Tarzan Boy

1985 single by Baltimora

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

"Tarzan Boy"

Single by Baltimora
from the album  Living in the Background
B-side| "DJ version"
Released| 1985
Genre|

* Italo disco[1][2]

Length| 6:15 (album version)
3:50 (single version)
Label|

* EMI
* Capitol/Manhattan

Songwriter(s)|

* Maurizio Bassi
* Naimy Hackett

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 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.[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[edit]

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]

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,[8] but McShane died of an AIDS-related illness in March 1995 before he could re-record it.[9]

## Chart performance[edit]

"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.[10] 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.

## Critical reception[edit]

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."[11]

## Uses in sports[edit]

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.[12]

## Track listing and formats[edit]

### Original version[edit]

7" single

1. "Tarzan Boy" – 3:48
2. "Tarzan Boy" (DJ version) – 3:36

12" single

1. "Tarzan Boy" (extended version) – 6:15
2. "Tarzan Boy" (DJ version) – 5:09

12" maxi

1. "Tarzan Boy" (extended dance version) – 6:16
2. "Tarzan Boy" (single version) – 3:49
3. "Tarzan Boy" (extended dub version) – 5:10

12" maxi – Summer version

1. "Tarzan Boy" (Summer version) – 6:40
2. "Tarzan Boy" (reprise) – 6:00

|

### 1993 version[edit]

CD single

1. "Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:49
2. "Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:49

12" single

1. "Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:49
2. "Tarzan Boy" (UK swing mix) – 3:18
3. "Tarzan Boy" (extended dub) – 5:10

CD maxi

1. "Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:49
2. "Tarzan Boy" (extended 1993 remix) – 5:33
3. "Tarzan Boy" (extended dub mix) – 5:10

Cassette

1. "Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:49
2. "Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:49
3. "Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:49
4. "Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:49

CD maxi – Promo

1. "Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:45
2. "Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:46
3. "Tarzan Boy" (extended 1993 remix) – 5:35
4. "Tarzan Boy" (UK swing mix) – 3:21
5. "Tarzan Boy" (extended dub) – 5:01

|

### 2010 version[edit]

Streaming single

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

## Charts[edit]

### Weekly charts[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Tarzan Boy"  | Chart (1985–1986)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (Kent Music Report)[13] | 16
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[14] | 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[15] | 1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[16] | 5
Denmark (IFPI)[17] | 1
Europe (European Top 100 Singles)[18] | 1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[19] | 1
France (SNEP)[20] | 1
Ireland (IRMA)[21] | 2
Italy (Musica e dischi)[22] | 5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[23] | 1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[24] | 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[25] | 34
Norway (VG-lista)[26] | 4
Portugal (AFP)[17] | 1
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[27] | 3
Spain (AFYVE)[28] | 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[29] | 2
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[30] | 4
UK Singles (OCC)[31] | 3
US Billboard Hot 100[32] | 13
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[32] | 6
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[32] | 12
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles[33] | 18
West Germany (Official German Charts)[34] | 3

### Year-end charts[edit]

1985 year-end chart performance for "Tarzan Boy"  | Chart (1985)  | Position

|

Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[35] | 18
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[36] | 4
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[37] | 53
Europe (European Top 100 Singles)[38] | 3
France (IFOP)[39] | 10
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[40] | 17
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[41] | 21
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[42] | 2
UK Singles (Gallup)[43] | 44
West Germany (Official German Charts)[44] | 9
1986 year-end chart performance for "Tarzan Boy"  Chart (1986)  | Position

|

US Billboard Hot 100[45] | 73
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[46] | 50

## Certifications[edit]

Certifications for "Tarzan Boy"  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Canada (Music Canada)[47] | Gold  | 50,000^
France (SNEP)[48] | Gold  | 500,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[49] | Gold  | 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[50] | Silver  | 250,000^

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

## Cover versions[edit]

* 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".[51]
* In 2006, the song was covered by Bango, and achieved a minor success, peaking at number 37 in France.[52]
* In 2008, a cover by Bad Influence featuring Dyce reached number 9 in Sweden.[53]

