If you
haven’t been living under a rock for the last couple of weeks, you’ll have
noticed there’s this weird song circulating what seems to be the entire earth
called, “Gangnam Style”. It’s this Korean song by a man labeled as “PSY”, which
is pretty much about this guy talking about his ideal girl (long story short).
Actually, I’m not quite sure how
this song got to be so popular. I’m that nerdy kid who stays in the back of
class chucking crayons at the back of people’s heads, silently laughing at how
long it takes for kids to notice who’s bombarding them with missiles from hell.
Naturally I didn’t know of this song until it started appearing…EVERYWHERE.
(Yeah, I was too busy chasing the pigeons. Let me tell you, they can be aggressive.)
Although, I do have a few theories as to why this song is so popular. Allow me
to share them with you J
1. It’s obnoxious. And of course, all obnoxious songs are catchy. Have you noticed that? You listen to a song, and immediately screech, “BY GOD WHAT IS THIS HORRIFIC MESS AND WHY IS THERE A BANSHEE SCREAMING THIS. IS NOT MUSIC. This is the work of the devil.” But later, you start hearing that song again…and it won’t go away. The only thing that can satiate you’re twisted brain’s appetite for badly made music is that one screechy song. And you end up getting hooked. How else would such terrible records make so much money? (Perhaps it’s a conspiracy plot. Oh my.)
1. It’s obnoxious. And of course, all obnoxious songs are catchy. Have you noticed that? You listen to a song, and immediately screech, “BY GOD WHAT IS THIS HORRIFIC MESS AND WHY IS THERE A BANSHEE SCREAMING THIS. IS NOT MUSIC. This is the work of the devil.” But later, you start hearing that song again…and it won’t go away. The only thing that can satiate you’re twisted brain’s appetite for badly made music is that one screechy song. And you end up getting hooked. How else would such terrible records make so much money? (Perhaps it’s a conspiracy plot. Oh my.)
2. There’s a
fat guy. DANCING. Maybe we just have crude senses of humor, but humans seem to
have a liking for flaccid rolls of fat jiggling in their face. I’m not sure why,
but I do know that PSY’s Gangnam Style definitely played this up and made a big
advantage out of this. In almost every scene of the music video, PSY can be seen
dancing ridiculously. It’s comical in every way.
3. It’s in a
different language. To most, Gangnam Style sounds like something a squirrel
would say if a squirrel could speak. The only part of the song that English
speakers understand is, “AAAAAAY, SEXY LADY!” which is definitely, definitely,
a big plus. Because who doesn’t love sexy ladies. If a person doesn’t
understand the song at all, all the better! It makes showering singing all the
more entertaining for those listening.
4. THE MUSIC
VIDEO. It’s so random! People love random! (And yes, there are sexy ladies.
Everywhere.) Most of the guys in here look ridiculous. Bowl haircuts, all
yellow suits, the works. Some memorable scenes could be PSY was in an elevator,
laying under a guy in a cowboy hat. And let me tell you, that cowboy dude, he
knows some moves. It makes you either want to face palm or laugh like a hyena
snorting pepper. And the sauna scene? Oh yeah. PSY can work that towel.
Clearly, Gangnam Style is a cultural internet phenomenon. As for how and why, well, we all have our own theories. And Korean or American, we can all appreciate a good wibbly-wobbely fat roll. J