About the song
The song “Mony Mony,” immortalized by Tommy James and the Shondells in 1968, remains a timeless emblem of 1960s pop rock. Co-written by Bobby Bloom, Ritchie Cordell, Bo Gentry, and Tommy James himself, the track swiftly ascended to the top of the charts, reaching No. 1 in the UK and No. 3 in the US. Its inception stemmed from Tommy James’ observation of the illuminated “M.O.N.Y.” sign atop the Mutual of New York Building, a sight that inspired the catchy title which would define the song.
Tommy James recounted the serendipitous moment in an interview, recalling how the song was nearly abandoned before he noticed the iconic sign from his Manhattan apartment. He described the revelation as if it were a divine intervention, giving birth to the name “Mony Mony” that ultimately propelled the track’s success. Had it not been for this chance sighting, the song might have been titled something as mundane as “Hotel Taft.”
The original version by Tommy James and the Shondells captivated audiences not only with its infectious melody but also with its vibrant presence in popular culture. Over the years, “Mony Mony” found its way into various film and television productions, including Oliver Stone’s drama “Heaven & Earth,” solidifying its status as a cultural staple.
Decades later, the song experienced a revival when English singer-songwriter Billy Idol covered it in 1981, infusing it with a more pronounced rock sound. Idol’s rendition became a global hit, reigniting public interest in the original garage rock single and propelling it to international acclaim once again. His energetic live version in 1985, released in 1987, surpassed even the success of the Shondells’ original, topping the Billboard Hot 100 charts and cementing “Mony Mony” as a timeless anthem of rock and roll.
With its memorable hooks, spirited performances, and enduring popularity across generations, “Mony Mony” stands as a testament to the power of catchy songwriting and its ability to transcend time and trends in music history. Whether through Tommy James and the Shondells’ original rendition or Billy Idol’s electrifying cover, the song continues to captivate listeners and remains a vibrant fixture in the annals of rock music.
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Lyrics
Here she comes now, say “Mony, Mony”
Well, shoot ’em down, turn around, come on
Oh, yeah
Hey, she gives me love and I feel alright now
(Everybody)
You got me tossin’, turnin’ in the middle of the night
And I feel alright
I say, yeah
(Yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Well, you make me feel (Mony, Mony)
So (Mony, Mony)
Good (Mony, Mony)
Yeah (Mony, Mony)
So good (Mony, Mony)
Alright (Mony, Mony)
Come on (Mony, Mony)
Alright, baby (Mony, Mony)
I say, yeah
(Yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Come on
Break me, shake me, Mony, Mony
Shotgun, get it done, come on, Mony
Don’t stop, ’cause it feels so good, yeah
Hey, eh
Well don’t stop now, hey, come on, Mony
Well, come on, Mony
Yeah
(Yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Well, you make me feel (Mony, Mony)
So (Mony, Mony)
Good (Mony, Mony)
Yeah (Mony, Mony)
Alright (Mony, Mony)
Come on (Mony, Mony)
So good (Mony, Mony)
Alright (Mony, Mony)
I say, yeah
(Yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Aaaaahh
So good
(Ooh, I love you, Mony, mo, mo, Mony)
So good
(Ooh, I love you, Mony, mo, mo, Mony)
Alright
(Ooh, I love you, Mony, mo, mo, Mony)
Yeah, Mony, Mony
Yeah
(Yeah)
Everybody
(Yeah)
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Everybody
Alright (Mony, Mony)
Alright (Mony, Mony)
Come on
Well, you’ve got it
Yeah
Hey, yeah
Oh, yeah