The Troggs vs Cold Chisel - Wild Thing Comparison 

Chisel’s version is hands down the best version of the song ever. Some people erroneously think Jimmy Barnes just screams but it isn’t screaming. He has a four octave vocal range and uses his false vocal chords to create vibrato at full belt. This is a technique used in soul and gospel singing and he learned this at a young age, often citing these genres as his inspiration for singing.

Cold Chisel - Absolute monumental song. This was in 1983 and Cold Chisel had broken up and were doing their final run of shows to say goodbye. Brilliant musicians at the top of their games. They would get back together a decade or so later, and still get out on the road today and put on great shows. But this was the last of the Jimmy 'Wild' days as he sobered up and continued to make great music without all the crowd jumping dangers involved.

I love both versions, the Troggs are clean and crisp, punchy. Cold Chisel is just wild with masterful playing and I can't help but smile when I hear it. Cold Chisel for me :)

I was actually at that very Last Stand concert. What you see here is what we all got on that night.

Not three sheets to the wind, completely shipwrecked! Jimmy played hard back then😊

troggs version will always be a timeless classic but cold chisel gave the song the punch in the guts it needed, cold chisel win this one for me, never heard their version before but glad i did!

Three chords (A D E) where would rock’n’roll be without that sequence? Gotta love it.

Cold Chisel leaves the original, hands down! Wild Thing the way it’s supposed to be sung and performed! Chisel also we’re known not to rehearse back in those days, so none of that was planned. And you’re right; no alcohol was harmed in the making of that performance 😂

The Troggs version is very sacharin. On its own, it is great, and fun. But Cold Chisel really put the WILD into Wild Thing. Ho boy is their version brilliant and knocks the socks off every other version.

Trogs wild thing is an icon. That's why Hendrix covered it. However cold chizel nailed it

Luv it.. bloody legends.. Troggs great.. but Chisel vibez!!!

I just love ot when Jimmy goes of script and the band just keeps on Jamming ...

This song is ayeways better live when done right. Cold Chisel, who I'd never heard of before do look like they are having fun and it's a great version.

I love the Trogg’s version so much. It makes my heart happy. But I’ve got to say that cold chisel took it to a whole new level. You might like to compare AC/DCS Long way to the Top with John Farnham’s version with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. (MSO) ‘When The War Is Over’ Cold Chisel Version vs John Farnham’s version. THE Beatle’s Help, versus John Farnham’s version with the MSO

You two are really lovely. I’m a new subscriber and find you two really genuine. We’re comparing chalk and cheese here. Comparing a sober studio version to (as you correctly assumed) an encore song at a live gig. Also you’re right, that Jimmy is two sheets to the wind here with at least 2 bottles of vodka under his belt and probably a few assorted chemicals circulating in his system. Jimmy was the wild thing back at this time. Having said all that, I still feel like Cold Chisel’s version is musically superior and Jimmy’s performance on this occasion is, simply wild.

I actually did work security for a couple of Jimmy's shows, though were once he quit drinking and they were invite only shows for around 100 people. Still put on a great performance and was extremely personable both during the show and at "staffies" afterwards.

If Jimmy wasn't drunk then about 1lt of vodka was wasted that night. Thanks for a great reaction comparison, Troggs good, Chisel exceptional 👍

Music industry execs surely deprived the rest of the world of some truly awesome live music. Utter fools! We absolutely got spoilt here in Oz because Cold Chisel never really left the country for massively extended tours. So, so lucky to have been a teenager in the 80s in Sydney, Australia. Live music of every genre, literally, every night of the week if you wanted it.

I seem to remember The Ruttles doing a version of this as well but none can compare with Cold Chisel covers of it.

The guy that Jimmy nearly punched was actually one of the security guys trying to keep him out of the crowd. 😄 Obviously the security lost that particular battle...

One of these days you two need to watch the Cold Chisel concert movie ''The Last Stand''. The ''Wild Thing'' clip is from that movie.

Best Aussie band ever! In my humble opinion 😅 It didn't matter whether it was the first, the middle, or the last song, they always put everything into it. That's why we love them so much. 💗🥰

Jimmy back then was quite tough he often got off stage into the crowd with no security just a roadie or 2 to clear a path and make sure the mic lead is not tangled on anything...

That was about two bottles of scotch later They just freestyle the song you'll notice how guitarist matched voices Their both good different styles one somber other was high energy Obviously Aussie's for me 🦘🇦🇺👍

The Troggs by a mile

Is the Troggs song "Wild thing" a great song? Of course it is and it's the original. You can't compare it to the Cold Chisel version, which is hands down the best live performance ever.

