. . . Mony Mony
Driving home today after a lengthy meeting, preceded by several long weeks, with a few more yet to come and feeling rather glum, I turned on the car radio to an oldies station I frequent from time to time. I could feel the beat of the tune before I heard the words and did what many-a-sexagenarian might do; I turned up the volume as loud as I could, bounced my head and shoulders back and forth, rocking my car to the rhythm as I sang as loud as I could “Mony, Mony”! Yeah! My feet pumping the brakes, ever-so-lightly at a stop light, I was wishing I were on a dance floor. Recalling dances in college where a certain friend of mine and I would arrive with 25 cents in our shoes.
College dances back then were 50 cents stag, 75 cents drag, which meant you could get in for 50 cents, 75 with a date. We would feign poverty, which really wasn’t stretching the truth all that far, asking a few cute lads if they could pretend we were their dates to get in, earning them 25 cents. It got us into the dance and the boys got a dance with two, if I may say so, rather cute girls with long, straight hair and short skirts who were pretty good dancers and always had fun.
So, as I drove, “Mony Mony” causing noise pollution, my mood lightened, the sun came out, and I hurried on home to find Tommy James and the Shondells to share with you, though the Billy Idol version may be more familiar. On the way to posting, Wikipedia informed me that the title and term, Mony, presented itself to Tommy James as he stood on a balcony. There, before him, was the Mutual of New York Building. Mony Mony! Not exactly acrostic but fun, none-the-less.
Sometimes it just feels good to shout out a song, doesn’t it? Do you have a song that does this to you? Makes you want to sing along, dance on your brakes, rock your car?
An update: My sister is healing, slowly but surely, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for all of your prayers, good wishes, thoughts, and encouragement. Penny
Penny, it’s so good to have a break-out from time to time, and a car is a great place to do it. I often sing the songs I’m learning in the choir (many of which are from that era and full of beat), while I’m driving along. So glad to hear that your sister is healing. I took my sister out to lunch this week, for her birthday, and suddenly had a surge of love/premonition and put my arm around her and said, ‘I’m so glad I have a sister.’ You have made me more aware; thanks Penny.
A car can be like our own little recording studio, can’t they Juliet? I can imagine you singing your choir songs as you drive along. A nice picture that paints. Oh, how I appreciate reading this, Juliet. I’m so pleased that you had the time with your sister, sharing her birthday, and that awareness came to you. Thank you.
Oh, I love it! You made my day. I had forgotten about quarters in our shoes. How much more simple our lives were then. I remember that we were very cool in our bell bottoms or our wool plaid shorts with a matching sweater and knee socks. One of the songs that I remember enjoying so much was Ob La Di Ob La Da by the Beatles. We would sing or yell all of the words out as loudly as we could. I think it is kind of sad that kids don’t seem to enjoy dances like we did. I don’t think we worried about being great dancers (we weren’t). We just danced for the fun of it. It was just pure joy. We were young and we were bound to have a good time.
So wonderful to hear that your sister is healing. Thoughts and prayers will continue.
I’m so glad to hear it! Weren’t those fun times? I think we drove most everyone batty singing Ob La Di Ob La Da. I still remember the words. Now, you have me wandering down memory lane, Janet, and how we could dance to the entire song, Inagaddadavida, without breaking a sweat. Now, just saying it has me trying to catch my breath. tee hee It seemed to go on for 20 minutes. It was a simpler time, as you say.
Thank you, Janet. They are appreciated.
I did worry a little when I read the dancing on the brakes bit….. but you seem to have survived . Singing along with an ancient Cliff Richard number, with my dad, ” Travelling Light” ( wont have made it in the US I’m afraid)….lyrics included
” Got no bags and baggage to hold me down
My feet, so light, they dont touch the ground
Travelling Light, Travelling light, Just gotta get to be with my baby tonight”
We loved it…. must have bene about 1959/60.
But all time favourite comes much later…..and relives my time in Wisconsin.
I bought a 1976 aqua blue and white Pontiac catalina……with 112,000 miles on the clock, in September 1984…for $800.
It just about lasted me a year…. broke down several times, but could usually be patched up…… and I used to drive it from Sheboygan up to Green Bay, or down to Milwaukee, with Bruce Springsteen ” Born in the USA” blasting out.
It was my very own American Dream. Nothing will ever beat that for me. Heaven.
You must try it sometime, Janice, but only when other cars aren’t around. I don’t know the song “Travelling Light’, but will look it up and take it on a whirl. A nice memory for you, isn’t it, singing along with your dad? I’m sure whenever you hear the song, you think of him.
Isn’t it amazing how we remember these details of our first cars? Mine was a Dodge Dart, gold with a blue interior. $600. Anyways, another memorable piece of your time in Wisconsin. The fact that “the Boss”, Bruce Springsteen, was with you all the way makes this memory all the sweeter. Windows open, hair blowing with the breeze, and Bruce’s voice blasting away.
