Wild One (Johnny O'Keefe song)
Encyclopedia
"Wild One" or "Real Wild Child" is an Australian rock and roll
song written by Johnny Greenan, Johnny O'Keefe
, and Dave Owens. Sydney disc jockey Tony Withers was credited with helping to get radio airplay for the song but writer credits on subsequent versions often omit Withers, who later worked in the United Kingdom on pirate stations Radio Atlanta
and, as Tony Windsor, on Radio London
.
O'Keefe was the first artist to record it, on his debut EP
Shakin' at the Stadium, released on the Festival label. This version, ostensibly recorded live at the Stadium, was in fact a studio recording, overdubbed with the sound of a real audience. It differs from the version released in the USA and UK. "Wild One" was also released as "Real Wild Child" in the USA on Brunswick and in the UK on Coral.
The song was the first Australian rock recording to reach the national charts, peaking at #20.
, a member of The Crickets
, using the name Ivan. Retitled "Real Wild Child," the song became a moderate hit, peaking at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
"Wild One" was also recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis
in 1958 but was not released until 1974 on Lee's album, Rockin' and Free. His version also appears in the 1989 motion picture and soundtrack album for Great Balls of Fire
.
It was recorded and released as "Real Wild Child" by Jet Harris, former bassist with The Shadows
, in 1962 on Harris' self titled EP. A further version, "Real Wild Child (Wild One)" was recorded by British guitarist, Albert Lee
, on his 1982 self-titled album.
The song was again covered in 1986 when Iggy Pop
included a version on his album Blah Blah Blah. Titled "Real Wild Child (Wild One)," this became a #10 hit on the UK Singles Chart
in January 1987. It also charted on Billboards
Album Rock Tracks
chart, peaking at #27. The Iggy Pop version was featured in the films Crocodile Dundee II
, Adventures in Babysitting
, Problem Child
and its sequel Problem Child 2
.
The song was subsequently covered by Lou Reed in 1993. Other artists to record this song include Status Quo, Everlife
, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Glamour Camp
, Marshall Crenshaw
, Brian Setzer
, Teenage Head
, Albert Lee
and Wakefield
. A cover by Christopher Otcasek
appeared on the soundtrack to the film Pretty Woman
. The cover by Wakefield
appeared in the movie Eurotrip
and its soundtrack. Alvin and the Chipmunks
covered the song for "Chip Tracy" (a parody of the 1990 Dick Tracy film), an episode from the final season of Alvin and the Chipmunks
.
A cover of the song was recorded again by Iggy Pop
who teamed up with Aussie rockers Jet
which was released as a single in July 2008. Girls Aloud
singer Sarah Harding
also recorded a version of the song for the soundtrack to the 2008 film Wild Child
.
The most recent cover of the song, with the title "Real Wild Child," was by Levi Kreis portraying Jerry Lee Lewis on the original Broadway cast recording of the Broadway musical "Million Dollar Quartet." Mr. Kreis won a 2010 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Jerry Lee Lewis in "Million Dollar Quartet."
The Chipmunks
and The Chipettes
covered this song for the Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked: Music from the Motion Picture
album and for the upcoming "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
" film. A few lyrics have changed in this version.
performed the song at the 2008 APRA Awards
also to mark the anniversary.
The Iggy Pop version of the song is used as the title music to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
's all-night music video
programme, rage
and is also featured in the game SingStar Amped.
In 1998 Australia Post
issued a special edition set of twelve stamps celebrating the early years of Australian rock and roll, featuring Australian hit songs of the late 50s, 60s and early 70s:
Everlife's cover was featured in the video game LEGO Rock Band
.
Wakefield's cover was featured in the video game Tak and the Power of Juju
. It also appeared in the beginning of Open Season 3
.
Joan Jett's version appeared in an ad for the sitcom Hot in Cleveland
. It also appeared during the closing credits of Bad Teacher
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
song written by Johnny Greenan, Johnny O'Keefe
Johnny O'Keefe
John Michael O'Keefe, known as Johnny O'Keefe was an Australian rock and roll singer whose career began in the 1950s. Some of his hits include "Wild One" , "Shout!" and "She's My Baby"...
