This is my new favorite commercial. I saw it about a hundred times last night. And, much like Kylie Minogue, I can’t get it out of my head:
I’ve never had a McDonald’s Filet O’ Fish in my life. But this commercial makes me want to eat a million of them. Plus, I love how the guy with the beard eating the sandwich really starts gettin’ down.
** UPDATE: There is a new version for 2010. The two dudes are in a car watching last year’s commercial on a cell phone. Click here to see the 2010 version.
Tags: 00s tv commercials, filet o fish, filet of fish, gimme back, give me back, kylie minogue, mcdonald's, talking fish commercial
This commercial is so freakin annoying.
its pretty f-ing creepy
This commercial is like engraved in my head!!
Here are the lyrics, for those interested:
Give me back that filet o’ fish,
Give me that fish.
Give me back that filet o’ fish,
Give me that fish.
What if it were you
hanging up on this wall?
If it were you in that sandwich,
you wouldn’t be laughing at alllllll!
You can download the full song or the ringtone version over at Cheesy Meat.
http://www.blog.cheesymeat.com/?p=135
Does anyone know what song is being sampled in the background music? It’s driving me crazy b/c I know it’s something that I own.
thanks
@gm – Casio Bossa Nova – Holy Fuck
@jamie – you forgot about the fish going “ahhh!” at the end… lol
love it!!
Now that I’ve had a week to reflect on this advertisement, and seen it played over and over again throughout the week, a couple things bug me about the lyrics:
Why does the talking wall fish want the filet o’ fish sandwich “back”? Did the bearded dude steal it from him? Something smells fishy here…
What if it was the guy eating the sandwich hanging up on the wall? I’d agree that that wouldn’t be a very pleasant predicament to be in, but if he were on the wall, he wouldn’t be in the sandwich, thereby rendering the last line meaningless.
Plus, if the guy was in the sandwich (being eaten), he likely wouldn’t be laughing because he’d be dead and processed in a McDonald’s fish-like sandwich. I’ve never heard any sandwich laugh in my life.
Not to mention that the bearded guy isn’t even laughing at the singing fish, nor is he laughing at the sandwich he’s eating. So why does the fish even say “you wouldn’t be laughing at all”? He’s NOT laughing! If anything, he’s trying to hold back from busting a serious move due to the wall fish’s amazing synthesizer beat.
The only part of this commercial that makes any sense is the reaction of Bearded Dude #2 when he walks in the garage and witnesses what is happening. Although, if I were him, I might take that drill in his hand to the fish’s skull, thus ensuring a safe world for everyone.
Yes, these are the things I think about. I probably wouldn’t think about it so much if they didn’t play this commercial every waking hour of every day.
Jamie, the fish on the wall is dead; he was made into a filet-o-fish. Now, rather like a ghost, he is saying “give me back that filet-o-fish”…it is part of him. When he says “What if it were you hanging up on this wall? If it were you in that sandwich,you wouldn’t be laughing at all” he is bemoaning the cosmic unfairness that he has been dealt.
I agree with what John wrote.
I also think that the allusion to “laughing” is a little joke a the audience… they know WE are laughing.
It removes the third wall and that is part of what makes it funny.
Also I think the seated fellow eating the sandwich is probably used to the fish’s song. He seems quite non plussed as if this is not the first time he has seen the fish move or heard it talk or sing. He doesn’t even stop chewing and he bops along with the music. It is only the second man who is surprised by the singing fish.
Give me that filet of fish–I’m hungry darnit.
Me like this.
*starts singing dish song*
“Give me back that filet o’ fish,
Give me that fish.
Give me back that filet o’ fish,
Give me that fish.
What if it were you
hanging up on this wall?
If it were you in that sandwich,
you wouldn’t be laughing at alllllll!”
goddammit. diz song won’t stop playn in mi head XP
oops srry. i didn’t kno we were suppose to not cuss.
There is so much analysis here it’s amazing! My biggest gripe is that the guy wasn’t laughing but after reading the comments, I realize that this commercial is much deeper. Deep sea fishing….anyone anyone Bueller?
If ya wanna hang with us, I don’t wanna hear ya cuss.
Actually, you can cuss all you want. We really don’t give a shit.
@matt – Ok.
Let me just say that when I first heard this commercial, I almost threw an object at the TV. But who would destroy a 50″ for a filetOFish. Now it is one of my favorite commercials. I even have a little dance to it. Kind of annoying at first, but I guess it grew on me.
GIMME BACK THAT FILET O’ FISH!
The more that I think about it, the more that I think that the fish isn’t actually singing those lyrics. I think that bearded guy #1 is high on something and imagining it.
WatSz Dha Name Of ThiSz Sonqq ?
