Mony Mony

Last updated

"Mony Mony"
Mony Mony - Tommy James & the Shondells.jpg
Single by Tommy James and the Shondells
from the album Mony Mony
B-side "One Two Three and I Fell"
ReleasedMarch 1968
Genre
Length2:45
Label Roulette
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Bo Gentry, Ritchie Cordell [3]
Tommy James and the Shondells singles chronology
"Get Out Now"
(1968)
"Mony Mony"
(1968)
"Somebody Cares"
(1968)

"Mony Mony" is a 1968 single by American pop rock band Tommy James and the Shondells, [4] which reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart [3] and No. 3 in the U.S. Written by Bobby Bloom, Ritchie Cordell, Bo Gentry, and Tommy James, the song has appeared in various film and television works such as the Oliver Stone drama Heaven & Earth . [5] It was also covered by English singer-songwriter Billy Idol in 1981. Idol's version, which took in more of a rock sound, became an international top 40 hit and additionally revived public interest in the original garage rock single. Idol recorded a live version in 1985 which was ultimately released in 1987 where it became an even bigger hit than the Shondells 1968 original, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. (Idol's original 1981 version failed to chart, although it did reach number seven on the dance charts.)

Contents

Tommy James and the Shondells version

Background and release

"Mony Mony" was credited to Tommy James, Bo Gentry, Ritchie Cordell and Bobby Bloom. [3] The song's title was inspired by Tommy James' view of the "M.O.N.Y." sign atop the Mutual of New York Building on the New York City skyline from his Manhattan apartment. [3] As James said in a 1995 interview in Hitch magazine:

True story: I had the track done before I had a title. I wanted something catchy like "Sloopy" or "Bony Maroney," but everything sounded so stupid. So Ritchie Cordell and I were writing it in New York City, and we were about to throw in the towel when I went out onto the terrace, looked up and saw the Mutual of New York building (which has its initials illuminated in red at its top). I said, "That's gotta be it! Ritchie, come here, you've gotta see this!" It's almost as if God Himself had said, "Here's the title." I've always thought that if I had looked the other way, it might have been called "Hotel Taft". [6]

"Mony Mony" was the only song by the group to reach the top 20 in the United Kingdom; it reached No. 1 in the UK, [3] No. 3 in the U.S. and Canada, and became a Top 10 hit across western Europe. A music video was made featuring the band performing the song amidst psychedelic backgrounds. A decade and a half later, it would receive renewed play on MTV. [6]

Track listings and format

  1. "Mony Mony" – 2:45
  2. "One Two Three and I Fell" – 2:32

Chart performance

Chart performance for "Mony Mony" by Tommy James and the Shondells
Chart (1968–1969)Peak
position
Austria [7] 4
Belgium (Flanders) [8] 7
Belgium (Wallonia) [9] 3
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [10] 3
Ireland (IRMA) [11] 2
New Zealand ( Listener ) [12] 11
Norway [13] 8
South Africa (Springbok) [14] 5
Switzerland [15] 2
UK Singles (OCC) [16] 1
US Billboard Hot 100 [17] 3
West Germany (Official German Charts) [18] 3

Billy Idol version

"Mony Mony"
Billy Idol - Mony Mony 1981 single.png
Single by Billy Idol
from the album Don't Stop
B-side "Baby Talk"
ReleasedAugust 1981
Recorded1981
Genre Dance-rock [19]
Length5:01 (Full studio version)
3:23 (Single edit)
Label Chrysalis
Songwriter(s)
  • Tommy James
  • Bo Gentry
  • Ritchie Cordell
  • Bobby Bloom
Producer(s) Keith Forsey
Billy Idol singles chronology
"Dancing with Myself"
(1981)
"Mony Mony"
(1981)
"Hot in the City"
(1982)
"Mony Mony (Live)"
Mony Mony Live.jpg
Single by Billy Idol
from the album Vital Idol
B-side "Shakin' All Over"
ReleasedSeptember 21, 1987 (UK) [20]
Recorded1985
Genre Dance-rock [19]
Length4:00
Label Chrysalis
Songwriter(s)
  • Tommy James
  • Bo Gentry
  • Ritchie Cordell
  • Bobby Bloom
Producer(s) Keith Forsey
Billy Idol singles chronology
"Soul Standing By"
(1987)
"Mony Mony (Live)"
(1987)
"Cradle of Love"
(1990)
Music video
"Mony Mony" (Live) on YouTube

