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)
Mary
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mary, Mary, can I go too?
This one thing I will vow ya
I'd rather die than to live without ya
Mary, Mary, where you goin' to?
Mary, Mary, tell me truly
What did I do to make you leave me?
You know I never would try and hurt ya
Mary, Mary, where you goin' to?
What more, Mary, can I do
To prove that my love is truly yours?
I've done more now than a clear-thinkin' man would do
Mary, Mary, it's not over
Where you go, I will follow
Till I win your love again
And walk beside you, but until then
Mary, Mary, where you goin' to?
Mary, Mary, where you goin' to?
Mary, where you goin' to?
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, where you goin' to?
Oh, Mary, where you goin to, Mary, Mary, Mary where you goin' to?
The Monkees's song Mary Mary is a song about a man's plea to his lover to stay with him. The opening lines of the song are asking where Mary is going and if he can go with her. The singer of the song is so devoted to her that he would rather die than live without her. It's a classic love song that explores the depth of feelings that one has for their lover.
The second verse of the song is the singer asking Mary what he did to make her leave. He admits that he didn't mean to hurt her and that he will do everything in his power to prove his loyalty to her. He promises to follow her until he wins her love again.
The song ends with a repeated chorus of the lyrics, "Mary, where you going to?" as the singer continues to plead with Mary to stay.
Line by Line Meaning
Mary, Mary, where you goin' to?
Asking Mary where she is heading.
Mary, Mary, can I go too?
Asking if he can go with Mary wherever she is headed.
This one thing I will vow ya
Promising Mary one thing.
I'd rather die than to live without ya
Expressing love for Mary.
Mary, Mary, tell me truly
Asking Mary to tell him the truth.
What did I do to make you leave me?
Wondering why Mary left him.
Whatever it was I didn't mean to
Apologizing for whatever he may have done wrong.
You know I never would try and hurt ya
Making it clear that he would never intentionally hurt Mary.
Mary, Mary, where you goin' to?
Repeating the question of where Mary is headed.
What more, Mary, can I do
Asking Mary what else he can do for her.
To prove that my love is truly yours?
Asking Mary how he can prove his love for her.
I've done more now than a clear-thinkin' man would do
Stating that he has already done a lot to prove his love.
Mary, Mary, it's not over
Telling Mary that it's not over between them.
Where you go, I will follow
Promising to follow Mary wherever she goes.
Till I win your love again
Saying he will continue to pursue Mary until he wins her love again.
And walk beside you, but until then
Planning to be with Mary again in the future.
Mary, Mary, where you goin' to?
Repeating the question again.
Mary, where you goin' to?
Asking Mary where she is going.
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, where you goin' to?
Repeating the question with emphasis on the repeated use of Mary.
Oh, Mary, where you goin to, Mary, Mary, Mary where you goin' to?
Repeating the question with a sense of urgency.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL NESMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@raynardabraham7831
I am one black guy who really digs the Monkees. As far as this tune goes, for a pop song it really has a lot of funky soul to it also.
@karenpokorny77
I loved the 60s. Nobody cares if you were black or white. Good music rocked no matter who played it.
@raynardabraham7831
@@karenpokorny77 I agree, but some people do not feel that way, it's a racial issue to them.
@matlockduybay1888
i sure you like run dmc verson i heard awhile back haha cool but funny i love both groups
@adriancarpenter76
you aint the only black dude either. I'm actually watching the show now and listening to these videos. lol
@franksmith8525
Don't worry you're not alone I'm a Black guy who is a lifelong Monkees fan. Important note the Monkees were the only American band that requested Jimi Hendrix to tour with them. They had a Black rhythm section in the song Goin Down. And Run DMC sampled this song. They definitely had crossover appeal.
@miarusso7268
I honestly think Micky Dolenz had one of the best voices in pop/rock ever. He was so underrated.
@marykyuro
My first love...Mickey Dolenz
@judyfaust7955
I was so in love with Micky Dolenz when I was 15 in 1968
@jennyhigdon9824
My cousin Steve Tamkin was friends with Michael Nesmith & his mom and my aunt illustrated and wrote books together
I was the irritating little cousin that bothered these guys when they came to the house to practice or hang out in Westchester Ca Los Angeles off Sepulveda @ My Aunt & Uncles home off Stetson