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)
She Makes Me Laugh
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To think of
She's fine as any valentine
I think about her all the time
Cross my heart and hope to die
She sends me silly messages
And pictures
Or posing with some brand new shoes
She never fails to surprise
She makes me laugh
She makes me smile
And I could hang out
With her all day and night
She makes me laugh
She makes me cry
And I would like to be with her for a while
I'm so glad that I got her
To think of
We'll have a dinner date tonight
And play some scrabble with the guys
And wear our pink party hats
Maybe I should take her on Safari
You'll see us wave from our Canoe
If that's what she wants to do
Tell me what's wrong with that
She makes me laugh
She makes me smile
And I could hang out
With her all day and night
She makes me laugh
She makes me cry
And I would like to be with her for a while
No matter whatever else I do
She's still the girl I should hold on to
No matter whatever else I do
She's still the girl I should hold on to
No matter whatever else I do
She's still the girl
Still the girl
She makes me laugh
She makes me smile
And I could hang out
With her all day and night
She makes me laugh
She makes me cry
And I would like to be with her
For a while
The lyrics of The Monkees' song She Makes Me Laugh express a sense of deep affection and admiration from the singer towards his girlfriend. The opening lines express his gratitude for having her in his life, he sees her as an ideal companion, “She’s fine as any valentine”. The chorus emphasizes how important she is to him; she makes him laugh, she makes him smile, and he wants to spend his time with her. The singer is clearly besotted with his girlfriend, appreciating her unique sensibilities and eccentricities - “She sends me silly messages and pictures directing traffic in the mall or posing with some brand new shoes, she never fails to surprise”.
The lyrics suggest that the couple have an active and interesting social life - playing scrabble with the guys and wearing pink party hats. The playful tone of the lyrics portrays the relationship as fun, loving and lasting. The final lines suggest that, regardless of what life might bring, she will always be the girl he should hold on to.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so glad that I got her
I am very happy to have her in my life
To think of
to think about her and remember the happy moments we shared
She's fine as any valentine
She is as beautiful as any valentine card that I have ever seen
I think about her all the time
She is always on my mind and I am constantly thinking about her
Cross my heart and hope to die
I swear that what I am saying is true and I am willing to make this promise with all sincerity
She sends me silly messages
She likes to make me laugh by sending me silly messages
And pictures
She also sends me funny pictures that make me smile
Directing traffic in the mall
She has a good sense of humor and likes to make funny poses and actions in public places like the mall
Or posing with some brand new shoes
She also likes to make funny poses and take pictures with some new shoes that she just bought
She never fails to surprise
She always finds ways to make me happy and surprises me with her cute and funny acts
She makes me laugh
She has a great sense of humor and can always make me laugh
She makes me smile
Just seeing her smile can make me happy and put a smile on my own face
And I could hang out
I enjoy spending time with her so much that I could spend all day and night with her
With her all day and night
I want to spend every moment possible with her and never be apart
She makes me cry
She can sometimes bring tears to my eyes, not from sadness, but from laughing too hard
And I would like to be with her for a while
I want to be with her for as long as possible and cherish every moment we have together
We'll have a dinner date tonight
We are planning to have a romantic dinner date tonight
And play some scrabble with the guys
We will also have some fun playing games like scrabble with our friends
And wear our pink party hats
We will wear our cute pink party hats and have a fun and playful time together
Maybe I should take her on Safari
I am considering taking her on an adventure to see wild animals in their natural habitat
You'll see us wave from our Canoe
We might take a canoe ride and wave to people as we pass by
If that's what she wants to do
I will do whatever makes her happy and create happy memories together
Tell me what's wrong with that
I can't see any problems with having fun experiences together and creating happy memories
No matter whatever else I do
Despite any other things that may occupy my time or attention
She's still the girl I should hold on to
She is the one I love and want to be with no matter what
She's still the girl
She will always be the one for me, no one else can compare
Writer(s): CUOMO RIVERS, CUOMO RIVERS
Contributed by Kylie S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
phantom1592
I grew up listening to the Monkees from '77 on. They were the first records I ever listened too and ended up claiming my mom's from when they were new (still have them too!!)
They are above and beyond my favorite band, but even I'll admit I don't like EVERYTHING. Those first two albums were amazing, then Headquarters was one of my least favorites... and then they were hit and miss throughout.
THIS song... This song may well be one of my favorite Monkee's songs EVER, (When Love comes knocking at your door' will probably always be my #1) . Certainly my favorite new song I've heard from ANYONE for the past 5 years. I just can't stop hitting replay!!
Such a breath of fresh air that really captures the early 60's feel to their songs. Must be the tambourine :D
One of my favorite things ever was getting to see Davy Jones (RIP) live just a few years before he died. Miss him on this song, but can definitely feel his presence.
Luke Ripley
It's closest to the classic Monkee's sound I've heard from the Monkee's in a long time & proves a timeless formula for music doesn't go out of style.
Mike D
Bring the summer was way better than this, but xtc is far superior compared to Weezer
Mr. Beef
I heard this live in 2016 and I knew it was gonna be a classic!!
Brett Weary
Absolutely Luke
NikkaWej 2.0
And it makes me feel so wonderful to hear it!
Kurt Meister
and to think, the lead singer of weezer wrote the song!!!!!
M
very few artists could pull this off; Mickey is such a gifted singer, and his ingenious timing, optimism, and eternal cuteness enables him to sing the sometimes bizarre and avant-garde lyrics, which are not as simple nor as simplistic as they seem. Nez and Pete sound fantastic on harmonies, and I'm not sure which guitar Mike is playing. It's a mini-masterpiece and a hit. This is nothing short of a dream come true: the 3 Monkees together and rocking in 2016.
GingerGilligan
Micky Dolenz singing the lead on this one. You would never guess how old he really is from listening. He sounds so young and fresh!
Tony Bensley
@Amy Chester YES! I Remember when Steve Anthony on MuchMusic compared Axl Rose's moves in the "Patience" video with Davy Jones's in "Daydream Believer," in one of his "Too close for comfort" segments. My stepsister and I laughed our a$$es off! Great times!! CHEERS!
JoeF176
@L Martinez it was awful back then