2013: Top Five Viral YouTube Videos

Twenty years ago, experts could look at TV ratings, box office results and book sales to determine which entertainment had people talking the most. Not anymore. Viral videos have joined the conversation as the newest measure of popularity. If it seems like you’ve watched more online videos in 2013 than any other year, you’re probably right. Internet users have watched an average of 186 videos each month this year! From big-name producers to average Joes, the people are taking over the Internet with video sharing sites like YouTube. Last year “Gangnam Style” by Psy became the most watched YouTube video of all time and to date has collected over 1.8 billion views. Talk about a trend setter! But that’s so 2012. This Throwback Thursday, let’s flip the page and review the top 5 viral videos of 2013.

“The Fox (What does the fox say?)”

With over 289 million YouTube views since its debut in September, “The Fox” became one of the most talked about music videos of the year. Ylvis, a comedy duo from Norway, created the song as an “anti-hit” for their talk show, and it accidentally became their breakout production. More impressively, “The Fox” made electronic dance music enjoyable for the rest of us.

 “The NFL: A Bad Lip Reading”

Bad Lip Reading, a YouTube channel run by an anonymous user, has produced a collection of viral videos for over a few years now. With the help of incredible video editing and voice-overs, it has spoofed music videos, TV shows and politicians. All their videos are worth watching, but “The NFL” version, which was released in January, might be the cream of the crop.

“Harlem Shake”

Was there anyone that didn’t participate in the “Harlem Shake” in 2013? The dance originated in 1981, but it wasn’t until February that people took the Harlem Shake into their own hands. Videos started pouring in from universities, NBA teams, subways, offices, classrooms, fire stations and even below the water. Take a look at what the Norwegian Army did that collected over 96 million views this year.

 “Goats Yelling like Humans”

I’ll admit I didn’t know this was possible until a series of “Goats Yelling like Humans” videos went viral in February. Why do goats yell? Experts say it’s a call for their mothers/children or possibly related to begging for food. If you watch closely, you’ll notice that goats aren’t the only animal that screams like humans–sheep are featured as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpccpglnNf0

“Gentleman”

No viral video list would be complete without the number one most viewed video of the year. Believe it or not, Psy did it again. His music video “Gentleman,” which debuted in April, blows everything else away with over 600 million views. It collected a variety of YouTube records, including the most views in its first 24 hours and fastest music video to reach 100 million views.

Cover Photo Source: Yuriy Vlasenko

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://wpmaster.sjadv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Our-Space-Matt.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Matt is a Junior Executive at SJG. He graduated from DePauw University with a BA in communications. He hopes to one day become knowledgeable in enough areas to compete in a TV trivia game show with huge cash prizes. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, writing, comedy, photography, and asserting alpha male behavior on the basketball court.[/author_info] [/author]