One Pound Fish
"One Pound Fish", often stylised as "£1 Fish", is a novelty song performed by British-based Pakistani fish trader and recording artist Muhammad Shahid Nazir, credited as One Pound Fish Man. It was released on 7 December 2012 for download in the United Kingdom, reaching number 28 in the UK Singles Chart, number 4 in the UK Dance Chart, and number 1 in the UK Asian Chart.
"One Pound Fish" | |
---|---|
Single by One Pound Fish Man | |
Released | 7 December 2012 |
Recorded | 2012 |
Genre | |
Length | 2:27 |
Label | Warner Music Group |
Songwriter(s) | Muhammad Shahid Nazir |
Music video | |
£1 Fish Man "One Pound Fish" on YouTube |
Background
Following brief employment at a pound shop, Muhammad Shahid Nazir, a Pakistani immigrant to UK, originating from the town of Pattoki in Punjab,[1] who had settled in East London, began work on a fish stall at Queen's Market, Upton Park where his employer instructed him to use a trader's call to attract customers. He soon composed the song "One Pound Fish".[2]
It became an internet smash and a viral video after passing customers uploaded videos of Nazir performing his song onto YouTube.
A music video to accompany the release of "One Pound Fish" was first released on 10 December 2012 at a total length of two minutes and thirty-six seconds. It featured Bollywood-style dancers and an appearance from former weather forecaster Michael Fish.
In 2012 it was rumoured that Nazir had been deported to Pakistan after his visa had expired, although this was not the case.[3]
Covers and remixes
The song has since been covered by many artists[4] including Alesha Dixon. Mindless Behavior performed it live on the BBC Radio 1Xtra Breakfast Show, and both Timbaland and Boy Better Know made remixes sampling from the song.
Chart performance
Chart (2012) | Peak position |
---|---|
Asia Download (Official Chart Company)[5] | 1 |
France (SNEP)[6] | 169 |
Ireland (IRMA)[7] | 73 |
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[8] | 24 |
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[9] | 28 |
UK Dance (Official Charts Company)[10] | 4 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 7 December 2012[11] | Download | Warner Music Group |
References
- "One Pound Fish song makes bid for Christmas No1". London: Telegraph.co.uk. 2012-12-11. Retrieved 2012-12-21.
- Battersby, Matilda (November 26, 2012). "YouTube's £1 Fish Man offers Christmas number one challenge to the X Factor". London: The Independent. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
- "One Pound Fish man 'not deported'". BBC News. 2013-01-03.
- Susannah Butter (2012-11-20). "The One Pound Fish Man: Everyone's Hooked, Including Warners". Standard.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-12-21.
- "Asian Chart". Officialcharts.com. 2012-12-16. Retrieved 2012-12-21.
- "Lescharts.com – One Pound Fish Man – One Pound Fish" (in French). Les classement single.
- "Chart Track: Week 06, 2013". Irish Singles Chart.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
- "iTunes – Music – One Pound Fish (Remixes) – EP by £1 Fish Man". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-12-07. Retrieved 2012-12-21.