Mona (I Need You Baby) Explained

"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

In April 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 3 in Australia and No. 2 in the United Kingdom. In Australia, it was the highest-selling single by a native artist in 1990.

Awards

|-| 1991 || "Mona" || ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single of the Year^[2] ||

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1990)	Position
Australia (ARIA)[4]	15
Belgium (Ultratop)[5]	65
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[6]	86
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[7]	35
UK Singles (OCC)[8]	22

Certifications

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.^[9]
• 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.^[10]
• 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.

Notes and References

1. News: Ben. Ratliff. Bo Diddley, Who Gave Rock His Beat, Dies at 79. The New York Times. June 3, 2008. June 21, 2014.
2. Web site: Winners By Year – 27th ARIA Awards 2013. ariaawards.com.au. . July 23, 2014.
3. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 7. 30. IV. July 28, 1990. July 13, 2020.
4. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1990. ARIA. July 13, 2020.
5. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1990. Ultratop. nl. July 13, 2020.
6. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1990. Music & Media. 7. 51. 36. December 22, 1990. July 13, 2020.
7. Web site: End of Year Charts 1990. Recorded Music NZ. July 13, 2020.
8. 1990 Top 100 Singles. Music Week. London, England. 41. March 2, 1991.
9. Web site: TC Atlantic. Minniepaulmusic.com.
10. Web site: Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time – Stereogum. stereogum.com. May 30, 2008. April 24, 2013.