## See also[edit]

* List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 1985
* List of European number-one hits of 1985
* List of number-one singles of 1985 (France)
* List of number-one singles of 1985 (Spain)

## References[edit]

1. ^ Eddy, Chuck (8 July 2013). "Disco 101: Real '80S Italo". Rhapsody. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
2. ^ Suiveng, Yannick (30 October 2013). "Flashback Top 50 : qui était n°1 en octobre 1985 ?". Charts in France (in French). Pure Charts. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
3. ^ Habib, Elia (2002). Muz hit. tubes. Alinéa Bis. p. 49\. ISBN 2-9518832-0-X.
4. ^ a b Marx, Tommy (17 July 2009). "One Hit Wonder: Baltimora". PopMatters. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
5. ^ Metzger, Patrick (20 August 2016). "The Millennial Whoop: A glorious obsession with the melodic alternation between the fifth and the third". The Patterning. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
6. ^ Jasper, Tony (23 August 1985). "Jungle monster from boy in leopard skin". Manchester Evening News. p. 12. Retrieved 26 April 2024 - via British Newspaper Archive.
7. ^ Jasper, Tony (1 November 1985). "It's the Baltimora boogie". Manchester Evening News. p. 12. Retrieved 26 April 2024 - via British Newspaper Archive.
8. ^ McMonagle, Michael (3 January 1995). "Tarzan's Boy gets new sidekick". Derry Journal. p. 9. Retrieved 3 May 2024 - via British Newspaper Archive.
9. ^ "Pop star "Baltimora" dies in Derry". Derry Journal. 31 March 1995. p. 5. Retrieved 3 May 2024 - via British Newspaper Archive.
10. ^ "Biofeedback: Baltimora". Gavin Report. No. 1947\. 26 March 1993. p. 22\. OCLC 34039542.
11. ^ "Reviews: Singles". Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 41\. Billboard Publications, Inc. 12 October 1985. p. 77\. ISSN 0006-2510.
12. ^ Gibiš, Vojtěch. "HC Sparta Praha » Píseň Tarzan Boy provází Spartu již dvacet let!". www.hcsparta.cz.
13. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
14. ^ "Baltimora – Tarzan Boy" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
15. ^ "Baltimora – Tarzan Boy" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
16. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0614." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
17. ^ a b "Top 3 in Europe". Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 33\. 19 August 1985. p. 7\. OCLC 29800226.
18. ^ "European Top 100 Singles". Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 33\. 19 August 1985. p. 10\. OCLC 29800226.
19. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Baltimora". Sisältää hitin – Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish) (2nd ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 24\. ISBN 978-952-7460-01-6.
20. ^ "Baltimora – Tarzan Boy" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
21. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Tarzan Boy". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
22. ^ "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".
23. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 35, 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
24. ^ "Baltimora – Tarzan Boy" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
25. ^ "Baltimora – Tarzan Boy". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
26. ^ "Baltimora – Tarzan Boy". VG-lista. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
27. ^ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (B)". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
28. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
29. ^ "Baltimora – Tarzan Boy". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
30. ^ "Baltimora – Tarzan Boy". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
31. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
32. ^ a b c "Baltimora | Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
33. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending March 1, 1986". Cash Box. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012.
34. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Baltimora – Tarzan Boy" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
35. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1985". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 4 August 2023.
36. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1985 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
37. ^ "RPM's Top 100 Singles of 1985". RPM. Vol. 43, no. 16\. 28 December 1985. p. 11\. ISSN 0033-7064 - via Library and Archives Canada.
38. ^ Bakker, Machgiel; Inglis, Cathy (23 December 1985). "Pan-European Awards 1985". Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 51/52. p. 7\. OCLC 29800226.
39. ^ "Top – 1985". Top-france.fr (in French). Retrieved 18 January 2014.
40. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
41. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
42. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1985". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 4 August 2023.
43. ^ "Top 100 Singles (January 5–December 28, 1985)". Music Week. 18 January 1986. p. 10\. ISSN 0265-1548.
44. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1985" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015.
45. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
46. ^ "Dance Club Songs – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
47. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Baltimora – Tarzan Boy". Music Canada.
48. ^ "French single certifications – Baltimora – Tarzan Boy" (in French). InfoDisc. Select BALTIMORA and click OK.
49. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
50. ^ "British single certifications – Baltimora – Tarzan Boy". British Phonographic Industry.
51. ^ Saikia, Priyankee (2 May 2013). "10 Bollywood Movies with Blockbuster Soundtracks". MensXP.com. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
52. ^ "Lescharts.com – Bango – Tarzan Boy" (in French). Lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
53. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Bad Influence feat. Dyce – Tarzan Boy". Swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 July 2013.

