The original version of "Mony Mony" was done by American pop rock band Tommy James & The Shondells in 1968. Billy Idol's cover in 1981 has more of a rock sound.
The Crowd has it's own Lyrics that were usually screamed at the breaks in the song. Not the Most family friendly Lyrics but definitely ones that run through your head if you grew up during this era.
Listen to this at a club and you will hear a lot more than the lyrics. Crowd participation on this one is nice, when your lit and the whole place is screaming back vocals.
I've always been a fan of Billy, but I think it needs to be said that Steve, his guitar player, is an absolute monster player. He can do things with the guitar that you wouldn't believe.
I like some Billy Idol, "Rock the Cradle of Love" is another one that I don't think y'all have done yet, but You really need to do the Original "Mony Mony" by Tommy James and the Shondells. It is just too iconic. Thanks and God Bless.
His 80's interviews i found on youtube are so funny....he is a trip...he's humble now but back then wheww lol....he said whatever he was thinking..zero filter...and his English accent is so strong and so adorable. I had the biggest crush on him in my early teens which was in the 80s. It was Motley Crue Bon Jovi and Billy Idol my early teen crushes☺
Check out Billy Idol “Sweet Sixteen” with the video. It’s a different side of him and a really well written song. The inspiration for the song has a cool backstory too.
This was big in clubs in the '80s, and when he'd say "mony mony," everyone would shout -- excuse my language -- "get drunk, get screwed, get f&&ked." At least that was the case in clubs in New Orleans and along the Florida gulf. Good times. That I remember anyway. heh
We had a slightly different version when I was in college in the 80’s - “hey, get laid, get f**cked”. EVERYONE was on the dance floor the moment this came on. Great song.
Great reaction and insight. Everything you said was spot on. Billy idol has a number of great tunes and performances. They say he is actually the nicest and most humble guy.
College years mid eighties: this song was popular in bars and at parties. Always with some added lyrics sung by the crowd that have been alluded to in the comments.
Studio version had a chorus toward the end saying "ride the pony", and yes Billy had issues with sex obsession and drugs as well in the day. All clean and healthy now.
When younger (late 20's, early 30's), I used to listen to this song at full volume and I absolutely lost myself in the sound. It was great!! I remember when I learned the audience participation lyrics when out with friends at a dance club. Billy would sing a line like: Here she come now sayin', "Mony, Mony" Shoot 'em down, turn around, come on, Mony Hey, she give me love, and I feel all right now The audience would respond after each line saying: "Get laid, motherf*cker, get laid, get f*cked." Ahh, the care-free, good old days of innocence and youth. TeeHee
Tommy James saw the Mutual of New York sign on the corner of a building in New York. On one corner it read like MONY and as the sign turned the corner it said MONY. Hence, MONY, MONY for the title of the song. And just to give Asia something amusing to laugh at watch his underrated hit TO BE A LOVER. Billy has said it gave him a chance to do his best Elvis impression. And he makes a move at the end of the guitar solo that would make the King proud. And maybe a little envious.
Now this takes me back to those dayyyyyysssss😂 crazy dancing all over the place and not giving a shi##### about anything or anyone. Love it❤ Great reaction guys
Live concert video is the best. That energy and the interaction with the audience is priceless. Picture listening to this while you read the lyrics. You guys need to go to a rock concert to understand. It’s so much fun and you will love it!!! Everyone is announcing tour dates now. Sexy is every rocker from the 80s. Every front man has at least one of those performances.
Hello Asia and BJ. You Guys Have GOT To See The Original From 1968 By Tommy James and The Shondells!!! Tommy James Wrote The Song. I Remember How Much You Guys Liked "Crimson and Clover By" Him It Would Be Nice To See Your Reaction. Grace and Peace, Ralph in C
Billy is still kickin out the hits too. He took a break for several years, but if you want some wild stuff that's newer look up Plastic Jesus, Scream, Save Me Now and Eyes Wide Shut.
I remember going to a night club called the cavalcade and you knew it was 11:30pm because this song was always being played at that time. Crazy memories of those nights.
