Given the song is the signature song of The Troggs, it may surprise many that it was not written for them. The first band to record the song was The Wild Ones, who recorded it in 1965. The Wild Ones was the house band of the New York City nightclub Arthur, which was owned by socialite Sybil Christopher, who was the wife of Wild Ones lead singer Jordan Christopher. Sybil Christopher asked songwriter Chip Taylor to write a song for the band. Chip Taylor composed the song in only a few minutes. Their version of "Wild Thing" was released on November 1, 1965, but failed to chart.
Precisely who suggested that The Troggs record "Wild Thing" is a matter of dispute. Larry Page who was The Troggs' manager at the time, always claimed that he was the one who suggested that they record "Wild Thing." Reg Presley claimed that Larry Page wanted them to record a cover of a Lovin' Spoonful tune instead. Regardless of whoever came up with the idea of The Troggs recording "Wild Thing," it turned out to be a great idea. "Wild Thing" not only reached no. 1 in the United States, but peaked at no. 2 in The Troggs' native Britain. It reached no.1 in Australia and no. 2 in Canada. Strangely enough, the song was released on two different labels in the United States due to a distribution dispute. It was released on both Fontana and Atco Records. A settlement would eventually be reached so that Fontana would have exclusive distribution rights to all Troggs records.
A promotional clip for "Wild Thing" was filmed at the Odenplan Metro station in Stockholm, Sweden.
