Baltimora’s “Tarzan Boy” Lyrics Meaning

Tarzan is a popular fictional character which some would say represents Westernizers who fantasize about fleeing to the jungle, as in forsaking modern society. And in “Tarzan Boy”, the singer comes off as one such individual who has actually made such a move. So in addition to emulating Tarzan’s famous feral cry, he depicts himself as someone who is indeed enjoying “jungle life… far away from nowhere”. 

More specifically, he comes off as a person who is relishing a carefree lifestyle therein. And apparently he is trying to relay this sentiment to someone in his hometown who has yet to make the leap. Indeed he assures the addressee that if he or she actually leaves “everything behind” and joins him, they “won’t be sorry”. He even goes as far as saying they would realize that it’s “easy to survive” in the bush.  He also guarantees that their life together will be full of never-ending play. And this fantasy is summarized by the singer assuring this person that the two of them will indeed be “like Tarzan”, i.e. a Westerner who has mastered jungle life, with this character obviously being someone the narrator looks up to.

Facts about “Tarzan Boy”

Baltimora is a short-lived Italian band that was more popular in Europe than they are in United States. For instance, from a true international perspective, “Tarzan Boy” was really their only hit. Indeed for the most part, Baltimora are considered to be a one-hit wonder.

That’s another way of saying it was one of only two Baltimora tracks to make it onto the Billboard Hot 100 (the other being a relatively-obscure song entitled “Living in the Background”). But it had done so impressively, peaking at number 13 and remaining on the Hot 100 for 6 months.

“Tarzan Boy” was written by the track’s producer (and Baltimora founder) Maurizio Bassi. Bassi wrote this classic alongside his regular collaborator, Naimy Hackett.

Moreover it is generally considered that Bassi is also the lead singer on this song. However, you wouldn’t know that from watching the music video, considering he’s nowhere to be found on the visual. 

Rather it is the band’s frontman, Jimmy McShane – who was more along the lines of an actor and dancer when Bassi recruited him – who is featured on the video as the one that is actually singing.

“Tarzan Boy” was an international smash hit, as the track topped music charts in countries such as the below:

• Belgium
• Finland
• France
• Netherlands
• Spain

It also charted in over 10 other countries, including peaking at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.

Release Date

“Tarzan Boy” first appeared, via the efforts of EMI Records, as the lead single from Baltimora’s debut album, “Living in the Background”, on 1 April 1985.