The lyrics are an absurdist celebration of fish heads, describing them in the high-pitched chorus as "roly poly" and delicious to eat.
Actor Bill Paxton, a filmmaker at the time, directed and appeared in the music video for the song, along with cinematographer Rocky Schenck and Robert Haimer's girlfriend at the time, Joan Farber, who designed the costume look.
The video aired on NBC television on Saturday Night Live, on December 6, 1980, and the following week.
In 1985, the video was incorporated into several episodes of the Nickelodeon sketch show Turkey Television, introducing the song to millions of children, who, at the time, did not have access to either MTV or late night television.
The song is featured in The Simpsons episode "Treehouse of Horror VII".