Crazy Frog, a super-annoying cellphone ringtone that everybody loves to hate, looks set to hit number one in the British singles chart this weekend.
Coldplay had hoped to go straight in at number one with their new single Speed of Sound, but music retailer HMV said German dance duo Bass Bumber’s take on Crazy Frog has been outselling it by four to one in its outlets.
“Music purists might not be too happy … but it shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise when you consider its huge novelty appeal,” said HMV spokesperson Gennaro Castaldo.
“Kids obviously find it cute and cool, but students and office workers seem to be drawn to its rather kitsch, ironic appeal.”
Crazy Frog was initially conceived by Daniel Malmedahl, a young Swede who was trying to mimic the sound of car engines electronically.
It assumed its helmeted amphibious personality when it was marketed in 2004 by the German group Jamba! as a ringtone download. Since its release, it has become a dubious hit among cellphone users all over Europe.
Bass Bumber’s version weds the so-called lyrics of Crazy Frog with Axel F, the theme from the 1980s Eddie Murphy movie Beverley Hills Cop, to create what the group has called “one of the best ‘hands up’ tunes ever made”.
For those who like to sing along, here are the lyrics of Crazy Frog, from the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia:
“Beh-ding ding ding ding dididing ding bing bing pscht
“Dorhrm bom bom bedom bem bom bedom bom bum ba ba bom bom
“Bouuuuum bom bom bedahm, Bom be barbedarm bedabedabedabeda
“Bbrrrrrimm bbrrrrramm bbbrrrrrrrrraammmmm ddddddraammm
“Bah bah baah baah ba wheeeeeee-eeeee-eeeee!” — AFP