It’s hard to imagine a world without YouTube, as the video sharing service has entirely changed how we take in content on these wide interwebs. That’s why the service’s year-end retrospective covering the most popular videos of 2011 is so fascinating, as it features many of the vital videos that came to define this year. And that’s both a good and bad thing.
Topping the list of most watched videos of 2011 was, of course, Rebecca Black. The child-singer wowed the world not so much with her talents, but with the sheer cheesiness of the entire production. And yet somehow, it struck a chord with the world — we’ve been breathlessly following her career ever since, and even developed this handy tool to make your own hit day-based single.
Following Ms. Black was a talking-dog, some pirate stuff, the da-da-da-da-da babies, our beloved Nyan cat, a song by Massachusetts musicians Karmin, the “Do the Creep” video from SNL, a “Born This Way” cover by a super-talented kid, the baby Vader car ad, and a mom cat hugging her kitten.
Perhaps somewhat more elucidating about the times we live in were the most searched videos. While these didn’t take top honors for popularity, the month by month breakdown does give some feeling of what was catching people’s interests. These were the things that were sought out by the public, and generally touched on the news of the moment. These included footage from the Japanese Tsunami, President Barack Obama announcing the killing of Osama Bin Laden, Skyrim, and a bunch of music videos.
You can see all the lists, and browse the defining moments of YouTube month by month over at YouTube Rewind. What can we look forward to in 2012? My guess is cats and catchy songs. See you in the future!
(YouTube Rewind via Gizmodo)
- Rebecca Black’s single gets used in an ad, what is happening?
- International Nyan Cats
- How come nose flutes didn’t make the list? C’mon, people: NOSE FLUTES!