* v
* t
* e

Baltimora

Albums|

* Living in the Background
* Survivor in Love

Singles|

* "Tarzan Boy"
* "Woody Boogie"
* "Living in the Background"
* "Juke Box Boy"
* "Key Key Karimba"

* v
* t
* e

Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Literature

| Edgar Rice Burroughs'
official canon|

* Tarzan of the Apes (1912)
* The Return of Tarzan (1913)
* The Beasts of Tarzan (1914)
* The Son of Tarzan (1915)
* Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar (1916)
* Jungle Tales of Tarzan (1919)
* Tarzan the Untamed (1920)
* Tarzan the Terrible (1921)
* Tarzan and the Golden Lion (1922/23)
* Tarzan and the Ant Men (1924)
* Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle (1927/28)
* Tarzan and the Lost Empire (1928/29)
* Tarzan at the Earth's Core (1929/30)
* Tarzan the Invincible (1930/31)
* Tarzan Triumphant (1931/32)
* Tarzan and the City of Gold (1932)
* Tarzan and the Lion Man (1933/34)
* Tarzan and the Leopard Men (1932/33)
* Tarzan's Quest (1935/36)
* Tarzan and the Forbidden City (1938)
* Tarzan the Magnificent (1939)
* Tarzan and the Foreign Legion (1947)
* Tarzan and the Madman (1964)
* Tarzan and the Castaways (1965)

|

Related works|

* The Eternal Lover (1925)
* The Mad King (1926)
* Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins (1963)
* Tarzan: The Lost Adventure (1995)

Licensed works|

* Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (1966)
* Hadon of Ancient Opar (1974)
* Bunduki (1975)
* Flight to Opar (1976)
* Tarzan: The Epic Adventures (1996)
* The Dark Heart of Time (1999)
* The Adventures of Tarzan (1921/2006)
* Tarzan: The Greystoke Legacy (2011)
* Tarzan: Return to Pal-ul-don (2015)
* Tarzan on the Precipice (2016)
* King Kong vs. Tarzan (2016)
* Tarzan Trilogy (2016)
* Tarzan: The Greystoke Legacy Under Siege (2017)

Films

| Silent films|

* Tarzan of the Apes (1918)
* The Romance of Tarzan (1918)
* The Revenge of Tarzan (1920)
* The Son of Tarzan (1920)
* The Adventures of Tarzan (1921)
* Tarzan and the Golden Lion (1927)
* Tarzan the Mighty (1928)
* Tarzan the Tiger (1929)

|

1930s theatrical films|

* Tarzan the Fearless (1933)
* The New Adventures of Tarzan (1935)
* Tarzan's Revenge (1938)

MGM/RKO film series|

| Johnny Weissmuller|

* Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
* Tarzan and His Mate (1934)
* Tarzan Escapes (1936)
* Tarzan Finds a Son! (1939)
* Tarzan's Secret Treasure (1941)
* Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942)
* Tarzan Triumphs (1943)
* Tarzan's Desert Mystery (1943)
* Tarzan and the Amazons (1945)
* Tarzan and the Leopard Woman (1946)
* Tarzan and the Huntress (1947)
* Tarzan and the Mermaids (1948)

|

Lex Barker|

* Tarzan's Magic Fountain (1949)
* Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950)
* Tarzan's Peril (1951)
* Tarzan's Savage Fury (1952)
* Tarzan and the She-Devil (1953)

