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)
Take a Giant Step
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And sorrow's turned your heart to frost
I will melt your heart again
Remember the feeling as a child
When you woke up and morning smiled
It's time you felt like you did then
There's just no percentage in remembering the past
It's time you learned to live again at last
Come with me
Leave yesterday behind
And take a giant step
Outside your mind
You stare at me in disbelief
You say for you there's no relief
But I swear I'll prove you wrong
Don't stay here in your lonely room
Just staring back at silent gloom
That's not where you belong
Come with me
I'll take you where the taste of life is green
And every day holds wonders to be seen
Come with me (come)
Leave yesterday behind (with me)
And take a giant step (and take a giant step)
Outside your mind
Come with me
I'll take you where the taste of life is green
And every day holds wonders to be seen
Come with me (come)
Leave yesterday behind (with me)
And take a giant step (and take a giant step)
Outside your mind
The Monkees's song Take a Giant Step is an uplifting tune about letting go of past sorrows and embracing a brighter future. The opening lines convey the idea that the listener has loved and lost, and that sorrow has left them feeling cold and heartless. The singer, however, assures the listener that they can melt their heart once again, and encourages them to remember the innocence and awe they experienced as a child when waking up to a beautiful morning. The chorus urges the listener to leave the past behind and step outside of their own mind, to see the world with fresh eyes and discover new wonders.
The verses of the song continue to build on this message of hope and optimism. The singer acknowledges the listener's disbelief and despair, but remains confident that they can help them find relief and prove them wrong. The listener is urged not to stay alone in a dark and silent room, but to join the singer in a world where life is green and full of daily wonders. The repeated refrain of "come with me" serves as an invitation to the listener to embrace this new perspective on life and leave their past behind.
Overall, the lyrics of Take a Giant Step are a call to action for anyone who has experienced loss, heartbreak, or disillusionment. The song suggests that by letting go of the past and embracing new experiences, we can find joy and wonder in the world once again.
Line by Line Meaning
Though you've played at love and lost
Even if you've experienced heartbreak before
And sorrow's turned your heart to frost
And that experience has made you cold-hearted and unhappy
I will melt your heart again
I can make you feel love and happiness again
Remember the feeling as a child
Think back to how you felt as a carefree child
When you woke up and morning smiled
When you would wake up happy and excited for the day
It's time you felt like you did then
It's time for you to feel that same joy and wonder again
There's just no percentage in remembering the past
There's no use dwelling on past mistakes and regrets
It's time you learned to live again at last
It's time for you to start enjoying life again
Come with me
Join me on this journey
Leave yesterday behind
Stop dwelling on the past
And take a giant step
Take a big leap of faith
Outside your mind
Outside of your negative thoughts and worries
You stare at me in disbelief
You don't believe me or my promises
You say for you there's no relief
You feel like there's no escape from your pain
But I swear I'll prove you wrong
I'm confident that I can change your perspective
Don't stay here in your lonely room
Don't isolate yourself in sadness
Just staring back at silent gloom
Just staring at the darkness around you
That's not where you belong
You deserve more than to be stuck in that misery
Come with me
Join me on this journey
I'll take you where the taste of life is green
I'll take you to a place where everything feels fresh and exciting
And every day holds wonders to be seen
And every day is full of possibility and beauty
Come with me (come)
Come on, let's go
And take a giant step (and take a giant step)
Have the courage to take a big leap forward
Outside your mind
Outside of your negative thoughts and worries
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carole King, Gerry Goffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rainstein3680
Love this melodic take on the Carole King classic!!! Micky's voice does wonders.........RIP DAVY, MIKE AND PETER!!! KEEP THE LEGEND ALIVE, MICKY!!
@joeswinford2618
I'm 64 now, but The Monkees are still in my heart. I was 9 when they kick started my music obsession.
@Antonio-hr2nu
Very sucess in Brazil.
@eddiestack5719
Growing up with this group was so much fun they had the most spectacular sound
@prettymalaise
i'm on a Monkees nostalgia trip at the moment 😂 i just turned 21 this year, but when i was around 13,14, i was SO obsessed with them. hearing all the songs again just reminds me of being in high school and listening to the songs in the school yard on a sunny day ❤️ the news of Peter's passing really broke me....
@TheMonkeesArchives
Then I invite you to subscribe to this channel (and tag the bell)! Browse through my 100 plus videos of "all Monkees"!
@sherrykeough368
When something is truly very good, it never dies. In fact, people try to replicar it.
@IceCream_TheRabbit.1826
I always think of sunny days listening to them outside, too. Except, I was 4. :)
@kaymuldoon3575
@Rachel Kunter I was 5 years old when their show first started in 1966. As with a lot of little girls, Davy was my first crush.
@eddysokoloff8738
I had the bubble gum cards (the gum was 🍌 flavor -- I went ape over them!) You should see the cards...try YouTube or Google...