Barracuda Guitar Tab

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--1--1-1-1--1-1-1--1-1-1--1-1-1--1-1-1--1-1-1--1-3-4----4---41--  Repeat as
--2--2-2-2--2-2-2--2-2-2--2-2-2--2-2-2--2-2-2--2-4-5----5---52--  needed
--2--2-2-2--2-2-2--2-2-2--2-2-2--2-2-2--2-2-2--2-4-5----5---52--
--0--0-0-0--0-0-0--0-0-0--0-0-0--0-0-0--0-0-0--0-2-3----0---3


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Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques


Ian Average	#1 by Ian Slay at Dec 16, 2005 at 9:16 PM EST
	In response to "shauncreaney" who wrote me an email questioning where I got my info from here is my response: I've seen it in a couple of different interviews with Ann Wilson and also Nancy Wilson on tv. The main one where I got quotes from about the origins of "Barracuda" and also about the way they were marketed, etc. was VH1's "Behind the Music" on Heart. The show on them is fantastic! And what is so great is it is the actual musicians themselves talking so you know it's not just gossip! Keep an eye out for it in reruns, it is a great show especially if you like Heart and their music. Also, if you check out the album "Dreamboat Annie" it has the picture of them where it looks like they have no tops on. Tabloids had this same pictured plastered on the cover with headlines like "Lesbian sisters..." or something to that effect. They showed one of those newspapers on the show. Nancy Wilson talks about how she was told that she had the good body and that Ann had the face and that's how they wanted to market them. I think they even had her painted gold, with big hair, etc. which she hated. It shows that on the show too. I'm wondering shauncreaney, where did you get all that info about it being about a prostitute and her pimp, etc.? That's an amazing idea! Beth Beth

Peter Average	#2 by Peter Boyle at Jan 23, 2006 at 12:49 AM EST
	well I dont care what the meaning is because all of your peoples sounds convincing. But its got a good tune, some good lyrics, and some licks on the guitar. and that line "barracuda" just the way she says it is cool and funny. I could vouch for the pimp and the prostitute and all that cause when I take a look at it, it does, but the press does seem good too. Who knows, we'd probably be way off for all I care.

Marco Average	#3 by Marco at Jan 26, 2006 at 9:22 PM EST
	I read it all. It was interesting.

Eric Wanna Be	#4 by Eric Griggs at Feb 2, 2006 at 3:31 PM EST
	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, its about a prostitute and her pimp-daddy. 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", probably administering felatio to some john. and then later "Sell me sell you", she must be sold to get the cash flow for mr. pimple.

Jesse Wanna Be	#5 by Jesse ritchie at Feb 10, 2006 at 9:25 AM EST
	well, yer on the right track.. it was actually written mainly about the problems of having to deal with the paparrazzi. cuz arent they always ready to "ambush" you? its true. ;)

THE RONANATOR ( Average	#6 by THE RONANATOR (aka.Ronan) downer at Mar 21, 2006 at 6:28 PM EST
	ok that was pretty mean, even though i didnt read it either

Dylan Wanna Be	#7 by Dylan Johnson at Apr 24, 2006 at 6:21 PM EST
	Ok, this is song is about their old record company putting out a publicity photo of Ann and Nancy with a caption implying they were lesbian lovers. Heart then fired everyone, including their record label and got into a heated court battle with them. After a show, a lowlife from a record label asked Ann how her lover was...she got pissed and wrote the lyrics to barracuda. There is a clip from the "Behind the Music" where they discuss this posted here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=7FUUqxl-wR8.

