By Jake
Ever
since February 2, 2013, the internet has been figuratively exploding
with “Harlem Shake” parody videos like a dance-filled pinata
aggressively struck by famous steroid enthusiast Mark McGuire. After a
little more than a month of snowballing into a fucking glacier, we are
left wondering is this meme will ever die.
Albert
Leopold Boyce, who died in 2006, invented this dance phenomenon. He
drunkenly performed it during basketball tournaments in Rucker Park, New
York. Six years after Albert Boyce’s alcohol-related death, on May 22,
2012, Bauer released the song “Harlem Shake.” It has since become a
modern day “Gangnam Style.”
The
videos begin with one person dancing and then an omnipotent voice,
perhaps the voice of God or Satan, says “We do the Harlem Shake” and
suddenly a group of people suddenly have ridiculous outfits on and are
gyrating and flailing wildly.
“Harlem
Shake” has already set itself aside as the biggest meme of 2013. As
far as I am concerned its popularity is untouchable for the rest of the
calendar year. The song by Bauer has spent a couple weeks at the number
one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, thanks in part to Soundscan’s
recent implementation of Youtube view data in the charting of songs.
This makes “Harlem Shake” by Bauer the first modern hit.
Bauer
may be destined to be a one-hit wonder, but “Harlem Shake” is destined
to be a staple at every shitty wedding you attend for at least the next
five years, along with “Gangnam Style” and every song that commands you
to do some sort of “slide.” This is the legacy of Bauer and of Albert
Boyce.
As
we continue to ride the cresting wave of “Harlem Shake” like Frankie
Avalon in one of the classic “Beach Party” films, we should think back
to the dance crazes of our lifetime. From “Gangnam Style” to “The
Macarena.” Where were you the first time you did “The Tootsie Roll.”
How many times have you done “The Bartman”? Dance songs bring us
together. “Gangnam Style” ended the war in Iraq. Say what you will
about Psy or Bauer, but they are better human beings than you or I.
