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)
Look Out
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's when I'll have to choose
How I wish I could borrow
Someone else's shoes
Mary, oh what a sweet girl
Lips like strawberry pie
Sandra, the long hair and pig tails
I see all kinds of sorrow
Wish I only loved one
Look out, here comes tomorrow
Oh, how I wish tomorrow would never come
Told them both that I loved them
Said it, and it was true
But I can't have both of them
Don't know what to do
I see all kinds of sorrow
Wish I only loved one
Look out, here comes tomorrow
Oh, how I wish tomorrow would never come
Mary
I love you
Sandra
I love you
Well, I see all kinds of sorrow
Wish I only loved one
Look out, here comes tomorrow
Oh, how I wish tomorrow would never come
I love you
Darling
I love you
In The Monkees’ song “Look Out,” the singer is faced with a difficult decision between two girls he loves: Mary and Sandra. He wishes he could borrow someone else's shoes to avoid making the choice himself. Mary is described as having lips like strawberry pie while Sandra is characterized by her long hair and pig tails. The singer is aware of the impending sorrow that his decision will cause, and he wishes he only loved one of them. He’s already told them both that he loves them, and it was true, but he can’t have both of them. The refrain of “look out, here comes tomorrow” suggests that the singer is dreading the decision he has to make, and he wishes that tomorrow would never come.
The lyrics of “Look Out” convey the confusion and internal struggle that can come with love triangles. The singer’s thoughts are jumbled and conflicted, as he wishes he could have one but doesn’t want to hurt the other. The song’s subject matter was controversial for the time, particularly for a boy band. The Monkees were marketed as a wholesome group, and the song’s honest portrayal of teenage sexuality was a departure from their usual bubblegum pop.
Line by Line Meaning
Look out, here comes tomorrow
The upcoming time is always intimidating and challenging to make a decision
That's when I'll have to choose
The specific day is the deadline for making a decision
How I wish I could borrow
I am envious of someone else's situation
Someone else's shoes
Their experiences would be more suitable for this tough decision
Mary, oh what a sweet girl
Mary is lovely and charming
Lips like strawberry pie
Mary's lips are sweet and enticing, like a dessert
Sandra, the long hair and pig tails
Sandra's hair is long and tied in braids, making her appear youthful
Can't make up my mind
I am undecided between Mary and Sandra
I see all kinds of sorrow
I anticipate heartbreak and regret
Wish I only loved one
I wish my feelings were clear and focused on only one person
Told them both that I loved them
I have expressed love to both Mary and Sandra
Said it, and it was true
My feelings were genuine when I professed my love
But I can't have both of them
I am aware that I must choose between them
Don't know what to do
The decision is causing confusion and distress
I love you
My feelings for both Mary and Sandra are genuine
Darling
A term of endearment for one or both of them
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NEIL DIAMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
qtqtqtqt_ raht
The Monkees are a classic! Better than 99% of the artists today...
tony love
This was a group who knocked the Beatles out of the top spot on the chart at one point during the 60s run. Not only did they do that, but they outsold many of the legendary artists of that time who are in the ROH. The Monkees represent the culture, vibe, and history of one of the most influential decades of our time as much as any other group of iconic musical acts of the 60s. The intrinsic value of their medioric rise to become a pop culture phenom is in itself enough for them to garner admission. The fact that they had chart topping hits is the bonus that cements it. They did something no one has ever done before. They went from being manufactured tv story about a group to becoming a real chart topping act. Indeed and I say it again, pop culture icons. Not only is the tv show one of our classic gems, but their music still lives as a treasure to all who continue enjoy the nastalgia of the decade of change which is the 60s. Mickey, Mike, Davy and Peter. Four guys who for a half an hour every week entertained us with comedy and their voices. Four guys who became more than what was expected. Four musician/actors who became icons. Beloved by all, including the Beatles who gave their seal of approval long ago. That alone should say it all. As for the ROH, they only recently admitted the GoGo's. Like them or not the significance of the first all female self contained bands ommission by the ROH for so long tells you all you need to know. It's a total disgrace and a travesty that they have not been admitted yet. And now there is only one left. Let's pray that the one surviving member will be able to experience what his comrades never did and that he will get to carry the tourch lighting the way for the other 3 to see the honor, love and respect by an industry that they helped to make strong...
Mckessa King
@Wolffen51 That's it?
Wolffen51
@Mckessa King not true.....Randy Scouse Git WAS written by Micky Dolenz....Papa Gene's Blues was written by Mike Nesmith.
Rikki0
Tony, I'm truly not being a wise guy but I think you meant their "meteoric" rise, not "medioric". Big difference in perceived meaning. Other than that, thanks for the informative post.
M Grex
@Mckessa King they recorded many songs they (mostly Mike) wrote. See the link I posted.
NoPCsHere
RIP Mike Nesmith. Passed away December 10, 2021 at the age of 78. Keep rocking on in heaven with Davy and Peter! Thanks for the music and memories.
Alpha-Omega
"If there's a rock and roll heaven, you know they have a hell of a band..."
Emily Crossen
@Stacy Sullivan Different Drum is one of my favorite songs from Mike. I was very sad when I found out about his passing, but I think about the good times he has given to the fans. Linda Ronstadt’s version has been my favorite, but I liked Micky and Mike’s version as well. I saw the farewell tour back in November and it was awesome. I was mostly excited to see Mike because he was my favorite. I will always remember Mike as a great musician and songwriter.
Stacy Sullivan
awe RIP. I just learned in 2021 He wrote “different drum”. I could see him in the song. Super grooves and detached.