Wreckless Eric, whose real name is Eric Goulden, is a British rock and roll/new wave singer-songwriter who emerged from the late 1970s punk and pub rock scenes. He is best known for his 1977 hit "Whole Wide World," which has since been covered by numerous artists and remains a staple in the power pop genre. Goulden's music is characterized by his distinctive raspy voice, lo-fi production, and candid, often humorous lyrics. Despite not achieving widespread commercial success, his influence is significant within the punk and indie music communities.