Background and release

British rock artist Billy Idol released a cover version in 1981 (on the Don't Stop EP). Along with the track "Baby Talk", Idol's version of "Mony Mony" went to No. 7 on the Billboard dance chart. [21] In his 2015 memoir, Dancing With Myself, he recalls his affection for the song originally stemmed from a sexual encounter he had as a youth where it played in the background. [22] Before proposing the cover to executives at Chrysalis Records, he originally suggested recording a cover of "Shout" before admitting his intentions for "Mony Mony". [22] A live recording of the song became a hit for Idol in 1987 as well, while promoting his then-forthcoming compilation work Vital Idol . The live version was released as a single and went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, coincidentally displacing Tiffany's cover of another Tommy James song, "I Think We're Alone Now", from the top spot. It also finished directly behind the Tiffany song at No. 19 in the 1987 year-end Billboard chart.

Idol's version gave rise to an interesting custom. When the song was performed live in concert or played at a club or dance, people would shout a certain formulaic (and usually obscene) variation of a particular phrase in the two measures following each line, for example, "Hey, say what… get laid get fucked!" Or "Hey, motherfucker… get laid get fucked!" [23] This led to the song being banned at high-school dances across North America, [24] although the custom continues at Idol concerts & sporting events today. [25] It became so widespread that Idol would eventually commit the lyrics to record in the "Idol/Stevens Mix" of the song on the 2018 remix album Vital Idol: Revitalized.

Idol revived interest in the original garage rock song. The full studio version can be found on Idol's Greatest Hits compilation album, a 2001 Capitol Records release. That album has received positive critical reviews, with Idol's cover of the James tune specifically praised.

"Weird Al" Yankovic wrote a parody of this song from his album Even Worse , entitled "Alimony" (based on the live Idol version, complete with a live audience). It is about a recently divorced man complaining about his ex-wife taking everything he owns away from him in alimony payments.[ citation needed ]

Track listings and formats

  1. "Mony Mony" (single edit) – 3:23
  2. "Baby Talk" – 3:10
  1. "Mony Mony"
  2. "Baby Talk"
  3. "Untouchables"
  4. "Dancing With Myself"
  1. "Mony Mony" (live)
  2. "Shakin' All Over" (live)
  1. "Mony Mony" (Hung Like a Pony Remix) – 6:59
  2. "Mony Mony" (Steel-Toe Cat Dub) – 6:50
  3. "Mony Mony" (live) – 4:00
  4. "Mony Mony" (incorrectly listed as single edit) – 5:01
  1. "Mony Mony" (Hung Like a Pony Remix♰)
  2. "Shakin' All Over" (live)
  3. "Mony Mony" (live)

♰Mixed by Tom Lord-Alge

Chart performance

Original version

Chart performance for "Mony Mony" by Billy Idol
Chart (1981–1982)Peak
position
US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [26] 7

Live version

Weekly chart performance for "Mony Mony" (live version) by Billy Idol
Chart (1987–1988)Peak
position
Australia (Australian Music Report) [27] 8
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [28] 1
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [29] 89
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [30] 13
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [31] 2
UK Singles (OCC) [32] 7
US Billboard Hot 100 [33] 1
US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [34] 27
West Germany (Official German Charts) [35] 38
Year-end chart performance for "Mony Mony" (live version) by Billy Idol
Year-end chart (1987)Position
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard) [36] 19

Certifications

Certifications for "Mony Mony"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [37] Gold50,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy James and the Shondells</span> American rock band

Tommy James and the Shondells is an American rock band formed in Niles, Michigan, in 1964. They had two No. 1 singles in the U.S. – "Hanky Panky" and "Crimson and Clover" – and also charted twelve other top 40 hits, including five in the Hot 100's top ten: "I Think We're Alone Now", "Mirage", "Mony Mony", "Sweet Cherry Wine" and "Crystal Blue Persuasion".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy James</span> American musician

Tommy James is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, widely known as frontman of the 1960s rock band Tommy James and the Shondells, who were known for their hits including "Mony Mony" and "Crimson and Clover", and "I Think We're Alone Now".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crimson and Clover</span> 1968 single Tommy James and the Shondells

"Crimson and Clover" is a 1968 song by American rock band Tommy James and the Shondells. Written by the duo of Tommy James and drummer Peter Lucia Jr., it was intended as a change in direction of the group's sound and composition.

