The song as sung by The Troggs is ranked #257 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Composition
The song's central guitar riff is immediately recognizable and frames the central lyric:
Wild thing –
You make my heart sing –
You make everything ... groovyThe music stops for the counter lyric:
Wild thing, I think I love you (or you move me) ...
But I WANNA KNOW for sure.
So come on, and hold me tight –
I love you (or you move me)
The song is in the key of A major, and is based around the chord progression (I - IV - V - IV), which is the basis for the main riff, and the instrumental parts during the chorus. However, the guitars are not strictly tuned to middle C in the Troggs version and the slightly sharp tuning causes the chords to actually be midway between A and Bb. This has, of course, mystified many guitar players trying to play along with the record. The middle eight was originally someone whistling, but in the Troggs' version this was replaced by Colin Fretcher, musical director, playing an ocarina.
Troggs single
The Troggs version was recorded in mono in one piece on the second take at Olympic Studios which was then at Carton Street, off Baker Street in London, by engineer Keith Grant.
Because of a distribution dispute, the Troggs single was available on two competing labels: Atco and Fontana. Because both pressings were taken from the identical master recording, Billboard combined the sales for both releases, making it the only single to simultaneously reach #1 for two companies.
Other versions
The song has remained popular ever since The Troggs' hit single, and has been covered again many times — perhaps most notably by Jimi Hendrix, whose stage performance of the song was featured in the 1967 documentary Monterey Pop. Hendrix recorded the song live and it can be heard in the compilation album The Ultimate Experience.
In 1967, the novelty team of Senator Bobby released a version of "Wild Thing". Sung by comedian Bill Minkin in the verbal style of Democratic Senator Bobby Kennedy while a recording engineer is heard giving instructions, the stammering single charted at #20 in the United States. The flip side of the Senator Bobby 45 featured "Senator Everett McKinley" (an impression of Republican Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen) doing the same song; the initial voiceover by the recording engineer encourages Senator Bobby to respond to his "hit single" (the Senator Everett McKinley version also had some radio airplay at the time). The songs were credited to The Hardly-Worthit Players, and the Senator Bobby version was included as a bonus track on reissues of their 1962 Parkway LP called The Hardly-Worthit Report (the rest of the album is a comedic takeoff on the NBC national news broadcast The Huntley-Brinkley Report).
The British group Fancy recorded a version of the song in 1974, which reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. The British comedy troupe The Goodies recorded a version of the song, and performed it during a 1976 episode of their television series. In 1983 the song was covered by the psychobilly band The Meteors for their Wreckin' Crew album, and was also performed by the Australian pub band Cold Chisel during their Last Stand concert. Sister Carol did a reggae version in 1986.
Comedian Sam Kinison recorded a hit novelty version in 1988, with a music video featuring cameos from Rodney Dangerfield as well as many well-known rock musicians including Steven Tyler and Joe Perry from Aerosmith, Slash, Billy Idol, Steve Vai, Dweezil Zappa, Richie Sambora, and Tommy Lee, and a raunchy "roll on the mat" dance with Jessica Hahn. A cover by the Los Angeles-based punk band X was used in the 1989 film Major League. The 1990 cartoon version of the comic book character Swamp Thing had a theme song that parodied the song, with the lyrics "Swamp Thing! You are amazing!" Cheap Trick recorded the song for the soundtrack to Encino Man in 1992, possibly as a tribute to Kinison who had died that year. The Troggs recorded a new version in 1993, which charted in the lower reaches of the British charts. A cover version was recorded by Hank Williams, Jr. in 1995.
Prince interpolated the chorus of the song into his cover of Tommy James and the Shondells' "Crimson and Clover".
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed the song during their Working on a Dream Tour at the April 24, 2009 show at the XL Center in Hartford.
Use in sports, television and film
The 1989 baseball film Major League used "Wild Thing" recorded by L.A. punk band X as the theme song for Rick Vaughn, the team's erratic relief pitcher. Life soon imitated art, when the Philadelphia Phillies closer Mitch Williams adopted the song for his entrances from the bullpen, including in the 1993 World Series. During the late 2000s, the song is played at Fenway Park whenever Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon comes in from the bullpen, followed by "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" by the Dropkick Murphy's.
