(NEXSTAR) —
“Don’t worry, be happy”
— If you were around during the late ’90s and early 2000s, chances are high that Bobby McFerrin’s 1988 hit under that title is most closely associated with another artist—not him, sadly. You likely recall this song being frequently linked to someone else.
animatronic fish singing
it.
Launched in 1999, Big Mouth Billy Bass was a quirky item developed by the Coppell, Texas-based firm Gemmy that rapidly gained worldwide attention. Essentially, the success of this singing plastic fish can be seen as a precursor to today’s social-media-driven virality.
The famous Big Mouth Billy Bass has a distinctive look with the main character—a fish—mounted on a plaque. Pressing a little red button underneath triggers the animatronic fish to sing Al Green’s 1974 hit song.
Bring Me to the Shore.
Although Billy rapidly gained popularity—acquired by individuals ranging from President Bill Clinton and Prime Minister Tony Blair to the late Queen Elizabeth II—the bass fad soon waned. However, it had managed to generate almost $100 million in sales by the end of 2000, according to estimates.
Ranker
.
Nowadays, if you’re looking for a brand new BMBB, you’ll have to scour auction websites such as eBay, where one can be found.
Originally sealed Big Mouth Billy Bass
Now it can go for as high as $200. This represents a significant increase from its initial retail price of about $30. Additionally, Gemmy introduced some new models.
special variations
of Billy (along with other, lesser-known characters, such as
Rocky the Singing Lobster
and these canfetch even higher prices (up to $300).
Meanwhile, a used-but-in-good-condition
operating Big Mouth Billy Bass
(kept in its original box) will be significantly cheaper. These typically sell for about $100.
Ultimately, even though we’re several decades past Billy’s prime, there remains significant nostalgia for the gill-bearing singer on various online platforms. A recurring theme involves modifying the toy to play music from different sources. In 2021, a well-received TikTok video by user Kevin Heckart showcased a setup linking Billy Bass with Alexa, enabling
Big Mouth Billy Bass to perform Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass”
(get it?).
The product’s ability to become highly shareable content makes it a gadget that readily integrates into contemporary popular culture. Even individuals who weren’t around during its prime era still feel fondness towards this item.
One X user
opined
In February: “Make sure the whole world knows that if I don’t receive a Big Mouth Billy Bass for my birthday, I will throw the biggest tantrum of all time.”
crash out
.”
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