"Mony Mony" Origins?

[PHAT CAT]

The song goes back to 1968 but I suspect the cat version came about in 1982? I seem to remember it.

Billy Idol's remake came out in 1987.

[91catAlum]

The song goes back to 1968 but I suspect the cat version came about in 1982? I seem to remember it.

Billy Idol's remake came out in 1987.

That's correct. I sure don't remember the esggcg chant in Mony Mony when I was in college thru spring 91. Must've started after that.
When i was that age, the chant in that part of the song was "hey say what, get laid get f'd" but that wasn't an MSU thing, it was all over. You can kinda see that in Billy's live video.

[AFCAT]

The song goes back to 1968 but I suspect the cat version came about in 1982? I seem to remember it.

Billy Idol's remake came out in 1987.

British rock musician Billy Idol released a cover version in 1981, as the second and final single from the Don't Stop EP. His version of "Mony Mony" went to No. 7 on the Billboard Dance chart.[23] In his 2015 memoir, Dancing with Myself, he recalls his affection for the song originally stemmed from a sexual encounter he had as a youth where it played in the background.[24] Before proposing the cover to executives at Chrysalis Records, he originally suggested recording a cover of "Shout" before admitting his intentions for "Mony Mony".[24]

A live version of the song was an ever bigger hit for Idol. Recorded on a promotional tour for his then upcoming remix album Vital Idol (1985), it was released as a single in 1986 and went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.


Idol's version gave rise to an interesting custom. When the song was performed live or played at a club or dance, people would shout a certain formulaic (and usually obscene) variation of a particular phrase in the two measures following each line, for example, "hey, say what... get laid, get ******!" or "hey, ******... get laid, get ******!"[26] This led to the song being banned from high-school dances across North America,[27] although the custom continues at Idol concerts and sporting events today.[28] It became so widespread that Idol eventually put the lyrics to record in the "Idol/Stevens Mix" of the song on the 2018 remix album Vital Idol: Revitalized.

[PHAT CAT]

The song goes back to 1968 but I suspect the cat version came about in 1982? I seem to remember it.

Billy Idol's remake came out in 1987.

British rock musician Billy Idol released a cover version in 1981, as the second and final single from the Don't Stop EP. His version of "Mony Mony" went to No. 7 on the Billboard Dance chart.[23] In his 2015 memoir, Dancing with Myself, he recalls his affection for the song originally stemmed from a sexual encounter he had as a youth where it played in the background.[24] Before proposing the cover to executives at Chrysalis Records, he originally suggested recording a cover of "Shout" before admitting his intentions for "Mony Mony".[24]

A live version of the song was an ever bigger hit for Idol. Recorded on a promotional tour for his then upcoming remix album Vital Idol (1985), it was released as a single in 1986 and went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.


Idol's version gave rise to an interesting custom. When the song was performed live or played at a club or dance, people would shout a certain formulaic (and usually obscene) variation of a particular phrase in the two measures following each line, for example, "hey, say what... get laid, get ******!" or "hey, ******... get laid, get ******!"[26] This led to the song being banned from high-school dances across North America,[27] although the custom continues at Idol concerts and sporting events today.[28] It became so widespread that Idol eventually put the lyrics to record in the "Idol/Stevens Mix" of the song on the 2018 remix album Vital Idol: Revitalized.

There was no ESG Go Cats Go in the 80's. I was there. I hung out with guys from the football and basketball team when I was a junior in high school, 1981. House parties at Tony Bodies and at Mark Eibners house. Those things were off the hook. I went to college off and on from 1983 until 1993. Never wanted to leave. ESG Go Cats Go didn't start until the earl 90's.

[lutecat]

So don't ask me Hank why do you drink?

Why do you roll smoke?

Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?

There are lots of songs that have things said you wouldnt normally say around kids except for when a song comes on. Noone complaining about HW Jr songs playing I'm sure.

Seriously? There is a world of difference between singing a Hank Jr. song about smoking and drinking and having a young child going around yelling s**t and f**ck. I'd have had my mouth washed out soap and would have done the same to my kids.

You know what people yell in-between each of those lines? I suppose you would've been allowed to say "get laid" then?

[AFCAT]

The song goes back to 1968 but I suspect the cat version came about in 1982? I seem to remember it.

Billy Idol's remake came out in 1987.

British rock musician Billy Idol released a cover version in 1981, as the second and final single from the Don't Stop EP. His version of "Mony Mony" went to No. 7 on the Billboard Dance chart.[23] In his 2015 memoir, Dancing with Myself, he recalls his affection for the song originally stemmed from a sexual encounter he had as a youth where it played in the background.[24] Before proposing the cover to executives at Chrysalis Records, he originally suggested recording a cover of "Shout" before admitting his intentions for "Mony Mony".[24]

A live version of the song was an ever bigger hit for Idol. Recorded on a promotional tour for his then upcoming remix album Vital Idol (1985), it was released as a single in 1986 and went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.


Idol's version gave rise to an interesting custom. When the song was performed live or played at a club or dance, people would shout a certain formulaic (and usually obscene) variation of a particular phrase in the two measures following each line, for example, "hey, say what... get laid, get ******!" or "hey, ******... get laid, get ******!"[26] This led to the song being banned from high-school dances across North America,[27] although the custom continues at Idol concerts and sporting events today.[28] It became so widespread that Idol eventually put the lyrics to record in the "Idol/Stevens Mix" of the song on the 2018 remix album Vital Idol: Revitalized.

There was no ESG Go Cats Go in the 80's. I was there. I hung out with guys from the football and basketball team when I was a junior in high school, 1981. House parties at Tony Bodies and at Mark Eibners house. Those things were off the hook. I went to college off and on from 1983 until 1993. Never wanted to leave. ESG Go Cats Go didn't start until the earl 90's.

My response was to your 1987 post, which is incorrect. I was also in Bozeman in the early 80s.