over the world
Here they come marching down the street
With their picket signs in hand
With their blue and white pleated uniforms
And their all girl five-piece band
Down with long haired singing groups
Down with the mayor too
And if you;re under 65 they're down on you
We're the ladies aid society
And we just want to sell you the truth
Were the ladies aid society
And it's time we clamp down on the youth
We're the ladies aid society
And we're really a great bunch of girls
We're the ladies aid society
And soon we'll take over the world
We're the ladies aid society
And we just want to sell you the truth
Were the ladies aid society
And it's time we clamp down on the youth
The Monkees's song Ladies Aid Society describes a group of women who are part of a charitable organization that does good deeds in their little town and village. The lyrics point to the fact that the ladies are energetic and continuously involved in different social causes like feeding pigeons in the park or hosting a weekly tea. They also have a treasury in the local bank, which they use to support their altruistic efforts. However, the song takes a satirical turn when it describes the ladies marching down the street, picket signs in hand, in their distinctive blue and white pleated uniforms, and all-girl five-piece band. They take issue with the long-haired singing groups, the mayor and the youth, and are determined to clamp down on them. The song seems to be poking fun at the self-righteousness of some charitable organizations who act as a watchdog over society's morality.
Line by Line Meaning
In every little town and village too
Small communities everywhere have a group of women who are constantly doing good deeds.
Somewhere in the neighborhood
They may not be hard to find, as they are most likely nearby.
You'll find a little band of ladies who
These women make up a small group.
Can't stop doing good
Their efforts to help their communities are tireless.
Good for the pigeons in the park
They even care for the birds in public spaces.
Good for the weekly tea
They are involved in social events and gatherings.
Good for the national bank where they keep their treasury
Their fundraising efforts are successful, as evidenced by their ability to keep their funds in a national bank.
We're the ladies aid society
This is the self-proclaimed name of the group.
And we're really a great bunch of girls
They are proud of the good work they do, and see themselves as a fun and friendly group.
And soon we'll take over the world
While perhaps not truly serious, they have big aspirations.
Here they come marching down the street
The group is not shy about making a show of themselves.
With their picket signs in hand
Their activism includes protests and demonstrations.
With their blue and white pleated uniforms
The group has a distinct uniform that they wear with pride.
And their all girl five-piece band
They even have their own musical entertainment.
Down with long haired singing groups
Their activism extends to music, as they seem to be against certain styles or trends they dislike.
Down with the mayor too
Their views clash with those of the local government.
And if you're under 65 they're down on you
Their social views may be narrow, and some may feel unwelcome in their group.
And it's time we clamp down on the youth
The group may be unhappy with the state of society, and hope to make changes that they believe are for the better.
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.