That's a great find, Gillymor. I don't think the two tunes are so closely related that Arlo would owe royalties to the white man who owns the rights to Blind Boy Fuller songs, but it sure seems like Arlo built on the Fuller melody.


WHAT'S THAT SMELLS LIKE FISH?
(Blind Boy Fuller, 1938)

What's that smell like fish, mama?
Food, if you really want to know
What's that smell like fish, baby?
Food, if you really wants to know
Smell like puddin' and it ain't no pie
Same thing that you know you have to buy
What's that smell like fish?
Food, if you really wants to know, I mean
Food, if you really wants to know (Yeah)

What's that smell like fish, mama?
Food, if you really wants to know
What's that smells like fish, baby?
Food, if you really wants to know
Smell like sardines and it ain't in no can
Same doggone thing you chucked at the other man
What that smell like fish, mama?
Food, if you really wants to know, I mean
Food, if you really want to know

What's that smell like fish, baby?
Food, if you really wants to know (Yeah)
What's that smells like fish, mama?
Food, if you really wants to know
Smell like puddin' and it ain't no pie
Really good to me and it ain't no lie
What that smell like fish, mama?
Food, if you really wants to know, still tellin' you
Food, if you really wants to know (Yeah)

(Play it a long time. Play it till it gets good to me)

What's that smell like fish, mama?
Food, if you really wants to know
What's that smell like fish, baby?
Food, if you really wants to know
Make you weep and it'll make you moan
Same doggone thing made me leave my home
What that smell like fish, baby?
Food, if you really wants to know, I mean
Food, if you really wants to know

Source: http://lyrics.wikia.com/wiki/Blind_Boy_Fuller:What%27s_That_Smells_Like_Fish%3F