Tarzan Boy

Last updated

"Tarzan Boy"
Tarzan boy (Baltimora).jpg
Single by Baltimora
from the album Living in the Background
B-side "DJ version"
Released1985
Genre
Length6:15 (album version)
3:50 (single version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Maurizio Bassi
Baltimora singles chronology
"Tarzan Boy"
(1985)		"Woody Boogie"
(1985)
Music video
"Tarzan Boy" on YouTube

"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.

Contents

The refrain uses Tarzan's cry as a melodic line. The song is rhythmical, with an electronic melody and simple lyrics. [4] Baltimora are often considered a one-hit wonder due to the success they experienced with "Tarzan Boy". [5] It features a melodic motif that was later named the millennial whoop. [6]

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. [5]

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.

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. [7]

Track listing and formats

Original version

1993 version

2010 version

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

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Tarzan Boy"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [42] Gold50,000^
France (SNEP) [43] Gold500,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [44] Gold25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [45] Silver250,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

See also

Related Research Articles

Baltimora was an Italian music project from Milan, active from 1984 to 1987. They are best known for their 1985 single "Tarzan Boy" and are often considered a one-hit wonder in the United Kingdom and the United States. In other European countries, including their native Italy, Baltimora scored a follow-up hit "Woody Boogie" the same year.

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References

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  3. ↑ "Tarzan Boy". Genius (Podcast). Genius . Retrieved 19 February 2024.
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  7. ↑ Gibiš, Vojtěch. "HC Sparta Praha » Píseň Tarzan Boy provází Spartu již dvacet let!". www.hcsparta.cz.
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  46. ↑ Saikia, Priyankee (2 May 2013). "10 Bollywood Movies with Blockbuster Soundtracks". MensXP.com. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
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  48. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Bad Influence feat. Dyce – Tarzan Boy". Swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
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