Oooh so many opinions. I enjoyed the Troggs as a youngster. It is of it’s time I guess. I was a Chisel fan, and saw them live in the 70’s Fantastic live. This of course was back in the wild days. I am happy for Jimmy that he now has a more settled life. If he didnt he probably would no longer be with us. I fi d him to be a very versatile singer, but of course there will be some that don’t enjoy his style. I love it.

Impossible to compare you can never compare studio to live ❤😂

Cold Chisel Live is the best version! Rocks Hard!💪

Look for Ian Moss, filling in with an epic Georgia, on the same night.

My favourite parts about this video: Cynthia getting into it during The Troggs' version, and Chris' facial expressions during the intro 😁 And my very first Troggs IMpression was listening to my Big Bro's 45 of their song 'Little Girl' (a ballad!) when I was 9, but for some reason I'd put on its flip side instead, which was the trippy 'Maybe The Madman' - and I loved it, too! 😄👍

Fun stuff. I remember The Goodies did a version of this too which was funny. You should hear Cold Chisel cover Twist and Shout too. Think from same concert series but I only heard audio version of it on RU-vid.

barnsey had been drinking he was half cut but still brilliant

Nice live rendition of Cold Chisel, but the original of The Troggs wins for me all the time. Short, arrogant and nitty gritty as it is supposed to be. The start of that song has the same effect as the start of You Really Got Me of The KinKs, adrenaline rises way up high in 3 seconds!

Cold Chisel take it to another dimension

The Troggs was a totally different time....... Aussies still love their version....... we just love Cold Chisels version more lmfao..... :D xx

Jimmy is the GOAT.

Can you guys do Cold Chisel “when the war is over” live Ringside 2003 verse John Farnham “when the war is over” live Melbourne 2003?

The Troggs for me. There's a sly humour to their version that the other one doesn't have. I think the Cold Chisel version only works if you care about the band, and I'm not sure if I do any more. If I had to pick a live performance of this song it would be by Hendrix. He brings a very different angle to it.

Troggs even said that Chisel's version was better than theirs.

I steer clear of people that see bands like they see football teams; and reading throught these comments, it's clear some people will be barracking for Chisel, while others will resist and pushback and want to run to what's familiar - irrespective of whether the music is good or not. It's the same old ''I didn't hear it on my favourite radio station when I was a teenager, so I will never be converted''. I have my own mixed feelings about Cold Chisel. Some stuff I've enjoyed and others I have not. However, as much as I can give it to Chisel for their performance, I gotta give the prize to The Troggs. Their version is culturally iconic and it's true to the song. Chisel are using ''Wild Thing'' as a template for a live jam. They did a great performance, but the song was second place to the live performance and showmanship or whathaveyou. If any given group with a strong live ability did the same thing to one of Chisel's songs, would it be better? I don't even think Jimi Hendrix gives ''Wild Thing'' as much justice as The Troggs. Chisel didn't do a better version. They just did a very good live performance with ''Wild Thing'' being a mere template. Be objective .. and that also goes to those that think ''ooh, some Aussie band I never heard off.. lalalala'' as you proceed to put your hands over your ears. It's childish.

Dude, you smiled again! 😅

Cold Chisel is the Best one for me. Wild Thing.

When this track originally hit - it was such a success it - Reg Presley walked off the building site and never returned!

The troggs wrote it so they get cudos for that it was garage rock for 1966. Cold chisel were the best aussie band of the 80s

Chisel wins hands down all day everyday

That’s not a beer at the end. It’s a bottle of Vodka. Probably his second or third for the night. He no longer drinks.

The Troggs band loved Chisels version

Everyone thinks at the end of the the song jimmy picks up a bottle of beer. But it’s really a bottle of plonk fantastic.

Jimmy drunk 2 bottles of vodka before it started(the performance)

Jimmy would never drink beer on stage I think u will find its Jack daniels As for security they are there to protect the audience from Jimmy

Jimmy Barnes. The original "Wild Thing".

No way to compare a recording made for radio and 12 yo girls to any live Cold Chisel performance. Cold Chisel were a live band that also made great recordings and even “ sweet “ recordings. Cold Chisel could do what The Troggs did but wouldn’t want to..... they would all fall asleep. Could The Troggs do what Cold Chisel did....we will never know ? Jimmy could sing sweeter and better than The Troggs singer, but could the Troggs singer match Jimmy’s gravel and power. In case you haven’t heard him singing normally , Jimmy has a very sweet and controlled voice for rock and pop and has an amazing vocal range in both voices. And then there is Ian Moss as 2nd lead singer and quality guitarist.

Cold chisel is the band name but look up Jimmy Barnes with solo and american musicians. Tina turner for example

I love the Troggs

That is NOT screaming my friend

Great to see Chris actually shaking it , he's normally a cool cucumber :-)

Security? This is Australia! There’ll always be a few bouncers in a club or at a concert incase someone acts up but celebrities don’t need “security”here 🙂 Love to see you compare and contrast “lose yourself” by Eminem and Kasey Chambers, don’t want to give anything away but worth a listen….