PS, When You Check Out The Original By Tommy James, Look at The Original Video, 11 Million Views!! Tommy James and His Band Wrote Their Own Songs And Were Great Musicians! Also, Tommy Is Born-Again, Check Out His Testimony On TH-cam, It Will Inspire You!! Grace and Peace, Ralph in CT
"Mony Mony" is a 1968 single by Tommy James & the Shondells, that reached #1 in the UK charts. It was famously covered by Billy Idol in 1981. "Mony Mony" was credited to Tommy James, Bo Gentry, Ritchie Cordell, and Bobby Bloom. The hook in the song is said to have been inspired by James' view of a MONY sign atop the Mutual of New York Building in the New York City skyline from his Manhattan apartment. As Tommy James says 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."
If you guys get a chance check out his VH-1 Storytellers concert. It starts off with acoustic guitar based versions of some of Billy's songs. Halfway through the electric guitar comes out & it rocks the rest of the way. Billy tells some interesting stories about how he came up with some of his songs. The last 2 songs of the show are "Mony Mony" & "L.A. Woman". They kill it on both songs.
raw, he gives the crowd permission to feel primal, i think that was the need we all had back in the day. the need to feel part of something maybe.. yeah lol funny watching those videos - it was definitely a different time from today. lol
The guitar player Steve Stevens actually toured with Michael Jackson at one point I did a couple shows with Billy idol as the stage in I think one was at the tower theater in Philly excellent performer
Eyes Without a Face is my absolute favorite Billy Idol tune. Brings back many memories of summertime pool parties and night time summer cruises with my muscle car and windows wide open with my girl and future wife riding shotgun. Not a care in the world.
I liked Billy Idol's version of this Tommy James remake of Mony, Mony. When this version played at weddings, the whole dance floor was bombarded with people dancing. Mony Mony" was credited to Tommy James, Bo Gentry, Ritchie Cordell and Bobby BloomThe 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.
Tommy James wrote this song after seeing a building in New York I believe with a huge sign that said MONY…which stands for Mutual of New York (life insurance).
A perfect name for him, he is an Idol!!! My favourite by him is Rebel Yell but this is a very close 2nd..... I swear Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer is based in Billy Idol. Great reaction 👍
In case no one mentioned it earlier…. MONY stands for Mutual Of New York. It was on a neon sign that Tommy James and the Shondells (did the original) could see from a hotel room, while in NYC for a gig.. Or so the legend goes.
If you ever wondered who MONY is? It's a building in NYC that at the time had a giant neon Mutual of Omaha New York (MONY) sign that was shining into the original author of this songs room. So, he wrote a song using it.
Its MONY MONY it stands for Mutual Of New York ! Tommy James did the original thats what he said it was ! He was up late trying to add one more song to an album ! He was in NY and seen a flashing sigh from his hotel room with MONY on it ! It was an ad for the insurance company!
Great cover tho Tommy James and the Shondells did the original in 68. Tommy James wrote this while looking out his hotel room in NYC. Saw the Mutual of New York bldg bingo! that's the title They had many great songs Mony Mony, Crimson and Clover( maybe biggest hit) and at least a dozen more probably from 66 to 71.
I like Billy's cover of the Tommy James song. Since I grew listening to Tommy James that is my favorite version.
And Joan Jett did a remake of crimson and cover. Both great 80s remakes to Tommy's songs
I agree with you Randy, Tommy James is better but Billy sure rocked this out
Agree, but Billy has the right voice to this song and did a great job :)
The original version of "Mony Mony" was done by American pop rock band Tommy James & The Shondells in 1968. Billy Idol's cover in 1981 has more of a rock sound.
I like both but I have to say the cover is a bit better!
Love the beat of the original
@@gaylemitchell5881 It's close!! Depends on your mood for the day!!!! LOL🤣
Tommy James version was pop. I like both of them.
Tommy James was asked about Billy Idol's version and he said Billy had the perfect voice for ths song. Great song.
The Crowd has it's own Lyrics that were usually screamed at the breaks in the song. Not the Most family friendly Lyrics but definitely ones that run through your head if you grew up during this era.
This song was banned from my school's dances...
College parties always sung the "forbidden lyrics" lol
@@MrDuncanquasar So did those of us in the army.
Nightclubs as well belted out the X Rated version
I worked in a nightclub in the 80s and we used to sing those "forbidden lyrics" loudly from the dance floor every time. Great memories.
Listen to this at a club and you will hear a lot more than the lyrics. Crowd participation on this one is nice, when your lit and the whole place is screaming back vocals.
"HEY, GET LAID, GET F***ED"
😂😂😂😂
Yup, the crowd definitely participated when it came on in the clubs! LOL!
