I remember first seeing and hearing this song video when it was presented on "Saturday Night Live" during that show's absolute worst season ever-the only one produced by Jean Domanian which introduced Eddie Murphy. Now I rewatched it on YouTube with an intro by Dr. Demento (he appeared in it, by the way) who declared it No. 1 on "Demented Top 20 Video Countdown" on MTV from 1988. Watching it again after all these years, the images didn't bring back memories but the song certainly did as it's been running on my mind since that first time viewing some now 35 years ago! Anyway, this was quite a strangely amusing video so on that note, I say Fish Heads is worth a look for anyone looking for the offbeat...
7 Reviews
hmm... very, very odd
spectre316-117 August 2002
Fish Heads / Fish Heads / Roly Poly Fish Heads / Fish Heads / Fish Heads / Eat Them Up, Yum
This now rare music video from the early eighties was indeed a big hit when music television (read: MTV) came into our lives with a vengence. It also was on Nickelodeon as well. It's just basically an incredibly out there, scary (in such an off-beat way), and incredibly funny short film about how you can take fish heads to the movies.
I just saw it on VH1 Classic, the best music video channel out there (showing classic videos from the 80's and before), and was immedietly filled with nostalgia and happiness. It's such a creepy funny little film!
This now rare music video from the early eighties was indeed a big hit when music television (read: MTV) came into our lives with a vengence. It also was on Nickelodeon as well. It's just basically an incredibly out there, scary (in such an off-beat way), and incredibly funny short film about how you can take fish heads to the movies.
I just saw it on VH1 Classic, the best music video channel out there (showing classic videos from the 80's and before), and was immedietly filled with nostalgia and happiness. It's such a creepy funny little film!
Eat them up, yum.
craigjclark22 May 2001
I remember seeing this video many, many times on Nickelodeon when I was a kid. I thought it was a laugh riot then and it's still funny to me now. Incidentally, that's Dr. Demento himself as the homeless guy admiring Bill Paxton's fish head. Barnes & Barnes are geniuses.
"Fish heads are never seen drinking cappuccinos in Italian restaurants with Oriental women / Yeah."
"Fish heads are never seen drinking cappuccinos in Italian restaurants with Oriental women / Yeah."
One of the classic music videos
PaulCurt10 June 2000
It's a mild surprise to see "Fish Heads" listed as a short film, but I suppose it is.
The song is odd, as is the film. Most people watch it for the first time with their mouth open. I think this is the highest recommendation possible for a music video (surpassed possibly only by The Residents' "Hello Skinny.")
This short film is available on the Barnes & Barnes music video compilation, "Voobaha" (or something like that.) Their other videos aren't as startling as "Fish Heads" but they are a lot of fun.
The song is odd, as is the film. Most people watch it for the first time with their mouth open. I think this is the highest recommendation possible for a music video (surpassed possibly only by The Residents' "Hello Skinny.")
This short film is available on the Barnes & Barnes music video compilation, "Voobaha" (or something like that.) Their other videos aren't as startling as "Fish Heads" but they are a lot of fun.
Memorable
Tito-814 April 2002
Without question, this is one timeless and unforgettable music video. Even though it's been years since I last saw it, I still remember every single word of the song, no doubt because I watched the video so frequently back when I was a young teenager. Now, admittedly, part of my love for this video is a result of the first time I saw it (when I laughed hysterically through the entire thing), but even as an adult, when I think of the silly lyrics and unusual visuals, it still puts a smile on my face.
very strange I liked it
jacobjohntaylor125 February 2022
This is a good vide. I can not think of any other music videos like it. This why it is a good video. This a video you need to see. It is very cool. It is a very strange song. It i s a very funny song. It is a pretty funny video. Very strange and not like any else i have seen.
Okay for five minutes
Horst_In_Translation21 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
"Fish Heads" is a music video from 1980, so it is already over 35 years old. The band you hear are "Barnes and Barnes". This is a mix of black-and-white and color scenes and occasionally there is even some animation in here. The writer (one of them), director and lead actor is Bill Paxton quite a while before his Golden Globe nominated acting. So well.. what can you say about this one here. It certainly lives through its oddity. The first 120 seconds are completely boring and forgettable, but then it just becomes extremely absurd and what we see fits together nicely with what we hear. Still, in terms of story-telling and maybe also the music (catchy, but no depth) this is not really a creative achievement. But I am not surprised this song is better known today than music from the 1980s that may have an actual great singing performance attached to it. This one just stays in the mind, regardless if you like it or not. I was tempted to give it a better rating, but because of the sleep-inducing beginning I just cant. Thumbs down from me and I do not recommend the watch. Also this is nothing that may get you interested in the singers' other works at all which is always bad for a music video.
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