Behind the Beats of Baltimora

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ONE HIT WONDERLAND: "Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora

Todd in the Shadows

Nov 20, 2024

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People & Blogs

Baltimora's "Tarzan Boy" was an '80s hit

  1. The video series 'One Hit Wonderland' explores artists known for a single hit song, with the current focus on 'Tarzan Boy' by Baltimora.
  2. The host, Todd, mentions that he takes requests for song reviews, which he sold to fund his dog's medical expenses, although he didn't actually need the money.
  3. 'Tarzan Boy' was a significant international hit in the mid-1980s, gaining popularity in Europe, the UK, and the US, peaking in early 1986.
  4. The song is associated with the band Baltimora, which was an Italian dance act fronted by a Northern Irishman, singing in English about the African jungle.
  5. Despite its success, 'Tarzan Boy' and Baltimora quickly faded from the music scene, leaving behind a legacy of 80s nostalgia.
  6. The host humorously compares 'Tarzan Boy' to other 80s hits, suggesting it is better than 'Africa' by Toto.
  7. The segment includes a reference to another European hit from 1978, 'Automatic Lover' by Dee D. Jackson, which features a robot theme.

Italo disco's unique European influence

  1. The song 'Tarzan Boy' by Baltimora was a product of a musical collective in Munich, prominently featuring Giorgio Moroder, a key figure in transforming 70s disco into 80s electronic beats. Moroder's influence was significant in the evolution of Italo disco, a genre characterized by its distinct European flair.
  2. Disco faced a period of unpopularity in America, leading to a migration of the style back to Europe, particularly Italy, where it evolved into Italo disco. This genre is noted for its unique sound that is distinctly European and doesn't easily translate to American audiences.
  3. Jimmy McShane, a backup singer touring Europe, fell in love with Milan's underground dance scene and settled there. He met producer Maurizio Bassi, who needed a frontman for his new project. Despite being the face of Baltimora, Jimmy was primarily a dancer rather than a singer.
  4. Maurizio Bassi was the driving force behind Baltimora's music, possibly even providing the vocals for 'Tarzan Boy.' Lip-syncing was common in Italy, and Baltimora was noted for this practice, with Jimmy McShane lip-syncing to Bassi's vocals during performances.
  5. The band name 'Baltimora' was chosen randomly by pointing to Baltimore on a map of America and adding an 'a' to make it sound Italian. This whimsical naming could have resulted in various other names depending on where the finger landed on the map.
  6. Italo disco, despite being sung in English, largely remained a European phenomenon, with few tracks reaching the UK and almost none making it to the US. 'Tarzan Boy' by Baltimora is one of the rare exceptions that gained international recognition.

"Tarzan Boy" explores freedom and identity

  1. The origin of Tarzan's iconic victory cry is debated, with theories ranging from it being performed by an opera singer to being a mix of animal sounds. The actor claimed it was his attempt at yodeling.
  2. In the 1980s, Tarzan remained a cultural figure despite several poorly received films, including a cartoon and a movie starring Bo Derek. The most notable was an Oscar-nominated film starring Christopher Lambert.
  3. "Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora is a quirky 1980s song with a catchy melody. The song's creation process is unclear, but it is believed the chorus was developed first, with verses added later.
  4. The song's lyrics, which mention being alone and free like Tarzan, have been interpreted as a metaphor for freedom and possibly a gay anthem, although the band member Jimmy did not see it as such.
  5. Jimmy, the band's frontman, was openly gay and moved from Ireland to a more accepting environment. This personal history adds a layer of subtext to the song, aligning with themes of liberation and self-expression common in 1980s music.
  6. The song's theme of freedom resonates with the idea of living without societal constraints, akin to Tarzan's life in the jungle. This aligns with the broader cultural context of 1980s music, which often celebrated personal freedom and identity.

