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)
Tapioca Tundra
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Four, three, two, one, zero
Ah-ah
Reasoned verse, some prose or rhyme
Lose themselves in other times
And waiting hopes cast silent spells
That speak in clouded clues
For now it's part of you
Careful plays on fields
That seems to vanish
When they're in between
And softly as I walk away
In freshly tattered shoes
It cannot be a part of me
For now it's part of you
Sunshine, ragtime
Blowing in the breeze
Midnight, looks right
Standing more at ease
Silhouettes and figures stay
Close to what he had to say
And one more time the faded dream
Is saddened by the news
It cannot be a part of me
For now it's part of you
Well, Sunshine, ragtime
Blowing in the breeze
Midnight, looks right
Standing more at ease
Sunshine, ragtime
Blowing in the breeze
Midnight, looks right
Standing more at ease
Silhouettes and figures stay
Close to what he had to say
And one more time the faded dream
Is saddened by the news
It cannot be a part of me
For now it's part of you
The Monkees’ song “Tapioca Tundra” speaks of loss and the pain that comes with it. The song is about a faded dream or memory that is now gone and cannot be a part of the singer’s life anymore because it is now a part of someone else’s life. The opening lines of “One, two, three, four, five, Four, three, two, one, zero, Ah-ah” sets the pace for the song and introduces a feeling of urgency that is felt throughout the song. The “reasoned verse, some prose or rhyme” could signify a time when life was more structured or reasoned, and this verse could represent the singer’s journey through that time. Losing oneself in other times could suggest that the singer is caught up in the past and is not willing to let go of what has been lost.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, three, four, five
Counting up, starting anew
Four, three, two, one, zero
Counting down, nearing the end
Ah-ah
Vocalization, no specific meaning
Reasoned verse, some prose or rhyme
Thoughtful words in different formats
Lose themselves in other times
Getting lost in memories
And waiting hopes cast silent spells
Hoping for something to happen
That speak in clouded clues
Messages that are not clear
It cannot be a part of me
I cannot take ownership of this
For now it's part of you
Someone else's possession at the moment
Careful plays on fields
Delicate actions in uncertain situations
That seems to vanish
Disappear without explanation
When they're in between
During the transitional moments
And softly as I walk away
Leaving without wanting to make a scene
In freshly tattered shoes
Brand new difficulties to face
Sunshine, ragtime
Bright and lively music
Blowing in the breeze
Drifting freely
Midnight, looks right
Feels appropriate at that late hour
Standing more at ease
Feeling more relaxed and comfortable
Silhouettes and figures stay
Images and memories remain
Close to what he had to say
Related to what he previously mentioned
And one more time the faded dream
Once again, the old hope is gone
Is saddened by the news
Feeling upset by what was heard
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Michael Nesmith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kim Cowan
I love that they used a version of this song in Better Call Saul tonight. It went with the episode perfectly. Great song.
La Guerra Contra El Silencio
It was Mike Nesmith’s original demo.
John Dow
That nearly brought a tear to my eye..the quiet R.I.P. to Nesmith on one of my favorite shows.. So well done..
Sunfleuria
@John Dow Agree <3
Steve Jones
Not just a version, but the original by the most wonderfully eloquent, overwhelmingly talented, master of prose and music - the beanie wearing beautiful Texan - Mike Nesmith!!❤
Violet. Senderhauf
I love the message of this song it pretty much states that the things you love become a part of you even though the people that made them lost interest or may no longer live. you can carry it with you into the future thank you so much Mike.
Joseph Guerra
I acknowledge genius...when I see😮...sorry ..hear IT..NeZ...❤
Adam Burns
RIP Mike Nesmith. Brilliant writer.
Jeffrey Johnson
This is my second favorite Monkees song. Door into Summer is my favorite. Michael Nesmith is a truly talented lyric writer.
enoboye
I couldn't agree with you more, Jeffery. ! Same here. But Papa Gene's Blues still gets me to the core any time I hear it. Same with What Am I Doin' Hanging 'Round. Love this man!