What Do All These Songs Have In Common? | Rick Roll, Friday, Chocolate Rain, Gangam Style

In April 2007, an unsuspecting video game forum visitor fell victim to the infamous Rickroll, marking the beginning of a new era of meme songs. "Never Gonna Give You Up" emerges as a legendary internet prank, evolving into one of the most beloved songs on the internet. Early YouTube days see the rise of Tay Zonday's "Chocolate Rain," unintentionally transforming a serious message into a widespread meme. Rebecca Black's "Friday" becomes a 2011 sensation, uniting people in disdain for its catchy yet criticized lyrics. Psy's "Gangnam Style" dominates 2012, inspiring global flash mobs and leaving an enduring cultural impact. In 2013, Ylvis posed the question "What Does the Fox Say?" birthing a meme song phenomenon. Darude's "Sandstorm" becomes a Twitch chat trolling anthem, gaining both ironic and genuine popularity. "Shooting Stars" by Bag Raiders inundates 2016, spawning countless space-themed meme edits. Shrek's "All-Star" achieves meme stardom in the ironic era of 2016-2018, creating a legacy for the beloved song. "Megalovania" from Undertale became a viral hit in 2018, solidifying its place in meme culture. Toto's "Africa" stands out for its genuine internet appreciation amid the era of ironic memes.


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