Crazy Frog: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Swedish CGI-animated character}}

[[Image:PublicTransport_CrazyFrog.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The Crazy Frog on a Sydney appearance]]'''Crazy Frog''' is a character used in the marketing of a [[ring tone]] based on '''The Annoying Thing''', a [[computer animation]] created by [[Erik Wernquist]]. Marketed by the ringtone provider [[Jamba!]] (known as Jamster! in English-speaking markets and China), the animation was originally created to accompany a sound effect produced by [[Daniel Malmedahl]] while attempting to imitate the sound of a [[two-stroke]] [[moped]] [[engine]]. It is sometimes referred to (especially in the "Axel F" video) as "The Most Annoying Thing in the World" or as "The Annoying Thing".

{{pp|small=yes}}

The Crazy Frog spawned a worldwide hit single with a remix of "[[Axel F (Crazy Frog song)|Axel F]]", which reached the number one spot in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]] and most of [[Europe]]. The subsequent album ''[[Crazy Frog Presents Crazy Hits]]'' and second single "[[Popcorn (Crazy Frog song)|Popcorn]]" also enjoyed worldwide chart success, and the release of a second album entitled ''[[Crazy Frog Presents More Crazy Hits]]'' was announced in 2006<!-- removing time-sensitive references, but is 2006 right? I'm guessing-->. The Crazy Frog has also spawned a range of merchandise and toys, and a video game, all of which were very popular for Christmas 2005. Negotiations are also underway for a [[television program|TV series]] based on the character.[http://www.c21media.net/resources/detail.asp?area=79&article=27019]

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Crazy Frog

| image = Person in CrazyFrog costume (from cropped PublicTransport CrazyFrog).jpg

| caption = Crazy Frog at its Australian tour in 2005

| landscape = n

| alias = The Annoying Thing

| origin = [[Gothenburg]], Sweden

| genre = [[Eurodance]]

| years_active = {{flatlist|

* 2003–2009

* 2020–present

}}

| label = {{hlist|[[Ministry of Sound]]|Mach 1 Records GmbH|[[Universal Music Group|Universal]]|[[Warner Music Group|Warner]]}}

| associated_acts =

| website = {{official URL}}

}}

'''Crazy Frog''' (originally known as '''The Annoying Thing''') is a Swedish CGI-animated character and [[Eurodance]] musician created in 2003 by actor and playwright Erik Wernquist. Marketed by the [[ringtone]] provider [[Jamba!]], the character was originally created to accompany a sound effect produced by Daniel Malmedahl while attempting to imitate the sound of a [[two-stroke engine]].

==Description==

[[Image:crazyfrog_live.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A live performance of "[[Popcorn (Crazy Frog song)|Popcorn]]" on [[Top of the Pops]]]]

The title character in Crazy Frog is an [[anthropomorphic]] [[amphibian]] that is quite [[frog]]-like in appearance. The character wears only a white [[motorcycle]] [[helmet]] with the chinstrap unfastened, a [[leather jacket]], and [[goggles]]. His toes are webbed, and the [[iris (anatomy)|iris]] of the left [[eye]] is significantly larger than that of the right. An upper right front [[tooth]] is missing. Also present is a set of ambiguous but controversial [[genitalia]].

The Crazy Frog spawned a worldwide hit single with a cover version of the ''[[Beverly Hills Cop]]'' theme tune "[[Axel F]]", which reached the number one spot in Turkey, New Zealand, Australia and most of Europe. The subsequent album ''[[Crazy Hits|Crazy Frog Presents Crazy Hits]]'' and second single "[[Popcorn (instrumental)#Crazy Frog version|Popcorn]]" also enjoyed worldwide chart success, and a second album entitled ''[[Crazy Frog Presents More Crazy Hits]]'' was released in 2006, as well as a third album, ''[[Everybody Dance Now (album)|Everybody Dance Now]]'', released in 2009. The Crazy Frog also spawned many singles, a range of merchandise and toys, as well as two video games before going on hiatus in 2009.

In the original animation, the character imitates the hand movements required to [[rotate]] the twistgrip controls of a [[motorcycle]] while making the sound of an [[engine]] [[ignition]]. As the imaginary [[engine]] starts, the character begins to [[levitate]] as [[exhaust]] fumes are discharged from his body. The character then disappears into the distance at high speed.

On 22 April 2020, a Twitter account for the character was created, and the account is listed on the official website,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Crazy Frog|url=https://crazyfrog.tv/|access-date=2 July 2020|website=Crazyfrog.tv|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704025621/https://crazyfrog.tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> Facebook profile<ref>{{Cite web|title=CRAZY FROG|url=https://www.facebook.com/thecrazyfrogofficial/photos/a.1786206268084114/3034684236569638/?type=3 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/1707748259263249/3034684236569638 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=limited|access-date=2 July 2020|website=Facebook.com|language=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and YouTube channel.<ref>{{Cite web|title=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/post/UgwByGJPWXqZM4whuj94AaABCQ|access-date=2 July 2020|website=youtube.com|archive-date=1 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901023457/https://www.youtube.com/post/UgwByGJPWXqZM4whuj94AaABCQ|url-status=live}}</ref> A new album was announced later that same day. On 10 December 2021, a new single, "Tricky", was released after a 12-year hiatus.<ref name="nme.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/crazy-frog-makes-its-return-with-run-dmc-mashup-tricky-3115272|title=Crazy Frog makes its return with Run-DMC mashup 'Tricky'|website=Nme.com|date=10 December 2021|access-date=12 December 2021|archive-date=11 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211010813/https://www.nme.com/news/music/crazy-frog-makes-its-return-with-run-dmc-mashup-tricky-3115272|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==

In [[1997]], 17-year-old [[Sweden|Swede]] [[Daniel Malmedahl]] recorded himself impersonating the sounds produced by [[internal combustion]] engines. He posted this on a website and caught the attention of a Swedish [[television]] researcher, who convinced Daniel to perform the sound live on air.

After Daniel's television debut, recordings of his performance began appearing on [[peer to peer]] file sharing networks and various websites under the filename "2TAKTARE.[[MP3]]" ("Tvåtaktare"

is [[Swedish language|Swedish]] for "[[two-stroke cycle|Two stroker]]").

