Wild Thing: The Enduring Legacy of a Rock'n'Roll Classic

Wild Thing: The Enduring Legacy of a Rock'n'Roll Classic

Wild Thing is a widely covered song that almost faded into obscurity. The Troggs had a hit with their cover in 1966, but many artists like Jimi Hendrix, Fancy, and Bruce Springsteen have also put their own spin on it. Chip Taylor, the song's writer, considered it a significant milestone in music history, especially for aspiring guitarists who learned to play it.

The simplicity of Wild Thing's chord progression and lyrics made it accessible to both major stars and amateur musicians. Despite its seemingly straightforward nature, Taylor approached the song with seriousness and honesty, considering it a significant creation in his songwriting career. The song's creation was a spontaneous and emotional process for Taylor, leading to its iconic status.

Taylor's quick writing of Wild Thing for The Wild Ones led to its eventual success when producer Larry Page chose it as the A-side for The Troggs. The band's recording of the song in just 10 minutes propelled them to the top of the charts in the US and UK. Taylor was pleased with the band's interpretation of the song and enjoyed the diverse range of artists who covered it over the years.

While Taylor was modest about the financial success of Wild Thing, he acknowledged the hard work of his publishers in promoting the song. Despite the song's commercial success, Taylor continued to perform it with the same passion and energy as when he first wrote it. The enduring appeal of Wild Thing lies in its raw, rock'n'roll essence that continues to resonate with audiences across generations.