Jungle life

Earlier today I talked to some people at work who made me feel like I was getting old. Then I talked to someone else my age and realized I’m just weird… which I’ve always suspected anyway.

The topic of conversation was this: over the weekend I turned on commercial radio for the first time in a long time. It was one of those named oldies stations that seem to be the rage right now… Dave, or Bob, or Attila, or whatever. One of the first songs to come on was—get this—a remix of Tarzan Boy, by Baltimora. When I told the youngsters about this, they looked at me like I’d just grown hair.

You’ve never heard of Tarzan Boy‽ That was out in 1985! When you were… oh, right. Well, do you remember the Listerine commercial from a couple of years ago where the bottle is swinging on a vine through the jungle? No? Umm… Hey Barry, you must remember Tarzan Boy! By Baltimora?

I turned to the other guy in the group of similar age.

Come on, Barry, you’ve heard it… Woody Boogie? Oh come on, next you’re going to tell me you’ve never heard of Pac-Man Fever either. Oh man, you’re killing me… the album sleeve had patterns for the game? It was huge, guys, honestly! There was a song about Berzerk, and Defender….

Fortunately at this point one of the group took pity on me and admitted to having owned an Atari 2600; Defender was one of his favourite games… when he was 5.

Sheesh.

Tomorrow they’re all getting an education. I’m bringing in my copies of Living in the Background (the Baltimora album) and Pac-Man Fever. Classic music like that must be passed on through the generations.

Jungle life
You’re far away from nothing
It’s all right
You won’t miss home
Take a chance
Leave everything behind you
Come and join me
Won’t be sorry
It’s easy to survive

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9 thoughts on “Jungle life

  1. I adored Baltimora.
    I remember hearing he committed suicide, but when I googled, I read he died of aids. I never knew he was Irish either.

  2. I found similar info when I searched around.

    I would love to hear someone do a “de-mixed” version of Tarzan Boy on guitar… might try to learn it myself if I could find a tab for it. I know the Brown University Brown Derbies performed an a capella version.

  3. See. I told you that eventually you’d miss me when I was gone. I’d have had your back on that conversation.

  4. I’m pretty sure I’m older than both you and John (no, not older than both put together) and I’m afraid I didn’t get the reference. Maybe you guys aren’t so old. Maybe you’re just — what’s dat woid again — yeah, “kulchured”. 🙂

    I’d still love to hear your de-mix, though!

  5. Hi all: Baltimora was Jimmy McShane. He was born May 23, 1957, in Londonderry Northern Ireland. He grew up on Ivy Terace off Bishop on city side. He was known in a gay community as “Ruby”. Apparently he was gay or bi sexual and was given his nickname by an ex boyfrend. He enjoyed being with men, going to parties and buying the very best most expensive things. He was very kind and loving to both friends and family. He loved life and lived it to the fullest and that’s what made his death all the more tragic. He died on March 28, 1995 at Gransha specialist care unit alone and pennyless at the age of 37. And evidently his family didn’t help and so left him alone. Now it seems that all we can do is pay our respects to Jimmy. We all should remember him for what he was. Which was a wonderful man, and an excellant singer. And not look at him in a differently way because he was gay. RIP Jimmy. You’ll live on forever. Thanks for the great music.

    Any one who wants pictures of him or has questions email me 🙂

  6. I am very sad to know today his end life, i think for jimmy…sorry for my english

  7. Great singer, i did not that he was irish. I just love his songs. Rest in peace Jimmy, we will remember you as a great human being.

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