@Glaivester – Normally, I would tend to agree with you. But when Bearded Dude #2 enters the garage, the look on his face implies that he also sees what’s going on. I don’t think he’d give that creeped out look at the guy and the fish if he didn’t hear it singing as well. Of course, the second guy could be hallucinating as well. Maybe he had just eaten a filet o’ fish sandwich prior to being captured on camera, and it’s something in the filet o’ fish sandwich that’s making them trip. But why would that make anyone want to eat one?
Who knew trying to decipher a McDonald’s commercial could be more difficult than trying to figure out the latest episode of Lost?
Too funny how much attention this silly commercial has gained- ! I cant beleive I found a blog on it, I had to record this jingle on my phone to send out because we all love this commercial, nothing better then a good laugh in the middle of a rainy day- funny thats!!!
I can’t tolerate television commercials, so I watch all my television online. But I saw this during a basketball game and it mercilessly attacked my brain. I’ve never bought anything because of a commercial before. I hadn’t even had a Filet O’ Fish since 1997. But I went out and bought two the other day, thinking that it would somehow relieve my mind of this song’s incessant, involuntary repetition. No—the sandwiches were way better than I remembered, and the song has further entrenched itself in my memory. Ugh.
Before this, I didn’t think commercials were capable of actually motivating people to purchase a product. Now I know better.
The guy eating the sandwich is laughing at the fish. In a kind of “Whatever dude” kind of way.
@jkl – At the :17 mark in that video, the subtle shrug and raised eyebrows of the dude eating the sandwich does indeed imply that. His acting there is absolutely incredible. So understated.
This commerical is so subliminal! We’re being brainwashed to have the urge for a Filet o’ Fish! I haven’t bought one yet but I will eventually. Very effective! The commerical is so annoying though.
this is my FAVORITE commercial ever! I need it on my ipod. asap.
This song is amazing. and what people dont get is that it is just a joke for humor and a type of advirtisment. to get the stupid tune in your head to remember the filet o fish sandwhich when you go to McDonald’s. So its funny and a great way to advirtise.
Give me that filet o fish
give me that fish
give me that filet o fish
give me that fish
What if it were you hanging up on this wall?
if it were you in that sandwhich you wouldnt be laughing at all!!!!!
holy sh_t!I love this song
hey watz up. imma sing it now. gimme bac da filet o fish, gimmie dat fish (oh)x2. wat if it were u hangin up on diz wall, if it were u in dat sandwich u wouldn’t b laughn at allllllll!!!! lol diz song iz stuck in mi head now & can’t get it out.
what i find interesting is the setting for this comm. first it seems to take place in a garage. guy 2 is returning a drill. obviously just finishing doing some kinda of mechanical chore. guy 1 and 2 probably know each other; long time buddies, perhaps. 2 is being respectful when he acknowledges to 1 that he’s returning the tools. these guys value work, professionalism, and honesty. 2 again shows a sense of respectability to his buddy by keeping a quite demeanor at the bizzare spectacle of the singing fish as well as the obvious enjoyment 1 is getting out of the serenade. although 2 is probably more shocked by 1’s nonchalante attitude, he does not act on his urge to ask questions or burst from the scene. it seems that 2 would accept any explanation 1 would give him, and in the spirit of friendship would probably sit down with 1 and bob his head along at the jingle.
obviously this is the first time 2 has seen the fish do anything, while 1,judging by his casual attitude acts as though the fish had not only done sang before but could have done even crazier things. the singing, shall we say, is part of the fish’s repertoire. does the fish dance as well? maybe! which could explain his been nailed on the wall.
mcdonald wants to give the impression that 1 and 2 symbolize their cherished patron. they are layed-back working stiffs. the cable guy type who eats on the road, mostly fast food. 1’s obviously obese and has no problem or guilt about eating more of what’s hurting him. he lives for today, which could just as well be mcdonald’s philosophy. a kinda of, screw all those elite granola eating bourgeous critics of fast food culture who disparage our products; our customers are the salt of the earth. they do their thing, they put in an honest day’s work and most importantly, they dont pass judgment.
@Theodore Adorno – Nicely done, Mr. Adorno. McDonald’s obviously knew what they were doing with this commercial, since it’s peaked the interest of a lot of people.
Still, I have not had a filet O fish sandwich ever in my life. I have to say though, I’m pretty curious now. Good job, Mickey D’s
@jamie –
The fish is saying, “give me back that filet o’fish” because it came out of HIM! He’s mounted and hanging on the wall and he wants his ‘parts’ back. Plus, he’s saying, “What if it was YOU hanging here on this wall? If it was you, you wouldn’t be laughing at all.” because the dude eating the sandwich is smirking at him…. The commercial is ridiculous, but pretty funny. I’d rather see this than something trying to convince me of how delicious, nutritious, and good for me that a deep fried fish burger would be!