== History ==

[[image:Crazy_Frog_Insanity_Test.png|right|thumb|The original insanity test animation]]

In 1997, 17-year-old [[Gothenburg]] student Daniel Malmedahl recorded himself imitating the noises produced by a two-stroke engine. He posted this on a website and caught the attention of a Swedish television researcher, who convinced Daniel to perform the sound live on air.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4210407.stm |title='The Crazy Frog sound? That's my fault.' |publisher=BBC |date=27 January 2005 |access-date=27 July 2010 |first=Giles |last=Wilson |archive-date=23 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923074844/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4210407.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> After it debuted on television, recordings of his performance began appearing on file sharing networks and various websites under the filename "2TAKTARE.MP3" ("''Tvåtaktare''" is Swedish for "two-stroker").<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.siddan.net/en/?id=190:insanity-test-en-gb | title=Insanity Test | access-date=7 June 2022 | archive-date=2 June 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602170529/http://www.siddan.net/en/?id=190:insanity-test-en-gb | url-status=live }}</ref>

The sound effect was quickly included in other [[Flash animation]]s that spread [[Viral marketing|virally]] among Internet users becoming an [[Internet meme]]. The most notable example was the [http://www.goyk.com/flash.asp?path=160| Insanity Test], which required test subjects to keep a straight face while staring at a still photograph of [[Rubens Barrichello]] in a Ferrari [[Formula 1]] car as the sound effect was played.

The sound was adopted as the sound of a [[Formula One]] car as early as 2001 in the form of "Deng Deng Form" and later "The Insanity Test", both of which were a static background of a Ferrari Formula One car accompanied by the sound.<ref>[http://www.bloggerheads.com/archives/2005/01/the_evolution_o/ The Evolution of Crazy Frog – from Deng Deng to Ringtone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150309151341/http://www.bloggerheads.com/archives/2005/01/the_evolution_o/ |date=9 March 2015 }}. Bloggerheads.com (16 January 2005). Retrieved on 6 July 2011.</ref>

In late-2000, Malmedahl's fellow Swede [[Erik Wernquist]] encountered the sound effect and was inspired to create the [[3D animation]] "'''The Annoying Thing'''" to accompany it. Erik used the [[LightWave]]

[[3D computer graphics#Modeling|3D modelling]] application to produce the animation and posted it on his website. The animation was a popular attraction at Erik's website, but the sound was credited to "Anonymous". Eventually, word reached Daniel that his impressions had been used in a now well-known animation. He contacted Erik, apparently giving an impromptu performance to confirm his claims. Erik was convinced, and gave due credit to Daniel for his creation. It was broadcast for the first time on two Belgian commercials for [[Jamba!|Ringtone Europe]] and Jamster België (now both merged into Jamba!) in mid-2001.

In late 2003, another Swede, Erik Wernquist, encountered the sound effect and, not knowing about the previous incarnations of the sound, was inspired to create the 3D animated character he named "The Annoying Thing" to accompany it.<ref name="hitquarters.com" /> Wernquist worked on the first animation in his spare time using the [[LightWave]] [[3D computer graphics#Modeling|3D modeling]] application, and the whole process took between six and eight weeks.<ref name="hitquarters.com" /> On 7 October 2003 he posted it on his website and on the CGTalk forum.<ref name="hitquarters.com" />

==Ringtone==

The animation was a popular attraction at Wernquist's website, but the sound was credited to "Anonymous". Eventually, word reached Malmedahl that his impressions had been used in a now well-known animation studio. He contacted Wernquist, apparently giving an impromptu performance to confirm his claims. Wernquist was convinced, and gave credit to Malmedahl for his creation.

In 2004, the [[Germany]] based [[Jamba!]] group (ultimately owned by [[VeriSign]]) licensed the animation and sound for distribution as a [[mobile phone]] [[ringtone]]. Jamba! (trading under names such as ''Jamster!'', ''RingtoneKing'', and others) accompanied the release of the ringtone with a barrage of advertising. It soon became the most recognisable commercially available ringtone in the [[United Kingdom]].{{citation needed}}

Jamba! has earned an estimated £14 million from the ringtone [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-1512482_1,00.html], making it the most commercially successful ringtone of all time. Jamba! has also produced other successful animated creature ringtones, including [[Sweety the Chick]] and [[Nessie the Dragon]], and produced other ringtones featuring the Crazy Frog including Crazy DJ Frog. There is also a series of Crazy Frog World Tour tones featuring the Frog performing his usual vocalisations against backgrounds of various countries' musical styles. These include the [[sitar]]-based "Crazy Frog [[India]]", [[reggae]]-flavoured "Crazy Frog [[Jamaica]]" and [[Jimmy Barnes]]-esque "Crazy Frog [[Australia]]n Rock". Jamba! also have available "The Crazy Frog is Puking", "Crazy Frog and Its Girlfriend", in which he is apparently [[making out]], and "The Crazy Frog is [[Fuck]]ing" [sic], in which gasping and smacking skin can be heard.

The animation received attention through filesharing and word of mouth. [[Jamba!|Ringtone Europe]] and Jamster België (now both merged into Jamba!) licensed the rights to the creation in an attempt to capitalize on its popularity. They renamed it "Crazy Frog" and began to market it in mid-2004.

The Crazy Frog phenomenon is continuing to make inroads in the US. Potential Crazy Frog enthusiasts have begun participating in a community based ringtones project at [http://www.communityringtones.com Community Ringtones (www.communityringtones.com)] where all participants are invited to submit their sounds

In an interview with [[HitQuarters]], Wernquist expressed his displeasure at the choice of name:

{{blockquote|If I had known that this was going to be such a big thing I would not have allowed them to use that stupid name. It has nothing to do with the character. It's not a frog and it's not particularly crazy either.<ref name="hitquarters.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_CrazyFrog.html |title='The Crazy Frog sound? That's my fault.' |publisher=BBC |date=27 January 2005 |access-date=1 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217105311/http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview%2Fopar%2Fintrview_CrazyFrog.html |archive-date=17 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}

Following 2009, the character went on hiatus. In 2018, a trademark claim by Kaktus Films, the original owners alongside Erik Wernquist, had music listed as one of many rights.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4805:251xqz.2.1 |title=TESS -- Error |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232506/http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4805:251xqz.2.1 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 22 April 2020, an official [[Twitter]] account for the character was created, and later that day it was announced that a new album was in development.

