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)
When Love Comes Knockin'
The Monkees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just open up and let him in
It's gonna be a magic carpet ride
So, little girl now don't you run and hide
I know that you've been hurt before
But don't you be afraid no more
Throw off the chains that bind and leave the past behind
I know (when love comes knocking at your door)
That you're afraid of loving me (just open up and let him in)
But don't you fight it and you'll see (it's gonna be a magic carpet ride)
That loving me will make you high (so little girl now don't you run and hide)
'Cause baby, I (you'll see a rainbow every day)
I know that you've been hurt before (the sun will shine in every way)
But don't you be afraid no more (throw off the chains that bind and leave the past behind)
No need to worry any more
When love comes knocking at your door
At your door, at your door, at your door
The Monkees's "When Love Comes Knockin'" is a song about the power of love to heal past hurts and bring renewed hope for the future. The lyrics urge the listener to open up to love when it arrives, rather than running away in fear. The song acknowledges that the listener has been hurt before, but encourages them to let go of the chains that keep them bound to the past and embrace the magic of a new love.
The use of the metaphor 'magic carpet ride' emphasizes the sense of adventure and excitement that comes with falling in love. The rainbow imagery in the lyrics emphasizes that a new day has dawned and everything will look brighter under the spell of love. The chorus repeats the idea of opening up to love and letting it in, suggesting that love is an active force that requires the listener's participation.
Overall, "When Love Comes Knockin'" is a hopeful and upbeat song that encourages listeners to embrace love and all its transformative power. It acknowledges the challenges and past hurt that can come with love, but offers hope that love can heal these wounds and take a person on a magical journey of discovery and self-growth.
Line by Line Meaning
When love comes knockin' at your door
Love is presenting itself to the person and is ready to enter their life.
Just open up and let I'm in.
The person should be receptive to love and let it into their life.
Its gonna be a magic carpet ride;
Love will be an exciting journey, filled with surprises and wonder.
So little girl now don't you run and hide.
The person should not be afraid of love and should embrace it rather than push it away.
I know that you've been hurt before
The person has had past experiences with love that were painful.
But don't you be afraid no more.
Despite past hurt, the person should not be afraid of love and should be willing to try again.
Throw off the chains that bind
The person should let go of past traumas and negative emotions that are holding them back from experiencing love.
And leave the past behind;
The person should not let past experiences dictate their future and instead let go of them to move forward.
When love comes knocking at your door.
Repeats the same message from the beginning of the song; love is presenting itself to the person and is ready to enter their life.
You'll see a rainbow every day,
Love will bring joy and beauty to the person's life on a daily basis.
The sun will shine in every way.
Love will bring light into the person's life in all aspects.
No need to worry anymore,
The person should not worry about past hurt or negative experiences with love as they now have the opportunity for a positive experience.
At your door,
Repeats the same message from the beginning and end of the song; love is presenting itself to the person and is ready to enter their life.
At your door,
Repeats the same message from the beginning and end of the song; love is presenting itself to the person and is ready to enter their life.
At your door.
Repeats the same message from the beginning and end of the song; love is presenting itself to the person and is ready to enter their life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carole Bayer Sager, Neil Sedaka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@franciscojuarez4766
When love comes knockin' at your door
Just open up and let 'im in.
It's gonna be a magic carpet ride;
So little girl now don't you run and hide.
I know that you've been hurt before
But don't you be afraid no more.
Throw off the chains that bind
And leave the past behind;
When love comes knocking at your door.
When love comes knocking at your door
Just open up and let 'im in.
It's gonna be a magic carpet ride;
So little girl now don't you run and hide.
You'll see a rainbow ev'ry day,
The sun will shine in ev'ry way.
Throw off the chains that bind
And leave the past behind;
No need to worry anymore,
When love comes knocking at your door
At your door,
At your door,
At your door.
Ah.
@Illusions2020
The Monkees don't ever need no pretend hall of fame-They've already WON the biggest Genuine Hall Of Fame Ever! Thank You Micky-Mike-Peter-Davy and all who helped.
@dianacourtney2704
I was raised watching the Monkey's tv series. I absolutely love their music. They're one of the greatest. Thanks for sharing 😂😂😂
@whammy2345
COMPOSED BY THE GREAT NEIL SEDAKA...WHO ALSO SHOULD BE IN THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME...
@blancalezama409
Sedaka, great composer and song writer and still little recognized by us.... I love his music.... I agree with you, whammy2345.... it is unfair he is not it the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.....
@DanHarrisonKing
Well no bloody wonder I like this song so much
@alvilla9659
The monkees should be in there too.
@eduardspanjer
every one time record musician should be in the hall of fame. some one day flies had a big hit.
@micheleengel3428
It SOUNDS like one of his songs!! That man wrote the best songs!!❤
@ilovelucyfan12
My fav song Davy sings without a doubt.
@vampyros1
What a killer song, and a flat out fantastic vocal by Davy, who was a helluva singer.