What is the ancient instrument featured on The Troggs’ 1966 hit ‘Wild Thing’?
The Troggs’ 1966 recording of ‘Wild Thing’ helped make the sexually suggestive song a landmark of rebellious rock and roll. Written by Chip Taylor in 1965, it was initially recorded by the Wild Ones but only became a major success after The Troggs gave it a louder, more aggressive sound.
The song’s distinctive instrumental break features an ocarina, a small clay vessel flute, rather than the hand-whistling used on the original version. Its unusual Latin American-associated sound contrasts sharply with the track’s distorted guitars and growled vocals, making it one of the most memorable and unexpected uses of the instrument in rock music.
- The Troggs’ ‘Wild Thing’ features an ocarina.
- The song was written by Chip Taylor.
- Its unusual instrumental break became iconic.