===Lyrics===

In April 2022, the [[Government of Ukraine]] uploaded a video on Facebook of Russian tanks being hit by Ukrainian strikes during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] with the Crazy Frog's cover of "Axel F" playing in the background.<ref name="Epstein 2022">{{cite web | last=Epstein | first=Jake | title=Ukraine's government is using bizarre soundtracks for videos of its troops destroying Russian tanks and vehicles | website=Business Insider | date=29 April 2022 | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-weird-music-videos-troops-destroying-russian-tanks-vehicles-war-2022-4 | access-date=31 August 2022 | archive-date=31 August 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831182512/https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-weird-music-videos-troops-destroying-russian-tanks-vehicles-war-2022-4 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Gault 2022">{{cite web | last=Gault | first=Matthew | title=Ukrainian Military Video Shows Russian Tank Being Blown Up to Crazy Frog Song | website=Vice | date=29 April 2022 | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/ukrainian-military-video-shows-russian-tanks-being-blown-up-to-crazy-frog-song/ | access-date=29 April 2022 | archive-date=29 April 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429192127/https://www.vice.com/en/article/bvne44/ukrainian-military-video-shows-russian-tanks-being-blown-up-to-crazy-frog-song | url-status=live }}</ref>

A ding ding ding ding dididing ding bing bing pscht,<br />

Dorhrm bom bom bedom bem bom bedom bom bum ba ba bom bom,<br />

Bouuuuum bom bom bedahm, Bom be barbedarm bedabedabedabeda<br />

Bbrrrrrimm bbrrrrramm bbbrrrrrrrrraammmmm ddddddraammm,<br />

Bah bah baah baah ba wheeeeeee-eeeee-eeeee!<br />

==Controversy Other media ==

On 1 July 2005, UK-based [[Video game publisher|publishers]] [[Digital Jesters]] announced that they had acquired the rights to the video game licence for the Crazy Frog. ''[[Crazy Frog Racer]] (featuring the Annoying Thing)'' was released in December 2005 on [[PlayStation 2]] and PC as a [[racing game]]. A year later in 2006 a sequel was released, entitled ''[[Crazy Frog Racer 2]]''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131203022935/http://www.blisteredthumbs.net/2011/01/gycw-crazy_frog_racer_2/ Crazy Frog Racer 2 video game Review by British Gaming Television Presenter Wesley Lock]. Blisteredthumbs.net. Retrieved on 6 July 2011.</ref>

'''Broadcast Belgium Compacts S.A.''' got to be the pioneer of the adverts of the Crazy Frog and Jamba! (then called Ringtone Europe) was giving away Crazy Frog adverts. And the Frog was broadcast for the first time on two Belgian commercials from Ringtone Europe and Jamster België in mid-2001.

A string of Crazy Frog merchandise was released in the UK.<ref>[https://archive.today/20110303213646/http://crazyfrog.co.uk/ Crazy Frog – Ringtones, Music, Posters, Games, T-Shirts and more!]. Crazyfrog.co.uk. Retrieved on 6 July 2011.</ref>

By 2004, the adverts moved all over the world. But there was a problem: In [[February 2005]], viewers submitted a number of complaints to the [[United Kingdom]]'s [[Advertising Standards Authority]] regarding [[Jamba!]]'s advertising campaign, complaining that Crazy Frog appeared to have [[genitalia]]. Some parents complained that this made inappropriate viewing for children, claiming that the commercial had prompted embarrassing questions. There were also complaints regarding the frequency with which the advertisement appeared on television, reportedly up to twice an hour across most of the day [http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment.cfm?id=551242005], with some channels showing it more than once per commercial break.

In 2005, the German production company The League of Good People was in talks with broadcasters about a TV series based on Crazy Frog.<ref>{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104192225/http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=79&article=27019 |url=http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=79&article=27019 |archive-date=4 January 2011 |title=Crazy Frog hops on to small screen |publisher=C21 Media |date=17 October 2005 |access-date=27 February 2015 |first=Jules |last=Grant}}</ref> The TV series was cancelled.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

The ASA did not uphold the complaints, pointing out that the advert was already classified as inappropriate for airing during children's television programmes as it contained a [[premium rate telephone number]], and furthermore added that it was the broadcasters' decision as to how often an advertisement should be shown. However, Jamba! voluntarily [[censored]] the character's genital area in later broadcasts of its advertisements. The [http://www.asa.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/ECE03B9D-119D-4150-8F22-48ADADD9AC09/0/ASA_Broadcast_Rulings_2Feb05.pdf full adjudication (PDF)] is available online. Similar action occurred in Australia, with similar results. [http://www.advertisingstandardsbureau.com.au/PDF/05_18.pdf complaints dismissed (PDF)]

The Crazy Frog toured Australia in late 2005, beginning in Perth on 4 December and continuing through other major capital cities. He made appearances at numerous shopping centres and major hospitals around the country.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cashmere |first=Paul |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825004918/http://www.undercover.com.au/news/2005/dec05/20051202_crazyfrog.html |url=http://www.undercover.com.au/news/2005/dec05/20051202_crazyfrog.html |archive-date=25 August 2007 |title=Crazy Frog Tour Dates |website=Undercover.com.au |access-date=27 February 2015}}</ref>

In [[April 2005]], television viewers complained about misleading advertisements produced by Jamba!, trading as [[Jamster!]] and RingtoneKing. Viewers felt that it was not made sufficiently clear that they were subscribing to a service, rather than paying a one-time fee for their ringtone. The complaints were upheld; the [http://www.asa.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/8311D4FA-1657-4440-AA83-6285F6CFED19/0/Broadcast_rulings_6_April_05.pdf full adjudication (PDF)] is available online. It costs £3 a week to subscribe to Jamster!'s service. The complaints consisted mainly of parents, who felt like their [[children]] were being misled. They felt that Jamster! was exploiting their children in order for them to make greater [[profits]].

