Mona (I Need You Baby)
# 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".

## Craig McLachlan & Check 1–2 version

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.

### Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1991 | "Mona" | ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single of the Year | Won |

### Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| - | - | - |
| Australia (ARIA) | 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.
* 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.
* 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.
