‘Wild Man’ – When Ricky Van Shelton Shows His Little-Known Mischievous Side”. Although he is famous for his gentle ballads, Ricky once had a moment of fire with ‘Wild Man’ – a lively, fun song that shows off his little-known mischievous side. Although not a big hit, ‘Wild Man’ is still remembered by loyal fans, because it was a rare time Ricky allowed himself to freely break the rules on stage. Have you ever discovered a little-known song, but found it to be a true reflection of the artist you love?Have you ever heard a song that feels like a joyride from the first note? That’s exactly what happens when Ricky Van Shelton’s voice kicks in on “Wild Man.” From its opening guitar licks, you know you’re in for a ride—one that celebrates letting go and giving in to your wilder side en.wikipedia.org . Song Origins “Wild Man” was penned by Nashville songwriters Susan Longacre and Rick Giles, two veterans known for crafting vivid, story-driven lyrics en.wikipedia.org . Recorded on March 30, 1992, it joined four new tracks on Greatest Hits Plus, Shelton’s first compilation album, produced by Steve Buckingham and released August 11, 1992 en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org . Musical and Lyrical Themes At its heart, “Wild Man” revels in the thrill of unpredictability: steel guitar twangs, hand-clapping rhythms, and Shelton’s warm baritone give the chorus an almost conversational punch. Lyrically, it’s an invitation to embrace passion without apology—“I’ll show you things you never knew,” he promises, inviting listeners to step outside their comfort zones and dance with abandon en.wikipedia.org . Chart Success and Legacy Released as the album’s second single on October 24, it climbed steadily and ultimately peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, marking Shelton’s last Top Ten hit and cementing its place in early ’90s country lore en.wikipedia.org top-charts.com . Canadian audiences embraced it as well, where it reached No. 4 on RPM Country Tracks and ranked No. 45 on the year-end chart for 1993 en.wikipedia.org . Why It Resonates Decades later, “Wild Man” still feels fresh because it taps into something universal—the call to adventure and the joy of breaking free. Whether you’re driving with the windows down or belting it out at karaoke, there’s a contagious energy that connects Shelton’s soulful delivery to every listener’s inner rebel

Introduction

Have you ever heard a song that feels like a joyride from the first note? That’s exactly what happens when Ricky Van Shelton’s voice kicks in on “Wild Man.” From its opening guitar licks, you know you’re in for a ride—one that celebrates letting go and giving in to your wilder side .

“Wild Man” was penned by Nashville songwriters Susan Longacre and Rick Giles, two veterans known for crafting vivid, story-driven lyrics. Recorded on March 30, 1992, it joined four new tracks on Greatest Hits Plus, Shelton’s first compilation album, produced by Steve Buckingham and released August 11, 1992.

At its heart, “Wild Man” revels in the thrill of unpredictability: steel guitar twangs, hand-clapping rhythms, and Shelton’s warm baritone give the chorus an almost conversational punch. Lyrically, it’s an invitation to embrace passion without apology—“I’ll show you things you never knew,” he promises, inviting listeners to step outside their comfort zones and dance with abandon.

Released as the album’s second single on October 24, it climbed steadily and ultimately peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, marking Shelton’s last Top Ten hit and cementing its place in early ’90s country lore. Canadian audiences embraced it as well, where it reached No. 4 on RPM Country Tracks and ranked No. 45 on the year-end chart for 1993.

Decades later, “Wild Man” still feels fresh because it taps into something universal—the call to adventure and the joy of breaking free. Whether you’re driving with the windows down or belting it out at karaoke, there’s a contagious energy that connects Shelton’s soulful delivery to every listener’s inner rebel

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