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)
Pillow Time
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a tall beanstalk for Jack
The sleepy train will take you there
So safely down the track
With the sandman at the throttle
You'll be off to dreams and back
It's pillow time again
You will meet all your storybook friends
As you go down Mother Goose Lane
Romp with Jack and Jill
Up and down the hill
And try to put Humpty together again
Close your sleepy eyes and listen
While we take a little hop
The candy whistle's blowin'
Don't you miss your station stop
So good night my wee way fairer
Pleasant dreams to you, oh tot
It's pillow time again
[Chorus]
Close your sleepy eyes and listen
While we take a little hop
The candy whistle's blowin'
Don't you miss your station stop
So good night my wee way fairer
Pleasant dreams to you, oh tot
It's pillow time again
It's pillow time again...
The Monkees's song "Pillow Time" is a whimsical and dreamy lullaby that invites listeners on a journey through a wonderland of familiar storybook characters. The lyrics set the scene for a magical train ride, guided by the sandman, that transports passengers to a world where they can romp with Jack and Jill, attempt to put Humpty together again, and visit other classic characters from their childhood. The song is a charming ode to the power of bedtime stories and the comfort of falling asleep with the promise of a fantastical adventure waiting in the dream world.
The lyrics of "Pillow Time" encourage listeners to let their imaginations run wild as they drift off to sleep, reminding us of the power of bedtime stories to transport us to different worlds and connect us to familiar characters from our childhoods. The repetition of the chorus underscores the comforting familiarity of these stories, and the use of specific references to classic tales like Alice in Wonderland, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Mother Goose Lane reinforces the idea that these stories are universally beloved and shared across generations.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a wonderland for Alice
Just like in Alice in Wonderland, there's a magical, imaginary place waiting for you
There's a tall beanstalk for Jack
Jack and the Beanstalk has its own adventure waiting for you
The sleepy train will take you there
The train to dreamland is gentle and comforting
So safely down the track
You don't have to worry, you're in good hands
With the sandman at the throttle
The mythological being responsible for bringing dreams is in control
You'll be off to dreams and back
You'll have a chance to explore your unconscious mind and come back safely to reality
It's pillow time again
The time to sleep and dream is here once again
[Chorus:]
The chorus describes the adventures that await in dreamland
You will meet all your storybook friends
Your favorite characters from fairy tales and children's books will make an appearance in your dreams
As you go down Mother Goose Lane
You'll also have the chance to explore nursery rhymes and songs
Romp with Jack and Jill
Take a playful stroll with these classic characters
Up and down the hill
Don't be afraid of a little exercise in dreamland
And try to put Humpty together again
See if you can help this egg put himself back together
Close your sleepy eyes and listen
Relax and let your mind drift away
While we take a little hop
You'll be taken on a journey without even leaving your bed
The candy whistle's blowin'
The sound of a whistle will accompany you on the ride
Don't you miss your station stop
Don't worry about waking up too soon, you're in for the long haul
So good night my wee way fairer
Sleep well, little one
Pleasant dreams to you, oh tot
May your dreams be peaceful and happy
It's pillow time again
Get cozy and let the dreams begin
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JANELLE SCOTT, MATT WILLIS
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.