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)
Valleri
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a girl I know who makes me feel so good
And I wouldn't live without her, even if I could
They call her Valleri
I love my Valleri
Oh yeah, come on
She's the same little girl who used to hang around my door
But she sure looks different than the way she looked before
I call her Valleri
I love my Valleri
Valleri I love my Valleri
I love my Valleri
I need ya, Valleri
The Monkees' song Valleri is a love song about a girl named Valleri who the singer loves dearly. The lyrics express the singer's admiration for Valleri, highlighting how good she makes him feel and emphasizing the fact that he cannot imagine living without her. The chorus, "Valleri, I love my Valleri," repeats throughout the song, underlining the depth of emotion the singer feels towards her.
In the verses, the singer reminisces on how he first met Valleri, describing her as a shy and innocent girl who used to hang around his door. However, he notes that she now looks different and has possibly grown into herself, becoming more confident and beautiful. He still affectionately calls her Valleri and cannot imagine his life without her.
The song boasts catchy melodies and upbeat energy, making it a fun and enjoyable listen. Its lyrics convey a sense of youthful optimism and infatuation, reflecting the culture of the era. The song was released in 1968, and its themes align with the overall cultural sentiment of the time, which was focused on youth culture and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Valleri I love my Valleri
The singer is expressing their love for someone named Valleri.
There's a girl I know who makes me feel so good
The singer knows a girl (presumably Valleri) who makes them happy.
And I wouldn't live without her, even if I could
The singer is declaring that they can't imagine living without Valleri.
They call her Valleri
The subject of the song, the girl that the artist loves, goes by the name Valleri.
I love my Valleri
This line reiterates the artist's love for Valleri.
She's the same little girl who used to hang around my door
The singer has known Valleri for a while - she used to hang around their door.
But she sure looks different than the way she looked before
While Valleri is the same person, the singer notes that she looks different than she used to.
I call her Valleri
Again, the song emphasizes that Valleri is the girl being referred to and that the artist calls her by this name.
I love my Valleri
The artist declares their love for Valleri one more time.
I need ya, Valleri
The artist is acknowledging that they need Valleri in their life and expressing this need to her.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOBBY HART, TOMMY BOYCE
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.