In 2007, the Animation World Network wrote in connection with The Annoying Thing that there was a "planned feature film" to "be completed by the end of next year" into an animated feature film.<ref>[http://www.awn.com/animationworld/cartoon-movie-2007-sneak-peeks-european-animated-features Cartoon Movie 2007: Sneak Peeks European Animated Features] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407184107/http://www.awn.com/animationworld/cartoon-movie-2007-sneak-peeks-european-animated-features |date=7 April 2015 }}. Mag.awn.com (14 March 2007). Retrieved on 6 July 2011.</ref> The feature film was cancelled.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

In [[May 2005]], viewers inundated the ASA with new complaints regarding the continuous airing of the latest Crazy Frog advertisements. The intensity of the advertising was unprecedented in British television history. According to ''[[The Guardian]]'', Jamster bought 73,716 spots across all TV channels in May alone &ndash; an average of nearly 2,378 slots daily &ndash; at a cost of about £8 million, just under half of which was spent on [[ITV]]. 87% of the population saw the Crazy Frog adverts an average of 26 times, 15% of the adverts appeared twice during the same advertising break and 66% were in consecutive ad breaks. An estimated 10% of the population saw the advert more than 60 times. This led to many members of the population finding the crazy frog, as its original name suggests, immensely irritating. (source: ''Media Guardian'', [[20 June]] [[2005]])

In 2017, a documentary called ''The Not So Crazy Frog'' was released, originally made in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8vVz1KoU2s|title=Crazy Frog - The Not So Crazy Frog (Official Video Documentary)|date=22 December 2017 |access-date=12 December 2021|publisher=[[YouTube]]|archive-date=17 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417114327/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8vVz1KoU2s|url-status=live}}</ref>

As the authority had already adjudicated on the matter and confirmed the matter was not within its remit, the unusual step was taken of adding a notice to their online and telephone complaints system informing viewers that Jamster!-related complaints should be directed towards the broadcaster or the regulator, [[Ofcom]][http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment.cfm?id=551242005][http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2005230259,00.html].

== Discography ==

On [[21 September]] [[2005]], the ASA ruled that the Crazy Frog, along with other Jamba ringtone advertisements, must be shown after 9pm. This adjudication was revised on [[25 January]] [[2006]], maintaining the 'upheld' decision but revising the wording of one of the points. [http://www.asa.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/F3CC87DF-2F2A-4754-9C40-2EC23F0EC54C/0/Broadcastreport25Jan06.pdf](pdf)] [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/09/21/crazy_frog_off_air/].

The Crazy Frog was broadcast for the first time on Belgian television in mid-2004, though it was named the Annoying Thing.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Fligstein|first1=Neil|title=Euroclash: The EU, European Identity, and the Future of Europe|date=2008|publisher=OUP Oxford|isbn=978-0-19-164794-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kQQM_A4RusEC|access-date=21 December 2015}}</ref> There it was marketed as Albert Motàr.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crazy-frog.logosik.pl/ |title=Crazy Frog – Historia |access-date=28 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430163836/http://www.crazy-frog.logosik.pl/ |archive-date=30 April 2008 }}</ref>

"Axel F" (a remix of the 1980s [[Harold Faltermeyer]] [[Axel F|song]] produced by the German band [[Resource (band)|Resource]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/316297-Crazy-Frog|title=Crazy Frog profile on Discogs.com|website=[[Discogs]]|access-date=24 January 2012|archive-date=1 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101035941/http://www.discogs.com/artist/316297-Crazy-Frog|url-status=live}}</ref>) was released on 23 May 2005 and became one of the most successful singles of the year. The single debuted at number one in the UK,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2005/may/25/arts.artsnews | work=The Guardian | ___location=London | title=Crazy Frog ringtone outsells Coldplay | first=Gerard | last=Seenan | date=25 May 2005 | access-date=30 April 2010 | archive-date=4 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304181310/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2005/may/25/arts.artsnews | url-status=live }}</ref> remaining there for four weeks, and it was released on the debut album ''Crazy Frog Presents Crazy Hits''.

In [[March 2005]], [[anti-virus]] vendors discovered the <code>W32/Crog.worm</code> [[computer virus]] (a [[Contraction (linguistics)|contraction]] of Crazy Frog), which spreads through [[file-sharing]] networks and [[MSN Messenger]], exploiting the ''Crazy Frog'''s notoriety with a promise of an [[animation]] depicting his demise[http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_132209.htm][http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.serflog.a.html].

==Musical= historyAlbums ===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"

[[Image:Crazy_Frog_-_Crazy_Frog_Presents_Crazy_Hits_CD_cover.jpg|thumb|150px|right|''Crazy Frog Presents<br>Crazy Hits'']]

|+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications

[[Image:562.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Crazy Christmas Edition'']]

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:11em;" | Title

[[Image:New Frog Woot.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Crazy Frog Presents more Crazy Hits]]

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Album details

In early 2005, two members of the German [[Bass Bumpers]] dance music production team were commissioned to record a dance single based around the Crazy Frog ringtone. They produced "[[Axel F (Crazy Frog song)|Axel F]]" (a remix of the 1980's [[Axel F|Harold Faltermeyer song]]), which was released on [[May 23]] [[2005]] and became one of the most successful singles of the year 2005. "Axel F" debuted at number one in the UK[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1491625,00.html], remaining there for three weeks and outselling the nearest contender [[Coldplay]] by three or four copies to one. Similar success took place in Australia and many parts of Europe, and the song remained on the charts for many months in various countries worldwide. However the song apparently failed to catch on as well in the US and Japan, where it reached #50 and #48 respectively. The "[[Axel F]]" [[music video]] was produced by Kaktus Film and Erik Wernquist, and centers on the pursuit of the Crazy Frog by a [[bounty hunter]]. He reprises his role as pursuer of the Crazy Frog in all subsequent videos.

! scope="col" colspan="10" | Peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | [[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]]

[[Popcorn (Crazy Frog song)|Popcorn]] (a remix of the [[Popcorn (song)|Hot Butter song]]) was released on August 22 and premiered with a choreographed [[cheerleader]] performance on [[Top of the Pops]]. The single reached #12 in the UK until being knocked off by rapper [[Tupac]]'s single 'Ghetto Gospel'. It also reached #16 in Australia and Top 20 in much of Europe, in many cases while "Axel F" was still charting.

|-

! scope="col" style="width:2.9em;font-size:90%;" | [[Sverigetopplistan|SWE]]<br /><ref name="SWE">{{cite web | url=http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Crazy+Frog | title=Discography Crazy Frog | publisher=Hung Medien | work=swedishcharts.com | access-date=16 April 2015 | archive-date=29 April 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429223904/http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Crazy+Frog | url-status=live }}</ref>

Riding on the popularity of these initial single releases, an album entitled ''[[Crazy Frog Presents Crazy Hits]]'' was released on July 25. It contained several Frog remixes of existing songs like "Pump Up the Jam" and the ''Pink Panther'' theme, as well as several original tracks such as "In the 80's" and "Dirty Frog". It reached #5 in the UK, #8 in Australia and topped the charts in New Zealand. Surprisingly the album performed much better in the US than the "Axel F" single, reaching #19.