I think it’s great when a song plays that brings you to life. I say, go for it. Passion and music go together. When a song plays I really love, I can’t stop moving or get it out of my head. Enjoy.
Music certainly has a way with how we feel, doesn’t it. Thank you for your comment.
Glad to hear that your sister is on the mend, Penny. You have all been close to my heart.
My song, I am ashamed to admit, is “Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard. I am a child of the era, and that is my excuse.
Thank you so much, Andra.
Now, why doesn’t that surprise me? You stick with it, Andra, and enjoy!
So glad your sister is improving, Penny. I hope the way back to full health won’t be too long.
I vaguely remember this song, but it was at its peak when I was busy with other things – taking my final exams at college and getting married.
But there are other songs that do to me what this one does to to you, mostly the Beatles’ early and middle hits which dominated my last years at school and my 3 years in college. Play me any track from their album Rubber Soul and I’ll tell you the tracks that come before and after it. 
Thank you, Perpetua. I am sure she will be.
I love(d) the Rubber Soul album. I think the Beatles had such an impact, both musically and culturally, on several generations – and still do – not to mention how the crossed the might ocean, several oceans, in fact. I’m smiling.
Oh yes. My friends and I used to dance in the car to the Beach Boys, the Stones and, of course, The Beatles.
Just today I was jammin’ along with Mick and “Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud…” Yesterday it was Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll.”
Car dancing and singing (loudly) is just the best!
Aha! You are a kindred spirit in not only books, but, music and “brake” dancing as well, Belle.
Those two songs will now play through my head all day! “Old Time Rock and Roll” always manages to get me up off of my feet as much as any other song.
Why do they always sound better and have us singing loudly in the car, I wonder?
What an amazing singer he was. Fantastic voice. I’m going to date myself with my shouty song: The Cure, Love Cats –
http://wp.me/pX1we-2Io
Oh, bother, managed to post my own link!!! Rubbish!! Apologies –
Here it is.
Clive Bond and you, dancing around your house, you singing at the top of your lungs. I can see it, Kate; Mac watching, aloof, on a pillow. The link wouldn’t open to us statesiders, but, I did a little investigating, found The Cure and enjoyed the Love Cats. May do some shouting myself. Thanks, Kate.
Thank you for your perseverance
Clive loves this one too, naturally…
But, of course he does, and you’re welcome. I don’t give up easily, Kate, especially with a recommendation from you. Have a good day.
So many songs, so much to think about…one of my favorites is “Dance to the Music” by Sly and the Family Stone. For years now though, Huey Lewis and the News singing “The Heart of Rock and Roll” makes me delirious. I have a well-known crush on him and am certain he looked right at me at one of the concerts in Reno as I was on the third row!!!
Wonderful news about your dear sister. Stay safe and warm.
“Dance to the Music” is fun, fun, fun. Bum, bum, bumbumbum bum bum. I’m bouncing here on my chair. Hope I don’t fall off thinking of Huey and Marilyn. I didn’t know. Now I do and I will think of Huey looking right at you in Reno. How fun! I’m smiling thinking about it.
Thank you.
I’m so glad to hear your sister is doing better. That is wonderful news, Penny. It’s true that music and a little movement, in the car or on the dance floor, is such an excellent way to remove some of the weariness. I sing along in the car a lot, and it is always a big relief when I’ve been burdened. I can’t think of a particular song right now. One of my favorites is the Broadway Channel on my XM. Belting out a good show tune always works for me!
Hope your weekend gives you a bit of respite. Rest always helps build in a little more resilience in hard times! oxo
Thank you, Debra.
Oh, a good show tune always works wonders. “If Ever I Would Leave You” from Camelot has been creeping into my mind lately. Maybe contemplating the seasons changing. Jennifer and her friend belted out “Tomorrow” from “Annie” so many times a neighbor shouted over the fence for them to be quiet. Oh, dear . . . now I’ll be on a roll, so, I’ll say thanks, Debra, and yes, a little rest is in order.
Dear Penny, thanks for the update on your sister. That’s great news. And the songs for me–the ones that makes me clap my hands, click my heels, and turn circles, and jig– is “I”m Off to see the wizard.” and “I’m Late! I’m Late.” Peace.
It is good news and I’m thankful to be able to share it, Dee.
I love singing “. . . off to see the wizard”. When it played on the television here when I was a young girl, the next day, we friends all hooked elbows on the way to school, singing it as loud as we could in that two step skip from the movie. We did it all the way to school – then wondered how we got there so early, but, certainly had fun doing it.
Glad for your sister (and for you). Can just see you bouncing on the car seat. Love it. Great memories.
Thanks, Sallie. Can you imagine the person in the car next to me? tee hee
Music is such a balm and so are your posts Penny! The thought of you, short skirt and long hair, dancing with those boys you “dragged” into the College dance, put a smile on my face!
Aw, Janet, thank you! Dragging those boys into the dance – another play on my Spartan heritage? It was such fun back then. My “partner in crime” was Janet (Country Mouse) above.