"Tarzan Boy" remains memorable for its hook

  1. "Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora is a song inspired by the fictional character Tarzan, known for living in the jungle. The song is performed with sincerity, despite its seemingly silly theme about jungle life being fun and easy.
  2. The song is an example of Italo disco, a genre that struggled to gain popularity in America partly due to its outdated style and lack of quality music videos, which were crucial in the American market during the 1980s.
  3. The music video for "Tarzan Boy" did not feature typical jungle imagery like tigers or apes. Instead, it used primitive computer graphics from 1985, which included monochrome backgrounds and basic text, making it visually unappealing.
  4. Despite the poor quality of the video, "Tarzan Boy" became one of the few Italo disco songs to gain recognition in America, largely due to its unforgettable hook that resonated with listeners.
  5. The song did not achieve top 10 status but remained popular enough to be fondly remembered, especially after a resurgence in 1993 when it was featured in a commercial and the movie "Ninja Turtles 3."
  6. In "Ninja Turtles 3," the song was part of a scene where samurai characters experience modern comforts like arcade games and pizza, which helped reintroduce the song to a new audience.
  7. The enduring appeal of "Tarzan Boy" is attributed to its catchy hook, which has left a lasting impression on listeners, despite its initial lack of commercial success.

Baltimora's novelty hits and their impact

  1. The song 'Tarzan Boy' by Baltimora is a quintessential 1980s hit, characterized by its cheesy synth brass sound, which was emblematic of the era. Despite its novelty nature, the song remains popular worldwide, with numerous covers in various languages, particularly in Latin America.
  2. Following the success of 'Tarzan Boy,' Baltimora released a follow-up single titled 'Woody Boogie.' The title and concept of the song were less promising, and it did not achieve the same level of success as its predecessor.
  3. 'Woody Boogie' begins with a riff that closely resembles the theme of the cartoon character Woody Woodpecker, which could be seen as a pop culture reference or close to copyright infringement. The song itself is about trying to pick up a girl, with little connection to the Woody Woodpecker character beyond the laugh.
  4. The lead singer, Jimmy, claimed that 'Woody Boogie' was not a novelty song, despite its reliance on gimmicks. The video for the song humorously depicts the band making records while Jimmy dances, possibly alluding to the song's lack of commercial success due to distribution issues.
  5. 'Woody Boogie' was not released in America, which contributed to its commercial failure there. It was only released in Europe, where language barriers might have affected its reception. The song's reliance on a character like Woody Woodpecker, who may not have been as well-known in Europe, also impacted its success.

Baltimora's fleeting success with "Tarzan Boy"

  1. Baltimora's follow-up single 'Living in the Background' aimed to express themes of living openly, with a notable gay subtext. Despite its message, it barely made an impact on the charts, marking the end of Baltimora's chart success.
  2. The final single from the album, 'Jukebox Boy,' failed to chart, and the video subtly highlighted the singer's sexuality. The song's lack of success contributed to the band's decline.
  3. Baltimora's second album had a limited release and did not reach the American market. The single 'Kik Kimba' was noted for its Pet Shop Boys influence but lacked the catchy appeal of 'Tarzan Boy.'
  4. The band's music, while not terrible, lacked the memorable hooks that made 'Tarzan Boy' a hit. The lead singer, Jimmy, had aspirations to write more music but only contributed one song to the second album.
  5. Mauricio Basi, a key figure in Baltimora, disappeared from the public eye after 1987, with little known about his life post-band. Discogs suggests he has two sons involved in music production.
  6. Jimmy, the face of Baltimora, passed away from AIDS in 1995 at the age of 37. His death was a tragic end to his story, overshadowing his brief moment of fame with 'Tarzan Boy.'
  7. The narrative of Baltimora is marked by a fleeting success with 'Tarzan Boy,' followed by a rapid decline and personal tragedies, leaving a legacy of a one-hit wonder.

Unique '80s hit with lasting impact

  1. "Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora is highlighted as a unique and necessary song from the 1980s, despite not being the greatest hit of the decade. The song's distinctiveness is emphasized, suggesting it holds a special place in music history.
  2. The text references a metaphorical image of a redheaded giant named Jimmy, who is imagined to be enjoying the song in the afterlife, symbolizing the timeless and carefree spirit of "Tarzan Boy."
  3. The author briefly mentions the challenges faced by people in the current world, acknowledging the strain on mental health and the need for support during tough times.
  4. Nebula, a content platform, is promoted as a source of quality content that can provide relief and entertainment. It is described as a creator-specific platform offering a variety of content, including works by Lindsay Ellis and Shawn Nelson.
  5. The text includes a promotional segment for Nebula, highlighting its affordability and the benefits of subscribing, such as access to exclusive content and supporting the creator.