! scope="col" style="width:2.9em;font-size:90%;" | [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref name="AUS">{{cite web |url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Crazy+Frog |title=Discography Crazy Frog |publisher=Hung Medien |work=australian-charts.com |access-date=16 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716185935/http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Crazy+Frog |archive-date=16 July 2015 }}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:2.9em;font-size:90%;" | [[Canadian Albums Chart|CAN]]<br /><ref name="CANAl">{{cite magazine | url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=crazy frog|chart=Canadian Albums}} | title=Crazy Frog – Chart History: Canadian Albums | publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=16 April 2015}}</ref>

A special [[Christmas]] edition of ''Crazy Hits'' with numerous holiday-themed bonus tracks was released in November, backed with a double A-side single release of "[[Jingle Bells/U Can't Touch This]]". The single peaked at #4 in Australia and #5 in the UK.

! scope="col" style="width:2.9em;font-size:90%;" | [[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|FRA]]<br /><ref name="FRA">{{cite web | url=http://lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Crazy+Frog | title=Discographie Crazy Frog | publisher=Hung Medien | work=lescharts.com | access-date=16 April 2015 | language=fr | archive-date=20 May 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520035050/http://lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Crazy+Frog | url-status=live }}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:2.9em;font-size:90%;" | [[GfK Entertainment|GER]]<br /><ref name="GERAl">{{cite web | title=Chartverfolgung / Crazy Frog / Longplay | url=http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Crazy+Frog/?type=longplay | work=musicline.de | publisher=[[GfK Entertainment]] | access-date=16 April 2015 | language=de | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130153102/http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Crazy+Frog/?type=longplay | archive-date=30 November 2010 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In May 2006 the Crazy Frog contributed two tracks to a British compilation album entitled ''Football Crazy'' released to coincide with the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]] - "Ole Ole Ole (Do the Froggy Wave)" and "Na Na Na, Hey Hey". A sophomore album entitled ''[[Crazy Frog Presents More Crazy Hits]]'' was released in June 2006, continuing in the musical vein of the first release with Frog versions of songs such as "[[Ice Ice Baby]]", "[[I Will Survive]]" and "[[I'm Too Sexy]]". The first single release is "[[We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)]]", again a World Cup-oriented track perhaps drawing inspiration from the earlier ''Football Crazy'' songs.

! scope="col" style="width:2.9em;font-size:90%;" | [[Irish Albums Chart|IRL]]<br /><ref name="IRE">{{cite web |title=Discography Crazy Frog |url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Crazy+Frog |publisher=Hung Medien |work=irish-charts.com |access-date=16 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114050748/http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Crazy+Frog |archive-date=14 January 2016 }}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:2.9em;font-size:90%;" | [[Recorded Music NZ|NZ]]<br /><ref name="NZ">{{cite web |url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Crazy+Frog |title=Discography Crazy Frog |publisher=Hung Medien |work=charts.nz |access-date=16 April 2015 |archive-date=1 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501070106/http://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Crazy+Frog |url-status=live }}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:2.9em;font-size:90%;" | [[Swiss Hitparade|SWI]]<br /><ref name="SWI">{{cite web |url=http://swisscharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Crazy+Frog |title=Discography Crazy Frog |publisher=Hung Medien |work=swisscharts.com |access-date=16 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428070950/http://swisscharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Crazy+Frog |archive-date=28 April 2015 }}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:2.9em;font-size:90%;" | [[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<br /><ref name="UK">{{cite web | url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/17174/CRAZY%20FROG/ | title=Crazy Frog | publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] | access-date=16 April 2015 | archive-date=4 June 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604020939/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/17174/CRAZY%20FROG/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

! scope="col" style="width:2.9em;font-size:90%;" | [[Billboard 200|US]]<br /><ref name="US200">{{cite magazine | url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=crazy frog|chart=Billboard 200}} | title=Crazy Frog – Chart History: Billboard 200 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] | access-date=16 April 2015}}</ref>

|-

! scope="row" | ''[[Crazy Hits]]''

|

* Released: 25 July 2005

* Label: [[Ministry of Sound]]

* Format: [[Compact Disc|CD]], [[Music download|digital download]]

| 6 || 22 || 1 || 4 || 6 || 13 || 1 || 4 || 5 || 19

|

* [[Grammofonleverantörernas förening|GLF]]: Platinum<ref name="SWEcert2005">{{cite certification|region=Sweden|certyear=2005|type=album|access-date=16 April 2015}}</ref>

* [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]: Gold<ref>{{cite certification|region=Australia|certyear=2005|type=album|access-date=16 April 2015}}</ref>

* [[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]]: Gold<ref name="BPI">{{cite certification|region=United Kingdom|artist=Crazy Frog|access-date=16 April 2015}}</ref>

* IFPI SWI: Gold<ref name="SWIcert">{{cite certification|region=Switzerland|artist=Crazy Frog|access-date=16 April 2015}}</ref>

* [[Music Canada|MC]]: 2× Platinum<ref>{{cite certification|region=Canada|artist=Crazy Frog|access-date=16 April 2015}}</ref>

* [[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]]: 3× Platinum<ref>{{cite certification|region=New Zealand|artist=Crazy Frog|title=Crazy Hits|type=album|id=2006-02-03|source=newchart|access-date=16 April 2015}}</ref>

* [[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|SNEP]]: Gold<ref name="SNEP">{{cite certification|region=France|artist=Crazy Frog|access-date=16 January 2022}}</ref>

|-

! scope="row" | ''[[Crazy Frog Presents More Crazy Hits|More Crazy Hits]]''

|

* Released: 26 June 2006

* Label: Ministry of Sound

* Format: CD, digital download

| 19 || 38 || 4 || 8 || 17 || — || 20 || 14 || 64 || 40

|

* SNEP: Gold<ref name="SNEP"/>

|-

! scope="row" | ''[[Everybody Dance Now (Crazy Frog album)|Everybody Dance Now]]''

|

* Released: 25 August 2009

* Labels: Ministry of Sound, Mach 1 Records GmbH, Universal Music Group

| — || — || — || 23 || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

|-

|colspan="14" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

|}

===Unofficial releasesSingles ===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

[[Image:bassbumpers-axelf.jpg|160px|thumb|right|"Pondlife Ring Ding Ding" UK single release]]

|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name

On [[February 17]], [[2005]], a group of producers naming themselves Pondlife announced the release of an unofficial single featuring the Crazy Frog sound entitled "Ring Ding Ding". This release was backed by DJs [[Wes Butters]], Trevor Jordan and [[Daryl Denham]] along with studio-owner Maurice Cheetham.

