"Tarzan Boy" is the debut single by the 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 remixed and re-released in 1993, and has been covered by several artists throughout the years.
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]
"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."[7][8]
In 1995, McShane announced his intention to re-record "Tarzan Boy" for release as a charity single. All proceeds were to have gone to the Northern Ireland AIDS Helpline and the AIDS clinic at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast,[9] but McShane died of an AIDS-related illness in March 1995 before he could re-record it.[10]
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.
In 1993, "Tarzan Boy" was featured on the soundtrack of the American film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, both in its original form and as a new remix by Daniel Abraham.[11] It was released as a single from the soundtrack and would re-enter the Billboard charts 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.[12]
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."[13]
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.[14]
↑ Monger, Timothy. "Baltimora Biography | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 December 2024. With its buoyant synth-pop melody and signature Tarzan-call chorus, their debut single, "Tarzan Boy," became a major hit in the summer of 1985, first in Europe, and later in North America.
↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 4 August 2023.Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Tarzan boy" in the "Titolo" field and press "cerca".
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