Dive into the wild, star-studded chaos of Sam Kinison's iconic cover of "Wild Thing."
The Song
"Wild Thing" is an infamous cover released by comedian Sam Kinison in 1988, appearing as the closing track on his album Have You Seen Me Lately?. The original song, a garage rock classic, was written by Chip Taylor and made famous by British band The Troggs in 1966. Kinison's rendition transforms the raw, primal energy of the original into a comedic hard rock anthem, punctuated by his trademark screaming and irreverent lyrical twists, such as, "Every time I kiss you, I taste what other men had for lunch".
The track was produced like a full rock single, featuring genuine rock talent with Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe on drums and C.C. DeVille of Poison on guitar, among others. This fusion of Kinison's outrageous comedy with a serious rock backing created a unique and unforgettable sound. The song earned Kinison a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Recording in 1988.
The Artist
Sam Kinison (born Samuel Burl Kinison) was an American stand-up comedian and actor, renowned for his intense, often controversial, and "savage" comedic style. Born in Yakima, Washington, in 1953, Kinison was a former Pentecostal preacher, a background that heavily influenced his "fire and brimstone" delivery and powerful, distinctive scream, which became his comedic trademark. He often incorporated observational humor, particularly regarding relationships and religion, pushing boundaries and garnering both ardent fans and critics.
Kinison's career took off in the mid-1980s after appearing on Rodney Dangerfield's Ninth Annual Young Comedians Special in 1985 and a role in Dangerfield's film Back to School. His raw energy and unapologetically vulgar persona quickly made him a household name, leading to appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Late Night with David Letterman, and Saturday Night Live. Kinison tragically died in a car crash in 1992 at the age of 38, at the peak of his career.
Chart Performance
While Sam Kinison's "Wild Thing" was a significant cultural phenomenon and received heavy rotation on MTV, it did not achieve substantial commercial chart success as a mainstream single. Its impact was primarily felt through its music video and its association with his comedy album. The song's recognition came more in the form of critical acclaim within the comedy world, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Recording.
The album it was featured on, Have You Seen Me Lately?, was a commercial success for a comedy album, eventually achieving Gold certification in the United States, signifying over 500,000 units shipped. This indicates that while the single itself wasn't a chart-topper, it contributed significantly to the album's overall popularity and Kinison's burgeoning fame.
Cultural Impact
The music video for Sam Kinison's "Wild Thing", released in 1988, became an instant and unforgettable cultural touchstone of the late 1980s. Its constant rotation on MTV exposed Kinison's unique comedic style to a massive audience, solidifying his "rock & roll comic" image. The video's chaotic energy and star-studded cast made it a definitive snapshot of 80s rock and comedy excess.
Beyond the laughs, the video's inclusion of Jessica Hahn, who was at the center of the Jim Bakker scandal, was a provocative move that leveraged current events for comedic and controversial effect. This decision amplified the video's risqué allure and further cemented Kinison's reputation for pushing boundaries. The video's lasting legacy is as a quintessential piece of 80s pop culture, blending hard rock, outrageous humor, and celebrity cameos into a memorable spectacle.
Fun Facts
- The music video for "Wild Thing" features an astonishing array of rock royalty cameos, including Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Slash and Steven Adler of Guns N' Roses, Billy Idol, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe, C.C. DeVille of Poison, and Sebastian Bach of Skid Row.
- Comedian Rodney Dangerfield, who helped Kinison get his big break, appears with Kinison in the opening diner scene of the video.
- The album Have You Seen Me Lately? was produced by Richie Zito and Sam Kinison himself.
- Jessica Hahn, known for her involvement in the Jim Bakker scandal, plays a central role in the video, dancing suggestively and adding to its controversial nature.
- Two years after the video's release, Kinison joined Aerosmith on stage at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California, to perform "Wild Thing" live as part of their Pump tour.
- Kinison’s infamous scream found its way into popular culture beyond his own work, with fans noting its influence and even a partial dubbing into the Anthrax song "I'm the Man".