80s new wave mania: "Tarzan Boy" Baltimora (1985)
By John Roberts
@JohnRoberts (109845)
Los Angeles, California
December 17, 2017 8:51am CST
Another oddity finding a place in alternative radio and enjoying mainstream success. “Tarzan Boy” was a fun European techno new wave sound popular in dance clubs and charting at Billboard #13. The song was a monster hit in Europe going #1 or 2 in most countries and #3 UK. Baltimora was a one hit wonder. Italian Maurizio Bassi met Irishman Jimmy McShane and they formed a band sporting outrageous hair and wardrobe.
“Jungle life, I’m far away from nowhere
On my own like Tarzan boy
Hide and seek, I play along while rushing across the forest
Monkey business on a sunny afternoon”
The song was written by Bassi and Naimy Hackett and it has been disputed whether Bassi or McShane sang lead. “Tarzan Boy” appears on the album “Living in the Background” which was not successful. Their second album “Survivor in Love” bombed prompting Baltimora to break up in 1987. McShane died of AIDS in 1995. “Tarzan Boy” can be heard on various soundtracks.
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5 responses
@FourWalls (75825)
• United States
17 Dec 17
This is one of those songs that you heard everywhere. I honestly didn’t remember the title of it, though.
4 people like this
@misunderstood_zombie (8140)
• United States
18 Dec 17
@FourWalls says that this is a song that was heard everywhere, but it doesn't sound familiar to me at all.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45635)
• Philippines
17 Dec 17
tarzan boy, then swiss boy, followed by touch by touch, ken laszlo's don't cry and tonight. these fun bouncy dance music tend to be mixed together here.
1 person likes this