, and Dave Owens. Sydney disc jockey Tony Withers was credited with helping to get radio airplay for the song but writer credits on subsequent versions often omit Withers, who later worked in the United Kingdom on pirate stations Radio Atlanta
Radio Atlanta
Radio Atlanta named after Atlanta, Texas, was an offshore commercial station that operated briefly from 12 May 1964 to 2 July 1964 from a ship anchored in the North Sea, three and a half miles off Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, England...
and, as Tony Windsor, on Radio London
Radio London
Radio London may refer to one of the following radio stations:*A popular name for the BBC World Service in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II*The station now known as BBC London 94.9...
.
O'Keefe was the first artist to record it, on his debut EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Shakin' at the Stadium, released on the Festival label. This version, ostensibly recorded live at the Stadium, was in fact a studio recording, overdubbed with the sound of a real audience. It differs from the version released in the USA and UK. "Wild One" was also released as "Real Wild Child" in the USA on Brunswick and in the UK on Coral.
Festival liner notes have always put forward that the crowd overdub was the only difference... Ignoring the crowd overdub at the start, both versions have a different intro and JOK's vocal on the foreign versions is noticeably wilder than on the EP version issued here… As far as I know, the US/UK single version which, IMHO, is markedly superior to our version, was never issued in Australia... at the time, [but] it did finally appear on a local compilation LP in the 70's and is now commonly available on various JOK CDs.
Tony Watson
The song was the first Australian rock recording to reach the national charts, peaking at #20.
Covers
In 1958 the song was released as a single by Jerry Ivan AllisonJerry Allison
J.I. Allison is an American musician, best known for being the drummer for The Crickets and co-writer of their Buddy Holly hit "Peggy Sue"....
, a member of The Crickets
The Crickets
The Crickets are a rock & roll band from Lubbock, Texas, formed by singer/songwriter Buddy Holly in the 1950s. Their first hit record was "That'll Be the Day", released in 1957....
, using the name Ivan. Retitled "Real Wild Child," the song became a moderate hit, peaking at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
"Wild One" was also recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
in 1958 but was not released until 1974 on Lee's album, Rockin' and Free. His version also appears in the 1989 motion picture and soundtrack album for Great Balls of Fire
Great Balls of Fire! (film)
Great Balls of Fire! is a 1989 American biographical film directed by Jim McBride and starring Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee Lewis. Based on a biography by Myra Lewis and Murray M. Silver Jr., the screenplay is written by McBride and Jack Baran...
.
It was recorded and released as "Real Wild Child" by Jet Harris, former bassist with The Shadows
The Shadows
The Shadows are a British pop group with a total of 69 UK hit-charted singles: 35 as 'The Shadows' and 34 as 'Cliff Richard and the Shadows', from the 1950s to the 2000s. Cliff Richard in casual conversation with the British rock press frequently refers to the Shadows by their nickname: 'The Shads'...
, in 1962 on Harris' self titled EP. A further version, "Real Wild Child (Wild One)" was recorded by British guitarist, Albert Lee
Albert Lee
Albert William Lee, born 21 December 1943 in Leominster, Herefordshire, England, is an English guitarist known for his fingerstyle and hybrid picking technique. Lee has worked both in the studio and on tour with some of the most famous musicians which stretch through a very wide of genres...
, on his 1982 self-titled album.
The song was again covered in 1986 when Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
included a version on his album Blah Blah Blah. Titled "Real Wild Child (Wild One)," this became a #10 hit on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in January 1987. It also charted on Billboards
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Album Rock Tracks
Mainstream Rock Tracks
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...
chart, peaking at #27. The Iggy Pop version was featured in the films Crocodile Dundee II
Crocodile Dundee II
"Crocodile" Dundee II is a 1988 Australian adventure and comedy film. It is a sequel to the 1986 film "Crocodile" Dundee, and was followed by 2001's Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles...
, Adventures in Babysitting
Adventures in Babysitting
Adventures in Babysitting is a 1987 American comedy film written by David Simkins, directed by Chris Columbus, and starring Elisabeth Shue, Maia Brewton, Keith Coogan, Anthony Rapp, Penelope Ann Miller, Bradley Whitford, and a brief cameo by blues singer/guitarist Albert Collins...
, Problem Child
Problem Child (1990 film)
Problem Child is a 1990 American comedy film. It stars John Ritter, Amy Yasbeck, Gilbert Gottfried, Jack Warden, Michael Richards and Michael Oliver. The film was directed by Dennis Dugan.-Plot:...
and its sequel Problem Child 2
Problem Child 2
Problem Child 2 is the 1991 comedy film sequel to the 1990 sleeper hit Problem Child; a continuation of the exploits of an adopted orphan boy who deliberately wreaks havoc everywhere he goes...
