The Monkees assembled to be the stars of an American television series of t… Read Full Bio ↴The Monkees assembled to be the stars of an American television series of the same name, which ran on NBC from 1966 to 1968. The original lineup was: Micky Dolenz (drums, vocals), Michael Nesmith (guitar, vocals), Davy Jones (percussion, vocals) and Peter Tork (bass, keyboards, vocals) . The Monkees were formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California and initially disbanded in 1970 at the conclusion of their recording contract. At their peak they were competing with The Beatles for the top spot on album charts.

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)

War Games
The Monkees Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Did you buy your tickets for the war game?
Aren't you glad that your sitting in the back?
For the game is deadly having all the players
Aren't you glad it's a spectator sport

Can't you hear the cries?
It isn't over
Can't you smell the fear?

It's all over

If you want to play the game, you must have playmates
Choose your side play guitar (???) but play to win
Don't be sad if you loose it it isn't over
Pick your side and begin the game agian
It isn't over

Can't you hear the cries?
It isn't over
Can't you smell the fear?
It's all over

You don't have to play the game if you don't want to
You can sit at home and hear it on the news
They will show you colored pictures of the killings
They want you to feel that you're part of it too.

Can't you hear the cries?
It isn't over
Don't you smell the fear?

It's all over
It's all over

Overall Meaning

The Monkees' song War Games is a satirical commentary on the absurdity of war and violence. The opening lines "Did you buy your tickets for the war game? / Aren't you glad that you're sitting in the back?" suggest that war has become a form of entertainment, something to be watched from a distance rather than experienced firsthand. The lyrics then reference the players in the war game – soldiers – and, ironically, describe them as deadly, indicating that war is not a game at all.

The chorus, "Can't you hear the cries? / It isn't over / Can't you smell the fear? / It's all over" highlights the devastating consequences of war, reminding listeners that even when a conflict is officially over, the effects linger on. The lyrics also urge listeners to pick a side in the game, but to play to win. However, the line "Don't be sad if you lose, it isn't over" suggests that the game of war never truly ends and that loss and suffering will always be a part of it.

Finally, the song addresses the choice of whether or not to participate in war at all. The lyrics suggest that those who do not actively fight or support the war effort are still, in a way, a part of it because they are complicit in the violence by being passive observers. The closing lines "Can't you hear the cries? / It isn't over / Don't you smell the fear? / It's all over / It's all over" emphasise the tragic nature of war and that its impact extends far beyond the conflict itself.

Line by Line Meaning

Did you buy your tickets for the war game?
Have you mentally prepared yourself for the battle?

Aren't you glad that your sitting in the back?
Are you grateful for not having to take a direct part in the danger?

For the game is deadly having all the players
The conflict is lethal for those who actively participate in it.

Aren't you glad it's a spectator sport
Are you thankful that it allows you to experience the conflict from a safe distance?

Can't you hear the cries?
Are you deaf to the pain and agony of those affected by the war?

It isn't over
The conflict is ongoing and its consequences will continue to persist.

Can't you smell the fear?
Do you not detect the terror and anxiety that permeates the environment of war?

If you want to play the game, you must have playmates
In order to participate in the conflict, you require allies and opponents.

Choose your side play guitar (???) but play to win
Select your faction, and play your role in the war with dedication.

Don't be sad if you loose it it isn't over
Do not despair if you do not succeed in your objectives, as the conflict will persist regardless of your results.

Pick your side and begin the game agian
Choose which faction you wish to support, and resume the struggle once more.

You don't have to play the game if you don't want to
You can choose to avoid being involved in the conflict if you so wish.

You can sit at home and hear it on the news
You can observe the war from afar, through information broadcasted on various media outlets.

They will show you colored pictures of the killings
Various forms of media will showcase vivid images of the death and destruction wrought by the conflict.

They want you to feel that you're part of it too.
The media endeavors to make you feel invested in the conflict, regardless of your actual involvement.

Don't you smell the fear?
Are you unaware of the generally oppressive and hostile atmosphere surrounding the conflict?

It's all over
The conflict has finally reached a conclusion, for better or for worse.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID JONES, STEVE PITTS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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