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)
Papa Gene's Blues
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nights of waiting finally won me
Happiness that's all rolled up in you
And now with you as inspiration
I look toward a destination
Sunny bright that once before was blue
But now I've got all that I need
For I love you and I know you love me
So take my hand I'll start my journey
Free from all the helpless worry
That besets a man when he's alone
For strength is mine when we're together
And with you I know I'll never
Have to pass the high road for the low
I have no more than I did before
But now I've got all that I need
For I love you and I know you love me
Play, magic fingers
Eee haa
Oh, pick it, Luther
I have no more than I did before
But now I've got all that I need
For I love you and I know you love me
Yes, I love you and I know you love me
"Papa Gene's Blues" by The Monkees is a song about finding happiness and love. The lyrics speak of a man who was once lonely and feeling blue. But now he has found happiness with a special someone who has inspired him to see a brighter future. He acknowledges that he may not have more things than before, but he has all he needs because of his love for this person.
The song's upbeat tempo and playful guitar riffs add to its overall happy tone. The use of the harmonica and guitar solo provide a folky and bluesy atmosphere, perfect for the song's message about finding love. The song's bridge also features a spoken-word line that proclaims, "Play, magic fingers," a nod to the guitar solo that follows.
Overall, "Papa Gene's Blues" is a song about the transformative power of love. It teaches us that being with the right person can bring happiness to our lives, even if we don't have everything we thought we wanted.
Line by Line Meaning
No heartaches felt no longer lonely
I no longer feel lonely and sad
Nights of waiting finally won me
The long nights of waiting have finally brought me happiness
Happiness that's all rolled up in you
You are the one who brings me happiness
And now with you as inspiration
You inspire me to be better
I look toward a destination
I have a goal in life because of you
Sunny bright that once before was blue
My future looks bright and hopeful
I have no more than I did before
I don't have any more material possessions than I used to
But now I've got all that I need
I have everything I need because of your love
For I love you and I know you love me
We love each other and that's all that matters
So take my hand I'll start my journey
I'm ready to start a new journey with you by my side
Free from all the helpless worry
I no longer worry about things I can't control
That besets a man when he's alone
Loneliness brings worry and fear
For strength is mine when we're together
I feel strong and capable when we're together
And with you I know I'll never
I have confidence that you will always be there for me
Have to pass the high road for the low
I won't have to take the difficult path in life because we have each other
Play, magic fingers
This is the instrumental break of the song
Eee haa
This is a nonsensical exclamation (popular in some music genres)
Oh, pick it, Luther
This is a playful shoutout to Luther Perkins, a renowned country guitarist
Yes, I love you and I know you love me
The song ends with a repetition of the main message
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Michael Nesmith
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.