Origins: Fish Heads (Barnes & Barnes)

Subject: ADD: Fish Heads (Barnes & Barnes)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Dec 14 - 04:17 AM

OK, so I'm minding my own business, editing songs for the upcoming Rise Again songbook, and I came across "Fish Heads," which was used as a closing song on one of my favorite programs on an "underground" FM station in the 1970s. I mean, everybody knows that song, right?

I think the version I grew up with was the one from the 1976 VOOBAHA by the songwriters, Barnes & Barnes (Bill Mumy & Robert Haimer).

Here's my transcription of the 1976 version:

FISH HEADS
(Barnes & Barnes)

Fish heads, fish heads, roly poly fish heads
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up - yum!
(in G - up 4) C G C G / C G D G

Where did they come from, and how'd they really get here
What earthly purpose do they serve?

Look all around you, pretty little fish heads
Suck the eyes out, eat 'em up, yum!

If I were a fish head, I would look so pretty
I'd find a fishy girlie and eat her, too, yum!


Bill Mumy & Robert Haimer ("Barnes & Barnes")
On their Voobaha. Also rec by Wild Eyed Fischer, Buck 65, Eagle-Eye Cherry. On Dr. Demento & Simpsons ("Treehouse of Horrors VII" 1996).

Subject: ADD Version: Fish Heads (Barnes & Barnes)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Dec 14 - 04:28 AM

But there's another version, with completely different verses, and I don't know where it comes from. There's a recording in fishy voices by "Stingray Music (Karaoke)" on an album titled Specialty Vol 8, and it's also on this YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKDtUzRIG6I
Was this version also written by Barnes & Barnes, or what?


FISH HEADS
(Barnes & Barnes)

Fish heads, fish heads, roly poly fish heads
Fish heads, fish heads, eat them up - yum!
(in G - up 4) C G C G / C G D G

In the morning laughing happy fish heads
In the evening floating in the soup

Ask a fish head anything you want to
They won't answer, they can't talk

I took a fish head out to see a movie
Didn't have to pay to get it in

They can't play baseball, they don't wear sweaters
They're not good dancers, they don't play drums

Roly poly fish heads are never seen drinking cappuccino
At Italian restaurants with oriental women - yeah!



I like both versions, but where is this one from?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: Fish Heads (Barnes & Barnes)
From: bubblyrat
Date: 24 Dec 14 - 08:27 AM

It could adequately describe British Royal Navy ratings ( Enlisted Men), the Seaman branch being always known as "Fish Heads " ; I hasten to add that I was an "Airey Fairy" ( Air Mechanic ) rather than a "Fish Head" , although we needed them to turn rhe ship into the wind for flying operations !