Mona (I Need You Baby)



"Mona (I Need You Baby)" is a song written by Ellas McDaniel (Bo Diddley) and was 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 Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away".

Craig McLachlan & Check 1–2 version
In 1990, Australian actor/musician Craig McLachlan released a version with his band "Check 1–2". It was their second single from their album, Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2. It was a commercial success peaking at No. 3 in Australia and No. 2 in the UK. It was the highest selling single by an Australian artist in 1990.

Charts
"Mona" peaked at No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart, behind Elton John's "Sacrifice" in the week commencing 21 July 1990.

Awards

 * 1991 || "Mona" || ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single of the Year || Won
 * 1991 || "Mona" || ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single of the Year || Won

Cover versions
"Mona (I Need You Baby)" has been covered by many artists, including:
 * The Rolling Stones for their debut album in 1964.
 * The Troggs on their Trogglodynamite album in 1967.
 * Quicksilver Messenger Service for their second album Happy Trails in 1969. It was ranked number 88 on the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone.
 * Grateful Dead performed the song twice. The 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 performed an interpretation of the song as an introduction to "She's the One" on the Born to Run tours and Darkness Tour of the 1970s.