Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing by Chris Isaak from his 1995 album Forever Blue. This sultry, blues-rock track is packed with trivia that’ll make you love it even more. The song’s steamy vibe caught the ear of none other than Stanley Kubrick, who featured it in his final film, Eyes Wide Shut (1999), starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. It was Nicole Kidman herself who brought the song to Kubrick’s attention, playing Isaak’s music during rehearsals to lighten the mood. Isaak, a huge Kubrick fan, got the call for approval while backstage at The Tonight Show and instantly said yes, joking he’d even paint Kubrick’s porch if asked. He described the song as a “strange piece of work” with a “manic energy” perfect for film soundtracks, and Kubrick’s use in both the movie and trailers gave it a mainstream boost, much like Isaak’s earlier hit Wicked Game after Wild at Heart.

The song’s sensual edge didn’t stop at the film. Its 1999 music video, directed by Herb Ritts (who also helmed Wicked Game), featured French model Laetitia Casta and was so provocative that VH1 restricted it to after 9 p.m. broadcasts. A remixed version by David Kahne, used for Eyes Wide Shut promotions, hit number nine on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart in 1999, outshining the original’s number-27 peak. Isaak loved the remix, noting it was “more rocking” with “everything louder.” The song’s title cleverly plays on the phrase “bad bad thing,” evoking both a parent scolding a child and adult passion, a duality Isaak leaned into with its lustful lyrics about wanting someone “evil and twisted” yet irresistible. Beyond Eyes Wide Shut, the track popped up in TV shows like Cold Case, Psych, and CSI: Miami, cementing its cultural staying power.

Chris Isaak, born Christopher Joseph Isaak on June 26, 1956, in Stockton, California, kicked off his career with a sound that blends rockabilly, country, blues, and surf rock, often compared to Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. Growing up, he was drawn to the music of the 1950s, inspired by his parents’ record collection. After graduating from the University of the Pacific in 1981 with a degree in English and communications, he formed his band Silvertone, named after a vintage guitar model. In 1984, he signed with Warner Brothers, releasing his debut album Silvertone in 1985. Though it didn’t chart big, tracks like Blue Hotel hooked early fans. His breakthrough came with 1989’s Heart Shaped World, featuring Wicked Game, which soared to number six on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991 after David Lynch used it in Wild at Heart. Isaak’s reverb-heavy style, wide vocal range, and matinee-idol looks made him a standout, leading to a career spanning 13 studio albums and roles in films like The Silence of the Lambs and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.

Stay connected with Chris Isaak through his Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where he shares tour updates, throwback photos, and glimpses of his signature sparkly suits. Fans can dive deeper at sites like Wonder Women Sixty, which recounts concert experiences and album recommendations, or join the Chris Isaak Fans Facebook group to swap stories and celebrate his music. The Zoo Crew knows Isaak’s retro cool and passionate tunes keep the Zoo Freaks vibing, so crank up Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing and let its electric energy take over!