SOCIETY DWELLIN Average	#8 by SOCIETY DWELLIN MOTHER FUCKER! at Jun 3, 2006 at 6:50 AM EST
	when you copy the youtube url above, don't include the period at the end of the sentence. 1

Joe Average	#9 by Joe Blurton at Jun 11, 2006 at 7:34 PM EST
	I may be totally pulling this outta my %*$, but... Think about the imagery that "barracuda" & "porpoise" conjure.... The words themselves-- the double-r's and the hard k sound are very harsh, whereas "porpoise" has a more lyrical quality, d/t to the vowels & soft "puh" sound. Also, think of words that come to mind when you see the two words (don't think about their meaning or the sea creatures they represent)... to me, at least, the two collections of letters call up very different types of feelings and words. Now, think about the animals represented by the words... a barracuda is a nasty fish... it has an ugly prognathous jaw, filled with sharp teeth... looks like it is sticking its jaw out in defiance or anger. And yes, they are incredibly fast (and, dangerously graceful), with their long, narrow, spear-like bodies, but they are also vicious, and are powerful hunters. The porpoise, however, is definitely much "cuddlier" (in most ppl's perception, although ppl often confuse dolphin & porpoise). There's that whole intelligence-language thing (clicks, squeals, grunts, etc.), plus their sociability (the pod thing, the caring-for-their-young thing)-- although they aren't as into people as dolphins are--... And then, don't forget: barracuda=cold-blooded fish (reptilian) porpoise=warm-blooded mammal So perhaps the porpoise is the muse, the creativity, the spirit... why Ann & Nancy got into music, if you will. The goodness & beauty & freedom of their craft; it will take them to lofty, inspired places where they can swim free (so to speak). They were trying to sell a song, to share their talents with the world, and no, it wasn't right OR wrong, it just was. But when they sold the good porpoise (purpose??) they also risked selling their own souls, as the porpoise warned them could happen before it tried to dive deep to escape the predatory barracuda... And they met up (inevitably) with the barracuda, who gave false kisses and platitudes, & smiled so big (like) with the sun glinting off its many shiny sharp teeth... they had to turn off (away) their hearts (which is the representation of their very being... the band name & all...)... risking their identity as well as their integrity... and you might sell your soul, sell your good name, sell your values... but when you sell your identity, do you have ANYTHING left?!?! Then, of course, I could go into the whole symbolism of the west, and the masculine and the feminine (illustrated by the phallic, hard, fierce, survivalist barracuda) and the feminine (the porpoise: wise, motherly, softer-silhouetted, more social, and seens as a protector leading the speaker into the mythical western pools which seem almost elysian ...) But I won't. No matter what, the speaker realized s/he must follow the porpoise (purpose?!) to his/ her true destiny, tucking his/ her head, diving deep, and doing what is necessary and right, no looking back, no regrets, ... leaving the fools to their mundaneness.

LeZombi Wanna Be	#10 by LeZombi at Jun 22, 2006 at 11:18 AM EST
	it's about the papparazzi

Kevin Average	#11 by Kevin Pringle at Aug 11, 2006 at 10:35 PM EST
	ha ha ha love this song, that guitar riff can be stuck in my head for hours,

Jason Wanna Be	#12 by Jason Stender at Sep 3, 2006 at 11:51 PM EST
	Don't make such fucking long posts. No one is going to read all that shit. Nerd.

Cory Wanna Be	#13 by Cory at Oct 19, 2006 at 9:14 PM EST
	I read all of that. And it was SO satisfying.

Dan Professional Badass	#14 by Dan Hudspith at Nov 7, 2006 at 2:04 PM EST
	If I have sparked your curriousity... Magic Man and Crazy on You were also about Dennis Wilson, Ann's relationship with him, and his relationship with Chales Manson... See my comments on both songs...

Chris Wanna Be	#15 by Chris at Jun 16, 2007 at 4:49 AM EST
	Yeah biatch I read it all and it was awesome, what now?!! When I first heard this I thought it was about someone who the songwriter was in love with but it turned out they were just a lair and manipulator who broke her heart. She thinks its all over but ends up seeing him again, up to his old tricks, trying to re-seduce her. The guy is a pathological liar and will say anything to bed anyone he pleases. Bad ass song.

Jared Wanna Be	#16 by Jared Richmond at Oct 4, 2007 at 3:26 PM EST
	I am curious of where some of you have gotten your information? This song is about the break-up between Ann and Dennis Wilson ( see my comments on Magic Man).