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)
Porpoise Song
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is pounding away
And there's so much to say
A face, a voice
An overdub has no choice
An image cannot rejoice
To hear and to see
Crying to the sky
But the porpoise is laughing
Goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Clicks, clacks, riding the backs of giraffes for laughs
S'alright for a while
(The ego) sings of castles
And kings and things that go
With a life of style
Wanting to feel
To know what is real
Living is a, is a lie
The porpoise is waiting
Goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
The Monkees' "Porpoise Song" is a psychedelic and dreamy track that explores the idea of life and death, the importance of living in the present moment, and the futility of seeking meaning and purpose in life. The clock in the sky, which is pounding away, serves as a reminder that time is constantly fleeting, and there is so much to say and so much to do before it runs out. The lyrics suggest that we are constantly yearning and searching for something, wanting to hear and see, wanting to feel and know what is real. However, the reality we face in life is often disappointing, and living seems like a lie.
The chorus of the song, "But the porpoise is laughing, goodbye, goodbye," implies that the porpoise, which is often associated with intelligence and playfulness, has found the meaning and purpose of life that we are all searching for but cannot seem to find. The porpoise is a symbol of freedom, wisdom, and joy, and the laughter suggests that it has escaped the cycle of life and death that we are all bound to. The clicks, clacks, and giraffes symbolize the transient and playful nature of life, while the ego singing about castles and kings and things that go with a life of style represents the vanity and superficiality of our pursuits.
Overall, "Porpoise Song" is a thought-provoking and philosophical song that questions the nature of existence and the pursuit of happiness. It suggests that perhaps the key to finding meaning and purpose in life lies in embracing the present moment, letting go of our desires and expectations, and enjoying the ride.
Line by Line Meaning
My, my, the clock in the sky
Is pounding away
And there's so much to say
Time flies by quickly and there is so much to experience.
A face, a voice
An overdub has no choice
An image cannot rejoice
A person's true identity and voice can be lost in the pursuit of fame and success.
Wanting to be
To hear and to see
Crying to the sky
Yearning for a deeper understanding of oneself and the world around them.
But the porpoise is laughing
Goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
The universe seems to be mocking the individual's struggles and goodbye signifies letting go of the past.
Clicks, clacks, riding the backs of giraffes for laughs
S'alright for a while
Superficial fun may only last for a short period of time.
(The ego) sings of castles
And kings and things that go
With a life of style
The ego desires material success and material possessions to define one's worth and status.
Wanting to feel
To know what is real
Living is a, is a lie
Striving for authenticity in life as one realizes the superficiality and falseness of material success.
The porpoise is waiting
Goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Letting go of the past to embrace a more authentic and meaningful life, even if it means saying goodbye to superficial and materialistic desires.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING, GERRY GOFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PhysicalMediaPreventsWea-bx1zm
I heard Micky sing this at a solo concert after Mike died. He used only a piano and it was very emotional. I think he was saying goodbye to his brothers.๐ข
@SteveMikre44
Micky Dolenz is simply one of the great rock vocalist of our time...
@christyb7455
I agree!
@davidking3532
Wonderful song. I love Micky on 'As We Go Along'. Incredible singing.
@rman52
I'm not sure he is up there with Freddie, but he is one of my favorites. And great in this song. I think Davey had a terrific singing voice too. For a bunch of guys who they said weren't really musicians, they sure were awesome musicans.
@brianking1887
Absolutely!
@kd6836
THIS should be the song everyone remembers from the Monkees.
@TheMonkeesArchives
Agreed! This is my favorite of thme all! But due to a box office flop and no psh on radio play, sadly it only peaked at #62 on Billboard's Hot 100. A shame, I agree!
@jondavis2790
And 'Goin' Down'.
@pauldavies5611
It is for me.