Mony Mony by Billy Idol

By Ron Powers

In 1987, Billy Idol smashed into the charts with his version of “Mony Mony”: a cover of the ’68 classic by Tommy James & The Shondells. Idol’s version vaulted to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, dethroning a chart-topping rival along the way. Digitally infused with dance-rock punch and Idol’s snarling vocal edge, the track became a stadium chant and party-anthem in one, complete with its notorious shouted call-and-response break. What began as a garage-rock number gained new life as a defiant ’80s classic, melding raw rock grit with pop euphoria and sealing its place in the era’s sonic DNA.

Billy and his band get things going with a growling one note bass line accompanied by a four-on-the-floor drum beat. Light tambourine is also added while the kick drum and snare get the listener pumped up. After four quick measures Billy’s iconic rock ’n’ roll vocals hit the speakers with the lines “Here she come now sayin', "Mony, Mony" / Shoot 'em down, turn around, come on, Mony”. Blasts of new wave synth chords are also peppered around the verse giving this 1960s hit a proper 1980s shine.

As the song winds toward the chorus a pre-chorus featuring a faster vocal melody line is added which helps the energy build. Single strummed distorted guitar chords also ring out and further expand the sound and energy. Finally we hear Idol shout out the line, “I said yeah” which is echoed by female backing vocalists. This creates a crescendo of fun that finally bursts into the classic rock ’n’ roll chorus of “Mony Mony”.

For the chorus a walking guitar line mixes with the drums and creates carefree danceability in the music. This provides a perfect bed of sound for Billy and his background singers to let loose with their hair sprayed 1980s attitude. Additionally, the bass guitar bops away at a simple eighth note pattern composed of the root notes of the chords. All these elements compound together and ignite the rock ’n’ roll fire of “Mony Mony”. A fire that continues to burn bright in the hearts of people all around the world.

After a solid foundation is established with the verses and choruses, the bridge section lifts the song to new heights. It starts with nothing but a stripped-down drum beat with hand claps following the snare. Then a simple and smart melody line, played with guitar and piano, joins the drums and shifts the song into territory that feels new yet familiar to the feel of the verse and chorus. Finally Billy and his background singers play around with simple lyrics that allow for a kind of cut-loose fun that mixes with the music to create the sonic party that is “Mony Mony”.

At age 69, Billy Idol is still going strong, finishing up a tour in late November of 2025. He also released his ninth studio album, Dream Into It, earlier this year which featured collaborations with Joan Jett and Avril Lavigne. If you would like to know more about what’s going on in Billy Idol’s world you can find him on Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook. If you’d like to listen to “Mony Mony” or any of Billy’s iconic music, you can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most other places music is streamed or sold.

Ron Powers