Senator Bobby's "Wild Thing": The Hilarious History & Versions

Ever wondered who was behind that hilariously irreverent rendition of "Wild Thing" that was all the rage in the late 60s? It wasn't a real senator, but a brilliant comedian named Bill Minkin, who, under the guise of "Senator Bobby" and "Senator Everett McKinley," delivered a perfectly timed dose of political satire through music.

The story begins with a song that was already a smash hit. The Troggs' "Wild Thing" exploded onto the scene in 1966, quickly becoming a defining anthem of the era. Its raw energy and simple, catchy lyrics made it a global phenomenon. But what happens when you take a song like that and filter it through the lens of political parody? You get "Wild Thing" as performed by Senator Bobby, a creation of the comedic genius of William "Bill" Minkin.

Minkin, born on October 17, 1941, was more than just a comedian; he was a singer and recording artist with a sharp wit and an uncanny ability to capture the nuances of political figures. His "Senator Bobby" persona wasn't just a caricature; it was a clever commentary on the political landscape of the time. He seized upon the popular Troggs hit and transformed it into something entirely new, a satirical take that resonated with audiences looking for a laugh in a world often dominated by serious news.

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In 1967, Parkway Records recognized the potential in Minkin's act and released a 45 rpm single featuring his versions of "Wild Thing." This wasn't just a cover; it was a full-blown comedic performance. Minkin, as Senator Bobby, infused the song with stutters, awkward pauses, and a general sense of political buffoonery. The result was a novelty record that captured the zeitgeist of the era, a time when political satire was becoming increasingly popular and accepted.

The success of "Wild Thing" by Senator Bobby wasn't just a fluke. It was a testament to Minkin's comedic talent and his ability to tap into the public's desire for lighthearted political commentary. The record climbed the charts, peaking at #20 in 1967, a remarkable achievement for a novelty song. It proved that audiences were willing to embrace humor, even when it poked fun at those in power.

The "Wild Thing" phenomenon also highlights the role of Chip Taylor, the songwriter behind the original hit. While The Troggs made the song famous, it was Taylor's composition that provided the foundation for Minkin's parody. Taylor, whose real name is James Wesley Voight, was born in Yonkers, New York, in 1940. He himself has enjoyed a long and successful career in the music industry, but his connection to "Wild Thing" remains one of his most notable achievements. It's interesting to note that Senator Bobby was, in essence, a studio creation orchestrated by Taylor himself, further cementing Taylor's role in the song's multifaceted history.

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Finding versions of the Senator Bobby "Wild Thing" can be a bit of a treasure hunt. Discogs is one place to start, where you can compare different versions and potentially buy them. You might also find it available for download on platforms like Amazon or iTunes, or even on YouTube. However, be prepared for a vintage sound, complete with the occasional groove wear and light scratches that come with age. Some collectors estimate the vinyl to be in VG+ (Very Good Plus) condition, with the generic sleeve in EX (Excellent) condition. This speaks to the enduring appeal of the record, despite its age.

The lyrics themselves, while simple, were ripe for parody. The iconic lines, "Wild thing, you make my heart sing / You make everything groovy / Wild thing, I think I love you / But I want to know for sure / Come on and hold me tight / I love you," provided Minkin with ample opportunity to inject his comedic timing and stuttering delivery. The song's inherent silliness made it the perfect vehicle for political satire.

Beyond the studio recording, there's also the legend of live performances. One anecdote suggests that Minkin, as Senator Bobby, would perform "Wild Thing" on command, even if he wasn't in the mood. This speaks to the dedication and commitment he had to his craft. It's also a reminder that comedy, even in its most irreverent form, requires a certain level of professionalism.

Michael from Vienna, Austria, mentions a favorite cover being the reggae version by Sister Carol, played at the end of the film "Something Wild" by Jonathan Demme. Joe Cantello from Georgia confirms the availability of the Senator Bobby version on digital platforms. These comments highlight the song's enduring legacy and its continued presence in popular culture.

