Boats, Ninjas, and Normal Guys: Ingredients of the Best Musical Viral Videos

What do boats, ninjas, and normal guys have in common? Places in what I consider to be the three best musically-driven viral videos to grace the internet (to date). There are plenty of them running rampant all over YouTube, but these are the must-see viral videos, the ones you must check out if you haven't already done so.

"I'm on a Boat": Watch

This crafty production by Lonely Planet is my favorite for a few reasons. The basic premise of the video is absurd: Andy Sandberg somehow manages to win a boat ride for three. He sits in front of his two friends, chooses the first, and then decides to take T. Pain along for the ride. What are the chances? The rest of the song is literally just about being on this boat. I consider it basically a parody of many rappers, who use big flashy cars or similar vehicles as the premise of their music. I love sarcastic comedy with a ludicrous rendition. The song is incredibly catchy as well. Favorite line: "I got my swim trunks, and my flippy-floppies, I'm flipping burgers, you at Kinko's straight flipping copies." It's gone fairly mainstream at this point, and rightly so. I believe it will be a classic.

"Total Eclipse of the Heart-Literal Version": Watch

Just to begin, I had never seen the original video of this famous Bonnie Tyler song prior to watching this video. I will say that the music video in its original form is funny enough as it is, but when Persephone Maewyn and dascottjr (as per credits) fill in the vocals with not the original lyrics, but commentary on what is going on in the video, it gets much, much funnier. My personal favorite quote of the video is as follows: "Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl." I have a soft spot for ninjas. And ridiculousness. This one is an absolute must. Also check out the "Love is a Battlefield," and "Safety Dance" literal versions if you enjoyed this one.

"Everyday Normal Guy": Watch

Jon LaJoie is a true comedic genius. Whereas some of his other videos may be a bit funnier, I didn't deem them appropriate to house in such a venue. That being said, "Regular Everyday Normal Guy" is absolutely hysterical. It too is ridiculously catchy, and a spoof on modern-day rap music. Jon tells us about his mundane life. He explains that when he "goes to the club, he waits in line motherf***er." Though obviously not a PG rated video, it certainly gets many a laugh. It is also one we all can relate to: "If you rarely get laid put your hands up, if you're not well paid, put your hands up, if you got a pet cat put your hands up, and if you got a bad back put your hands up." My hand is up, Jon, my hand is up.

Obviously there are millions of viral videos out there, musical and otherwise. But you certainly have to check out these classics. You'll be quoting for weeks.