Wild Thing (Tone Lōc song)
Encyclopedia
"Wild Thing" is the name of rapper Tone Lōc
's 1988 single from the album Lōc-ed After Dark
. The title is a reference to the phrase "doin' the wild thing," a euphemism
for sex, unlike The Troggs' hit song, "Wild Thing", (with a later psychedelic version by Jimi Hendrix
) in which the "wild thing" was a girl.
Tone Lōc's song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100
in February 1989, and spawned at least one parody (by "Weird Al" Yankovic
, called "Isle Thing
"). It eventually sold over two million copies. It also peaked at number 21 on the UK Singles Chart
.
The song uses an uncredited sample of Van Halen
's "Jamie's Cryin'
". Van Halen's management at the time asked for a flat fee (credited in some reports to be USD$5,000) as payment to have the song sampled by Tone Lōc. Apparently, this decision was taken without consulting the band's original members (credited as co-authors of the song), who in turn did not expect Wild Thing to become the major hit it became. A subsequent civil lawsuit was settled out of court, with the band receiving USD$180,000 as settlement payment. Alex Van Halen
has gone on record saying that he had heard the song over the radio halfway and not realizing it had been sampled until he recognized his (by now famous) tom-tom break at least a few times. Concerning the settlement, he said: "Well, at least we got something. Tone Lōc and his people made millions out of it..."
The song was remixed in 2007 with additional production and vocals from Peaches
.
was made for the song at a reported cost of only $500, copying the style of Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love
" with mini-skirted women playing guitars next to Tone Lōc, which went into heavy rotation
on MTV
. The leading lady in the video is played by actress Tracy Camilla Johns
.
herself. This remix
was made to celebrate Delicious Vinyl's 20th anniversary. It peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales
.
Tone Lōc
Anthony Terrell Smith , better known by his stage name Tone Lōc, is an American rapper and actor.-Early life and career:...
's 1988 single from the album Lōc-ed After Dark
Loc-ed After Dark
Lōc-ed After Dark is the debut album by rapper, Tone Lōc. The album was released in 1989 for Delicious Vinyl Records and was a huge success, making it to #1 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop album charts...
. The title is a reference to the phrase "doin' the wild thing," a euphemism
Euphemism
A euphemism is the substitution of a mild, inoffensive, relatively uncontroversial phrase for another more frank expression that might offend or otherwise suggest something unpleasant to the audience...
for sex, unlike The Troggs' hit song, "Wild Thing", (with a later psychedelic version by Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
) in which the "wild thing" was a girl.
Tone Lōc's song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in February 1989, and spawned at least one parody (by "Weird Al" Yankovic
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
, called "Isle Thing
Isle Thing
"Isle Thing" is a song by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It is a parody of "Wild Thing" by Tone Lōc.-Track listing:The following tracks are on the promo single:# "Isle Thing" – 3:38# "The Hot Rocks Polka" – 4:51-Lyrics:...
"). It eventually sold over two million copies. It also peaked at number 21 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
The song uses an uncredited sample of Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
's "Jamie's Cryin'
Jamie's Cryin'
"Jamie's Cryin" is a song by Van Halen from their 1978 debut album, Van Halen. The song was written and recorded live during the three week sessions for the album. The song discusses a woman who meets a man that only wants a one-night stand. She turns him down, but is sad for what might have been...
". Van Halen's management at the time asked for a flat fee (credited in some reports to be USD$5,000) as payment to have the song sampled by Tone Lōc. Apparently, this decision was taken without consulting the band's original members (credited as co-authors of the song), who in turn did not expect Wild Thing to become the major hit it became. A subsequent civil lawsuit was settled out of court, with the band receiving USD$180,000 as settlement payment. Alex Van Halen
Alex Van Halen
Alexander Arthur "Alex" Van Halen is a Dutch-born American musician, best known as the drummer and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen. Originally, his brother Eddie had taken lessons for drums, while Alex practiced guitar...
has gone on record saying that he had heard the song over the radio halfway and not realizing it had been sampled until he recognized his (by now famous) tom-tom break at least a few times. Concerning the settlement, he said: "Well, at least we got something. Tone Lōc and his people made millions out of it..."
The song was remixed in 2007 with additional production and vocals from Peaches
Peaches (musician)
Merrill Beth Nisker , better known by her stage name Peaches, is a Canadian electronic musician and performance artist who lives in Berlin, Germany. Her songs are noted for disregarding traditional gender norms and their use of sexually explicit lyrics...
.
