Mona (I Need You Baby)
"Mona (I Need You Baby)" is a song written by Ellas McDaniel (Bo Diddley) that appeared as the B-side to his 1957 single "Hey! Bo Diddley". According to Diddley's obituary in The New York Times, "Mona" was a song of praise he wrote for a 45-year-old exotic dancer who worked at the Flame Show Bar in Detroit. The song also became the template for the Crickets's "Not Fade Away".[1]
Craig McLachlan & Check 1–2 version
"Mona" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Craig McLachlan & Check 1–2 | ||||
from the album Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 | ||||
B-side | "I Don't Mind" | |||
Released | March 18, 1990[2] | |||
Length | 3:40 | |||
Label | CBS | |||
Songwriter(s) | Ellas McDaniel | |||
Producer(s) | Garth Porter | |||
Craig McLachlan & Check 1–2 singles chronology | ||||
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In March 1990, Australian actor and musician Craig McLachlan released a version with his band, Check 1–2, as the second single from their 1990 debut album, Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2. It was a commercial success, peaking at No. 3 in Australia and No. 2 in the United Kingdom. In Australia, it was the highest-selling single by a native artist in 1990.[3]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Mona" (7-inch version) | Ellas McDaniel | 3:40 |
2. | "Mona" (extended remix) | Ellas McDaniel | 6:52 |
3. | "I Don't Mind" | Craig McLachlan | 3:19 |
Awards
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1991 | "Mona" | ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single of the Year[4] | Won |
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[3] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Cover versions
"Mona (I Need You Baby)" has been covered by many artists, including:
- The Rolling Stones for their debut album in 1964 in the UK and on the US album The Rolling Stones, Now! in 1965.
- T. C. Atlantic with a regional hit single in 1966.[18]
- The Troggs on their 1967 album Trogglodynamite.
- Quicksilver Messenger Service for their second album, 1969's Happy Trails. It was ranked number 88 on the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone.[19]
- Grateful Dead performed the song twice - first with Bo Diddley on 25 March 1972 (released on Dick's Picks Volume 30) and then again on 27 October 1991 with guests Gary Duncan and Carlos Santana.
- The Roosters on their 1980 self-titled debut album.
- Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush covered "Mona" on their 1980 album What’s Next.
- Bruce Springsteen often interpolated "Mona" as an introduction to his "She's the One" on the Born to Run tours and Darkness Tour in the 1970s.
- Bo Diddley performed "Mona" with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on March 28, 1999, at the Fillmore West.
References
- Ratliff, Ben (June 3, 2008). "Bo Diddley, Who Gave Rock His Beat, Dies at 79". The New York Times. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
- "Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 – Mona". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1990". ARIA. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "Winners By Year – 27th ARIA Awards 2013". ariaawards.com.au. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
- "Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 – Mona" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 – Mona" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 30. July 28, 1990. p. IV. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 – Mona" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mona". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 30, 1990" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 – Mona" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 – Mona". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "Jaaroverzichten 1990" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. 36. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "End of Year Charts 1990". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- "1990 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England. March 2, 1991. p. 41.
- "TC Atlantic". Minniepaulmusic.com.
- "Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time – Stereogum". stereogum.com. May 30, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2013.