BodyRockers were an English–Australian electronic music duo, consisting of Dylan Burns and Kaz James, which formed in 2004. Their 2005 single, "I Like the Way", reached No. 3 on the United Kingdom Singles Chart, No. 12 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, and the Top 20 on both the United States Billboard Hot Dance Club Play and Hot Dance Airplay Charts. They issued a self-titled album that year and toured internationally in support of its release. Although they recorded material for a second album it was not issued and the group disbanded in 2007 with both Burns and James pursuing solo careers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Wedding (song)</span> 1982 single by Billy Idol

"White Wedding" is a song by Billy Idol that was released as the second single from his self-titled studio album in 1982. Although not Idol's highest-charting hit, it is often considered one of his most recognizable songs. In the US, it peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart on 27 November 1982, then reached No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 on 2 July 1983 after it was re-issued. In the UK, it reached No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart upon its re-release there in 1985, when it was re-issued to promote the Vital Idol remix album.

<i>Dont Stop</i> (EP) 1981 EP by Billy Idol

Don't Stop is the first EP by English rock singer Billy Idol, released in 1981 by Chrysalis Records.

<i>Vital Idol</i> 1985 remix album by Billy Idol

Vital Idol is a remix album by English rock singer Billy Idol, released in June 1985 by Chrysalis Records. It contains remixed songs from his first two albums and the Don't Stop EP. The album was reissued in the United States with one extra track in September 1987, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard 200. The US release was supported by a non-album live single version of "Mony Mony".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hanky Panky (Tommy James and the Shondells song)</span> 1964 single by the Shondells

"Hanky Panky" is a song written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich for their group, the Raindrops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Think We're Alone Now</span> 1967 single by Tommy James and the Shondells

"I Think We're Alone Now" is a song written and composed by Ritchie Cordell that was first recorded by Tommy James and the Shondells. It was a major hit for the group, reaching number 4 on the US Hot 100 in April 1967. It finished at No. 12 on Billboard magazine's year-end singles chart for 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Idol</span> British-American singer and songwriter

William Michael Albert Broad, known professionally as Billy Idol, is an English-American singer, songwriter, musician and actor. He first achieved fame in the 1970s emerging from the London punk rock scene as the lead singer of the group Generation X. Subsequently, he embarked on a solo career which led to international recognition and made Idol a lead artist during the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" in the US. The name "Billy Idol" was inspired by a schoolteacher's description of him as "idle".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Draggin' the Line</span> Single by Tommy James

"Draggin' the Line" is a hit song by American rock musician Tommy James, who went solo after the Shondells disbanded in 1970. It was first released as the B side of "Church Street Soul Revival" in 1970. The song was judged to have some hit potential so they went back in the studio and added horns to the master and re-released it as an A side single in 1971. It was included on his second album, Christian of the World in 1971 on the Roulette Records label. The song was James' biggest hit as a solo artist selling more than a million copies, and appears as the fifth track on James' 1991 retrospective album The Solo Years (1970-81) released by Rhino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Your Room (The Bangles song)</span> 1988 single by The Bangles

"In Your Room" is a 1988 song by American rock group The Bangles, written by Susanna Hoffs in collaboration with Billy Steinberg and composer Tom Kelly. The song was released as the first single from the band's third album, Everything. It reached the top five of the US singles chart, and also charted in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Kenneth Benjamin Laguna is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician, best known for his work with Joan Jett.

"To Be a Lover" is a song written by William Bell and Booker T. Jones originally as "I Forgot to Be Your Lover", but best known as a cover by Billy Idol on his third studio album Whiplash Smile (1986). As the album's lead single, it became Idol's second top ten hit in the US, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Gettin' Together" is a song written by Ritchie Cordell and recorded by Tommy James and the Shondells for their 1967 album, Gettin' Together. The song reached number 18 on The Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. The song also reached number 24 in Canada. The song was the group's fourth charting single of the year. "Gettin' Together" is based on the opening bass riff of "Gimme Some Lovin'", a single by the Spencer Davis Group released in 1966. However, the remainder of "Gettin' Together" continues in the pop-rock direction James began in his previous album, I Think We're Alone Now, under the tutelage and production of Ritchie Cordell and Bo Gentry. Jimmy Wisner arranged the music for the song. A cover version of the song was also done by Gene Pitney.

