Wild World

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Wild World" by Mr. Big from their 1993 album Bump Ahead, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this classic cover! Originally written and performed by Cat Stevens in 1970 for his album Tea for the Tillerman, "Wild World" was inspired by Stevens' breakup with actress Patti D'Arbanville, capturing the bittersweet farewell of a lover venturing into the unknown. Mr. Big’s version, released as the lead single from Bump Ahead, brought a fresh rock ballad vibe, peaking at No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hitting No. 4 in Denmark, with strong chart performances across Europe. The band stayed true to the song’s emotional core, with Eric Martin’s soulful vocals and tight harmonies weaving around acoustic strums and subtle electric guitar flourishes, as noted by Billboard’s Larry Flick, who praised its "warmly familiar, easy-going" feel. The music video, directed by Nancy Bennett, added a visual layer to the track’s heartfelt narrative, amplifying its nostalgic appeal.

Trivia about Mr. Big’s "Wild World" includes its massive success in Japan, where the band has long been a sensation, with the song becoming one of their top 10 hits in the country. In a 1993 interview with Music Week, the cover was likened to the intimate rock ballad style of bands like Metallica and Extreme, showcasing Mr. Big’s knack for blending hard rock with melodic softness. Fans on Reddit’s hairmetal community have shared their love for the band’s harmonies, though some prefer their harder-hitting tracks like "Addicted to That Rush" over this softer cover. The song’s recording took place at Rumbo Recorders in Canoga Park and Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, produced by Kevin Elson, who helped craft its polished yet raw emotional edge. Interestingly, the band’s name itself comes from a song by the British rock band Free, which Mr. Big also covered on Bump Ahead, showing their love for classic rock influences.

Mr. Big formed in Los Angeles in 1988, a supergroup of sorts born from the vision of bassist Billy Sheehan, who’d just left David Lee Roth’s solo band. Sheehan, often compared to Eddie Van Halen for his virtuosic bass playing, teamed up with Mike Varney of Shrapnel Records, a label known for shredding guitarists. They recruited vocalist Eric Martin, a Capitol Records solo artist whose powerful voice caught Sheehan’s ear after hearing Martin’s track "I Can’t Stop the Fire" from the 1984 Teachers soundtrack. Guitarist Paul Gilbert, fresh from the heavy metal band Racer X, joined next, bringing his technical prowess. Drummer Pat Torpey, a seasoned session player who’d worked with artists like Belinda Carlisle and Ted Nugent, completed the lineup after auditions. At Eric Martin’s suggestion, the band hired manager Herbie Herbert, known for working with Journey and Santana, giving them a professional edge. After considering names like "Wild Blue Yonder" and "Mars Needs Women," Torpey proposed "Mr. Big," inspired by the Free song, and it stuck.

The band signed with Atlantic Records and released their self-titled debut in 1989, blending arena-ready hard rock with intricate musicianship. Their 1991 album Lean Into It catapulted them to fame with the No. 1 hit "To Be with You," a global smash. Despite being labeled a one-hit wonder in the U.S., Mr. Big maintained a loyal following, especially in Japan, where they consistently sold out tours—a phenomenon dubbed "Big in Japan." Over the years, the band faced lineup changes, with Gilbert leaving in 1999 and Richie Kotzen stepping in, but they reunited in 2009 for a Japan tour and continued releasing albums, including their final record Ten in 2024. Sadly, Pat Torpey passed away in 2018 due to Parkinson’s disease, but his legacy lives on in the band’s music.

You can keep up with Mr. Big on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather on platforms like Facebook groups dedicated to the band, where Zoo Freaks can connect over their love for Mr. Big’s soaring vocals and shredding riffs. For more fan-driven content, check out Reddit’s hairmetal community, where discussions about the band’s legacy and songs like "Wild World" thrive.