.
The song was subsequently covered by Lou Reed in 1993. Other artists to record this song include Status Quo, Everlife
Everlife
Everlife is a pop rock band made of three sisters, Amber, Sarah, and Julia Ross.-Early:Everlife originated in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The band were formed in the winter of 1997 with Sarah on the drums, Amber on the guitar, and Julia on keyboard....
, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Glamour Camp
Glamour Camp
Glamour Camp is an American rock band formed by Christoper Ocasek. He was able to score a deal with EMI as a second-generation Ocasek rocker.Glamour Camp's self-titled debut album’s leadoff single, “She Did It” garnered some light rotation MTV play...
, Marshall Crenshaw
Marshall Crenshaw
Marshall Crenshaw is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist best known for his song "Someday, Someway".-Biography:...
, Brian Setzer
Brian Setzer
Brian Setzer is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. He first found widespread success in the early 1980s with the 1950s-style rockabilly revival group The Stray Cats, and revitalized his career in the late 1990s with a jazz-oriented big band.-Career:Setzer was born in Massapequa, New York...
, Teenage Head
Teenage Head (band)
Teenage Head is a Canadian rock group from Hamilton, Ontario and was one of the most popular Canadian punk rock bands during the early 1980s....
, Albert Lee
Albert Lee
Albert William Lee, born 21 December 1943 in Leominster, Herefordshire, England, is an English guitarist known for his fingerstyle and hybrid picking technique. Lee has worked both in the studio and on tour with some of the most famous musicians which stretch through a very wide of genres...
and Wakefield
Wakefield (band)
Wakefield is a 4 piece rock band from Mechanicsville, Maryland. The band consists of singer Ryan Escolopio, his brother and former Good Charlotte drummer, Aaron Escolopio, their cousin and bass player Mike Schoolden , and guitarist J.D. Tennyson.-Early years:Ryan, JD, and Mike formed the band with...
. A cover by Christopher Otcasek
Christopher Otcasek
Christopher Otcasek is a singer-songwriter who formed Glamour Camp and signed to EMI, where they released their self-titled debut album. On the album’s leadoff single, Otcasek affected an Iggy Pop croon which garnered some light rotation MTV play....
appeared on the soundtrack to the film Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman is a 1990 romantic comedy film set in Los Angeles, California. Written by J.F. Lawton and directed by Garry Marshall, this motion picture features Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, and also Hector Elizondo, Ralph Bellamy, and Jason Alexander in supporting roles. Roberts played the only...
. The cover by Wakefield
Wakefield (band)
Wakefield is a 4 piece rock band from Mechanicsville, Maryland. The band consists of singer Ryan Escolopio, his brother and former Good Charlotte drummer, Aaron Escolopio, their cousin and bass player Mike Schoolden , and guitarist J.D. Tennyson.-Early years:Ryan, JD, and Mike formed the band with...
appeared in the movie Eurotrip
EuroTrip
EuroTrip is a 2004 teen comedy film directed by Jeff Schaffer and written by Alec Berg, David Mandel and Schaffer. The main plot follows Scotty "Scott" Thomas from Hudson, Ohio who travels across Europe to search for his German pen pal Mieke , whom he initially mistakes for a man named Mike...
and its soundtrack. Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated music group created by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. in 1958. The group consists of three singing animated anthropomorphic chipmunks: Alvin, the mischievous troublemaker, who quickly became the star of the group; Simon, the tall, bespectacled intellectual;...
covered the song for "Chip Tracy" (a parody of the 1990 Dick Tracy film), an episode from the final season of Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks (TV series)
Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated television series featuring The Chipmunks, produced by Bagdasarian Productions in association with Ruby-Spears Enterprises from 1983–87, and DIC Entertainment from 1988-90....
.
A cover of the song was recorded again by Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
who teamed up with Aussie rockers Jet
Jet (band)
Jet are an Australian rock band formed in 2001 while attending St Bede's College Mentone in Melbourne, . The band consists of lead guitarist Cameron Muncey, bassist Mark Wilson, and brothers Nic and Chris Cester on vocals/rhythm guitar and drums respectively...
which was released as a single in July 2008. Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London. They were created through the ITV1 talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002. The group consists of Cheryl Cole , Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. They are signed to Fascination Records, a Polydor...
singer Sarah Harding
Sarah Harding
Sarah Nicole Harding is an English singer-songwriter, actress and model best known for being a member of the pop group Girls Aloud, formed through ITV's reality television programme Popstars: The Rivals...
also recorded a version of the song for the soundtrack to the 2008 film Wild Child
Wild Child (film)
Wild Child is a 2008 American/British/French teen romantic dramedy film starring Emma Roberts, Alex Pettyfer and Natasha Richardson. The film made its American television premiere on ABC Family on August 8, 2010.-Plot:...
