2012 single by One Pound Fish Man
| "One Pound Fish" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by One Pound Fish Man | |
| Released | 7 December 2012 (2012-12-07) |
| Recorded | 2012 |
| Studio | J. DEVLIN NIDDRY |
| Genre | |
| Length | 2:27 |
| Label | Warner Music Group |
| Songwriter(s) | Muhammad Shahid Nazir |
| Producer(s) | Lisa Mc |
| Music video | |
| £1 Fish Man — "One Pound Fish" on YouTube | |
"One Pound Fish", often stylised as "£1 Fish", is a novelty song performed by the 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 Singles Chart, and number 1 in the UK Asian Chart.
Background
Following brief employment at a pound shop, Muhammad Shahid Nazir, a Pakistani immigrant to UK, originating from the town of Pattoki in Punjab, 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".
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.
Covers and remixes
The song has since been covered by many artists including Alesha Dixon. Mindless Behavior performed it live on the BBC Radio 1Xtra Breakfast Show, and Timbaland, Boy Better Know and the Kiffness made remixes sampling from the song.
Chart performance
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Asia Download (Official Charts Company) | 1 |
| France (SNEP) | 169 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 73 |
| Scotland (OCC) | 24 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 28 |
| UK Dance (OCC) | 4 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 7 December 2012 | Download | Warner Music Group |
References
- "One Pound Fish song makes bid for Christmas No1". London: Telegraph.co.uk. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- Battersby, Matilda (26 November 2012). "YouTube's £1 Fish Man offers Christmas number one challenge to the X Factor". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- "One Pound Fish man 'not deported'". BBC News. 3 January 2013.
- Susannah Butter (20 November 2012). "The One Pound Fish Man: Everyone's Hooked, Including Warners". Standard.co.uk. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- The Kiffness. "The Kiffness X One Pound Fish Man - £1 Fish". YouTube.
- "Asian Chart". Officialcharts.com. 16 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- "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. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.