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)
Propinquity
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The kind of girl you are.
Of a smile that covers teardrops,
The way your head yields to you heart.
Of things you've kept inside
That most girls couldn't bear.
I've known you for a long time,
But I've just begun to care.
I've known of all the heartaches,
I've known of all the pain.
I've seen you when the sun shines,
And I've seen you when it rains.
I've seen you make a look of love
From just an icy stare.
I've known you for a long time,
But I've just begun to care.
I know I've been blind
To not have loved you all this time,
But the image of you wasn't clear.
I guess I've been standing too near.
Oh, it's taken me a while,
But I have finally found
What you are to me;
And that's what really counts.
And what you are to me
Is something we can share.
I've known you for a long time,
But I've just begun to care.
Oh, it's taken me a while,
But I have finally found
What you are to me;
And that's what really counts.
And what you are to me
Is something we can share.
I've known you for a long time,
But I've just begun to care.
The Monkees’ song Propinquity is a beautiful ode to a love which has been long known, but only recently rediscovered. The song talks about a person who observes the girl he loves for a long time, knowing her ins and outs, the way she feels about things and the way she deals with pain. Despite knowing all of this, he had never realized the extent of his feelings for her. However, he now finally recognizes her worth and finds her to be someone whom he can share a deep connection with. The song talks about realizing the love that has always existed but was not acknowledged until now.
The lyrics of Propinquity showcase the depth of emotions experienced by the singer. He has seen his girl during highs and lows and now recognizes the kind of person she is. He confesses that he had been blind not to acknowledge his feelings for her earlier, but now sees clearly. The line “the way your head yields to your heart” represents the quality of the girl's judgment and how she prioritizes the emotions of her heart. The singer acknowledges that despite knowing her for a long time, he is still discovering new things about her. The song talks about how true love is not only about the time shared together, but it's about the discovery of the person's true worth.
Line by Line Meaning
I've known for a long time
I have been aware for a significant period of time
The kind of girl you are.
Your character and behavior are familiar to me
Of a smile that covers teardrops,
You hide sadness behind a cheerful expression
The way your head yields to your heart.
You follow your emotions rather than your rational thoughts
Of things you've kept inside that most girls couldn't bear.
You have experienced difficulties that would be unbearable for many other women
But I've just begun to care.
I have developed feelings for you only recently
I've known of all the heartaches,
I am aware of the emotional pain you have endured
I've known of all the pain.
I understand the physical and emotional discomfort you have experienced
I've seen you when the sun shines,
I have observed your positive and happy moments
And I've seen you when it rains.
I have witnessed your difficult and trying moments
I've seen you make a look of love from just an icy stare.
You have the ability to express affection even when you seem aloof
I know I've been blind
I realize that I have not fully appreciated you before
To not have loved you all this time,
I regret not having acknowledged my love for you earlier
But the image of you wasn't clear.
I did not have a complete or accurate understanding of who you are
I guess I've been standing too near.
I have been too close to see you clearly
Oh, it's taken me a while,
It has taken me some time
But I have finally found
I have discovered something important
What you are to me;
How I feel about you
And that's what really counts.
That is the most important thing
And what you are to me
The significance you hold in my life
Is something we can share.
It is a feeling and experience we can both have
I've known you for a long time,
I have been aware of you for a significant period of time
But I've just begun to care.
However, I have only recently developed strong feelings for you
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.