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)
Secret Heart
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you imagine how I'd feel if you were mine?
Once I know it's not make-believe
It's plain to see that you've got something over me
You hold the key to my secret heart
Just turn the lock
And we could be lovers after dark
With other girls it's just been physical
So many times before I never cared at all
With you I realize what love could be
And I could feel that you've got something over me
You hold the key to my secret heart
Just turn the lock
And we could be lovers after dark
And we could be lovers after dark
You hold the key to my secret heart
Just turn the lock
And we could be lovers after dark
And we could be lovers after dark
The Monkees's song Secret Heart is a love song with a nostalgic feel about a man who has never felt true love before until he meets his current love. He compares his previous relationships as just being physical, but with his current love, he realizes what love could truly be. His secret heart that he hasn't revealed to anyone is now opened to his current love, and he is willing to take the next step with her. He believes that she holds the key to his heart, and he is willing to unlock it and be with her as lovers after dark.
The lyrics show a deep sense of vulnerability and honesty, where the singer has finally found the one person who has changed his perspective on love. The line "Once I know it's not make-believe" shows that he has been hurt in the past and has had his heart broken many times before, but he genuinely believes that his current love is for real. The song's overall message is about embracing love and opening up one's heart to someone who can make a difference in your life.
Line by Line Meaning
No other love stood the test of time
I haven't known any love that has lasted this long before
Can you imagine how I'd feel if you were mine?
I wonder how much happier I would be if you were my partner
Once I know it's not make-believe
As soon as I can be sure that this isn't just in my imagination
It's plain to see that you've got something over me
I acknowledge that you have an influence on me that I can't deny
You hold the key to my secret heart
You have the ability to unlock and access my deepest love.
Just turn the lock
All you need to do is show me that you truly care for me and I will be yours
And we could be lovers after dark
We could become passionate partners under the covers when night falls
With other girls it's just been physical
I have only had fleeting, only sexually-oriented relationships with other women
So many times before I never cared at all
I never had an emotional investment in any of those previous relationships
With you I realize what love could be
But with you, I see the potential for something more meaningful, more exciting
And I could feel that you've got something over me
I sense that you have an irresistible power over me which I'm willing to surrender to
You hold the key to my secret heart
Once again, I want to emphasize that your love would be the key to unlock the passion that I have
Just turn the lock
And let our hearts unlock, releasing the love that each of us holds within
And we could be lovers after dark
I reiterate that we could have the most exciting romantic experiences under the dark, mystic power of the night
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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.