Wild Wild Life
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2009) |
"Wild Wild Life" | ||||
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Single by Talking Heads | ||||
from the album True Stories | ||||
Released | August 1986[1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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David Byrne | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Talking Heads singles chronology | ||||
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Official video | ||||
"Wild Wild Life" on YouTube |
"Wild Wild Life" is a song by American
Critical reception
Cash Box called it "quirky and typically fun."[3] Billboard said that Talking Heads "put a minimal post-new wave accompaniment to a bouncy singalong tune."[4]
Music video
The video for the song won "Best Group Video" at the
The video is set in a 1960s ambienced cabaret bar, where a frantic series of unannounced performers lip sync to the song, imitating such singers as Madonna and Prince as disjointed images play across a wall of video screens behind them. Byrne wrote about this scene:
The song itself becomes a vehicle that can say anything they want it to. Some gestures and movements are obviously derived from well-known sources: television shows ... movies ... and, most recently, rock videos. Odd to think that some lip-synchers are imitating characters in videos, who are really musicians imitating other characters.[5]
Actor John Goodman, prior to his fame in the sitcom Roseanne, appeared in both the film and MTV versions of the video. Goodman was also featured on the B-side's "People Like Us", a song that also appeared in the film.
Track listing
7-inch single
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Wild Wild Life" | 3:39 |
2. | "People Like Us" (movie version) | 4:23 |
12-inch single
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Wild Wild Life" (extended mix) | 5:30 |
2. | "Wild Wild Life" | 3:39 |
3. | "People Like Us" (movie version) | 4:23 |
- Vocals on "People Like Us" (movie version) by John Goodman
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (1986) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 13 |
Dutch Singles Chart[7]
|
42 |
Irish Singles Chart[8] | 9 |
New Zealand Singles Chart[9]
|
2 |
Swiss Singles Chart[10]
|
20 |
UK Singles Chart[11]
|
43 |
US Billboard Hot 100[12] | 25 |
Year-end charts
Chart (1986) | Position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report)[13] | 92 |
Use in media
The song was covered by
The song was used in the trailers for Brother Bear,[14] Over the Hedge,[15] and Zookeeper, as well as the beginning of the 2006 animated film Open Season, for which it was included on the film's soundtrack. It was also used in the 2014 film United Passions as well as the aforementioned True Stories.
References
- ISBN 9780862415419.
- ^ Tangari, Joe. "Talking Heads - Talking Heads Brick". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
- ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. August 23, 1986. p. 11. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "Reviews". Billboard. August 23, 1986. p. 81. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ISBN 9780826441683.
- ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ MegaCharts (October 4, 1986). "Dutch Singles Chart". Dutch Charts. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
- ^ Irish Recording Music Association (September 7, 1986). "Irish Singles Chart". Irish Charts. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
- ^ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (September 14, 1986). "New Zealand Singles Chart". New Zealand Charts. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
- ^ "Swiss Singles Chart". Swiss Charts. September 28, 1986. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
- ^ The Official Charts Company. "UK Albums Chart". Every Hit. Retrieved 2010-05-17.
- ^ Billboard Magazine
- ^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1986". Kent Music Report. No. 650. December 1986. Retrieved January 24, 2023 – via Imgur.
- ^ SaneelGB (2013-01-01), Brother Bear Theatrical Trailer (2003), retrieved 2016-07-14[dead YouTube link]
- ^ cineAE (2006-12-08), Over the Hedge Trailer, archived from the original on 2021-12-21, retrieved 2016-07-14
External links
- "Wild Wild Life" at Discogs (list of releases)