Ylvis and the 'Weird' world of novelty songs

• by Melissa Bobbitt
• Nov 2, 2013

With Norwegian pranksters Ylvis foxing up pop culture with its absurd EDM query, "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)," we thought it would be a perfect time to revisit notable novelty songs of yesteryear. Prepare to laugh and groan.

David Seville - "Witch Doctor"

Considered Patient Zero for infecting radio audiences with a case of the chuckles, "Witch Doctor" employed sped-up vocals to get that chipmunk quality. We can thank (or revile) Seville aka Ross Bagdasarian Sr. for the eventual existence of three punk-ass woodland creatures who get Chipwrecked and ruin songs by Beyonce, among far too many others.

Sheb Wooley - "Purple People Eater"

More pop-culture referential than an Eminem rap, this former Hollywood cowboy's sole hit sicced a monstrosity upon poor, unsuspecting purple people. Along the way, the creature shouts out Little Richard, as well as other novelty songs "Short Shorts" by the Royal Teens and "Tequila" by the Champs.

Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots - "Disco Duck"

The genre of disco was pretty laughable on its own. ("Macho Man"? "Car Wash"?) But DJ Rick Dees, who would later rule the airwaves as the voice of the weekly top 40, became the class clown with this fowl number in 1976.

"Weird Al" Yankovic - "Fat"

Surely this large-and-in-charge anthem wouldn't fly today, but Weird Al stuffed enough humor into this parody of Michael Jackson's "Bad" to last a lifetime. Scarf down a Ding Dong and enjoy.

Aqua - "Barbie Girl"

One of the most potent feminist criticisms of the beloved child's doll... oh, who are we kidding? This omnipresent pop song by Aqua was as plastic as its subject. Darn if it wasn't catchy, though.

Flight of the Conchords - "Business Time"

Kiwis certainly have a way with the ladies-- the way out the door, most likely. TV comedy duo Flight of the Conchords emulate Barry White in this silly sexy number. But the songwriters shouldn't be cast aside as complete buffoons; Bret McKenzie won an Oscar in recent years for his way around a stanza.

The Lonely Island - "I'm on a Boat"

Former "SNL" cast member Andy Samberg practically invented the viral video with his goofball posse, the Lonely Island. Any one of their skewed hip-hop creations could have made this list, but "I'm on a Boat" triumphs with that ridiculous T-Pain cameo. Don't you ever forget!