In 1992, the Troggs' version was used in the film D2: The Mighty Ducks. That same year a version by Cheap Trick was used for the film Encino Man. In 2003, Aerosmith recorded a version of the song with a video, which was used for commercials and teasers advertising ABC's coverage of the NFL Wild Card playoffs.
In the UK the song was used heavily by television programme "You've Been Framed", for clips generally involving animals.
Japanese Pro Wrestler Atsushi Onita used the X cover of the song as his entrance theme.
The song was featured in a prominent scene in the 1997 miniseries Painted Lady featuring Helen Mirren.
In the Full House episode, "Just Say No Way," Jesse Katsopalis plays this song with the marching band at DJ's school dance (replacing Dogface, a popular high school band, who broke up hours beforehand).
An inversion of this song's title became the title of Something Wild (1986 film). The film features a scene where the hero & heroine pick up some hitch-hikers in their connvertible; and the party then sing "Wild Thing". Regrettably, this cover is not included on the soundtrack CD; nor are the two songs played at the high-school reunion by the band, The Feelies, (The Monkees' I'm a Believer, and Fame (David Bowie song)).
Wild Thing
The Troggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make my heart sing
You make everything groovy
Wild thing
Wild thing, I think I love you
But I wanna know for sure
Come on, hold me tight
I love you
Wild thing
You make my heart sing
You make everything groovy
Wild thing
Wild thing
I think you move me
But I wanna know for sure
So come on and hold me tight
You move me
Wild thing
You make my heart sing
You make everything groovy
Wild thing
Come on, come on wild thing
Shake it, shake it, wild thing
The Troggs' hit "Wild Thing" is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable rock songs of the 60s due to its simple, catchy melody and bold, rebellious lyrics. The song's lyrics tell the story of a man who falls head over heels in love with a woman who he refers to as 'wild thing' because of the way she moves and the intoxicating effect she has on him. He yearns to be close to her and find out if his feelings are true by asking her to hold him tight. The chorus repeats the phrase "wild thing" several times, emphasizing the woman's wild and untamed nature.
The lyrics of "Wild Thing" represent the counterculture movement of the 60s, in which rock music was a symbol of youth rebellion and free expression. The song's message is about letting loose, living life to the fullest, and embracing the wild and unpredictable moments. It is a celebration of freedom, who one truly is, and of being unapologetically themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Wild thing
Addressing someone who has caught the attention and admiration of the singer.
You make my heart sing
The person has stirred strong emotions of love and passion from the singer.
You make everything groovy
Being with the person has brought happiness and contentment to the singer's life and surroundings.
Wild thing, I think I love you
Expressing a growing feeling of love and attraction towards the person.
But I wanna know for sure
Seeking confirmation and assurance of the other person's feelings towards the singer.
Come on, hold me tight
Inviting the person to embrace the singer in a gesture of affection and intimacy.
I love you
Declaring love for the person and the desire to be with them.
I think you move me
Admitting that the person has had a strong impact on the singer's emotions and physical responses.
So come on and hold me tight
Reiterating the invitation for the person to hold the singer closely and express their mutual feelings.
Come on, come on wild thing
Urging the person to be more daring and expressive with their actions and feelings towards the singer.
Shake it, shake it, wild thing
Encouraging the person to show more passion and energy in their behavior and interactions with the singer.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Chip Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@redgoobler4653
When I was about five years old, I remember being in primary school one day and a teacher was throwing a broken guitar in the bin, the neck was snapped. I asked him if I could take it home with me because I thought my dad woulds be able to fix it. He said yes. My dad drilled a metal plate into it to fix it, tuned it up and then played 'Wild Thing' by the Trogg's for me. My mind was blown away, at him for fixing the guitar & also playing that song. I was so proud of him. It's still my favourite song to this day.
@RAYGAZOIL
Quel super papa tu as eu ! Génial !
Such a great dad you had... Greeeeat.
@chris210352
Oh, wow! 🥰
@Fabri70
Thx for sharing, nice piece of life!
@edyrose8458
Great memory to hold
@dina113east
What a great memory and a great Dad.
@DJsteelbill
This song never gets old. Doesn't matter how old you are. It's a legendary song 💯
@SloopyDog
I loved Wild Thing in the 60s and now aged 76 I still love it. I used to be a wild thing now I am a tame thing.
@comprasgmadi886
Kkkkkkk vdd, eu com 70.
@corrinnacorrinna5572
It's still there, just more controlled and with finesse!❤