When ever I hear it I still participate 🤘
I've always been a fan of Billy, but I think it needs to be said that Steve, his guitar player, is an absolute monster player. He can do things with the guitar that you wouldn't believe.
Thank you! I totally agree. He should be better appreciated!
Agreed
Not only is Stevie a great Rock Lead Guitarist, he was diverse beyond belief . His Flamenco at Dementia Live Japan is so beautiful
Totally agree - really underrated. I've had the privilege of spending some time with him on numerous occasions and he's a genuinely nice guy as well.
Criminally underrated
I like some Billy Idol, "Rock the Cradle of Love" is another one that I don't think y'all have done yet, but You really need to do the Original "Mony Mony" by Tommy James and the Shondells. It is just too iconic. Thanks and God Bless.
Billy Idol - Rebel Yell - Dancing with myself - White Wedding - Eyes without a face - Flesh for Fantasy
Billy was like Elvis on speed. The guitar player Steve Stevens played guitar on Dirty Diana by Michael Jackson. Great stuff.
Elvis was on speed..lol..He and Jerry Lee, Johnny Cash..but good description
A "Punk/new wave Elvis" for the 80's
You're correct, I've mentioned on other Billy Idol videos that Billy is the modern Elvis!
Great song that always packed the dance floor. Brings back many awesome memories. Everybody singing "hey MF'er get down and get F'ed."
Billy Idol was unique. He matched his soft lyrical voice with kick-ass Rock. That guy was too cool!
He is still cool…
His 80's interviews i found on youtube are so funny....he is a trip...he's humble now but back then wheww lol....he said whatever he was thinking..zero filter...and his English accent is so strong and so adorable. I had the biggest crush on him in my early teens which was in the 80s. It was Motley Crue Bon Jovi and Billy Idol my early teen crushes☺
This was a really great cover of the original song.
OMG yes !!! The way to react to Billy Idol is to see him in a video like this, not just the lyrics !! Thank you !!!!!!!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Check out Billy Idol “Sweet Sixteen” with the video. It’s a different side of him and a really well written song. The inspiration for the song has a cool backstory too.
We had a big old party growing up in the 80s! The music was such a soundtrack to our lives and why the 80s are still played on so many stations.
There's a naughty bit in the chorus you only heard on dance floors. We had lots of fun as kids screaming along!
Every single wedding....when this song starts up, the dance floor turns up!! :)
Along with ‘White Wedding’ 😝
This was big in clubs in the '80s, and when he'd say "mony mony," everyone would shout -- excuse my language -- "get drunk, get screwed, get f&&ked." At least that was the case in clubs in New Orleans and along the Florida gulf. Good times. That I remember anyway. heh
In Chicago in the 80's it was "get laid, get fu@#$d" that was good times.
We had a slightly different version when I was in college in the 80’s - “hey, get laid, get f**cked”. EVERYONE was on the dance floor the moment this came on. Great song.
@@chrismcdonald9634 in central Florida it was “get laid, get f@d” also. I have to stop myself from singing it because it’s so ingrained!
@@tb9579 Don't know where you are from, but that is how we rocked it here in Canada too. "Hey, get laid, get f**cked!" Cheers mate.
Very similar thing done in Nova Scotia 🇨🇦
Well done billy idol. Love that song. You did good
I saw Billy Idol live in 1982, he was amazing!
Great reaction and insight. Everything you said was spot on. Billy idol has a number of great tunes and performances. They say he is actually the nicest and most humble guy.
This is an Anthem of the 80's as gift to the 2000's - and Asia saw the quick fondle of the Keyboardist Gal by Billy and smiled.....
Asia & BJ, Billy's "Dancing With Myself" is next for you! (banger)
College years mid eighties: this song was popular in bars and at parties. Always with some added lyrics sung by the crowd that have been alluded to in the comments.
Eyes Without A Face is one my Billy Idol favorites. ❤️😁
this song instantly got everybody up on the dance floor
Thanks for reacting to Billy Idol, I saw his concert in the 80’s & was lucky to be close to the stage, those were the days 😃
Billy Idol is so good. His "Cradle of Love" is my request. He sure performed flawlessly during his concerts.
Billy delivers a 🔥 cover of this great song!
Studio version had a chorus toward the end saying "ride the pony", and yes Billy had issues with sex obsession and drugs as well in the day. All clean and healthy now.
When younger (late 20's, early 30's), I used to listen to this song at full volume and I absolutely lost myself in the sound. It was great!!
