Tarzan_Boy

Tarzan Boy

Tarzan Boy

1985 single by Baltimora

This article is about the Baltimora song. For the Mexican professional wrestler, see Toscano (wrestler).

"Tarzan Boy" is the debut single by Italian-based act Baltimora. The song was written by Maurizio Bassi and Naimy Hackett, and released in 1985 as the lead single from Baltimora's debut album Living in the Background. The song was re-recorded and released in 1993, and has been covered by several artists throughout the years.

Quick Facts Single by Baltimora, from the album Living in the Background ...

The refrain uses Tarzan's cry as a melodic line. The song is rhythmical, with an electronic melody and simple lyrics.[3] Baltimora are often considered a one-hit wonder due to the success they experienced with "Tarzan Boy".[4] It features a melodic motif that was later named the millennial whoop.[5]

The music video for the song features the frontman for the band's performances, Jimmy McShane, who according to some sources did not actually sing the song but rather lip synced it.[4]

Background

In a 1985 interview with Manchester Evening News, McShane said of the song and its success,

"It has been a big surprise but I'm not complaining! It's pure novelty. I do have a more serious side to me and with my band I present a much more upmarket set, but I think 'Tarzan Boy' does have something. I don't know what the future will bring, but I'm a serious musician and singer. I sing all kinds of music – I'm not a novelty merchant! You'll have to hear my album when it gets released."[6][7]

Chart performance

"Tarzan Boy" was an international hit, debuting in the top five Italian charts and performing well in several other European countries, including Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and notably, France, where "Tarzan Boy" was most successful, topping the charts there for five consecutive weeks. In the United Kingdom, it reached number 3 in September 1985. The single had success in the United States (where it was released by EMI), with the single remaining on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for six months and ultimately peaking at number 13 in early 1986.

"Tarzan Boy" would re-enter the Billboard charts as a slightly re-recorded version at number 68 and peak at number 51 five weeks later. It would spend an additional 12 weeks on the chart, exiting the Hot 100 on 12 June 1993.

Critical reception

Upon its release in the US, Billboard wrote, "Disco novelty from Italy was a summertime smash in Europe, thanks to a maddeningly catchy swinging-through-the-vines hook."[8]

Uses in sports

From January 2020 to July 2023, AEW wrestler, "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry used "Tarzan Boy" as his entrance music. As of the 2023 Major League Baseball season, "Tarzan Boy" was the walk-on song, or entrance music, played each time Mark Canha came to bat for the New York Mets.

Czech Extraliga team HC Sparta Praha has used the chorus of the song regularly since the 1986–1987 season in its home arenas as the official celebration anthem each time the team scores a goal.[9]

Track listing and formats

Original version

1993 version

2010 version

Streaming single
  1. "Tarzan Boy" (Digital Remaster) – 3:49

Charts

More information Chart (1985–1986), Peak position ...

Certifications

More information Region, Certification ...

Cover versions

  • In 1989, the Hindi song "Aaya Mausam Dosti Ka", from the Bollywood soundtrack for the film Maine Pyar Kiya was heavily influenced by "Tarzan Boy".[48]
  • In 2006, the song was covered by Bango, and achieved a minor success, peaking at number 37 in France.[49]
  • In 2008, a cover by Bad Influence featuring Dyce reached number 9 in Sweden.[50]

See also

References

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