Tarzan Boy is a disco song which served as the debut single of Italian musical act Baltimora. It was the lead single from Baltimora’s first album Living in the Background. Though the song was released in 1985, it was re-released again in the year 1993. The song became very popular in its time and has been covered by many other artists.
Before learning about the Tarzan Boy lyrics meaning, you should understand what the song title stands for.
What Does the Title Mean?
The title is in reference to the fictional character Tarzan who was raised by apes in the jungle. He was rescued by explorers from the civilized world, where he also found the love of his life, Jane. Tarzan did not find happiness in the concrete world of humans and eventually returned to the jungle to live the rest of his life in nature.
With the title explained, it is time to understand the Tarzan Boy lyrics meaning.
Chorus – What Does it Mean?
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
The chorus captures the true essence of the Tarzan Boy lyrics meaning. The “Oh-oh-oh…” part is in reference to Tarzan’s jungle yell. Tarzan is a fictional character who was raised by a troop of gorillas. Eventually, he is discovered by explorers from the civilized world. In Disney’s animated adaptation, Tarzan falls in love with a character called Jane. They realize that the jungle is their real home and finally return to it to live amid nature.
This is a very experimental way to open a song. Usually, the chorus carries the most memorable lines in a song. But in Tarzan Boy, the chorus is simply a vocal melody.
Verse 1 – What Does it Mean?
Jungle life, I’m far away from nowhere
On my own like Tarzan boy
The singer is delighted in the idea of living in the jungle. He is “far away from nowhere”. A mark of human civilization is that every territory or establishment is given a name and address for easy tracking. This may also refer to the need of human beings to know as much as they can about their surroundings. As a result, there is a constant sense of unrest welling inside. But the singer is free of that problem. He is free and happy “like Tarzan Boy”, completely at ease in the moment.
On the contrary, “Jungle life” could also refer to life’s challenges and problems. The singer is alone, trying to make his way through like Tarzan, who was the only human in the jungle.
Hide-and-seek, I play alone while rushing ‘cross the forest
Monkey business on a sunny afternoon
“Hide-and-seek” may hint at struggling to achieve your dreams. While seeking your goals, you may have to avoid (hide) the obstacles life throws at you. The singer is alone in his quest through life’s “forest”, running in the race of success.
“Monkey business” means mischievous behavior. Canon to the song, Tarzan was raised by apes. Naturally, he would imbibe their qualities and lifestyle. Metaphorically, “Monkey business” refers to the things you do to survive, like get a job, rent a house etc. “sunny afternoon” may refer to spending most of your daytime at work making a living.
Verse 2 – What Does it Mean?
Jungle life, I’m living in the open
Native beat that carries on
The singer may not be able to relate to the people around him. Like Tarzan, he roams the open streets alone. He might have company, but those people do not understand him truly. So, he longs for someone special who can become his company. “Native beat” may refer to the law of the land, or in this case, the law of the jungle. Everyone follows a similar pattern in life – find a job, find a house, raise a family. The singer feels the effect of this “Native beat”. He is probably looking for someone to settle down with.
Burning bright, a fire that blows the signal to the sky
I sit and wonder, does the message get to you?
“a fire that blows the signal” could refer to smoke signals, used in ancient times to pass long distance messages. Though Tarzan was not born in the Neanderthal era, people from civilized society would deem him barbaric. Alone and lonely, the singer sends out signals in the form of wishes (and perhaps prayers), hoping someone would communicate back to him. For the time being, he can only “sit and wonder” whether anyone is actually listening.
Bridge 1 – What Does it Mean?
Night to night
Give me the other, give me the other
Chance tonight
Give me the other, give me the other
Night to night
Give me the other, give me the other world
Humans are diurnal species. That means they are active during day and take rest during the night. Night after night, the singer dreams of finding someone to love. He is hoping to live with his lover in “the other world” which will not be as lonely as the jungle he is in at the moment. “Chance tonight” may also refer to the act of sex. Night time is associated with sexual activity. So the singer is desperately longing for a lover.
Verse 3 – What Does it Mean?
Jungle life, you’re far away from nothing
It’s all right, you won’t miss home
It seems like the singer is courting someone. He has found the person he was looking for. The other party may be reluctant to share their life with him. But he reassures them that his way of living is great. The lover will be far away from the troubles of loneliness. They would even be able to face the problems of life better with the support of a partner.
Take a chance, leave everything behind you, come and join me
You won’t be sorry, it’s easy to survive
Urging his lover to take a risk, the singer reassures that life will become easier as a couple. They do not have to do this alone. Perhaps, his lover too is accustomed to living alone. So, the singer is trying to convince them to “leave everything behind” and join him.
Verse 4 – What Does it Mean?
Jungle life, we’re living in the open
All alone like Tarzan’s boy
Hide-and-seek, we play alone while rushing ‘cross the forest
Monkey business on a sunny afternoon
The singer and his lover have finally united. It is two against the world. They may still be fighting against the various obstacles of life, but at least they are together now. Even while “rushing ‘cross the forest”, they play together, meaning, they seek refuge in the fact that they found love.
Bridge 2 – What Does it Mean?
Night to night
Give me the other, give me the other
Chance tonight, oh yeah
Night to night
Give me the other, give me the other
Night to night
You won’t play, yeah
Night to night
Give me the other, give me the other
Chance tonight, oh yeah
Night to night
Night to night
Give me the other, give me the other world
This is similar to the previous bridge, but this time the singer and his lover are together. They finish their “monkey business” every day and then return to each other “Night to night”. Perhaps, they even make love.
Hope you now understand the Tarzan Boy lyrics meaning.
Conclusion
This 80s classic song is an upbeat track about finding love in the jungle of life. It is a great number to dance to and was a hit in the clubs during its release. People looking for love will relate to this and find the inspiration to search for their special someone. This is the real Tarzan Boy lyrics meaning.
