''Wild Things'' is the first release by British duo
the Creatures
The Creatures were an English band formed in 1981 by vocalist Siouxsie Sioux and drummer Budgie of the group Siouxsie and the Banshees. The Creatures released their first EP '' Wild Things'' in 1981. They recorded four studio albums: '' Feas ...
(singer
Siouxsie Sioux
Susan Janet Ballion (born 27 May 1957), known professionally as Siouxsie Sioux, is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. She was the lead singer of the rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees (1976–1996). They released 11 ...
and drummer
Budgie). It was issued on 25 September 1981 by
Polydor Records
Polydor Records Ltd. is a German-British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in the United States. ...
as two 7" single records in a "double-album" style card cover, and is usually referred to as an EP. It peaked on the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
at No. 24, and the pair performed "Mad Eyed Screamer" on ''
Top of the Pops
''Top of the Pops'' (''TOTP'') is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly between 1January 1964 and 30 July 2006. The programme was the world's longest-running weekly music show. For most o ...
''. The EP was entirely remastered in 1997 and reissued as part of the ''
A Bestiary Of
''A Bestiary Of'' is a compilation album by the Creatures (aka singer Siouxsie and musician Budgie), issued on CD in 1997. It compiled remastered recordings made by the band between 1981 and 1983, including the '' Wild Things'' EP, the ''Feast' ...
'' CD compilation.
History
The initial idea for ''Wild Things'', and the Creatures, came about during the rehearsal sessions for the Siouxsie and the Banshees album ''
Juju''. While bassist
Steven Severin and guitarist
John McGeoch
John Alexander McGeoch (25 August 1955 – 4 March 2004) was a Scottish musician and songwriter. He is best known as the guitarist of the rock bands Magazine (1977-1980) and Siouxsie and the Banshees (1980-1982).
He has been described as one ...
took a break, Siouxsie and drummer Budgie created the song "But Not Them." Deciding that it was complete as a drum-and-voice piece, they left it as it was, and recorded four more tracks to accompany it. The result was the ''Wild Things'' EP (so named by Severin, who upon hearing it, said it sounded like something the creatures in the book ''
Where the Wild Things Are
''Where the Wild Things Are'' is a 1963 children's picture book written and illustrated by American writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak, originally published in hardcover by Harper & Row. The book has been adapted into other media several tim ...
'' would have danced to on their island). The only cover version on the EP was
the Troggs
The Troggs (originally called the Troglodytes) are an English garage rock band formed in Andover, Hampshire in May 1964. Their most famous songs include the US chart-topper " Wild Thing", " With a Girl Like You" and " Love Is All Around", all ...
' "
Wild Thing"; Siouxsie added extra angry lyrics to the original; "Wild thing, I think I hate you/but I wanna know for sure/so come on, hit me hard/I hate you". "So Unreal" drew inspiration from the novel ''
The Stepford Wives
''The Stepford Wives'' is a 1972 satirical "feminist horror" novel by Ira Levin. The story concerns Joanna Eberhart, a talented photographer, wife and young mother who suspects that something in Stepford's environment is changing the wives fr ...
'' by
Ira Levin
Ira Marvin Levin (August 27, 1929 – November 12, 2007) was an American novelist, playwright, and songwriter. His works include the novels '' A Kiss Before Dying'' (1953), '' Rosemary's Baby'' (1967), '' The Stepford Wives'' (1972), ''This Perfe ...
, and "Mad Eyed Screamer" from local characters met in
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is a Listed building#Heritage protection, Grade I-listed major park in Westminster, Greater London, the largest of the four Royal Parks of London, Royal Parks that form a chain from the entrance to Kensington Palace through Kensingt ...
. The duo incorporated the songs "But Not Them", "So Unreal" and "Thumb" into Banshees concerts for many years afterwards.
The erotic sleeve art featuring Siouxsie and Budgie half-naked under a shower was inspired by the pictures of
Man Ray
Man Ray (born Emmanuel Radnitzky; August 27, 1890 – November 18, 1976) was an American visual artist who spent most of his career in Paris. He was a significant contributor to the Dada and Surrealist movements, although his ties to eac ...
; the artwork caused some controversy. Another shoot, inspired by the
John Millais
Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Baronet, ( , ; 8 June 1829 – 13 August 1896) was an English painter and illustrator who was one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. He was a child prodigy who, aged eleven, became the youngest ...
painting ''
Ophelia
Ophelia () is a character in William Shakespeare's drama '' Hamlet'' (1599–1601). She is a young noblewoman of Denmark, the daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes and potential wife of Prince Hamlet, who, due to Hamlet's actions, ends u ...
'', featured the singer naked under many flowers and shallow water.
Legacy
Singer
Kate Jackson
Lucy Kate Jackson (born October 29, 1948) is an American actress and television producer, known for her television roles as Sabrina Duncan in the series ''Charlie's Angels'' (1976–1979) and Amanda King in the series ''Scarecrow and Mrs. King ...
of the
Long Blondes rated "So Unreal" as one of her favourite tracks, saying: "Siouxsie
as gotsharp lyrics and staccato vocals. Budgie is one of the most interesting drummers in the world. He uses drum sounds melodically as well as rhythmically which makes this drum/vocal duo work. You can hear their passion for each other in these recordings, they are so alive, despite being so minimal".
David Cheal of the ''
Financial Times
The ''Financial Times'' (''FT'') is a British daily newspaper printed in broadsheet and published digitally that focuses on business and economic current affairs. Based in London, England, the paper is owned by a Japanese holding company, Ni ...
'' wrote about the Creatures' rendition of "Wild Thing": "Perhaps the most striking of those 7,500-odd licensed recordings
f "Wild Thing"is
he Creatures versionon which Siouxsie’s chilly multitracked vocals (at one point she chants, "Wild thing, I think I hate you") are accompanied only by Budgie's tribal-sounding drums. It’s a version that taps into the earthy, elemental spirit of the song, channelling those few minutes back in 1964 when
Chip Taylor
Chip Taylor (born James Wesley Voight; March 21, 1940) is an American songwriter and singer noted for writing " Angel of the Morning" and " Wild Thing".
Early life
Taylor was born on March 21, 1940, in Yonkers, New York. He is the brother of ...
lost himself in the darkness of a New York studio".
In 2021, their rendition of "Wild Thing" was included in the end credits of the episode one "I Exist", in the
Netflix
Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fi ...
series ''
Brand New Cherry Flavor
''Brand New Cherry Flavor'' is an American horror drama streaming television limited series created by Nick Antosca and Lenore Zion, based on the novel of the same name by Todd Grimson. The cast includes Rosa Salazar, Catherine Keener, Eric Lan ...
''.
Track listing
All songs written and composed by
Siouxsie
Susan Janet Ballion (born 27 May 1957), known professionally as Siouxsie Sioux, is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. She was the lead singer of the rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees (1976–1996). They released 11 ...
and
Budgie, except track 4 composed by
Chip Taylor
Chip Taylor (born James Wesley Voight; March 21, 1940) is an American songwriter and singer noted for writing " Angel of the Morning" and " Wild Thing".
Early life
Taylor was born on March 21, 1940, in Yonkers, New York. He is the brother of ...
.
#"Mad Eyed Screamer"
#"So Unreal"
#"But Not Them"
#"
Wild Thing"
#"Thumb"
Sources
The Creatures BiographyThecreatures.com. Biography written by drummer Budgie, April 2000.
* Paytress, Mark. ''Siouxsie & the Banshees: The Authorised Biography''. Sanctuary, 2003.
References
{{Authority control
1981 debut EPs
The Creatures albums
Polydor Records EPs