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#REDIRECT [[Axel F#Crazy Frog version]] {{r to section}}
{{Single infobox |
Name = Axel F |
Cover = Crazy frog-axel f s.jpeg |
Artist = [[Crazy Frog]] |
from Album = [[Crazy Frog Presents Crazy Hits]] |
Released = [[May 17]] [[2005]] |
Format = [[Compact Disc|CD]] |
Recorded = [[1997]] (vocals), [[2005]] (song) |
Genre = [[Dance music|Dance]] |
Length = 2 [[minute|min]] 48 [[second|s]]/2 [[minute|min]] 54 [[second|s]] |
Label = [[Ministry of Sound]] |
Writer = Faltermeyer |
Producer(s) = Bass Bumpers
Chart position = <ul><li>#1 <small>([[United Kingdom|UK]])</small></li><li>#1 <small>([[Europe]])</small></li><li>#50 <small>([[United States|US]])</small></li></ul> |
Reviews = |
Last single = |
This single = "'''Axel F'''"<br/>(2005) |
Next single = "[[Popcorn (Crazy Frog song)|Popcorn]]"<br/>(2005) |
}}
"'''Axel F'''" is the debut and most internationally successful single by '''[[Crazy Frog]]''', released in [[2005]]. It is a [[remix]] of [[Harold Faltermeyer]]'s 1984 composition "[[Axel F]]", produced by Henning Reith and Reinhard "DJ Voodoo" Raith, two members of the [[Germany|German]] [[electronic music|dance]] production team [[Bass Bumpers]]. "Axel F" was originally a 1984 hit for Harold Faltermeyer, and was the theme from a film of the same year, ''Beverly Hills Cop''. [[Axel Foley]], whom the song is named after, was the main character [[Eddie Murphy]] played in the movie. [[Jamba!|Jamster!]] arranged the remix, and later marketed it as a [[ringtone]].
The remix consists of vocals taken from the Crazy Frog recording by [[Daniel Malmedahl]] in 1997. It uses mainly the same part of the two-minute original that was used in Jamster's ringtone release. The song also uses the "What's going on?" vocal shotguns from another 2003 remix of Axel F, by [[Murphy Brown (artist)|Murphy Brown]] and [[Captain Hollywood]] (dubbed "Axel F 2003" and sometimes "Axel F 2004").
Released across Europe in [[May 2005]], "Axel F" went straight to number one in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], with some of the best weekly sales of the year so far (out-selling rivals such as [[Coldplay]] by four copies to one), and remained on top of the UK charts for four weeks. In other European countries the popularity has differed, with the remix failing to make the top twenty in [[Switzerland]] at first, before gradually climbing to #1, whilst only making #18 in [[Russia]]. It also reached #1 in the overall European chart, after initially being number two to [[Akon]]'s "Lonely" for several weeks, and stayed there until September. It also reached #1 in [[Australia]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], [[Belgium]], [[Denmark]], [[France]], [[New Zealand]], [[Norway]], [[Ukraine]], [[Spain]], and [[Sweden]]. Despite the Crazy Frog not being hugely well-known in [[Japan]], the single release also charted there, peaking at #46. It has apparently failed to catch on in the U.S., peaking at #50.
== Music video ==
The Ministry of Sound hired [[Kaktus Film]] and [[Erik Wernquist]] of [[TurboForce3D]], the original creator of the 3D Crazy Frog, to produce a full-length animated music video to accompany the release of the song. The video features the Crazy Frog character, is set in the future, and centers on his pursuit by a bounty hunter. The bounty hunter receives notification of a $50,000 reward for capturing the frog, who is only identified as "The most annoying thing in the world", a reference to Wernquist's original name for the character.
{{spoiler}}
The bounty hunter sports fierce looking body armour and mounts an armoured hover cycle in the video, then proceeds to track the Crazy Frog as it commutes around the City on his imaginary [[motorcycle]]. As the bounty hunter closes in on his prey, the Crazy Frog becomes aware of his pursuer and an unlikely chase begins over [[skyscraper]]s and through the city's sewer system, before the bounty hunter launches a [[guided missile]] at the character.