The song's impact also extended to other artists. "Wild Thing" has been covered by a wide range of musicians, from Chimaira to The Wrags, Armando Peraza, and The Pharaohs. This demonstrates the song's versatility and its ability to be reinterpreted across different genres. However, it's the Senator Bobby version that remains the most memorable for many, thanks to its unique blend of comedy and political satire.

One particularly vivid, albeit potentially apocryphal, description paints a picture of a "White House Bar Mitzvah" featuring LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson) as Moses descending a mountain, "cyanide for a manna matzoh BBQ," and a confirmation ceremony at Temple Beth El Aha. While the veracity of this event is questionable, it speaks to the level of political satire that was prevalent during the era. Senator Bobby's "Wild Thing" was just one example of how artists used humor to comment on the political and social issues of the day.

Furthermore, the senator bobby discography recently listed senator bobby wild thing which is considered the best of 1967.peak at:#20wild thing (chip taylor) by senator bobby (bill minkin & the hardly worthit players) for 2:30.

Senator Bobby's rendition of "Wild Thing" wasn't just a simple cover song; it was a cultural phenomenon that captured the spirit of the 1960s. It was a time of political upheaval, social change, and a growing sense of irreverence towards authority. Minkin's comedic talent, combined with the catchy tune of "Wild Thing," created a perfect storm of satire and entertainment. The song remains a reminder of a time when comedy could be both funny and thought-provoking, and when even the most serious topics could be approached with a touch of humor. The label on the album versions which include wild thing have the same jacket, but a sticker on the front which reads: Including the smash single wild thing by senator bobby is great novelty version from 1966.

Chip Taylor has enjoyed a long career, here is a rare live performance of senator bobbys wild thing.

It was covered by chimaira, the wrags, armando peraza, the pharaohs and other artists.

Versions of the album which include wild thing have the same jacket, but a sticker on the front which reads: Including the smash single wild thing by senator bobby. Great novelty version from 1966.

William bill minkin (born october 17, 1941) is an american comedian, singer, and recording artist who performed political satire, under the names senator bobby and senator everett mckinley. In 1967, parkway records released a 45 rpm single of minkin singing two versions of the troggs ' 1966 hit song, wild thing. William bill minkin is an american comedian, singer, and recording artist who performed political satire under the names senator bobby and senator everett mckinley. In 1967, parkway records released a 45 rpm single of minkin singing two versions of the hit song, wild thing.

At the time, the senator bobby version of wild thing was the only version i was familiar with. (in fact, at the time, i think i thought it was the real senator bobby on the record!) i never hear that version anymore.

Senator bobby was a studio concoction of writer/producer of chip taylor (b. James wesley voight, 1940, yonkers, new york, usa).

Listen to wild thing by senator bobby, 2,945 shazams.

I estimate the vinyl is in vg+ condition and the generic sleeve is in ex condition.

Groove wear will start to be noticeable and may have light scratches that will affect the sound.

Wild thing by senator bobby was written by chip taylor and was first released by the wild ones in 1965. Senator bobby released it on the single wild thing in 1966.

In spring 1967, a parody version by senator bobby hit the top 20.

Senator bobby performed wild thing and then, in june, jimi hendrix played it at the monterey pop festival.

Alright, ah, teddy on the ocarina, let's go. Senator, we're gonna have to get these kids

Wild thing lyrics & meanings: [chorus:] / wild thing / you make my heart sing / you make everything groovy / wild thing / / wild thing, i think i love you / but i want to know for sure / come on and hold me tight / i love you / / [chorus] / / wild thing, i think you move me / but i want to know for sure / so come on and hold me tight / you move me / / [chorus] / / wild thing / come on, come on

Is that about it?) (director: It's pretty close, senator, a little less stuttering please, alright?

A rare video of us comedian bill minkin performed his impression of senator robert kennedy singing the novelty rendition of the troggs' wild thing.

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