Gordon Scott|

* Tarzan's Hidden Jungle (1955)
* Tarzan and the Lost Safari (1957)
* Tarzan and the Trappers (1958)
* Tarzan's Fight for Life (1958)
* Tarzan's Greatest Adventure (1959)
* Tarzan the Magnificent (1960)

Jock Mahoney|

* Tarzan Goes to India (1962)
* Tarzan's Three Challenges (1963)

Mike Henry|

* Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (1966)
* Tarzan and the Great River (1967)
* Tarzan and the Jungle Boy (1968)

Remakes|

* Tarzan, the Ape Man (1959)
* Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981)

Warner Bros. films|

* Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan (1984)
* Tarzan and the Lost City (1998)
* The Legend of Tarzan (2016)

Television films|

* Tarzan's Jungle Rebellion (1967)
* Tarzan's Deadly Silence (1970)
* Tarzan in Manhattan (1989)

Disney animated films|

* Tarzan (1999)
* Tarzan & Jane (2002)
* Tarzan II (2005)

Other animated films|

* Tarzan of the Apes (1999)
* Tarzan (2013)

Related documentaries|

* Investigating Tarzan (1997)

Non-English language|

* Vanaraja Karzan (1938)
* Tarzan and the Brown Prince (1972)
* Adventures of Tarzan (1985)
* Tarzan Ki Beti (2002)

Television

| Series|

* Tarzan (1966–1968)
* Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle (1976–1980)
* Tarzán (1991–1994)
* Tarzan: The Epic Adventures (1996–1997)
* The Legend of Tarzan (2001–2003)
* Tarzan (2003)
* Tarzan and Jane (2017–2018)

|

Adventure hours|

* The Batman/Tarzan Adventure Hour
* The Tarzan/Lone Ranger Adventure Hour
* Tarzan and the Super 7

Characters

| People|

* Tarzan
* Jane Porter
* Harry Holt
* Korak
* La
* Meriem
* Muviro
* Waziri
* William Cecil Clayton

|

Animals|

* Cheeta
* Jad-bal-ja
* Kala
* Kerchak
* Mangani
* Nkima
* Sabor
* Tantor
* Tublat

Disney version misc.

| Adaptations|

* Musical
* Tarzan Rocks!
* Tarzan's Treehouse

|

Video games|

* Disney's Tarzan Activity Center
* Kingdom Hearts
* Disney's Extreme Skate Adventure

Music and radio

| Disney|

* Soundtrack
* "You'll Be in My Heart"
* "Strangers Like Me"
* "Son of Man"
* "Two Worlds"

|

Radio|

* Tarzan (radio program)

Other|

* "Gitarzan" (1969)
* "Jungle Boogie" (1973)
* "Tarzan Boy" (1985)
* "Tarzan & Jane" (1998)

Miscellaneous

| Speech|

* Kreegah bundolo
* Tarzan yell

|

Games|

* Jungle Lord
* Tarzan: Lord of the Jungle
* Disney's Tarzan
* Tarzan: Untamed
* Disney's Tarzan: Return to the Jungle

Comics|

* Tarzanesque
* Tarzan vs. Predator: At the Earth's Core
* Batman/Tarzan: Claws of the Cat-woman
* Superman/Tarzan: Sons of the Jungle
* Tarzan on the Planet of the Apes
* Tarzan: The Complete Russ Manning Newspaper Strips

General|

* Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.
* Tarzan Alive: A Definitive Biography of Lord Greystoke
* "Brothers of the Spear"
* Opar
* Pellucidar
* Starzan: Shouting Star of the Jungle
* Tarzan and Jane (musical)
* Tarzana, Los Angeles
* Zone (play)

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work

|

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