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)
Nine Times Blue
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You looked at me and said you'd stay
That let me know that I was out of line
But I didn't know what else to do
And like a fool I tested you,
By demanding things of you which weren't mine
And now I feel like such a fool
But you did it with such love
That you're standing far above
Me and all I did to you
I'm sorry now, what can I do?
I know that never in the world
That I have found me such a girl
Who's there to pick me up before I fall
And if in the end we should go
Both our separate ways I know
The lesson I've learned here is worth it all.
'Cause now I feel like such a fool
For making you crawl back to me
But you did it with such love
That you're standing far above
Me and all I did to you
I'm sorry now, what can I do?
I know that never in the world
That I have found me such a girl
Who's there to pick me up before I fall
And if in the end we should go
Both our separate ways
I know the lesson I've learned here is worth it all
The Monkees’ song Nine Times Blue tells the story of a man who realizes that he has mistreated the woman he loves. He admits that he acted foolishly, taking her affection for granted and demanding more than he deserved. Despite this, she remains devoted to him, and he wonders what he can do to make amends. The singer recognizes that this woman has been a constant source of support and strength in his life, the kind of person who is always there to pick him up when he falls. He understands that he has been lucky to have her in his life, and he hopes that he can find a way to make things right.
The song explores themes of regret, forgiveness, and redemption. It acknowledges the mistakes we all make in relationships and the importance of recognizing our faults and working to repair the damage we’ve caused. The lyrics emphasize the importance of humility and learning from our mistakes, even if it means losing someone we love.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a certain something in the way
There was a specific way you looked at me that made me feel like things were going to work out between us.
You looked at me and said you'd stay
You promised you wouldn't leave me, and I thought you meant it.
That let me know that I was out of line
Your commitment made me realize that I was asking for too much from you and taking you for granted.
But I didn't know what else to do
I was scared of losing you, but I was also too lost to understand the depth of my feelings for you.
And like a fool I tested you,
I made the mistake of pushing you away by asking for things that weren't mine to have.
By demanding things of you which weren't mine
I asked for more than I deserved and put our relationship in jeopardy.
And now I feel like such a fool
I regret my actions and am ashamed of how I treated you.
For making you crawl back to me
I hurt you so much that you had to come back to me and try to fix things even though I was the one in the wrong.
But you did it with such love
You showed me forgiveness and kindness even though I hurt you deeply, and I am grateful for that.
That you're standing far above
Your selflessness and generosity make you a better person than I could ever aspire to be.
Me and all I did to you
I hurt you and caused you pain, but you still showed me compassion and love.
I'm sorry now, what can I do?
I realize my mistakes and am sorry for what I did, but I don't know how to make it up to you.
I know that never in the world
I am aware that finding someone like you is almost impossible.
That I have found me such a girl
I have never met anyone like you before and probably never will.
Who's there to pick me up before I fall
You have always been there for me, even when I didn't deserve it, and I appreciate that more than anything.
And if in the end we should go
If our relationship ends, and we go our separate ways.
Both our separate ways I know
I am aware that we may not be together forever, but I am still grateful for the time we had together.
The lesson I've learned here is worth it all.
I have learned the hard way that love and forgiveness are the most important things in life, and I will never forget that lesson.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL NESMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheMonkeesArchives
PLEASE, those unaware of The Monkees history, read the description under my videos! You may find your answer there for questions like, "Where's Peter?".
@ride1973
Peter did pay lots of money to end his contract.
@TheMonkeesArchives
@ride1973 As did Michael. They had to buy out their recording contract with Columbia Pictures & Screen Gems (Colgems) also, their TV contract with Raybert. This is why Michael still appeared in Kool-Aid commercials into a few months into 1970. While he was recording songs for "Magnetic South".
@b.f.2461
The Monkees were better than they had any right to be.
@janiefarrell4217
The MONKEES had the best songwriters including the fabulous Mike Nesmith—talent is TALENT!
@templeviper140
@Janie Farrell I was hooked on the Monkees as a kid after finding out Mike was a distant cousin through my Grandma being a Nesmith.
@jeffaltier5582
Mike Nesmith was such an underrated talent.
@denisevarner7308
His humility is unsurpassed. That solidifies his legacy.
@denisevarner7308
He was an artist and gifts channeled through him. He loved the artistry of words, music, media and writing.
@davidvaughn367
Perhaps I'm simple, but hearing Johnny Cash sing Last Train To Clarksville with the Monkees is truly thrilling!