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More than words: Who is Heart's Barracuda?
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Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart (c: fox news)
Have you ever loved a song to the point of ridiculousness but no matter how hard you try, you just can’t understand the lyrics? What was the artist thinking when writing your favorite tune? More Than Words, a weekly column, will help to delve a little deeper…
Barracuda, Heart (Little Queen, 1977)
One of the most intriguing theories behind the meaning of Heart’s number one hit, “Barracuda” comes from a fan and was posted on the Songmeanings website:
“This song isn't as pleasant after a first glance. Many people would claim this is about the visicitudes of fame and fortune but in the stark reality of it all, it’s about a prostitute and her pimp. It gives a fair analogy of the symbiotic relationship between this strumpet and her flamboyant godfather. She does her jobs, but she also fears his presence. Think of the line "You'd have me down on my knees", and then later "Sell me sell you", she must be sold to get the cash flow for mr. pimp.” Shaun Creaney, songmeanings.net.
However, according to Heart frontwomen Ann and Nancy Wilson, “Barracuda” was written after a particularly nasty incident with a reporter. In an interview with VH1 Storytellers, Ann revealed that in 1977, the band’s label Mushroom Records, fueled rumors that the sisters were actually lesbian lovers by running a full-page ad in Rolling Stone magazine. The image used for the ad showed the sisters bare-shouldered and back-to-back with the caption “it was only our first time” suggestively written underneath.
“(After the ad’s appearance) tabloids screamed headlines like "Lesbian sisters!" At an after party for a concert, a reporter asked Ann how her lover was. She replied that Mike (her boyfriend at the time and also the "Magic Man") was doing fine. And the reporter said, "No, I mean your sister, your lesbian lover." Of course Ann blew up and immediately returned to her hotel room where she wrote "Barracuda" as a response to the experience -- probably not just of the reporter’s insensitive comments, but the whole way their handlers were trying to package Heart, and the subsequent insaneness of the press's response to the album cover.” Songmeanings.
Ann’s disappointment in Mushroom Records can be heard in the lyrics “No right no wrong you’re selling a song. A name whisper game” and “If the real thing don't do the trick. You better make up something quick. You gonna burn it out to the wick. Aren't you, Barracuda?” The Barracuda is the record label and the saga between Mushroom and Heart did not end there.
“According to the band, this (song) is a statement about the record industry in general. It was written at a time when there was friction between the band and their label. Little Queen was the first album they released for the CBS-Portrait label. Their old label, Mushroom Records, sued the band and in 1978 released Magazine, an album made up of previously recorded material that Heart did not want released.” Sovereign Records for Songfacts.
“Barracuda” also received a lot of attention for its famous opening guitar riff, which is often attributed to rock legends Led Zeppelin. Resident rock DJ for San Francisco’s The Bone, Steven Seaweed, also stated on his show that the opening riff for “Barracuda” is simply Led Zeppelin’s “Achilles Last Stand” slowed down a notch.
“Many have said “Barracuda” was influenced by Led Zeppelin’s “Achilles Last Stand”. In fact, some theories suggest that the song lifted the riff directly from Led Zeppelin's track. The similar "galloping" sound of the riff is enough for some people to invite comparisons between the two.” Music.lovetoknow.com.
Heart never tried to hide the fact that Led Zeppelin was a key influence on the band’s sound.
In 2008, the song again caused controversy when it was used during the Republican presidential campaign in reference to Sarah Palin. Palin was known by her high school basketball teammates as ‘Sarah Barracuda’ and the song was subsequently played at the Republican National Convention.
According to Rolling Stone magazine, “Heart sent out a statement announcing they had sent a cease-and-desist letter asking the campaign to stop using the song. “The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission. We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored.” Their wishes were not honored, as after John McCain’s RNC-ending speech last night, Palin joined him onstage to the sound of “Barracuda”. This set off Nancy Wilson, who told EW.com “I think it’s completely unfair to be so misrepresented. I feel completely f**ked over.”
Soon after, Heart issued another statement:
“Sarah Palin’s views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song “Barracuda” no longer be used to promote her image. The song “Barracuda” was written in the late ’70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. (The ‘barracuda’ represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize the use of their song at the RNC, there’s irony in Republican strategists’ choice to make use of it there.”
Upon its release "Barracuda" became Heart's second top-twenty hit in the U.S., peaking at number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has become the band's signature song and is a staple on American classic rock radio playlists. In 2009 it was named the 34th best hard rock song of all time by VH1. Wikipedia.
Heart is touring the US and will be playing at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, Northern California on the 19th & 20th of June. Tickets are available through Live Nation.
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