I remember when I learned the audience participation lyrics when out with friends at a dance club. Billy would sing a line like:
Here she come now sayin', "Mony, Mony"
Shoot 'em down, turn around, come on, Mony
Hey, she give me love, and I feel all right now
The audience would respond after each line saying: "Get laid, motherf*cker, get laid, get f*cked."
Ahh, the care-free, good old days of innocence and youth. TeeHee
Y'all need to watch a recent live performance of his. Billy is still high-energy, still sounds fantastic, still looks great for his age
this is the ultimate party song, put this song on at a party and everyone is dancing
Yes! Asia the ladies loved Billy....still do. LOL!
Tommy James saw the Mutual of New York sign on the corner of a building in New York. On one corner it read like MONY and as the sign turned the corner it said MONY. Hence, MONY, MONY for the title of the song. And just to give Asia something amusing to laugh at watch his underrated hit TO BE A LOVER. Billy has said it gave him a chance to do his best Elvis impression. And he makes a move at the end of the guitar solo that would make the King proud. And maybe a little envious.
There wasn’t a dance club in the country that didn’t spin this record many times every night in the mid 80s…
Steve Stevens is one of the most incredible guitarists everrrr !!
Hell yeah…
Billy Idol oh he is just fabulous
Now this takes me back to those dayyyyyysssss😂 crazy dancing all over the place and not giving a shi##### about anything or anyone. Love it❤ Great reaction guys
This song gets a dance floor moving! All together now.... Gets Grandma up on the dance floor at every wedding.
Should watch the videos of him with his children and grandchildren. So sweet.
th-cam.com/video/pkMgs3lFwkQ/w-d-xo.html
The original version
This one was HUGE!
U.S. Billboard #1 in 1987!
Billy Idol was bringing Elvis to the building for sure, in so many ways. All Billy needed was a towel.
the Idol .. Billy Idol.. evocative..girl.. just hear the stories.. oh my.
Billy Idol is a f ing LEGEND. Thanks for reviewing........
I love Billy!
Live concert video is the best. That energy and the interaction with the audience is priceless. Picture listening to this while you read the lyrics. You guys need to go to a rock concert to understand. It’s so much fun and you will love it!!! Everyone is announcing tour dates now. Sexy is every rocker from the 80s. Every front man has at least one of those performances.
Hello Asia and BJ.
You Guys Have GOT To See The Original From 1968 By Tommy James and The Shondells!!!
Tommy James Wrote The Song. I Remember How Much You Guys Liked "Crimson and Clover By" Him It Would Be Nice To See Your Reaction.
Grace and Peace,
Ralph in C
Love Billy Idol 🤘🤘✌️👏
Billy is still kickin out the hits too. He took a break for several years, but if you want some wild stuff that's newer look up Plastic Jesus, Scream, Save Me Now and Eyes Wide Shut.
I remember going to a night club called the cavalcade and you knew it was 11:30pm because this song was always being played at that time. Crazy memories of those nights.
Mony Mony is the definition of a high energy song.
PS, When You Check Out The Original By Tommy James, Look at The Original Video, 11 Million Views!!
Tommy James and His Band Wrote Their Own Songs And Were Great Musicians!
Also, Tommy Is Born-Again, Check Out His Testimony On TH-cam, It Will Inspire You!!
Grace and Peace,
Ralph in CT
Had a major crush on him lol. Loved the bad boys from a young age. 😂😂😂cradle of love was my favorite song of his.
It was popular in the clubs. It's gets everyone in the dance floor and pumping there fist in the air
I have always wanted to be and look like Billy Idol.
I loved and still do love Billie Idol. You should check out his recent lives he's still rocking. He's definitely a sexy rocker.❤😂🤘🤘
Timmy and the Schondials originally did this:)
Billy is the man
Billy's tha man!
I have not even seen this video and know Y'All are going LOVE this song written by Tommy James & The Shondells!!!! It is FIRE!!!!
"To Be a Lover" is another banger!
The crowds part was Get Laid Get Stoned Get Drunk ! Played at every wedding reception in history!
The one and only Billy Idol ❤️❤️❤️
"Mony Mony" is a 1968 single by Tommy James & the Shondells, that reached #1 in the UK charts. It was famously covered by Billy Idol in 1981.
