“Wild Thing” is a hip-hop track by Tone Lōc released in late 1988, serving as the lead single from his debut album Lōc-ed After Dark. The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the first rap single by a Black artist to achieve platinum certification, selling over two million copies.
The track’s creation involved significant collaboration and sampling controversy:
- Inspiration and Writing: The title references a line from Spike Lee’s 1986 film She’s Gotta Have It, where the character played by Fab 5 Freddy says, “Let’s do the wild thing!” While Tone Lōc conceived the idea, the lyrics were primarily written by Young MC (Marvin Young) to make the initially “raunchy” material radio-friendly.
- Production: Produced by Matt Dike and Michael Ross of Delicious Vinyl, the song was recorded on a low budget using an 8-track recorder in Dike’s apartment. It prominently samples the guitar riff from Van Halen’s 1978 song “Jamie’s Cryin'”.
- Legal Dispute: Van Halen’s management demanded a flat fee for the sample, reportedly around $5,000 to $50,000, without initially consulting the band members. The band later sued for unauthorized use, settling out of court for approximately $180,000.
The song’s music video, directed by Tamra Davis for just $500, parodied Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love” and was instrumental in bringing rap music to MTV and mainstream pop audiences.
[Intro]
Let’s do it
[Verse 1]
Workin’ all week 9 to 5 for my money
So when the weekend comes I go get live with the honey
Rollin’ down the street I saw this girl and she was pumpin’
I winked my eye she got into the ride, went to a club, was jumpin’
Introduce myself as Loc she said “You’re a liar”
I said “I got it goin’ on baby doll and I’m on fire”
Took her to the hotel she said “You’re the king?”
I said “Be my queen if you know what I mean and let us do the wild thing”
[Chorus]
Wild thing
Wild thing
[Verse 2]
Shoppin’ at the mall looking for some gear to buy
I saw this girl she cool rocked my world and I had to adjust my fly
She looked at me and smiled and said “You have plans for the night?”
I said “Hopefully if things go well I’ll be with you tonight”
So we journeyed to her house one thing led to another
I keyed the door we cold hit the floor looked up and it was her mother
I didn’t know what to say I was hanging by a string
She said “Hey you two I was once like you and I liked to do the wild thing”
[Chorus]
Wild thing
She loved to do the wild thing
Wild thing
Please baby baby please
[Verse 3]
Posse in effect, hangin’ out is always hype
And when me and the crew leave the shindig I want a girl who’s just my type
Saw this luscious little frame, I ain’t lyin’ fellas she was fine
The sweet young miss cold gave me a kiss and I knew that she was mine
Took her to the limousine still parked outside
I tipped the chauffeur when it was over and I gave her my own ride
Couldn’t get her off my jock she was like static cling
But that’s what happens when bodies start slappin’ from doin’ the wild thing
[Chorus]
Wild thing
She wanna do the wild thing
Please baby baby please
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus]
Wild thing
[Verse 4]
Doin’ a little show at the local discotheque
This fine young chick was on my jock so I say what the heck
She wanted to come on stage and do her little dance
So I said chill for now but maybe later you’ll get your chance
So when the show was finished I took her around the way
And what do you know she was good to go without a word to say
We was all alone and she said, “Tone, let me tell you one thing
I need $50 to make you holler, I get paid to do the wild thing”
[Outro]
Say what?
Yo love, you must be kidding
You’re walkin’ babe
Just break out of here
Hasta la vista, baby
Wild thing
