Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing

"Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing" is a song by American musician Chris Isaak, released as the first track to the 1995 album Forever Blue. Filled with sensuality and erotic imagery, the song was described by Isaak as a declaration to "Somebody who is so evil and twisted and bad, and yet, you still want them." The title evokes how "That’s a bad bad thing" is used by both parents scolding misbehaving children and adults during sexual intercourse.[2] In September 1999, a remix of the song peaked at number nine on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, outperforming the number-27 peak of the original. In the United States, the 1999 reissue reached number three on the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart.

"Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing"
Enhanced CD edition of 1999 reissue single
Single by Chris Isaak
from the album Forever Blue
B-side
ReleasedSeptember 10, 1995 (1995-09-10)
GenreRockabilly[1]
Length
  • 2:55
  • 3:49 (remix)
Label
Songwriter(s)Chris Isaak
Producer(s)Erik Jacobsen
Chris Isaak singles chronology
"Go Walking Down There"
(1995)		 "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing"
(1995)		 "Think of Tomorrow"
(1996)
Music video
"Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing" by Chris Isaak on YouTube

Background

Similar to how Isaak's "Wicked Game" only became a success following its inclusion in Wild at Heart (1990), the song got most of its mainstream recognition after being featured in the 1999 Stanley Kubrick film Eyes Wide Shut, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Kubrick heard the song as Kidman listened to Isaak's music to liven up during rehearsals.[3] Isaak was asked for his approval as he prepared to perform on The Tonight Show, and immediately agreed once he was told it was for Kubrick,[2] who Isaak declared, "Hasn't done a film I didn't like." The singer said he always considered "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing" ripe for soundtracks due to being "kind of a strange piece of work, with a really driving beat and a manic energy that I thought would probably work well for some visuals".[4] David Kahne remixed the track for the Eyes Wide Shut trailers and television spots, and the redone version was released as a radio single on June 22, 1999.[5] Isaak has approved of the remix, feeling it was "more rocking and everything sounds louder".[4]

Music video

The music video of the song was commissioned after its inclusion on Eyes Wide Shut, and directed by Herb Ritts, who also did the video for Isaak's "Wicked Game." It features French model Laetitia Casta videotaped in a motel room gyrating sexually being watched by Isaak. Casta was dressed in lingerie and wore a black wig throughout the video. In July 1999, VH1 aired two versions of the music video, the censored version was played before 9 p.m. and the uncensored version was played after 9 p.m. The video was initially regarded as too steamy by the network.[6] The video was ranked number 28 on VH1's 50 Sexiest Video Moments.

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[14] Gold 35,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Region Version Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Australia Original September 10, 1995 CD
[7]
United States Remix July 6, 1999
[16]
Australia July 19, 1999 CD [7]
United Kingdom September 20, 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
 Reprise [17]

References
  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Chris Isaak Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  2. "Chris Isaak Song Heats Up Stanley Kubrick's Final Film". MTV. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  3. "'Bad Bad Thing' Is Good Indeed for Isaak". Los Angeles Times. July 26, 1999. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  4. "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. June 5, 1999. p. 136. Retrieved October 22, 2017 – via Internet Archive. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  5. Hochman, Steve (May 30, 1999). "Isaak's Eyes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  6. "Chris Isaak Co-Stars With French Model In Video". MTV. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  7. "Chris Isaak – Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  8. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8431." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  9. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  10. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  11. "Chris Isaak Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  12. "Chris Isaak Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  13. "Chris Isaak Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  14. "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1999". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  15. "RPM 1999 Top 100 Adult Contemporary". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  16. "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1306. July 2, 1999. pp. 47, 82, 86.
  17. "New Releases – For Week Starting 20 September, 1999: Singles". Music Week. September 18, 1999. p. 27.
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