The Monkees were created mainly to star in a television series, but this does not mean that they were completely without talent. Even though their name still brings to mind the sideburns, flowing hair, and flowers that made up the reputation of the band on television, their music remains undeniably enjoyable. The group was born from the mind of Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson, both television producers, who wanted to capitalize on the fame of the Beatles while poking a little fun at them.

With this auspicious plan in mind, they set out on a quest to find a group of telegenic folk/rock musicians. After auditioning 400 applicants for the part, the two men finally settled on guitarist and songwriter Michale Nesmith, drummer Micky Dolenz, singer Davy Jones and bassist Peter Tork to complete their new television series.

The group was first picked for their acting, and far in the distance their musical abilities were taken into consideration. This was for the creation of a TV series, and was not intended for the production of a high-class band with great music. The show was a big hit and a great source of entertainment, featuring slapstick comedy, dreamy visuals and a thin veneer of plot.

Their debut single "Last Train to Clarksville" became their first big hit, peaking at number one in the charts as did "I'm a Believer" which is still a favorite song today. It was not until the third album that the group was able to take control of their music. Some skepticism about their actual ability was put to rest as the group toured in front of live audiences, but they were always haunted by their TV pop reputation. It was not until years later, when the hype had worn off, that the public was able to listen to the group with an objective ear and discover that their music was actually quite good.