Internet Meme’s have always been an interesting phenomenon–seemingly random occurrences become huge Internet sensations spreading virally around the world. Below are the Top Internet Memes of 2009, complete with a little background, stats and where you can find the meme if you’ve just awoken from a coma.
Beyonce’s Single Ladies
Background: Singer Beyonce Knowles released a music video for her song, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It). [more on Wikipedia]
Meme credentials: In addition to an entire host of Internet videos, the song and choreography have also been used in an SNL sketch, on the TV show Glee, by US President Barack Obama, in a promotion for Trident Gum, and was the source of controversy that started the Kanye / Imma Let You Finish meme (see below).
You knew it was a meme when: a baby dancing to the song generated over 5 million hits on YouTube and became a meme in and of itself. [January 26, 2009]
Where to find it: Beyonce’s Single Ladies on YouTube.
David After Dentist
Background: A dad records how his kid reacts after having oral surgery. [more on Wikipedia]
Meme credentials: The original video was viewed over 3 million times within 3 days of posting and now has over 34 million views, plus countless spin-offs.
You knew it was meme when: DavidAfterDentist.com launched with merchandise featuring some of the phrases from the video. [February 4, 2009]
Where to find it: David After Dentist on YouTube.
Baidu Mythical Creatures
Background: The Baidu 10 Mythical Creatures started as a hoax on a Chinese Encyclopedia site as a way of protest against online censorship in China–each of the mythical creatures’ names sound very similar to Chinese curse words. [more on Wikipedia]
Meme credentials: The mythical creatures have been talked about all over the web, have inspired a number of YouTube videos, and have spawned similar posts such as “Baidu 10 Legendary Weapons” and “Baidu 10 Secret Delicacies.”
You knew it was a meme when: The Chinese State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television issued a directive seemingly in response to the Internet phenomenon [March 30, 2009].
Where to find it: The original post is no longer up, but you can find the whole Baidu 10 Mythical Creatures post on Wikipedia.
Susan Boyle
Background: Susan Boyle impressed judges and the audience with her singing of “I Dreamed a Dream” on the TV show, Britain’s Got Talent. [more on Wikipedia]
Meme credentials: Various videos of Susan singing the song have been viewed over 100 million times and she has since released her first album, I Dreamed A Dream
You knew it was a meme when: The TV show South Park made a reference to the singer. [April 22, 2009]
Where to find it: Susan Boyle signing “I Dreamed a Dream” on YouTube.
Keyboard Cat
Background: Cat owner, Charlie Schmidt, made a video of his cat, Fatso, “playing” the piano. [ more on Wikipedia]
Meme credentials: There have been over 4,000 “remakes” of the video and there is an entire site dedicated to them.
You knew it was a meme when: Stephen Colbert referenced it when segueing from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. [May 18, 2009]
Where to find it: The Official Blog of Keyboard Cat.
Three Wolf Moon
Background: Ironic reviews of a t-shirt on Amazon featuring three wolves howling at the moon drive more reviews and t-shirt sales. [more on Wikipedia]
Meme credentials: The seemingly simple shirt has over 1500 reviews and is the #6 most popular purchase in clothing on Amazon.
You knew it was a meme when: The BBC reported on how comments on the Amazon page of the site was improving sales [May 21, 2009].
Where to find it: The Mountain Men’s Three Wolf Moon Short Sleeve Tee
JK Wedding Dance
Background: The entire wedding party does a dance at the beginning of the wedding ceremony of Jill Peterson and Kevin Heinz. [more on Wikipedia]
Meme credentials: The video was viewed more than 3.5 million times in the first 48 hours and now has over 32 million views.
You knew it was a meme when: The couple was on The Today Show only 6 days after the video was posted. [July 26, 2009]
Where to find it: JK Wedding Dance website.
Kanye, Imma Let You Finish
Background: Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift during her acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV VMAs to protest her victory over Beyonce. [more on Wikipedia]
Meme credentials: Kanye’s interruption quickly lead to edited videos of him interrupting other people and images photoshopped with Kanye interrupting important historical events.
You knew it was a meme when: US President Obama called Kanye West a jackass. [September 14, 2009]
Where to find it: Kanye West, Imma Let You Finish on MTV.
Crasher Squirrel
Background: A squirrel popped-up right as a couple was taking their own picture in a national park. [more on Wikipedia]
Meme credentials: Not only has the original picture been viewed thousands of times, but the squirrel has been photoshopped into countless other pictures.
You knew it was a meme when: Banff National Park, the location where the photo was taken, set up Facebook and Twitter pages for the squirrel. [October 2009]
Where to find it: The original Crasher Squirrel picture is now on National Geographic.
Balloon Boy
Background: A family falsely claimed their son was stuck in a balloon that floated away. [more on Wikipedia]
Meme credentials: The news story quickly became the #1 search on Google and inspired a number of Balloon Boy images, videos and merchandise.
You knew it was a meme when: Saturday Night Live did a sketch referencing the Balloon Boy story. [October 19, 2009]
Where to find it: The Balloon Boy news story is all over the web.
Argleton
Background: Argleton is a settlement that only exists on Google Maps and Google Earth, but not in the real world. [more on Wikipedia]
Meme credentials: The term Argleton has generated more than 25,000 hits on Google and Argleton merchandise is now popping up as if Argleton was a real place.
You knew it was a meme when: The Argleton.com domain was registered and put up the message “What the hell are they talking about? We, the good citizens of Argleton do exist. ” [November 1, 2009]
Where to find it: Argleton on Google Maps.
Muppet Bohemian Rhapsody
Background: The Muppets released a music video covering the song “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. [more on Wikipedia]
Meme credentials: The video brought in over 7 million hits in the first week of release and seemed to pop-up everywhere.
You knew it was a meme when: Time Magazine, the Wall Street Journal and New York Times all covered the story. [November 30, 2009]
Where to find it: The Muppets’ Bohemian Rhapsody on YouTube.
SOURCES: Dipity, Know Your Meme, Mashable, Wikipedia, YouTube
Did I miss one of your favorites? Share it in the comments.
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