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)

Your Auntie Grizelda
The Monkees Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

She knows her mind all right, your auntie Grizelda,
She says she knows my kind, she might, maybe so
Oh, yeah, she's raised you right, your auntie Grizelda,
You only know the things she wants you to know

I know she's having a fit,
She doesn't like me a bit,
No bird of grace ever lit on auntie Grizelda

You can't begrudge her style, your auntie Grizelda,
She couldn't budge a smile and do it for free
So righteous making fudge, your auntie Grizelda,
So proper judging others over her tea

You look just like her you do,
I know by looking at you,
That you've been listening to your auntie Grizelda

Oh, no, don't look at me like auntie Grizelda
It takes much more to be someone of your own
You've got to make it free from auntie Grizelda
Or just like her you'll have to make it alone

I know she's having a fit,
She doesn't like me a bit,
No bird of grace ever lit on auntie Grizelda

Auntie Grizelda, auntie Grizelda
Auntie Grizelda, auntie Grizelda

Overall Meaning

The song "Your Auntie Grizelda" by The Monkees is about a young person who has been raised by their strict and controlling aunt, Auntie Grizelda. The singer of the song is trying to warn the young person that they need to break free from their aunt's influence and be their own person. Auntie Grizelda is portrayed as someone who believes she knows best and judges others based on her own narrow worldview. The singer urges the person to not be like Auntie Grizelda and to make their own path in life.

The lyrics describe Auntie Grizelda as someone who has raised the young person in a certain way and only wants them to know certain things. The singer sees through Auntie Grizelda's facade and feels that she is too rigid and controlling. The line "no bird of grace ever lit on Auntie Grizelda" implies that she is closed off to new experiences and ideas.

Through the lyrics, the singer is encouraging the young person to break free from Auntie Grizelda's influence and not become just like her. The repetition of Auntie Grizelda's name emphasizes her importance and the weight of her influence on the young person's life.

Line by Line Meaning

She knows her mind all right, your auntie Grizelda,
Your Auntie Grizelda is very stubborn and is set in her ways and beliefs

She says she knows my kind, she might, maybe so
She thinks she knows everything about everyone, but she could be wrong

Oh, yeah, she's raised you right, your auntie Grizelda,
Your Auntie Grizelda has influenced and controlled what you have learned and been taught growing up

You only know the things she wants you to know
Your Auntie Grizelda has restricted your access to information and only allowed you to learn certain things

I know she's having a fit,
Your Auntie Grizelda is currently very angry

She doesn't like me a bit,
Your Auntie Grizelda does not approve or appreciate me

No bird of grace ever lit on auntie Grizelda
Your Auntie Grizelda is not a kind or gentle person, and has never received any form of forgiveness or grace

You can't begrudge her style, your auntie Grizelda,
You cannot deny your Auntie Grizelda's personality and behavior

She couldn't budge a smile and do it for free
Your Auntie Grizelda is not willing to be kind or friendly unless she is benefiting in some way

So righteous making fudge, your auntie Grizelda,
Your Auntie Grizelda thinks she is better than others and takes pride in her baking skills

So proper judging others over her tea
Your Auntie Grizelda enjoys criticizing and condemning others while having tea

You look just like her you do,
You resemble your Auntie Grizelda in your behavior and attitudes

I know by looking at you,
I can tell that you have been influenced by your Auntie Grizelda

That you've been listening to your auntie Grizelda
You have been following and obeying your Auntie Grizelda's words and actions

Oh, no, don't look at me like auntie Grizelda
Do not treat me with the same disapproval and criticism as your Auntie Grizelda

It takes much more to be someone of your own
It takes courage and independence to develop your own personality and identity

You've got to make it free from auntie Grizelda
You need to break free from your Auntie Grizelda's control and influence

Or just like her you'll have to make it alone
If you do not develop your own identity, you will end up like your Auntie Grizelda and live a solitary life

Auntie Grizelda, auntie Grizelda
Repeating the name of the song and character as a refrain

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DIANE HILDERBRAND, JACK KELLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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