See, the main jingle is simply a set-up. the singing fish is really a diversion (there are no singing dead fishes, and the song makes no sense, as it has already been pointed out by others.) The chief message is the guy eating the sandwich. It’s the eating part that’s really “music to his ears” in fact the idea behind the song is that If you eat this stuff you gonna be hearing music, too. guy 2 is obviously not enjoying himself, but that’s because he hasn’t had a bite of that delicious grease ball yet. the commercial lead you to think that 2 will be bobbing his head too, as soon as he gets a piece of the filet o’ fish.
we simply have to wait for the sequel. Filet o’ Fish II.
(and don’t rule out a movie in the future either. that’s how Ernie and the muppets got started)
@MadMaude – Yeah, you’re right. Isn’t the Filet O Fish one of the worst (for you) foods on the McDonald’s menu?
LMAO!!! This is one of the BEST post I have ever read on the internet. And I must say, I don’t even like fish sandwiches, but this commercial temps me to go and get one.
@Cynthia – Best post ever on the internet, huh? I don’t know about that, but we’re flattered.
Make sure you check out the rest of our site. There are some real gems scattered throughout.
This commercial drives me crazy everytime I hear it. I should of never let my friends know that as well. Now they all send it to me by e-mail, FB, and on a Ringtone? UGH
I love this song . . and it’s not the product; it’s the tune. . It’s so catching . . I stop what I’m doing to go watch it. . I love the fish on the wall. what a great idea. . Heck with the product; it’s the writer of this song. the idea and the clever verse. . I stop to watch it once in awhile; but, it’s more than anything, the stop dead attraction of the song. . . I sing it daily . . wow . . what a great, magnificent, catchy tune., mahalo for inventing it, I live in hawaii . .
i qant it as a ring tone
I’m leaning towards- Guy #1 is high and/or hallucinating. Guy #2 doesn’t react to the fish singing. He should have reacted in a more confused manor after looking at the fish. Instead he keeps a constant expression and draws a line from #1 to the fish with his eyes. I take it as ‘what is guy #1 looking at with that stupid grin on his face?’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j83Aq0xJnb8
the best filet o fish rap you will hear today
@bob – Thanks Bob. Slightly horrifying, but thanks.
With regards to the drive thru scene, we’re quite impressed with the way the foodstuffs were so expertly ordered.
This is the blog that I have been searching for. Thank you! The tragedy of this ad is that it is a response to Wendy’s ad saying that we don’t know where the fish at other fast-foods establishments has come from. Now we know.
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Damn, Dawg! Ya’ll got me straight trippin’!
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No you don’t.
@gm -
@matt – hahah its hilarious!
The 2010 version of this commercial is out now!
My friend Hannah is always singing this and the first time i heard her sing it im like WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU SINGING?!?! and she likes starts screaming at me that ive never heard if it xD
One thing people haven’t noticed here is that this commercial is supposed to be a parody of those stupid singing fish from about 10 years ago that would sing a modified version of a song and tell some dumb jokes. So, despite what some here said, there actually ARE singing fish that were sold, but then again, they were never alive, so that would make this commercial’s premise even more nonsensical.
Now @ Walgreens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyhVWJuJlak
Funny. Hadn’t even seen this commercial before somehow.
Seems about a year too late though!
@Matt – @Matt –
I still have the original Bigg Mouth Billy Bass.
you should get the ringtone too!!!!!! PENISSS!!!!!!
@jamie – http://www.facebook.com/pages/FRANKIE-THE-FILET-O-FISH/332101144566?ref=nf#!/pages/FRANKIE-THE-FILET-O-FISH/332101144566
@riley – http://www.facebook.com/pages/FRANKIE-THE-FILET-O-FISH/332101144566?ref=nf#!/pages/FRANKIE-THE-FILET-O-FISH/332101144566
It does not even come close to sounding like that filet o fish, i ran it under a program that deaf people use and it cleary says. Give me that defolay fish, Give me that fish. defolay is not a word, but a program that a company put over 300 million dollars in says otherwise. so hmmmm.
While watching a Cleveland Cavaliers game, there is this guy who starts to take a bite out of his sandwich and he got a message on his cell phone and the fish popped up and at the end, the fish goes: ” Ahhhhhhh!”
” Now get two filet and fish sandwiches for just $3.99. That’s two oh good filet and fish sandwiches for just $3.99. Prices and participants may vary. All rights reserved. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!’
I hate this annoying commercial and have vowed not to set foot in a McD’s, for any food, until it is off the air.
OMG.. THIS SONG IS SOOO AWESOME!! IT IS STUCK IN MY HEAD N WE SELL THE FISH IN MY STORE.. HAHA:)
@Jeff –
rEALLY?? IS IT THAT IMPORTANT TO YOU?? GET A LIFE JEFF
@jamie –
GET A LIFE!!!
Check this out! Now, at CVS, you can buy a filet-o-fish mount on that wall. Press the button, and it plays the full song; “Gimme that filet-o-fish, gimme that fish(repeat) What if this were you hanging up on this wall? If this were you in this sandwich, you wouldn’t be laughing at all! So Gimme that filet-o-fish, gimme that fish(repeat)”