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;" | Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year

On [[March 19]], [[2005]], Pondlife held [[Audition (performing arts)|open auditions]] to find a [[live action]] Crazy Frog to star in their accompanying [[music video]][http://www.crazyfrogchorus.com]. "Ring Ding Ding" was released on [[6 June]] [[2005]] and reached #11 on the [[UK Singles Chart]], two weeks after the Axel F version had charted.

! scope="col" colspan="10" | Peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12.5em;" | [[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]]

An anti-Crazy Frog single named "Kill The Frog" by Frog Must Die was released in the UK on June 20. Since the song did not appear in the top 250 of the UK Singles Chart, it is unclear whether the single was postponed, or simply failed to sell enough copies. As the name explains, this CD is about killing the Crazy Frog.

! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album

|-

On [[June 27]] [[2005]], a dancehall [[reggae]] song by [[L.O.C.]] sampling the Crazy Frog sound titled "Ring Ding Ding (Frog)" was released in the UK. It reached #58 on the UK pop charts, and higher on reggae charts.

!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Swedish Recording Industry Association|SWE]]<br /><ref name="SWE" />

!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref name="AUS" />

!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Ultratop 50|BEL]]<br /><ref name="BELFL">{{cite web|title=Discografie Crazy Frog|url=http://ultratop.be/nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Crazy+Frog|work=ultratop.be|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=17 July 2012|language=nl|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704062912/https://www.ultratop.be/nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Crazy+Frog|url-status=live}}</ref>

!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|FRA]]<br /><ref name="FRA" />

!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Media Control Charts|GER]]<br /><ref name="GERsin">{{cite web|title=Chartverfolgung / Crazy Frog / Single|url=http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Crazy+Frog/?type=single|work=musicline.de|publisher=[[Media Control Charts]]|access-date=17 July 2012|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202185430/http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Crazy+Frog/?type=single|archive-date=2 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Irish Singles Chart|IRE]]<br /><ref name="IRE" />

!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand|NZ]]<br /><ref name="NZ" />

!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Swiss Music Charts|SWI]]<br /><ref name="SWI" />

!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br /><ref name="UK" />

!style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br /><ref name="US100">{{cite magazine|title=Crazy Frog Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=crazy frog|chart=Hot 100}}|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|access-date=17 July 2012}}</ref>

|-

!scope="row"|"[[Axel F#Crazy Frog version|Axel F]]"

|rowspan="3"|2005

| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 3 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 50

|

* GLF: Platinum<ref name="SWEcert2005" />

* ARIA: 2× Platinum<ref name="ARIAsin2005">{{cite certification|region=Australia|certyear=2005|type=single|access-date=17 July 2012}}</ref>

* [[Belgian Entertainment Association|BEA]]: 2× Platinum<ref>{{cite certification|region=Belgium|certyear=2005|type=single|access-date=18 July 2012}}</ref>

* BPI: Platinum<ref name="BPI" />

* IFPI SWI: Platinum<ref name="SWIcert" />

* [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]: 2× Platinum<ref name="RIAA">{{cite certification|region=United States|artist=Crazy Frog|access-date=17 July 2012}}</ref>

* RMNZ: 2× Platinum<ref>{{cite certification|region=New Zealand|artist=Crazy Frog|title=Axel F|type=single|id=2006-03-03|source=newchart|access-date=17 July 2012}}</ref>

* SNEP: Diamond<ref name="SNEP"/>

|rowspan="3"|''Crazy Hits''

|-

!scope="row"|"[[Popcorn (instrumental)#Crazy Frog version|Popcorn]]"

| 9 || 11 || 1 || 1 || 35 || 14 || 1 || 6 || 12 || —

|

* ARIA: Gold<ref name="ARIAsin2005" />

* RMNZ: Platinum<ref>{{cite certification|region=New Zealand|artist=Crazy Frog|title=Popcorn|type=single|id=2006-03-10|source=newchart|access-date=17 July 2012}}</ref>

* SNEP: Diamond<ref name="SNEP"/>

|-

!scope="row"|"[[Jingle Bells/U Can't Touch This|Jingle Bells]]"{{Ref label|note_a1|A|}}

| 10 || 4 || 2 || 5 || — || 11 || 1 || — || 5 || —

|

* ARIA: Gold<ref name="ARIAsin2005" />

* RMNZ: Gold<ref>{{cite certification|region=New Zealand|artist=Crazy Frog|title=Jingle Bells|type=single|id=2006-01-27|source=newchart|access-date=17 July 2012}}</ref>

|-

!scope="row"|"[[We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)]]"

|rowspan="2"|2006

| 11 || 13 || 2 || 1 || 10 || 23 || 20 || 5 || 11 || —

|

* BEA: Gold<ref>{{cite certification|region=Belgium|certyear=2006|type=single|access-date=18 July 2012}}</ref>

* SNEP: Gold<ref>{{cite certification|region=France|type=single|artist=Crazy Frog|title=We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)|award=Gold|certyear=2006|source=archive|access-date=16 January 2022}}</ref>

|rowspan="3"|''More Crazy Hits''

|-

!scope="row"|"[[Last Christmas#Crazy Frog version|Last Christmas]]"{{Ref label|note_a1|A|}}

| 10 || 30 || 6 || 19 || — || 16 || 19 || — || 16 || —

|

|-

!scope="row"|"[[Crazy Frog in the House]]"

| 2007

| — || — || 24 || 12 || 22 || — || — || 19 || — || —

|-

!scope="row"|"[[Daddy DJ (Crazy Frog song)|Daddy DJ]]"

| rowspan="2"|2009

| — || — || — || 4 || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

|rowspan="2"|''Everybody Dance Now''

|-

!scope="row"|"[[Cha Cha Slide]]"

| — || — || — || 18 || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

|-

!scope="row"|"[[It's Tricky|Tricky]]"

| 2021

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

|rowspan="3" {{Non-album singles}}

|-

!scope="row"|"A Ring Ding Ding Ding"

| 2022

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

|-

!scope="row"|"Funny Song"

| 2023

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

|-

|colspan="14" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

|}

== Controversies ==

==Other incarnations==

{{csection|date=December 2024}}

[[Image:Annoyingthing.jpg|right|thumb|Crazy Frog Singing Plush Doll]]

