Woody Boogie

The song Woody Boogie by Baltimora stands out for one detail that makes it unique: the main riff repeats the laugh of the character Woody Woodpecker, integrated into the chorus and other sections of the track. This sonic nod, repeated with a synthesizer, gives it an instantly recognizable playful vibe, something uncommon in the Italo disco of the time. The 3:46 duration doesn’t diminish the energy: the rhythmic foundation moves with a catchy groove, while the melody sways between melancholic and festive tones, something the synth-pop of the era explored with less boldness.

Recorded at Il Cortile studio in Milan in 1985, the track was the fourth song on the album Living in the Background, released that same year. Though the single didn’t achieve the same impact as Tarzan Boy in markets like the United States or the United Kingdom, it had a more favorable reception in Europe. The music video, filmed in a factory, shows Jimmy McShane —the band’s vocalist— turning a monotonous task into an improvised choreography, with other band members, including producer Maurizio Bassi, joining in. The scene culminates in a kiss between McShane and Naimy Hackett, who also co-wrote the lyrics, followed by a fade to black that leaves the ending open. The single’s B-side featured an instrumental version, reinforcing the idea that the song was, above all, a sonic experiment.