Tommy James and the Shondells, “Mony Mony”

I was making dinner last night and started thinking for some reason about I Think We’re Alone Now, which is pretty much a perfect piece of pop songwriting art. I was not, by the way, making apple pie.

I put on a Tommy James and the Shondells greatest hits album, and they had many of them. But this is the one that surprised me. I’ve heard it way too many times, but it still sounds old and new, out of control and perfectly modulated, fresh and a part of my history. I’m not arguing it’s better than I Think We’re Alone Now or Crystal Blue Persuasion or even the very lovely Mirage, but this is a very funny and real corner of rock history that deserves some love.

2 thoughts on “Tommy James and the Shondells, “Mony Mony”

  1. Their greatest hits album is well-worth owning. They had phases, just like the big groups, which they actually were, from Hanky Panky through Draggin the Line which is about a 6-year run. They had a lot of good songs, glad you mentioned Mirage which I’ve thought for decades could use a good punking up. This is my fave of theirs, the single between Crimson and Clover and Crystal Blue Persuasion.

    • I think an extensive history is a better bet than what I was listening to, which didn’t have Sweet Cherry Wine. I’m not sure they were a big group, they never got legendary, but they were awfully good for a long time. I’ll be digging in more on that.

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