"Jungle Boy" by John Eddie

Song#:  2748
Date:  06/07/1986
Debut:  88
Peak:  52
Weeks:  10
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Originally from Virginia, Eddie settled in New Jersey and began playing the clubs with his band the Front Street Runners. Along the way he became friendly with another Jersey musician, Bruce Springsteen, and it didn't take long before Eddie was signed to Columbia Records. Members of Springsteen's E Street Band would help make Eddie's self-titled debut and this first single got issued out. It made a bit of a splash at Rock getting to #17 and that helped the song nearly crack the top half of the Pop chart. The LP would make it to #83 and that seemed to be enough for Columbia to fund a follow-up. Eddie came out with The Hard Cold Truth in 1989, but it disappeared quickly along with his contract with Columbia. He signed with Elektra and was able to record a third album, but legal issues crept into the mix and the disc was never released. That ended Eddie's time with the major labels.

ReduxReview:  This rockin' tune had roots that go back to Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll, Part 2" (#7 1972). The loud shuffle of the song along with its "whoa whoa's," "yeah yeah's," and "hey's" was something that demanded your attention. It had a forceful, memorable chorus and Eddie sold it well. Although his New Jersey connection got him tagged as a bit of a "new" Springsteen, this track didn't sound like anything The Boss had done. The song did fairly well on the charts and it seemed like he might be able to breakthrough in a bigger way, but it just didn't happen. What remains is this fun track that is ripe for rediscovery.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  After the dust settled following the Elektra fiasco, Eddie returned to play in clubs and put out three albums on his own label. His career took a bit of a turn in 2007 when Kid Rock picked up the Eddie-penned "Lowlife" for his triple-platinum album Rock n Roll Jesus. Eddie had written and recorded the tune in 2003 and through a connection it ended up in Kid Rock's lap. The experience gave Eddie the motivation to start writing songs for other artists. Kid Rock would end up recording two more of Eddie's songs while Sammy Hagar picked up one for his 2008 solo album Cosmic Universal Fashion. In 2012, country star Brantley Gilbert recorded Eddie's tune "More Than Miles" for his album Halfway to Heaven. It would be issued out as a single and reach #21 at Country and #73 Pop. The song would earn a gold certification.

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