The song titled ‘Wild Thing’ is a song by the American Rapper Tone Loc featured in his Lōc-ed After Dark album in 1989. The title references the expression ‘doin’ the wild thing,’ which is also a synonym for sex.

Producer Mario Caldato Jr who created and mixed the song, said Michael Ross, the man behind the song’s production, was inspired by the statement of Fab 5 Freddy – ‘Come on baby, let’s do the wild thing’ in Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It.

Wild Thing was released by a self-governing record label – Delicious Vinyl, on January 1. Even though Matt Dike and Michael Ross produced it, other writing recognition goes to Young MC, popular for his 1989 Grammy-winning hit “Bust a Move.”

The American rapper’s song rose to number two on the Billboard Hot 100, only beaten to the top position by Paula Abdul’s breakthrough hit ‘Straight Up’ in February 1989. Tone Loc’s Wild Thing stimulated at least two parodies, including; ‘Child King’ by Christian band ApologetiX and Weird Al Yankovic’s first rap parody, the Gilligan’s Island-themed Isle Thing’.

Fun Facts About Wild Thing by Tone Loc

It sold more than two million copies
It peaked at number 21 on the UK Singles Chart
It was ranked number 39 on Vh1’s 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop in 2008
It was the first hip-hop single to go platinum
It uses an uncredited sample of Van Halen’s ‘Jamie’s Cryin’
Van Halen was paid after realizing his song had been sampled
It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100
Tamra Davis directed its music video
Its music video cost $500
It frequently played on MTV
Actress Tracy Camilla Johns played the leading lady in its music video