“Barracuda” is a 1977 hard rock anthem by Heart, released as the lead single from their album Little Queen. The song was written by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, guitarist Roger Fisher, and drummer Michael DeRosier as a direct response to the exploitative and sexist tactics of their former label, Mushroom Records.
The primary inspiration for the track was a specific incident in 1976 when a male promoter approached Ann Wilson after a concert in Detroit and asked about her “lover.” Initially believing he referred to her boyfriend and band manager Michael Fisher, Ann was outraged when he clarified he meant her sister Nancy. This inquiry was fueled by a Mushroom Records publicity stunt that spread false rumors of an incestuous affair between the sisters to generate buzz.
[Verse 1]
So, this ain’t the end, I saw you again today
I had to turn my heart away
Smile like the sun, kisses for everyone
And tales, it never fails
[Chorus]
You lying so low in the weeds
I bet you wanna ambush me
You’d have me down, down, down, down on my knees
Now wouldn’t you, Barracuda?
Oh
[Instrumental Bridge]
[Verse 2]
Back over time, we were all trying for free
You met the porpoise and me, uh-huh
No right, no wrong, selling a song, a name
Whisper game
[Chorus]
And if the real thing don’t do the trick
You better make up something quick
You gonna burn, burn, burn, burn, burn it to the wick
Ooh, Barracuda
Oh, yeah
[Bridge]
“Sell me, sell you,” the porpoise said
Dive down deep now to save my head
You… I think that you got the blues, too
All that night and all the next
Swam without looking back
We made for the Western pools
Silly, silly fools!
[Guitar Solo]
[Chorus]
The real thing don’t do the trick
No? You better make up something quick
You gonna burn, burn, burn, burn, burn it to the wick
Oh, Barra-Barracuda
Yeah
[Outro]
Ooh, hey
