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)
Oh My My
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh my my, I only wish that I could.
Oh my my, I could love you forever.
Oh my my, girl you feel so good.
You, you make my heart sing.
You make my life worthwhile.
I feel such there's so much to discover
Oh my my, I could love you forever.
Oh my my, I only wish that I could.
Oh my my, I could love you forever.
Oh my my, girl you feel so good.
I think of us together
It takes my breath away.
Up to the sky I go flying
"Oh my my" is all I can say.
Oh my my
Oh my my my my
Oh my my my my my my
Oh my oh my (oh my oh my oh my my my my my my)
You, you make my heart sing.
You make my life worthwhile.
I feel such there's so much to discover
To uncover it is gonna take a while.
Oh my my, I could love you forever.
Oh my my, I only wish that I could.
Oh my my, I could love you forever.
Oh my my, I could love you forever.
Oh my my, I only wish that I could.
Oh my my, I could love you forever.
Oh my girl you feel so good.
The Monkees’s song “Oh My My” is a love song that is sung in a beautiful and cheerful manner. The lyrics express one’s everlasting love for their partner, with the feeling that they could love them forever. This is seen in the line “Oh my my, I could love you forever.” Although the singer wishes to love their partner forever, they are unable to, as seen in “Oh my my, I only wish that I could”. The song speaks of the happiness and joy that the person feels when they are with their partner, as well as the excitement and endless possibilities that come with being in love. The line “I think of us together, it takes my breath away” shows the deep affection and admiration that the singer has for their partner.
The lyrics also express the idea that there is always more to discover and uncover about their partner. This is demonstrated in the lines “I feel such there’s so much to discover, to uncover it is gonna take a while”. The song builds up a romantic atmosphere that is complemented by the catchy melody, all working together to create a song that is a beautiful expression of love. The chorus “Oh my my” is repeated several times in the song, emphasizing the strong emotions of the singer and their desire to stay with their loved one forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my my, I could love you forever.
Expressing the desire to love someone deeply and forever
Oh my my, I only wish that I could.
Expressing the regret that it may not be possible to love someone forever
Oh my my, girl you feel so good.
Expressing the pleasure and joy of being with someone
You, you make my heart sing.
Acknowledging the intense positive impact that someone has on one's emotions
You make my life worthwhile.
Acknowledging the significant positive change that someone has brought to one's life
I feel such there's so much to discover
Acknowledging the potential for growth and exploration with someone
To uncover it is gonna take a while.
Acknowledge the need for time and effort to discover and explore with someone
I think of us together
Expressing the thought of being with someone
It takes my breath away.
Expressing the intense emotional impact of thoughts of being with someone
Up to the sky I go flying
Expressing the feeling of elation and joy in the thought of being with someone
"Oh my my" is all I can say.
Expressing how powerful and overwhelming the emotions are in the thought of being with someone
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDY KIM, JEFF BARRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Imogen Williams
It makes me so sad that this album wasn't a success, since there are actually some amazing songs on it, with this one being my favourite!
James Richter
Which album?
Imogen Williams
@James Richter Changes, from 1970. It was the last Monkees album of their original run (that is, prior to reunions in the 1980s and so on). It was released after Mike Nesmith left the band so only involves input from Micky and Davy.
Kevin Johnson
I AGREE with you 1,000%. Too bad this song wasn't a bigger hit for the Monkees. It only got as high as #98 in 1970. Very good song.
JC
@Imogen Williams It’s a great album
JC
@Kevin Johnson Number 98? That’s criminal
Timothy Swan
50 years later, this song still packs a wallup
Carolyn White
This is such a wonderful song why did these boys not get all the more than they really deserved. Loved loved loved them all
Marie Weiss
Just love this rare footage of Davy and Micky...and goes so well with the vibe of the music!! ..great guitar bits!
Jeff Floyd
love this!