It seems we’re finally experiencing something close to spring in Chicago. This time of year always takes me back to my sophomore year of high school, and more specifically, typing class and Tone Lōc.

It was 1989 and my friend Cathy and I had teased each other with Tone Lōc’s “Wild Thing,” all winter long. We thought nothing was more hilarious than reciting its sexual, sophomoric lyrics while working our way through set after set of typing tests (all apologies to Mr. Buss).

But our fifth-period fun continued with Tone Lōc’s follow-up to his number #2 hit—”Funky Cold Medina”. What 16-year old could resist such charmingly crass couplets as this: I don’t fool around with no Oscar Meyer weiner / You must be sure that the girl is pure for the Funky Cold Medina. That’s lyrical genius! Tone Lōc’s tale of this particular love potion hit #3 19 years ago this week:

According to the ever-realiable Wikipedia, “Funky Cold Medina” samples six songs: “Honky Tonk Women” by The Rolling Stones; “Hot Blooded” by Foreigner (the dominant guitar riff); “Christine Sixteen” by Kiss; “All Right Now” by Free; “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive; and “Get Off Your Ass and Jam” by Funkadelic. Who knew Tone Lōc was so amusing and resourceful?

“Funky Cold Medina” and “Wild Thing” were taken from the rapper’s debut, Lōc-ed After Dark. The album hit #1 on the Billboard chart, making Ton Lōc the first African-American hip-hop artist to achieve that honor.

Nowadays, Tone Lōc is more actor than rapper, appearing on sitcoms and voicing cartoons, but last year, he teamed up with Peaches for a “Wild Thing” rework, electrocrass style. Hear here:

Tone Lōc’s fresh “Wild Thing” is still ripe for the picking at iTunes.