Music video
A music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was made for the song at a reported cost of only $500, copying the style of Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love
Addicted to Love (song)
Tina Turner has made "Addicted to Love" a regular feature of her live shows since 1986, although her version did not make it onto the market until two years later....
" with mini-skirted women playing guitars next to Tone Lōc, which went into heavy rotation
Heavy rotation
In broadcasting, rotation is the repeated airing of a limited playlist of songs on a radio station or satellite radio channel, or music videos on a TV network. They are usually in a different order each time, however they are not completely shuffled, so as to avoid playing the same song again too...
on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. The leading lady in the video is played by actress Tracy Camilla Johns
Tracy Camilla Johns
Tracy Camilla Johns is an American film actress. She is best known for her leading role as "Nola Darling" in Spike Lee's 1986 film She's Gotta Have It...
.
In the media
- Played in the 1989 movie Uncle BuckUncle BuckUncle Buck is a 1989 John Hughes comedy film starring John Candy, Amy Madigan, Jean Louisa Kelly, Gaby Hoffman, and Macaulay Culkin, and co-stars Jay Underwood and Laurie Metcalf.-Plot:Bob Russell Uncle Buck is a 1989 John Hughes comedy film starring John Candy, Amy Madigan, Jean Louisa Kelly, Gaby...
- Played on the 1989 television series Doogie Howser, M.D.Doogie Howser, M.D.Doogie Howser, M.D. is an American television comedy-drama starring Neil Patrick Harris as a 16-year-old doctor who also faces the problems of being a normal teenager. Created by Steven Bochco and David E. Kelley, ABC aired the show from 1989 to 1993 for four seasons totaling 97 episodes.-Plot:Dr....
(pilot episode). - Played in the 2000 movie BedazzledBedazzled (2000 film)Bedazzled is a 2000 film remake of the 1967 film Bedazzled , originally written by Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, which was itself a comic retelling of the Faust legend...
- Played in the 2001 movie The AnimalThe AnimalThe Animal is a 2001 comedy film, directed by Luke Greenfield. It stars Rob Schneider, Colleen Haskell, Edward Asner, and John C. McGinley....
- Played in the 2002 movie Dark Blue
- Played in the 2003 movie Charlie's Angels: Full ThrottleCharlie's Angels: Full ThrottleCharlie's Angels: Full Throttle is a 2003 American action comedy film. It is the sequel to 2000's Charlie's Angels. It opened in the United States on June 27, 2003, and was number one at the box office for that weekend and made a worldwide total of $259.2 million.The cast again includes Cameron...
- Played in the 2004 movie TaxiTaxi (2004 film)Taxi is a 2004 American remake of the 1998 Luc Besson-penned, Gérard Pirès-directed French film of the same name, starring Queen Latifah, Jimmy Fallon and Gisele Bündchen, and directed by Tim Story.-Plot:...
- Parodied in the 2006 movie Totally AwesomeTotally AwesomeErik Piskun Totally Awesome is a television movie produced by VH1. Totally Awesome directly parodies a number of 1980s movies, including Dirty Dancing, Soul Man, Footloose, Some Kind of Wonderful, Sixteen Candles, Teen Wolf, Better Off Dead, Lucas, Pretty in Pink, and The Karate Kid...
(as "Crazy Stuff") - Used in the 2011 film "The SmurfsThe SmurfsThe Smurfs is a comic and television franchise centred on a group of small blue fictional creatures called Smurfs, created and first introduced as a series of comic strips by the Belgian cartoonist Peyo on October 23, 1958...
" teaser trailer - Played in the 2011 film Big Mommas: Like Father, Like SonBig Mommas: Like Father, Like SonBig Mommas: Like Father, Like Son is a 2011 crime comedy film directed by John Whitesell and written by Matthew Fogel and Don Rhymer. The film is the second sequel to Big Momma's House and stars Martin Lawrence reprising his role as FBI agent Malcolm Turner...
.
Peaches remix
"Wild Thing (Peaches Remix)" is a version of Tone Lōc's "Wild Thing". The song features vocals by Tone Lōc and PeachesPeaches (musician)
Merrill Beth Nisker , better known by her stage name Peaches, is a Canadian electronic musician and performance artist who lives in Berlin, Germany. Her songs are noted for disregarding traditional gender norms and their use of sexually explicit lyrics...
herself. This remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
was made to celebrate Delicious Vinyl's 20th anniversary. It peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales
Hot Dance Singles Sales
Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes...
.
Music video
The music video for "Wild Thing Remix" shows Peaches and Tone Lōc performing live at Avalon during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Delicious Vinyl.Charts
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart | 1 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
21 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 23 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Singles | 2 |
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes... |
4 |