"Tarzan Boy" is the debut single by Italian-based act

Baltimora 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 countri ...

. The song was written by Maurizio Bassi and Naimy Hackett, and released in 1985 as the

lead single A lead single (also known as a debut single) is the first single to be released from a studio album by an artist or a band, usually before the album itself is released and also occasionally on the same day of the album's release date. Release s ...

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. The

refrain A refrain (from Vulgar Latin ''refringere'', "to repeat", and later from Old French ''refraindre'') is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in poetry — the "chorus" of a song. Poetic fixed forms that feature refrains include the v ...

uses Tarzan's cry as a melodic line. The song is rhythmical, with an

electronic Electronic may refer to: *Electronics, the science of how to control electric energy in semiconductor * ''Electronics'' (magazine), a defunct American trade journal *Electronic storage, the storage of data using an electronic device *Electronic co ...

melody and simple lyrics. Baltimora are often considered a

one-hit wonder A one-hit wonder or viral hit is any entity that achieves mainstream popularity, often for only one piece of work, and becomes known among the general public solely for that momentary success. The term is most commonly used in regard to music p ...

due to the success they experienced with "Tarzan Boy". It features a melodic motif that was later named the millennial whoop. 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. The song is currently used by

"Jungle Boy" Jack Perry Jack Perry (born June 16, 1997), also known by the ring name Jungle Boy, is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) where he performs under his real name, but has been inactive since August 2023 du ...

, a wrestler for AEW (

All Elite Wrestling All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Jacksonville, Florida. It is considered the second largest wrestling promotion in the United States behind WWE. AEW is owned by Shahid Khan and his son Tony, ...

), as his entrance music.

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 , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , ...

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwee ...

, the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

, and notably,

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

, where "Tarzan Boy" was most successful, topping the charts there for five consecutive weeks. In the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...

, it reached number 3 in September 1985. The single had success in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

(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.

Track listing and formats

Original version

;7" single #"Tarzan Boy" – 3:48 #"Tarzan Boy" (DJ version) – 3:36 ;12" single #"Tarzan Boy" (extended version) – 6:15 #"Tarzan Boy" (DJ version) – 5:09 ;12" maxi #"Tarzan Boy" (extended dance version) – 6:16 #"Tarzan Boy" (single version) – 3:49 #"Tarzan Boy" (extended dub version) – 5:10 ;12" maxi – Summer version #"Tarzan Boy" (Summer version) – 6:40 #"Tarzan Boy" (reprise) – 6:00

1993 version

;CD single #"Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:49 #"Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:49 ;12" single #"Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:49 #"Tarzan Boy" (UK swing mix) – 3:18 #"Tarzan Boy" (extended dub) – 5:10 ;CD maxi #"Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:49 #"Tarzan Boy" (extended 1993 remix) – 5:33 #"Tarzan Boy" (extended dub mix) – 5:10 ;Cassette #"Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:49 #"Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:49 #"Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:49 #"Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:49 ;CD maxi – Promo #"Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:45 #"Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:46 #"Tarzan Boy" (extended 1993 remix) – 5:35 #"Tarzan Boy" (UK swing mix) – 3:21 #"Tarzan Boy" (extended dub) – 5:01

2010 version

;Streaming single #"Tarzan Boy" (Digital Remaster) – 3:49

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Cover versions

*In 1989, the

Hindi Hindi (Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been ...

song "Aaya Mausam Dosti Ka", from the

Bollywood soundtrack Hindi film songs, more formally known as Hindi Geet or filmi songs and informally known as Bollywood music, are songs featured in Hindi films. Derived from the song-and-dance routines common in Indian films, Bollywood songs, along with da ...

for the film ''

Maine Pyar Kiya ''Maine Pyar Kiya'' () is a 1989 Indian Hindi-language romantic musical film written and directed by Sooraj Barjatya. Produced by Rajshri Productions, the film stars Salman Khan and Bhagyashree. It marked the debuts of Barjatya and Bhagya ...

'' was heavily influenced by "Tarzan Boy". *In 2006, the song was covered by Bango, and achieved a minor success, peaking at number 37 in France. *In 2008, a cover by Bad Influence featuring Dyce reached number 9 in Sweden.

References

{{Authority control 1985 debut singles 1985 songs Baltimora songs Songs written by Maurizio Bassi EMI Records singles Capitol Records singles Manhattan Records singles Dutch Top 40 number-one singles European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles SNEP Top Singles number-one singles Number-one singles in Spain Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders) number-one singles Songs about fictional male characters Music based on novels Works based on Tarzan