Jimmy didnt need security

Awesome stuff. If you want a Punk Rock Version DC band, Artifical Peace plays a great version. Honestly, it's my favorite version alongside Hendrix

Clearly never seen The Goodies' version of Wild Thing! They were British TV comedy show stars in the 1970's. Lol!

I saw Cold Chisel mime on Countdown a few times (Goodbye Astrid, Shipping Steel, Cheap Wine, My Baby - Haniers watched the My Baby one) prior to seeing them live in 81 and 82. They were not my favourite band.. what they did was never my thing.. I would sooner run to the kitchen to make myself a Vegemite sandwich and a tall glass of Milo than watch Cold Chisel on TV... but even as a shallow Countdown girl, I couldn't fault them as a live band.. they were so good!

The Flower Pot Men- You can Never be Wrong, 1967, Listen😊

Troggs 1st then Jimi Hendrix and Cold Chisel didn't feature

Troggs followed by the goodies!

The original The Troggs version is for me, short, sweet and lyrical. Screaming Jimbo and the boy's version is grandstanding in the stratosphere and really out there but didn't know how to end the madness and went on and on........

The Troggs is not actually the original version. It was first recorded by the Wild Ones. The Goodies also did a cover but no contest. Not only is Cold Chisels cover the best version of this song but one of the best live performances ever captured on film.

original by The Wild Ones in 1965

Give me the Troggs any day. The original and the best!

❤ great song and reaction

Cold Chisel wins every time

Well comparing a studio single with a freestyle live version is a bit like comparing apples and oranges anyway, but the Troggs for me. Sure I'd have loved the chisel version there in the audience but actually got a bit bored just listening to it here.

troggs win on recording and classic status but chisel won that night in sydney in 83

The Troggs for me, short and precise protopunk. Punk was about doing away with getting away from the selfindulgent prog rock bands and returning to short rock & roll songs. The exception that breaks the rule imo is Sister Ray by the protopunk VU.

Wire- Outdoor Miner, Listen😊

Any of you commenters who think Cold Chisel were a drunker band than the Troggs are very, very, very wrong

No contest, Chisel all the way!

The troggs version is monumental, the other pretty average

Bit hard to compare a live pub rock band doing the same song as a band who were probably dressed in a tie and pointy toed shoes standing around a microphone . Most of us in Australia went to see acts like Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Divinyls, INXS, etc.etc. perform at local venues because they were brilliant live entertainers. To tell you the truth whether someone in another part of the world had a better version of whatever they did I dont think anyone cared that much. If people in other countries have never heard of artists from Aus/NZ like Cold Chisel, Jimmy Barnes, John Farnham, Kasey Chambers, Guy Sebastion, Crowded House or a myriad of others who reguarly toured down here - I guess thats your loss and our gain..

Great song

The Troggs all the way. The only other version for me is Hendrix.

Hands down The Troggs. Never bettered.

They may be drunk, but they sure ain't The Replacements. The Troggs, hands down.

not a recorder, its an ocarina.

The original (Chip Taylor) has an important element , sensuality that Is not present in these two covers. And a good cover Is Tom Petty's (recorded in París), that has that sexual component and aditionally the energy of the rock. You could take a look. Grettings.

I prefer the original. For the definitive version, you should check out the version by The Goodies

Wild thing is the musical equivalent of "The Aristocrats" joke, your aim is to make it longer and dirtier.

Just a bugbear of mine, but what really is the point in comparing versions. It wastes time, and people come up with the most ridiculous ideas!

Cold Chisel treat this song the way it should be treated. A fun little thrasher not to be taken seriously. That doesn't mean their version is better than the original. I strongly doubt Cold Chisel would agree that their thrash on stage is better than The Troggs' original. The Troggs recorded a 60's classic.. Chisel thrashed it out on stage.. it's laughable that anybody would say Chisel's version is better. If you think Chisel's version is better, take Michael Jordon's advice.. Stop it, get some help. I lived in Potts Point when Chisel were living in Kings Cross, and I would see them out in the street on the occassion. So, this isn't coming from somebody that wasn't there..

Dreadful!i best cover version says someone,no its not,I just listened to two other covers,one by a band called lillac who are just teenagers and I enjoyed that more,and the other is by ace frehley,and of course there's jimi hendrix's version.

Troggs for me , There is only so much "Robert Plant " esqe screaming I can take in one sittng !

Thumbs up to you but not him sorry

Troggs every time. Second version typical overblown rock band. Doesn't add anything & loses a lot.

Plonk is cheap wine. True! You know cheap wine and a three day growth 😂 but it’s true plonk means cheap wine. 👍