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"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

"Mona"
Single by Craig McLachlan & Check 1–2
from the album Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2
B-side	"I Don't Mind"
Released	April 30, 1990 (1990-04-30)
Recorded	1989
Length	3:40
Label	CBS
Songwriter(s)	Ellas McDaniel
Producer(s)	Garth Porter
Craig McLachlan & Check 1–2 singles chronology
"Rock the Rock" (1989) "Mona" (1990) "Amanda" (1990)

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 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.

Track listing

Awards

Charts

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.
• 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.

References

1. Ratliff, Ben (June 3, 2008). "Bo Diddley, Who Gave Rock His Beat, Dies at 79". The New York Times. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
2. ^ "Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 – Mona". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
3. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1990". ARIA. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
4. "Winners By Year – 27th ARIA Awards 2013". ariaawards.com.au. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
5. "Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 – Mona" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
6. "Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 – Mona" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
7. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 30. July 28, 1990. p. IV. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
8. "Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 – Mona" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
9. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mona". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
10. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 30, 1990" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
11. "Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 – Mona" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
12. "Craig McLachlan & Check 1-2 – Mona". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
13. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
14. "Jaaroverzichten 1990" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
15. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. 36. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
16. "End of Year Charts 1990". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
17. "1990 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England. March 2, 1991. p. 41.
18. "TC Atlantic". Minniepaulmusic.com.
19. "Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time – Stereogum". stereogum.com. May 30, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2013.

• 1957 songs
• Bo Diddley songs
• The Rolling Stones songs
• 1990 singles
• ARIA Award-winning songs
• Songs written by Bo Diddley
• CBS Records singles
• Craig McLachlan songs