You told me you love me
But then you leave me alone
See I don't want to be searching
Like some dog for a bone
You told me you love me
Yes you told me yourself
So why don't you put me baby
Right back on the shelf

Mona please won't you be my baby
Mona won't you be my baby tonight
Mona darling are you driving me crazy
Hold me close and darling won't you hold me tight

You told me you love me
But then you leave me alone
See I don't want to be searching
Like some dog for a bone
You told me you love me
Yes you told me yourself
So why don't you put me baby
Right back on the shelf

Mona please won't you be my baby
Mona won't you be my baby tonight
Mona darling are you driving me crazy
Hold me close and darling won't you hold me tight

In the midnight hour

Fix your mouth before I carry you out
You better run fast from a man that drinks stout
Fix your mouth before I carry you out
You better run fast from a man that drinks stout

Don't you know that I love you baby
Don't you know that I love you girl
I would have given you my heart gladly
Along with diamonds, rubies and pearls

Mona please won't you be my baby
Mona won't you be my baby tonight
Mona darling are you driving me crazy
Hold me close and darling won't you hold me tight

Mona please won't you be my baby
Mona won't you be my baby tonight
Mona darling are you driving me crazy
Hold me close and darling won't you hold me tight

Overall Meaning

The Toasters' song Mona is a plea to a woman who has betrayed the singer's trust. The lyrics describe the frustration of the singer who was told that he was loved but then left alone. The singer doesn't want to be chasing after love like a dog chasing a bone. Mona, the woman in question, is asked to make up her mind and commit to the singer. The lyrics show the singer's vulnerability and desperation as he asks Mona to hold him close and won't let him go.

The lyrics seem to be inspired by the classic rock 'n roll and ska music of the 1950s and 1960s. The song is a fusion of these two genres that have their roots in African-American music. The word "Mona" is a reference to a woman whose love is both tantalizing and elusive, as has been used in other classic rock 'n roll songs. The song's catchy tune and upbeat rhythm helped it become a popular hit for The Toasters.

Line by Line Meaning

You told me you love me
The singer is repeating what the addressee told them before

But then you leave me alone
The addressee does not stay with the singer despite their claim of love

See I don't want to be searching
The singer does not enjoy having to constantly look for the addressee

Like some dog for a bone
The artist feels like they are being treated like a pet that is searching for a toy

Yes you told me yourself
The addressee made a personal statement to the artist

So why don't you put me baby
The singer does not understand why the addressee is not following through on their statement of love

Right back on the shelf
The singer feels like a product that has been wrongly placed on the wrong aisle

Mona please won't you be my baby
The artist is requesting that the addressee becomes their partner

Mona won't you be my baby tonight
The artist wants the addressee to fulfill their request right away

Mona darling are you driving me crazy
The artist is unsure if their attraction to the addressee is affecting their judgement

Hold me close and darling won't you hold me tight
The singer wants to be physically close with the addressee on an emotional level

Fix your mouth before I carry you out
The artist is warning someone to fix their attitude or leave

You better run fast from a man that drinks stout
The singer is warning someone about what might happen if they stay around someone who drinks strong alcohol

Don't you know that I love you baby
The singer is reminding the addressee of their feelings

Don't you know that I love you girl
The singer is emphasizing the fact that their feelings for the addressee are true and real

I would have given you my heart gladly
The artist would have given their all to the addressee

Along with diamonds, rubies and pearls
The artist would have given the addressee great material riches as well

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