Despite McShane being the focus, the songs were mostly written and sung by Italian vocalist Maurizio Bassi, although controversy exists (as in many 'studio'-based groups) over McShane's level of co-singing and co-songwriting. The songs are considered a key example of the "italo disco" sound.
Baltimora first appeared during the summer of 1985, sweeping over Europe before finding release in the United States via EMI. The time it took for EMI to finally break "Tarzan Boy" in America resulted in the song earning a six month stay on the Hot 100, ultimately peaking at #13 in the early spring of 1986. His first album, 'Living in the Background', arrived some time later. The group, despite successful touring and frequent dance club plays, quickly fell off of the radar.
However, "Tarzan Boy" made a second run up the Hot 100 in the spring of 1993, climbing to #51 thanks to its appearance in the movie 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III'. No such resurgence occurred when the song appeared again in a movie a few years later in the 1997 Chris Farley comedy 'Beverly Hills Ninja'. "Tarzan Boy" did catch the attention of millions again in a Listerine commercial, which featured the song playing (minus the lead vocals) while a computer-animated bottle of blue minty mouthwash swung around on vines in a colorful digital jungle.
Jimmy McShane died on March 29, 1995 as a result of AIDS complications. Maurizio Bassi remained involved in the music industry, although finding mainstream success elusive. His son, Matteo Bassi, is also a musician.
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Baltimora is also the stage name of Italian singer-songwriter and record producer Edoardo Spinsante (born 2001), most known for winning the fifteenth season of the Italian talent show X Factor.
Set Me Free
Baltimora Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm up and down on the ground, in the air
High as a kite
You say I'm flying by night, I don't care
Drawing the line
You put the loving behind, don't you know?
I'm ready to fall
But when the stormy windward blows
Setting over my heart to set me free
That's when a lover needs to know
Where is the love and where's the key?
Am I a prisoner or a free man?
When you tie me to fortress of your love, high above?
'Cause when the stormy windward blows
Setting over my heart to set me free
That's when a lover needs to know
Who's hiding the lock and where's the key?
Will you dress me up in sorrow?
Or release me to the freedom of my soul?
Got to know, woah-oh-woah
Slipping away
Don't know the time of the day, it's okay
Ready to fall
But take a chance on it all, anyway
But when the stormy windward blows
Setting over my heart to set me free
That's when a lover needs to know, where
Where is the love and where's the key?
But when the stormy windward blows
Setting over my heart to set me free
That's when a lover needs to know
Where is the love and where's the key?
'Cause you dress me up in sorrow
Won't release me to the freedom of my soul
Don't you know, woah
But when the stormy windward blows
Setting over my heart to set me free
That's when a lover needs to know
Where is the love and where's the key?
Am I a prisoner or a free man?
When you tie me to fortress of your love, high above?
But when the stormy windward blows
Setting over my heart to set me free
That's when a lover needs to know
Where is the love and where's the key?
Am I a prisoner or a free man?
When you tie me to fortress of your love, high above?
The lyrics to Baltimora's song Set Me Free explore the complex emotions that come with being in love. In the beginning of the song, the lyrics describe the excitement and thrill of being in love, even if others may not understand. However, as the song progresses, the lyrics begin to convey a certain unease and uncertainty that comes with being tied to someone else's love. The stormy windward that blows over the heart is a metaphor for the difficulties and challenges that come when trying to navigate a loving relationship. The singer questions whether he is a prisoner or a free man, and whether he is tied to the fortress of his lover's love.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the need for love and the search for the key to unlock the true depth of a relationship. The singer wants to know if he will be dressed up in sorrow or released to the freedom of his soul. He needs to know where the key is to unlock his true potential in love.
Overall, the lyrics of Set Me Free explore the complex dynamics of love and relationships, and the struggles that come with trying to navigate them. The singer is searching for the key to unlock the potential of his relationship, and wondering whether he is truly free or a prisoner in his lover's love.
Line by Line Meaning
Jumping around
I'm bouncing between different moods and states
I'm up and down on the ground, in the air
I'm experiencing fluctuations in my emotions and energy levels
High as a kite
I'm feeling exhilarated and euphoric
You say I'm flying by night, I don't care
You accuse me of being reckless and impractical, but I don't mind
Drawing the line
You're creating a boundary or limit
You put the loving behind, don't you know?
You've stopped showing affection and care, don't you realize?
I'm ready to fall
I'm willing to take risks and face the consequences
I take a chance on it all, make it go
I'm willing to risk everything to pursue what I want
But when the stormy windward blows
But when life gets difficult and challenging
Setting over my heart to set me free
Causing me emotional pain and distress, but also liberating me from an unpleasant situation
That's when a lover needs to know
That's when I need to figure out
Where is the love and where's the key?
Where is the affection and support I need to overcome this hardship and where is the solution I'm looking for?
Am I a prisoner or a free man?
Am I trapped or liberated by my circumstances?
When you tie me to fortress of your love, high above?
When you restrict my freedom and independence with your possessiveness and control?
'Cause when the stormy windward blows
Because when life gets tough
Who's hiding the lock and where's the key?
Who's withholding the solution I need to overcome this difficulty?
Will you dress me up in sorrow?
Will you make me feel miserable and unhappy?
Or release me to the freedom of my soul?
Or allow me to pursue my passions and fulfill my potential?
Got to know, woah-oh-woah
I need to find out, urgently
Slipping away
I'm losing my grip and control
Don't know the time of the day, it's okay
I'm disoriented and confused, but I'm coping
But when the stormy windward blows
But when life becomes tumultuous and difficult
Setting over my heart to set me free
Bringing me pain and hardship, but also helping me break free from a negative situation
That's when a lover needs to know, where
That's when I need to find out
Where is the love and where's the key?
Where is the affection and support I need to overcome this hardship and where is the solution I'm looking for?
'Cause you dress me up in sorrow
Because you make me feel miserable and unhappy
Won't release me to the freedom of my soul
Won't let me pursue my passions and fulfill my potential
Don't you know, woah
Don't you realize how much this is hurting me?
Am I a prisoner or a free man?
Am I trapped or liberated by my circumstances?
When you tie me to fortress of your love, high above?
When you restrict my freedom and independence with your possessiveness and control?
Contributed by Gavin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mateo Tzab Brito
genial música sin duda alguna son una de las mejores sonadas mis favoritas
Paulo Roberto Pereira
Top esse som do Baltimora la dos anos 80!!
EIGHTIEESALWAYS
This is one of Jimmie McShane´s best songs ever! So underrated! RIP Jimmie McShane
Tina Rash
I loved Baltimora since I was a small kid! Lovin' this!
Kidwaryod Production
Love it.
Khan Veer
I love it so jimmy 💝
Evandro Ortiz
Very good .
latin heat
love me do, survivor in love
Javii Martinez
todos estamos matando a Jimmy les tengo una buena noticia.... NO MURIO :)
latin heat
Javii Martinez claro, vive por medio de su música