However, the character is able to mount the missile as it approaches him, evidently confusing its [[guidance system]], as it then begins to loop and glide uncontrollably. The missile eventually locks onto the bounty hunter's van, destroying it and creating a large [[mushroom cloud]]. The frog manages to escape the blast, covered in dust from the debris and appearing to deliver the closing '[[lyrics]]'.
== Trivia ==
*Some music video channels, to unintentionally humorous effect, censored the Crazy Frog's genitalia in the music video. Some had also already done this on the ringtone advertisement.
*In February and March 2006, the [[Canada|Canadian]] animation television channel [[Teletoon]] aired the music video during times between programming, with the genitalia and the explosion edited out.
*[[Cartoon Network]] aired the music video between programs (roughly 2:58 P.M EST) in February, March, and June 2006, with the [[genitalia]] and the explosion edited out.
==Single track listing==
===Australia CD===
# Axel F (Radio Edit) [02:54]
# Axel F (Club Mix) [6:23]
# Axel F (Club Mix Instrumental) [6:23]
# In The 80's [03:29]
===UK CD1===
#Axel F (Radio Mix)
#Axel F (Bounce Mix)
#Axel F (Bounce Mix Instrumental)
#Axel F (Reservoir Frogs Mix)
#Axel F (Video)
===UK CD2===
#Axel F (Radio Mix)
#Axel F (Video)
== Chart positions ==
=== World/Continental ===
*[[Europe]]: #1
*[[Australia]]: #1
*[[Belgium]]: #1
*[[Denmark]]: #1
*[[France]]: #1
*[[New Zealand]]: #1
*[[Norway]]: #1
*[[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]: #1
*[[Spain]]: #1
*[[Sweden]]: #1
*[[Switzerland]]: #1
*[[Ukraine]]: #1
*[[United Kingdom]]: #1
*[[Canada]]: #2
*[[Austria]]: #2
*[[Finland]]: #2
*[[Czech Republic]]: #2
*[[Poland]]: #2
*[[Lithuania]]: #2
*[[Germany]]: #3
*[[Netherlands]]: #3
*[[Italy]]: #3
*[[Portugal]]: #4
*[[World]]: #6
*[[Slovenia]]: #8
*[[Israel]]: #9
*[[Hong Kong]]: #11
*[[Russia]]: #18
*[[Argentina]]: #40
*[[Brazil]]: #40
*[[Japan]]: #46
*[[United States]]: #50
{{start box}}
{{succession box
| before = "[[Lonely (Akon song)|Lonely]]" by [[Akon]]
| title = [[Australian Record Industry Association|ARIA (Australia)]] number one single
| years = [[July 24]] [[2005]]–[[August 7]] [[2005]]
| after = "[[Lonely (Akon song)|Lonely]]" by [[Akon]]
}}
{{succession box
| before = "[[Lonely (Akon song)|Lonely]]"<br/>by [[Akon]]
| title = [[RIANZ|RIANZ (New Zealand)]]<br/>number one single
| years = [[18 July]] [[2005]] – [[August 22]] [[2005]]
| after = "[[Don't Cha]]"<br/>by [[Pussycat Dolls]] featuring [[Busta Rhymes]]
}}
{{succession box
| before = "[[Don't Cha]]"<br/>by [[Pussycat Dolls]] featuring [[Busta Rhymes]]
| title = [[RIANZ|RIANZ (New Zealand)]]<br/>number one single
| years = [[August 29]] [[2005]] – [[October 10]] [[2005]]
| after = "[[Pon De Replay]]"<br/>by [[Rihanna]]
}}
{{succession box
| before = "[[Lyla (Oasis song)|Lyla]]" by [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]]
| title = [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] number one single
| years = [[June 4]] [[2005]]–[[July 1]] [[2005]]
| after = "[[Ghetto Gospel]]" by [[2pac]] featuring [[Elton John]]
}}
{{end box}}
== External links ==
* [http://www.agrreviews.com/crazyfrog/index2.htm Video clip in Flash format (Uncensored)]
* [http://www.crazyfrogonline.com The official Crazy Frog Axel F website]
* [http://www.axelfrog.com Single website]
* [http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/gut/crazy_frog.htm Press release, including sound clips]
[[Category:2005 singles]]
[[Category:Jamster ringtones]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Ireland]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Australia]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Novelty songs]]
[[Category:Beverly Hills Cop music]]
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