"She" is a song recorded by Tommy James and the Shondells and released as a single in November 1969; it was also included on the band's 1970 album, Travelin'. The song reached No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 on January 24, 1970. The song also reached No. 15 in Canada. It was the 13th and final top 40 hit for the band, although James went on to have three more top 40 hits as a solo artist.

<i>I Think Were Alone Now</i> (album) 1967 studio album by Tommy James and the Shondells

I Think We're Alone Now is the third of three studio albums by the pop rock band Tommy James and the Shondells, released in 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ritchie Cordell</span> American singer

Ritchie Cordell was an American songwriter, singer and record producer. He wrote and produced several hits for Tommy James and The Shondells, including "I Think We're Alone Now" and "Mony Mony", and co-produced Joan Jett's I Love Rock 'n' Roll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweet Sixteen (song)</span> 1987 single by Billy Idol

"Sweet Sixteen" is a song by British singer-songwriter Billy Idol, released in 1987 as the third single from his third studio album Whiplash Smile (1986). The song written by Idol and produced by Keith Forsey. "Sweet Sixteen" peaked at No. 20 in the US and No. 17 in the UK. It was also a hit across Europe and beyond.

Robert Allan Ackoff, known professionally as Bo Gentry, was an American pop singer, songwriter and record producer, most noted for his work with Tommy James and the Shondells in the 1960s.

References

  1. Stanley, Bob (September 13, 2013). "Bubblegum is the Naked Truth: The Monkees". Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop. Faber & Faber. p. 275. ISBN   978-0-571-28198-5.
  2. Scapelliti, Christopher (1998). "Tommy James & the Shondells". In Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds.). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. pp. 590–591.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. pp. 118–9. ISBN   0-85112-250-7.
  4. Tommy James & The Shondells: Mony Mony at Discogs (list of releases)
  5. Heaven & Earth Soundtrack Retrieved February 7, 2015
  6. 1 2 Lott, Rod. "Crystal Blue Conversation" on Angelfire
  7. Norwegian Charts site
  8. Norwegian Charts site as above
  9. Norwegian Charts site as above
  10. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5831." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  11. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mony Mony". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  12. Flavour of New Zealand, 6 September 1968
  13. Norwegian Charts site as above
  14. "SA Charts 1965 – March 1989" . Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  15. Norwegian Charts site as above
  16. "Tommy James and the Shondells: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  17. "Tommy James Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  18. "Offiziellecharts.de – Tommy James and the Shondells – Mony Mony" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 19, 2020. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON Tommy James and the Shondells"
  19. 1 2 Wawzenek, Bryan (November 22, 2017). "30 Years Ago: Billy Idol Rides 'Mony Mony' to No. 1". Diffuser.fm. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  20. "Index: Releases". Record Mirror . September 19, 1987. p. 9. ISSN   0144-5804.
  21. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003. Record Research. p. 126.
  22. 1 2 Idol, Billy (2015). Dancing With Myself. Touchstone. pp. Chapter 18. ISBN   9781451628517.
  23. Cross, Alan. "MAJOR UPDATE! Where Did the Special Lyrics in Billy Idol's Version of "Mony Mony" Come From?". A Journal of Musical Things. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  24. Greene, Bob (May 8, 1989). "The dirty 'Mony' mystery is solved". Chicago Tribune . p. B1.
  25. "Metroactive Music | The Rock Show". Metroactive.com. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  26. "Billy Idol Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  27. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  28. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0893." RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  29. "Billy Idol – Mony Mony (Live)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  30. "Billy Idol – Mony Mony (Live)". Swiss Singles Chart.
  31. "Billy Idol – Mony Mony (Live)". Top 40 Singles.
  32. "Billy Idol: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  33. "Billy Idol Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  34. "Billy Idol Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  35. "Offiziellecharts.de – Billy Idol – Mony Mony (Live)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  36. "1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 52. December 26, 1987.
  37. "Canadian single certifications – Billy Idol – Mony Mony". Music Canada . Retrieved August 19, 2022.