Tarzan Boy

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title: "Tarzan Boy" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1985-songs", "1985-debut-singles", "baltimora-songs", "capitol-records-singles", "dutch-top-40-number-one-singles", "emi-records-singles", "european-hot-100-singles-number-one-singles", "manhattan-records-singles", "music-based-on-novels", "italian-novelty-songs", "number-one-singles-in-denmark", "number-one-singles-in-finland", "number-one-singles-in-portugal", "number-one-singles-in-spain", "snep-top-singles-number-one-singles", "songs-about-fictional-male-characters", "songs-written-by-maurizio-bassi", "ultratop-50-singles-(flanders)-number-one-singles", "works-based-on-tarzan", "tarzan-parodies"] description: "1985 single by Baltimora" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarzan_Boy" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary 1985 single by Baltimora ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox song"]

Field	Value
name	Tarzan Boy
cover	Tarzan boy (Baltimora).jpg
type	single
artist	Baltimora
album	Living in the Background
B-side	DJ version
released	April 5, 1985
genre	{{flat list
*Italo disco{{cite web	first
*synth-pop{{cite web	publisher
length	6:15 (album version)
3:50 (single version)
label
writer
producer	Maurizio Bassi
next_title	Woody Boogie
next_year	1985
misc
::

| name = Tarzan Boy | cover = Tarzan boy (Baltimora).jpg | type = single | artist = Baltimora | album = Living in the Background | B-side = DJ version | released = April 5, 1985 | genre = {{flat list|

• Italo disco
• synth-pop | length = 6:15 (album version) 3:50 (single version)

3:37 (DJ edit) | label = | writer = | producer = Maurizio Bassi | next_title = Woody Boogie | next_year = 1985 | misc =

"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. Baltimora are often considered a one-hit wonder 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 was never heard singing the song because he lip synced it.

Background

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

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

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. 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

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."

Uses in sports

AEW wrestler, "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry used "Tarzan Boy" as his entrance music, and with Luchasaurus as Jurassic Express. 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 their official goal song, played each time the team scores a goal.

Track listing and formats

Original version

;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
3. "Tarzan Boy" (extended dance version) – 6:16
4. "Tarzan Boy" (single version) – 3:49
5. "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

;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
4. "Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:49
5. "Tarzan Boy" (1993 remix) – 3:49
6. "Tarzan Boy" (original version) – 3:49
7. "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

;Streaming single

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

Charts

Weekly charts

::data[format=table title="1985–1986 weekly chart performance for "Tarzan Boy""] | Chart (1985–1986) | Peak position | Australia (Kent Music Report) | Denmark (IFPI) | Europe (European Top 100 Singles) | Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | Italy (Musica e dischi) | Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg) | Portugal (AFP) | South Africa (Springbok Radio) | Spain (AFYVE) | US Billboard Hot 100 | US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard) | US Dance/Disco Club Play (Billboard) | US Cash Box Top 100 Singles | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 13 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::

::data[format=table title="1993 weekly chart performance for "Tarzan Boy""] | Chart (1993) | Peak position | US Billboard Hot 100 | |---|---|---| | 51 | | | ::

Year-end charts

::data[format=table title="1985 year-end chart performance for "Tarzan Boy""]

Chart (1985)	Position	Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	Canada Top Singles (RPM)	Europe (European Top 100 Singles)	France (IFOP)	Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	Netherlands (Single Top 100)	Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	UK Singles (Gallup)	West Germany (Media Control)
18
4
53
3
10
17
21
2
44
9
::

::data[format=table title="1986 year-end chart performance for "Tarzan Boy""]

Chart (1986)	Position	US Billboard Hot 100	US Dance Club Play (Billboard)
73
50
::

::data[format=table title="1985–1989 chart performance for "Tarzan Boy""]

Chart (1985–1989)	Position	Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)
98
::

Certifications

Cover versions

• In 1986, Hungarian band Neoton Família covered "Tarzan Boy" on their album of cover songs titled 'Tarzan Boy - Disco Party '86'.

• 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".

• 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.

• "Tarzan Boy" is a bonus track on the Japanese edition of 'Phantoma', the sixth studio album by Canadian power metal group Unleash the Archers, released by Napalm Records on 10 May 2024.

References

References

1. Eddy, Chuck. (8 July 2013). "Disco 101: Real '80S Italo". [[Rhapsody (online music service).
2. Suiveng, Yannick. (30 October 2013). "Flashback Top 50 : qui était n°1 en octobre 1985 ?". [[PureMédias.
3. Monger, Timothy. "Baltimora Biography {{!}} AllMusic". [[AllMusic]].
4. Habib, Elia. (2002). "Muz hit. tubes". Alinéa Bis.
5. Marx, Tommy. (17 July 2009). "One Hit Wonder: Baltimora".
6. Metzger, Patrick. (20 August 2016). "The Millennial Whoop: A glorious obsession with the melodic alternation between the fifth and the third".
7. Jasper, Tony. (23 August 1985). "Jungle monster from boy in leopard skin". [[Manchester Evening News]].
8. Jasper, Tony. (1 November 1985). "It's the Baltimora boogie". [[Manchester Evening News]].
9. McMonagle, Michael. (3 January 1995). "Tarzan's Boy gets new sidekick". [[Derry Journal]].
10. (31 March 1995). "Pop star "Baltimora" dies in Derry". [[Derry Journal]].
11. (26 March 1993). "Biofeedback: Baltimora".
12. "Billboard Hot 100 Week of June 12, 1993".
13. (12 October 1985). "Reviews: Singles". Billboard Publications, Inc..
14. Gibiš, Vojtěch. "HC Sparta Praha » Píseň Tarzan Boy provází Spartu již dvacet let!".
15. Kent, David. (1993). "Australian Chart Book 1970–1992". Australian Chart Book.
16. (19 August 1985). "Top 3 in Europe".
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18. Pennanen, Timo. (2021). "Sisältää hitin – Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021". [[Otava (publisher).
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23. (1 March 1986). "Billboard Hot 100".
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26. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending March 1, 1986".
27. (22 April 1993). "Billboard Hot 100".
28. "Jahreshitparade Singles 1985".
29. "Jaaroverzichten 1985 – Singles". [[Ultratop]].
30. (28 December 1985). "RPM's Top 100 Singles of 1985".
31. (23 December 1985). "Pan-European Awards 1985".
32. "Top – 1985".
33. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1985". [[Dutch Top 40]].
34. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1985". [[Dutch Charts]].
35. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1985".
36. (18 January 1986). "Top 100 Singles (January 5–December 28, 1985)".
37. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1985". [[GfK Entertainment]].
38. "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1986".
39. "Dance Club Songs – Year-End 1986".
40. (18 March 1989). "Eurochartbusters: The Hot 100 Singles Compiled from ''Music & Media''{{'}}s Five Year Chart Archives". [[Music & Media]].
41. Salaverri, Fernando. (September 2005). "Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002". Fundación Autor-SGAE.
42. "Discogs.org – Neoton Família – Disco Party '86". Discogs.com..
43. Saikia, Priyankee. (2 May 2013). "10 Bollywood Movies with Blockbuster Soundtracks".
44. "Lescharts.com – Bango – Tarzan Boy". Lescharts.com. Hung Medien.
45. "Swedishcharts.com – Bad Influence feat. Dyce – Tarzan Boy". Swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien.

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