Ylvis – β€œThe Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” Lyrics Meaning

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Written By Joanna Landrum

Joanna holds a BSc in English Literature and uses her expertise in literary analysis to uncover the deeper meaning of her favorite songs.

Let’s get straight to it. Ylvis’ β€œThe Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” is essentially a fun exploration of animal sounds, but with a quirky twist focusing on the mysterious noise a fox makes. It’s not particularly about anyone, but more about the general curiosity surrounding the sounds of animals. The Norwegian duo, Ylvis, crafted this song as a playful way to poke fun at the electronic music scene, never expecting it to be a hit. Little did they know, their comedic spin would capture the world’s attention.

Curious about the zany world Ylvis introduces with fox sounds? Stick around and discover what this catchy tune is really all about!


β€œThe Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” Lyrics Meaning

We start off simply: listing the familiar sounds of various animals. Dogs bark, cats meow, birds tweet – we’ve got that down. But Ylvis throws us a curveball with the fox. Instead of a familiar sound, we’re greeted with a chaotic chorus of electronic beats and nonsensical words. This wacky interruption breaks the song’s predictable pattern, and that’s where the fun really begins.

Those odd, captivating choruses – “Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!” and the like – are obviously not what foxes sound like. It’s the duo’s clever nod to the over-the-top and sometimes nonsensical nature of electronic music lyrics.

The lyrics also touch upon the fox’s beauty and its elusive nature with phrases like “big blue eyes” and “hiding in the woods.” It’s a fun play on the idea that while we might be familiar with a creature’s appearance, we may not know everything about them – like the sound they make.

The ending, with its mention of “ancient mystery” and “guardian angel,” adds a layer of mystique to the fox. It’s as if the fox’s sound is a riddle from nature, waiting to be solved. And Ylvis? They’re just having fun trying to figure it out, just like the rest of us.

In a nutshell, Ylvis doesn’t aim to provide a biology lesson, but rather a catchy tune with a whimsical focus on one of nature’s unsung creatures. Their playful approach, combined with a genuine sense of curiosity, makes this song both memorable and hilariously endearing.

The Story Behind β€œThe Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)”

When brothers BΓ₯rd and Vegard YlvisΓ₯ker, better known as Ylvis, created this track, they weren’t setting their sights on international stardom. The Norwegian duo primarily focused on comedy, often integrating music into their sketches for their talk show in Norway. β€œThe Fox” was, in essence, meant to be another one of those comedic interludes. It was a collaborative creation with the Norwegian production company Stargate. Together, they aimed to produce a song that sounded great but had intentionally silly and nonsensical lyrics. The inspiration? To make fun of the big anthemic tracks that were dominating the charts, with their catchy but often confusing lyrics. Hence, the song’s theme was crafted around a simple yet unanswered question: What sound does a fox make?

The duo never anticipated the song to become a viral sensation. In fact, they were slightly baffled when it did! It’s a testament to the unpredictable nature of the internet and how sometimes light-hearted, comical content can resonate with audiences worldwide.

Their state of mind? They were in a playful, experimental phase in their careers. With β€œThe Fox,” Ylvis not only entertained their local audience but also inadvertently posed a question that intrigued the world. The song’s success showcases the power of humor, curiosity, and a catchy melody, proving that sometimes, the most unexpected projects can become the most memorable.