This song’s even more hilarious than Abe Vigoda in drag.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… but as always on Mondays, the presents are all for your ears. It’s time to unwrap the next re-gifted surprise in The Nest’s Top 30 Novelty Songs of All Time countdown! We’re in the Top 3 now, which means no Salad Shooters, Chia Pets or Big Mouth Billy Basses will be under DJ Scratchy’s tree today. No, this is the seriously good shit. The kind of toy earworms even the Sponkies won’t lose interest in after New Years. OK, maybe this week’s surprise may actually be a Big Mouth Billy Bass…..
#3. “Fish Heads” – Barnes and Barnes
If it took a post on a third rate blog like The Nest to familiarize you with what may be America’s most popular and beloved novelty song…. well geez, where have you been hiding at, under a rock? Let’s get right to the “music,” and I’ll bore you to death with some background details after you sing along to the stupidest little catchy song ever!
“Fish Heads” was first recorded in 1978, and after gaining popularity on the Dr. Demento Show, was released as a single in 1980 where it became an instant underground hit. The song alternates between random, bizarre verses about the utility of fish heads and the extremely catchy chorus which is sped up to make it sound like Alvin and The Chipmunks joined the group.
The only good chipmunk “singing” you will hear in the month of December.
The group Barnes and Barnes is a pretty obscure novelty act who happened to hit it big with this ode to bad sushi, but there are some pretty big names associated with them. The video you just watched above (the full version with two minute intro can be seen here) was directed by the then-little known Bill Paxton… and is practically a parody of low budget artsy type films. It also contains two guys dressed in trash bags, making this the second entry in the countdown’s Top 5 to contain the 80’s favorite fashion trend!
Trash bags, trash bags! Roly poly trash bags…
And one half of the duo Barnes and Barnes is none other than everyone’s favorite space boy, Billy Mumy. Yes, despite the clean cut, All American boy image he portrayed in the child actor part of his career… it’s good to see he grew up to be a fellow purveyor of fucked up creativity!
Careful, squirrel, or I’ll banish you to the cornfield with all the stinky fish heads!
The Nest is going to rock both of your Eves this year with our two favorite novelty songs! Be sure to join us next Monday, or Billy Mumy won’t be pleased with you….
Evil Squirrel's Nest 
the guys in the video cook the same way like the mama BOL
I’ll bet they even write “FUCK” on the fish heads with chocolate icing…
haha such a funny song and I like it even though I hate fish. 🙂
I don’t like seafood of any kind… but I love “Fish Heads!”
You’d think something that bizarre would stick in my mind but I don’t remember it. It’s kinda funny!
I picked it up on “Turkey Television,” an old Nickelodeon show from the 80’s. I’ve heard it a few times on weird broadcasts and seen the video occasionally on VH1 Classic. I may have overestimated how well known it is…
There’s actually a Sirius channel called “One Hit Wonders,” in case you didn’t know. All you, all the time. With no commercials.
That would probably drive me up the wall since one of my pet peeves are acts that are called one hit wonders who actually had more than one hit. Not the case with Barnes and Barnes, but still. I once rented a car with satellite radio and had it locked on the 80’s station. 12 hours to Texas and 12 hours back with nothing but 1980’s songs…
Never heard of this but then maybe that’s not so bad? It is hilarious though I have to admit. I’m looking forward to seeing what you have planned for the EVES.
Pam
The top two songs, now that I think about it, actually have something…… interesting in common. I probably shouldn’t mention what it is… and not just to keep the suspense going!
Now I remember why I don’t eat carp. LOL
I’m not sure what freaked me out more. The video, the tune or the lyrics. Oh man.
I think the fish heads may have been a little hallucinogenic. That song is just so weird…
I LOVE that song!!! Barnes and Barnes. Eat them up. Yum. LOL.
It’s perfectly nuts!