The two hottest viral videos of the moment seem to be the girl who set herself on fire while twerking (watch it here) and today’s SOTD, ‘The Fox,’ by the Norwegian band Ylvis.
Tellingly, both are publicity stunts.
The twerking girl was revealed last week to be a gag planned by Jimmy Kimmel in collaboration with a stunt woman. He quietly uploaded it to YouTube a few weeks ago and waited to see if it would, ahem, catch fire.
More than 10 million views later (on the official clip alone, disregarding the dozens of variations that have hit the web since), I guess he made his point. I just hope it doesn’t spawn copycat clips.
Ylvis is basically the Norwegian version of Lonely Island. They have released several funny parody videos, but none that caught on like this one, which currently sits at 15 1/2 million views.
The genius of this song is that, ridiculous lyrics aside, it could sit comfortably alongside the top dance hits of the day. It’s a hit not just because it’s absurd but because it’s as good as anything else out there.
Cat goes meow
Bird goes tweet
and mouse goes squeak
Cow goes moo
Frog goes croak
and the elephant goes toot
Ducks say quack
and fish go blub
and the seal goes ow ow ow
But there’s one sound
That no one knows
What does the fox say?
Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
What the fox say?
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
What the fox say?
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
What the fox say?
Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Tchoff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
What the fox say?
Big blue eyes
Pointy nose
Chasing mice
and digging holes
Tiny paws
Up the hill
Suddenly you’re standing still
Your fur is red
So beautiful
Like an angel in disguise
But if you meet
a friendly horse
Will you communicate by
mo-o-o-o-orse?
mo-o-o-o-orse?
mo-o-o-o-orse?
How will you speak to that
ho-o-o-o-orse?
ho-o-o-o-orse?
ho-o-o-o-orse?
What does the fox say?
Jacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
What the fox say?
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
What the fox say?
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
What the fox say?
A-oo-oo-oo-ooo!
Woo-oo-oo-ooo!
What does the fox say?
The secret of the fox
Ancient mystery
Somewhere deep in the woods
I know you’re hiding
What is your sound?
Will we ever know?
Will always be a mystery
What do you say?
You’re my guardian angel
Hiding in the woods
What is your sound?
(Fox Sings)
Wa-wa-way-do Wub-wid-bid-dum-way-do Wa-wa-way-do
Will we ever know?
(Fox Sings)
Bay-budabud-dum-bam
I want to…
(Fox sings)
Mama-dum-day-do
I want to…
I want to know!
(Fox sings)
Abay-ba-da bum-bum bay-do
Meet Me In Montauk 
I had heard about this song, but hadn’t seen the video. Great stuff!
Fun video and great beat!
This song is brilliant… Norwegians are brilliant… This song is beautiful in many ways…
I agree. I could have this on continuous loop.
The only thing better than this song is this song performed by the band and Ellen! 🙂