.
The most recent cover of the song, with the title "Real Wild Child," was by Levi Kreis portraying Jerry Lee Lewis on the original Broadway cast recording of the Broadway musical "Million Dollar Quartet." Mr. Kreis won a 2010 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Jerry Lee Lewis in "Million Dollar Quartet."
The Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated music group created by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. in 1958. The group consists of three singing animated anthropomorphic chipmunks: Alvin, the mischievous troublemaker, who quickly became the star of the group; Simon, the tall, bespectacled intellectual;...
and The Chipettes
The Chipettes
The Chipettes are a fictional group of anthropomorphic chipmunk singers first appearing on the cartoon series Alvin and the Chipmunks in 1983. In this and related materials, the Chipettes served as female featured characters in their own right, starring in numerous episodes...
covered this song for the Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked: Music from the Motion Picture
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked: Music from the Motion Picture
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked: Music from the Motion Picture is the licensed soundtrack based on the 2011 film Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked...
album and for the upcoming "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is an upcoming 2011 American comedy film. The film stars Jason Lee. It is to be distributed by 20th Century Fox, and produced by Regency Enterprises and Bagdasarian Productions...
" film. A few lyrics have changed in this version.
Popular culture
The release date of the single, 5 July 1958, is considered the birthday of Australian rock n' roll music. The Jet & Iggy Pop cover was released to mark the 50th anniversary of the original release. The Living EndThe Living End
The Living End are an Australian rock band from Melbourne, Victoria, formed in 1994. The current lineup consists of Chris Cheney , Scott Owen and Andy Strachan...
performed the song at the 2008 APRA Awards
APRA Awards
The APRA Music Awards are several award ceremonies run in Australia and New Zealand by Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually....
also to mark the anniversary.
The Iggy Pop version of the song is used as the title music to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC Television
ABC Television is a service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation launched in 1956. As a public broadcasting broadcaster, the ABC provides four non-commercial channels within Australia, and a partially advertising-funded satellite channel overseas....
's all-night music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
programme, rage
Rage (TV program)
Rage is a popular all-night Australian music video program broadcast on ABC1 on Friday nights, Saturday mornings and Saturday nights. It was first screened on the weekend of Friday, 17 April 1987. With Soul Train no longer being produced, it is the oldest music television program currently still...
and is also featured in the game SingStar Amped.
In 1998 Australia Post
Australia Post
Australia Post is the trading name of the Australian Government-owned Australian Postal Corporation .-History:...
issued a special edition set of twelve stamps celebrating the early years of Australian rock and roll, featuring Australian hit songs of the late 50s, 60s and early 70s:
Each of them said something about us, and told the rest of the world this is what popular culture sounds like, and it has an Australian accent.One of the stamps featured Johnny O'Keefe and "Wild One".
Everlife's cover was featured in the video game LEGO Rock Band
Lego Rock Band
Lego Rock Band is a music video game and part of the Rock Band series developed by Harmonix Music Systems, but also incorporates elements from other Lego video games as developed by Traveller's Tales. The game is published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and MTV Games...
.
Wakefield's cover was featured in the video game Tak and the Power of Juju
Tak and the Power of Juju
Tak and the Power of Juju is an action-adventure video game developed by Avalanche Software for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Game Boy Advance....
. It also appeared in the beginning of Open Season 3
Open Season 3
Open Season 3 is an American 2010 computer-animated direct-to-video comedy film, the sequel to Open Season 2 and Open Season, and the third installment in the Open Season franchise. It is directed by Cody Cameron...
.
Joan Jett's version appeared in an ad for the sitcom Hot in Cleveland
Hot in Cleveland
Hot in Cleveland is an American sitcom on TV Land starring Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick and Betty White. The series, which is TV Land's first original scripted series, premiered on June 16, 2010, and was TV Land's highest rated telecast in the cable network's 14-year history. The...
. It also appeared during the closing credits of Bad Teacher
Bad Teacher
Bad Teacher is a 2011 comedy film directed by Jake Kasdan based on a screenplay by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, and starring Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, and Jason Segel...