On [[July 1]], [[2005]], UK-based [[Video game publisher|publishers]] [[Digital Jesters]] announced that they had acquired the rights to the [[video game]] licence for the Crazy Frog. ''Crazy Frog Racer (featuring The Annoying Thing)'', released in [[December 2005]], is a [[racing game]] for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[Game Boy Advance]], [[Personal computer|PC]] and [[Nintendo DS]]. [http://www.digitaljesters.com/?txtShow=product&ref=33]

A string of Crazy Frog merchandise was released in the UK [http://www.crazyfrog.co.uk], under the name "The Annoying Thing" due to copyright and licensing restrictions. These items were picked as big sellers for Christmas 2005, particularly the Annoying Thing Singing Plush which plays the ringtone when squeezed. Other products available include a [[board game]], a desktop nodder, [[keyring]], [[backpack]], lunchbox and [[air freshener]]. However, there are bootlegged versions of the Crazy Frog plush. The only way to tell the difference is the goggles; the imitations have big padded goggles whereas the originals have small, rounded open goggles.

The German production company The League of Good People is in talks with broadcasters about a TV series based on Crazy Frog[http://www.c21media.net/news/detail.asp?area=79&article=27019],

and video clips of Crazy Frog can be seen on [[Cartoon Network]][http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/video/fridays/index.html?3].

The Crazy Frog toured Australia in late 2005, beginning in Perth on [[December 4]] and continuing through other major capital cities. He made appearances at numerous shopping centres and major hospitals around the country. [http://www.undercover.com.au/news/2005/dec05/20051202_crazyfrog.html]

In February 2005, viewers submitted a number of complaints to the United Kingdom's [[Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)|Advertising Standards Authority]] (ASA) regarding [[Jamster]]'s advertising campaign, complaining that Crazy Frog appeared to have a visible penis and scrotum. Some parents claimed that it was inappropriate for children.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brandrepublic.com/article/234073/crazy-frog-keep-ding-ding-di-di-ding-asa-says |title=Crazy Frog can keep his ding-ding di-di-ding ASA says – Brand Republic News |publisher=Brandrepublic.com |date=2 February 2005 |access-date=8 May 2012 |archive-date=23 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223094836/http://www.brandrepublic.com/article/234073/crazy-frog-keep-ding-ding-di-di-ding-asa-says |url-status=live }}</ref> There were also complaints regarding the frequency with which the advertisement appeared on television, reportedly up to twice an hour across most of the day,<ref name=autogenerated1>{{Cite news |date=20 May 2005 |title=TV viewers driven crazy by frog ringtone ad |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/tv-viewers-driven-crazy-by-frog-ringtone-ad-1-712972 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114050748/http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/tv-viewers-driven-crazy-by-frog-ringtone-ad-1-712972 |archive-date=14 January 2016 |access-date=6 July 2011 |work=[[The Scotsman]]}}</ref> with some channels showing it more than once per commercial break. The ASA did not uphold the complaints, pointing out that the advert was already classified as inappropriate for airing during children's television programmes as it contained a [[premium-rate telephone number]], and that it was the broadcasters' decision how often an advertisement should be shown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asa.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/ECE03B9D-119D-4150-8F22-48ADADD9AC09/0/ASA_Broadcast_Rulings_2Feb05.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=27 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113091721/http://www.asa.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/ECE03B9D-119D-4150-8F22-48ADADD9AC09/0/ASA_Broadcast_Rulings_2Feb05.pdf |archive-date=13 November 2008 }}</ref> Jamster did voluntarily censor the character's genital area in later broadcasts of its advertisements. Similar action occurred in Australia, with similar results.<ref>{{cite web |title=Case Report – Complaint reference number 18/05 |url=https://adstandards.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/18-05.pdf |access-date=18 December 2023 |publisher=[[Ad Standards|Advertising Standards Bureau]] |date=8 February 2005}}</ref> In November 2021, the Crazy Frog Twitter account made light of the controversy, saying, "A lot of people were shocked to see my PP in 2005. And still shocked to see it now in 2021!!".<ref name="Twitter">{{cite web | title=Crazy Frog | website=Twitter | url=https://twitter.com/truecrazyfrog/status/1463883207657639938 | access-date=30 August 2022 | archive-date=1 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901150809/https://twitter.com/truecrazyfrog/status/1463883207657639938 | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Discography==

'''Albums:'''

*''[[Crazy Frog Presents Crazy Hits]]'' ([[2005]])

*''[[Crazy Frog Presents More Crazy Hits]]'' ([[2006]])

'''Singles:'''

*"[[Axel F (Crazy Frog song)|Axel F]]" ([[2005]])

*"[[Popcorn (Crazy Frog song)|Popcorn]]" ([[2005]])

*"[[Jingle Bells/U Can't Touch This]]" ([[2005]])

*"[[We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)]]" ([[2006]])

