Wild, Wild West (The Escape Club song)

"Wild, Wild West"
Single by The Escape Club
from the album Wild Wild West
Released 1988
Format CD single, 7"
Recorded 1987
Genre Pop rock
Length 5:44
3:59 (7" version)
Label EMI, Atlantic
Writer(s) The Escape Club
Producer(s) Chris Kimsey
The Escape Club singles chronology
- "Wild, Wild West"
(1988)
"Shake for the Sheik"
(1988)

"Wild, Wild West" is a song by The Escape Club from their similarly named debut album, Wild Wild West. The single hit the charts in late 1988 eventually reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of November 12, 1988, making The Escape Club the only British artist to have a No. 1 hit in America while never charting in the UK.

The lyrics, with phrases such as "I love her eyes and her wild, wild hair," "heading for the '90s, living in the wild, wild west," are augmented with gunshot, laser and blaster (a la STAR WARS) sound effects. Critics have noted that portions of the song bore a strong similarity to Elvis Costello's "Pump It Up" due to the distinct drum beat and vocal patterns during the verses.[1]

The music video is noted for using mirror imaging of actors to give the illusion of disembodied arms and legs.

In 1989, Wally Wingert parodied it on the Dr. Demento radio show as "Adam West," in response to the casting of Michael Keaton as the title character for that year's Batman film.

Single

The B-Side is previously unreleased.

Charts

Chart (1988) Peak
Position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart 6
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1
U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks 3
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 36
Preceded by
"Kokomo" by The Beach Boys
Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
November 12, 1988 (1 week)
Succeeded by
"Bad Medicine" by Bon Jovi

References

  1. English, Timothy (2007). Sounds like teen spirit : stolen melodies, ripped-off riffs, and the secret history of rock and roll. iUniverse Star. p. 55. ISBN 9781583480236. OCLC 191820511. Retrieved July 7, 2014.

External links


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