By ANNIE WORSFOLD
Every couple of months, it seems there is one YouTube video that nobody can stop talking about. The viral masterpiece is shared on every social networking website, is conversed about amongst every group of friends, and usually has a fantastically hilarious and catchy musical number that can’t seem to leave the brain. This year, we’re introduced to “The Fox.”
The video, which was released September 3, was originally created by Norwegian comedy TV hosts Ylvis to gain more publicity, and therefore promote their show. Needless to say, they’ve achieved the desired results. According to BBC Newsbeat, the video has over 32 million views, and has been shared over 71,000 times through various social networking websites. The song has appeared in the top 100 iTunes charts of at least 18 countries around the world. It has peaked at number one in Norway, number six in Finland, and nine in Estonia.
The video’s success is being compared to that of Psy’s “Gangnam Style,” which earned a Guinness World Record for being the most ‘liked’ song ever.
Why is this video so popular? A Homer teen gives some insight on that question.
Logan Reveil, a Senior at Homer High, saw the video after having it recommended to him by a friend. “I liked it,” he responded, “It was really funny.” When asked about the meaning of the video he goes in depth as to what it might mean. “The video could be a reflection of societal rejection due to misunderstandings of a certain group of people. We don’t know what the fox says, so it’s like we don’t understand it. But at the end… the fox does talk. And he sounds just like a human.” Does “The Fox” appeal to certain groups of people more or less? “I think it definitely attracts more young people,” Logan says.
Whether the video has some deep hidden meaning or is just a couple of guys dancing around in fox costumes may never be fully disclosed, but however it is interpreted, the evidence that this video is fairly thoroughly enjoyed is undeniable. This is one for the history books.