In April 2005, UK television viewers complained about misleading advertisements produced by Jamba!, trading as Jamster and RingtoneKing. Viewers felt that it was not made sufficiently clear that they were subscribing to a service, rather than paying a one-time fee for their ringtone. The complaints were upheld.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asa.org.uk/~/media/Files/ASA/Old%20Broadcast%20rulings/Broadcast_rulings_6_April_05.ashx |title=Broadcast Advertising Adjudications |format=pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811220446/http://asa.org.uk/~/media/Files/ASA/Old%20Broadcast%20rulings/Broadcast_rulings_6_April_05.ashx |archive-date=11 August 2011}}</ref> As the authority had already adjudicated on the matter and confirmed the matter was not within its remit, the unusual step was taken of adding a notice to the ASA's online and telephone complaints system informing viewers that Jamster!-related complaints should be directed towards the broadcaster or the regulator, [[Ofcom]].{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} In May 2005, viewers inundated the ASA with new complaints regarding the continuous airing of the latest Crazy Frog advertisements. The intensity of the advertising was unprecedented in British television history. According to The Guardian, Jamster bought 73,716 spots across all TV channels in May alone — an average of nearly 2,378 slots daily — at a cost of about £8 million, just under half of which was spent on ITV. 87% of the population saw the Crazy Frog adverts an average of 26 times, 15% of the adverts appeared twice during the same advertising break and 66% were in consecutive ad breaks. An estimated 10% of the population saw the advert more than 60 times. This led to many members of the population finding the Crazy Frog, as its original name suggests, immensely irritating.<ref>(source: ''Media Guardian'', 20 June 2005)</ref> On 21 September 2005, the ASA ruled that the Crazy Frog, along with other Jamba ringtone advertisements, could not be shown before 9pm. This adjudication was revised on 25 January 2006, maintaining the "upheld" decision but revising the wording of one of the points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asa.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/F3CC87DF-2F2A-4754-9C40-2EC23F0EC54C/0/Broadcastreport25Jan06.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=27 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029030132/http://www.asa.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/F3CC87DF-2F2A-4754-9C40-2EC23F0EC54C/0/Broadcastreport25Jan06.pdf |archive-date=29 October 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/09/21/crazy_frog_off_air/ |title=ASA stamps on Crazy Frog TV ads |website=The Register |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051001090937/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/09/21/crazy_frog_off_air/ |archive-date=1 October 2005}}</ref>

==See also==

{{wikiquote}}

* [[Ringtone]]

* [[Mobile phone]]

* [[LightWave]] The program that the creator made this character with.

* The Crazy Frog has been [[Parody|parodied]] on the British children's television programme, ''[[Ministry of Mayhem]]''.

* The Crazy Frog has also been parodied by the BBC Television Show ''[[Dead Ringers (comedy)|Dead Ringers]]'', where the frog was replaced with [[David Frost (broadcaster)|David Frost]].

* [[Schnappi]], a similar phenomenon, as a fictional crocodile.

* [[Mickael Turtle]], a similar phenomenon, as a fictional turtle.

* [[Cherie Blair]] is often caught by tabloid photographers in unphotogenic circumstances, characteristically displaying an unfortunate open-mouthed grimace that has led to her being unkindly compared in appearance to the Crazy Frog.

Following the release of "Tricky" on 10 December 2021, an official [[non-fungible token]] release was planned on "Metabeats". This was met with backlash on Twitter, with the account managers stating they had been receiving death threats over the matter.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bell |first1=Kaelyn |title=Crazy Frog's Social Media Team Ask Fans to Stop Sending Death Threats |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/crazy_frogs_social_media_team_asks_fan_to_stop_sending_death_threats |website=Exclaim |access-date=14 December 2021 |archive-date=13 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213233645/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/crazy_frogs_social_media_team_asks_fan_to_stop_sending_death_threats |url-status=live }}</ref> After the release was repeatedly postponed, all mentions of Crazy Frog were removed from the Metabeats website in late 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coming Soon |url=https://metabeats.io/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107155110/https://metabeats.io/ |archive-date=7 November 2023 |access-date=5 May 2024 |url-status=usurped |website=Metabeats}}</ref> and shortly after the official Crazy Frog website removed its link to Metabeats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Homepage |url=https://crazyfrog.tv/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202010646/https://crazyfrog.tv/ |archive-date=2 December 2023 |access-date=5 May 2024}}</ref>

==External links and references==

{{Wikinews|Mobile ringtone tops the UK singles chart}}

* [http://www.gsmfreaks.be/ringtones/realtones/Crazy_Frog_We_are_the_champions.html Crazy Frog - We are the champions Ringtone]

* [http://www.crazy-frog-ringtone.us Crazy frog ringtone]

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4210407.stm BBC article: ''The Crazy Frog sound? That's my fault.''] Includes an interview with the creator of the sound, Daniel Malmedahl.

* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-1512482_1,00.html The Times: ''Crazy Frog turns into a real prince.'']

* [http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/focus/case_studies/Jamster+Crazy+Frog.htm ASA: A Frog's Tale that spawned viewer outrage.]

* [http://www.newtek-europe.com/uk/community/lightwave/wernquist/1.html Erik Wernquist interview]

* [http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,,1554207,00.html German MTV tells Crazy Frog to hop it] requires registration

* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/britain/article/0,,1527438,00.html Naked insanity]

* [http://crazyfrogfans.com/ Crazy Frog Fan site and news]

* [http://www.turboforce3d.com/annoying/ Erik Wernquist's website] Includes the original version of "The Annoying Thing" video.

== See also ==

[[Category:2000s fads]]

* [[Giancarlo Meo]]

* [[Gummibär]]

* [[Holly Dolly]]

* [[Mickael Turtle]]

* [[Schnappi]]

* [[Schnuffel]]

== Notes ==

{{refbegin}}

*'''A''' {{Note|note_a1}}{{Note|note_a1}} In some territories, "Jingle Bells" was released as a double A-side single with a cover of [[MC Hammer]]'s "[[U Can't Touch This]]", but in others, it was released as a double A-side single with "Last Christmas", which was later released as a single in its own right.

{{refend}}

==References==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

{{Wikiquote}}

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4210407.stm BBC article: ''The Crazy Frog sound? That's my fault.''] Includes an interview with the creator of the sound, Daniel Malmedahl.

* [https://archive.today/20051226101143/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-1512482_1,00.html The Times: ''Crazy Frog turns into a real prince.'']

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090319105529/http://asa.org.uk/asa/focus/case_studies/Jamster%2BCrazy%2BFrog.htm ASA: A Frog's Tale that spawned viewer outrage.]

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120404230155/http://www.newtek-europe.com/uk/community/lightwave/wernquist/1.html Erik Wernquist interview]

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120217105311/http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview%2Fopar%2Fintrview_CrazyFrog.html Interview, HitQuarters Oct 2005]

{{Crazy Frog}}

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[[Category:Animated characters introduced in 2003]]

[[Category:Mascots introduced in 2003]]

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[[Category:Male characters in advertising]]

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[[Category:Swedish Eurodance groups]]

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[[Category:JamsterFictional ringtonesmusicians]]

[[Category:WebObscenity humorcontroversies in music]]

[[Category:FictionalUniversal SwedesMusic Group artists]]

[[Category:Warner Music Group artists]]

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