"Mony Mony" was credited to Tommy James, Bo Gentry, Ritchie Cordell, and Bobby Bloom. The hook in the song is said to have been inspired by James' view of a MONY sign atop the Mutual of New York Building in the New York City skyline from his Manhattan apartment. As Tommy James says 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."
If you guys get a chance check out his VH-1 Storytellers concert. It starts off with acoustic guitar based versions of some of Billy's songs. Halfway through the electric guitar comes out & it rocks the rest of the way. Billy tells some interesting stories about how he came up with some of his songs. The last 2 songs of the show are "Mony Mony" & "L.A. Woman". They kill it on both songs.
Well that was a fun and exciting time travel ! Great song..great energy!
This was a bangin cover. Fan of and seen live....Idol was a great change with the regular music at the time.
Oh how I miss the 80s!!
A friend of mine saw him in London about 2 or 3 years ago, still got it according to her, not a dry seat in the house.
you guys get it! we are all missing little bits and pieces of the wide culture. If we could all just get together for a while we could learn so much!
saw Idol on rebell yell tour stop 2 in bridgeport ct at harvey bubbell gym
raw, he gives the crowd permission to feel primal, i think that was the need we all had back in the day. the need to feel part of something maybe.. yeah lol funny watching those videos - it was definitely a different time from today. lol
I love Billy all his songs have layers and rhythm. He is on several of my playlists. He looks like a maniac though
The same band did a song called Crimson and Clover. Joan Jett does a great cover of that one.
The guitar player Steve Stevens actually toured with Michael Jackson at one point I did a couple shows with Billy idol as the stage in I think one was at the tower theater in Philly excellent performer
I listened to this back in the early 80's in high school 💥
Great job on your song choices today , absolutely rocked ! Love it .
Eyes Without a Face is my absolute favorite Billy Idol tune. Brings back many memories of summertime pool parties and night time summer cruises with my muscle car and windows wide open with my girl and future wife riding shotgun. Not a care in the world.
I saw that Asia Busted 6:19 😎 Females always live through their eyes and smiles.☺
I love this and Tommy James version, brings back memories of our basketball games at home. This was played some.
I liked Billy Idol's version of this Tommy James remake of Mony, Mony. When this version played at weddings, the whole dance floor was bombarded with people dancing. Mony Mony" was credited to Tommy James, Bo Gentry, Ritchie Cordell and Bobby BloomThe 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.
Tommy James wrote this song after seeing a building in New York I believe with a huge sign that said MONY…which stands for Mutual of New York (life insurance).
Please give yourselves a treat guys and check out Billy Idol and Miley Cyrus's duet live from 2016 - still got it 35 years on
Steve Stevens, the Guitarist. Did the guitar work on Michael Jackson’s Dirty Diana.
80's rocker for sure
I never see it mentioned, but usually the crowd has a part. After Billy Idol says Mony Mony, the crowd goes "Hey Get Laid, Get F**ked"
He whipped his unit out on concert in Detroit when I saw him...
A perfect name for him, he is an Idol!!!
My favourite by him is Rebel Yell but this is a very close 2nd.....
I swear Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer is based in Billy Idol.
Great reaction 👍
Saw him in Memphis, 1984.
In case no one mentioned it earlier…. MONY stands for Mutual Of New York. It was on a neon sign that Tommy James and the Shondells (did the original) could see from a hotel room, while in NYC for a gig.. Or so the legend goes.
Billy Idol said the reason he covered this song is because it's the song that was playing the first time he had sex. Lol, but it's true.
Billy Idol rode the razors edge. Pop loved him, but he had enough edge to get some harder rock love.
If you ever wondered who MONY is? It's a building in NYC that at the time had a giant neon Mutual of Omaha New York (MONY) sign that was shining into the original author of this songs room. So, he wrote a song using it.
Its MONY MONY it stands for Mutual Of New York ! Tommy James did the original thats what he said it was ! He was up late trying to add one more song to an album ! He was in NY and seen a flashing sigh from his hotel room with MONY on it ! It was an ad for the insurance company!
You should read his autobiography.....what a life lived on the edge.
Yep...... Keep On Keepin On y'all peace out!
Another Billy Idol video to check out - To Be A Lover
This is my boy!!!
Great cover tho Tommy James and the Shondells did the original in 68. Tommy James wrote this while looking out his hotel room in NYC. Saw the Mutual of New York bldg bingo! that's the title
They had many great songs Mony Mony, Crimson and Clover( maybe biggest hit) and at least a dozen more probably from 66 to 71.