Early Gates Reacts: Baltimora "Woody Boogie"

Early Gates React Video: Baltimora - Woody Boogie

"Woody Boogie" by Baltimora is an Italo disco song from the 1980s, following their more famous hit, "Tarzan Boy." The song was released in 1985 as part of the album "Living in the Background" and falls within the genres of Italo Disco and Synthpop. The track features a synthesizer riff that mimics the laugh of the cartoon character Woody Woodpecker, which is cleverly integrated into both the melody and the chorus. The lyrics revolve around dancing and having a good time, with repeated phrases like "Woody Woody Boogie, Woody get down tonight."

Two promotional videos were made for "Woody Boogie." One video shows Jimmy McShane, Baltimora's lead singer, arriving at what seems to be a record factory. He's seen pushing a bike, changing into a factory uniform, and then working alongside other employees. Scenes include McShane placing "Woody Boogie" records into boxes before being scolded by a superior, with Naimy Hackett, the group's lyricist, playing the assistant. The setting appears to be a stylized factory, but exact details on the filming location aren't widely documented. The video juxtaposes the monotony of factory work with the lively, danceable nature of the song. Specific information about who directed the video or the production company involved isn't readily available, which is common for many 80s music videos.

In terms of chart performance, "Woody Boogie" didn't achieve the same level of success as "Tarzan Boy" in the UK or US but did chart in some European countries, indicating moderate success within Europe. Culturally, it's less pervasive than "Tarzan Boy" but remains a staple in Italo disco collections, celebrated for its catchy melody and the unique use of the Woody Woodpecker laugh.

Baltimora was essentially a project of Maurizio Bassi, with Jimmy McShane as the frontman. There's some debate over whether McShane performed all the vocals, with some suggesting Bassi might have contributed. Maurizio Bassi produced the song, shaping the band's distinctive sound.

The song's lyrics are somewhat repetitive, focusing on themes of dancing and joy, which was typical for dance tracks aimed at club scenes in that era. The inclusion of Woody Woodpecker's laugh was both a novel and humorous addition, making the song memorable.

"Woody Boogie" might not have reached the same heights as "Tarzan Boy," but it's an important piece in understanding the breadth of 80s Italo disco and Baltimora's musical output. The music video, while not extensively documented in terms of production details, captures the playful spirit of the song, blending work and play in a visually engaging manner.