The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Dog goes "woof"
Cat goes "meow"
Bird goes "tweet"
And mouse goes "squeek"
Cow goes "moo"
Frog goes "croak"
And the elephant goes "toot"
Ducks say "quack"
And fish go "blub"
And the seal goes "ow ow ow"
But there's one sound
That no one knows
What does the fox say?
"Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!"
What the fox say?
"Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!"
What the fox say?
"Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!"
What the fox say?
"Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Tchoff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!"
What the fox say?
Big blue eyes
Pointy nose
Chasing mice
And digging holes
Tiny paws
Up the hill
Suddenly you're standing still
Your fur is red
So beautiful
Like an angel in disguise
But if you meet
A friendly horse
Will you communicate by
Mo-o-o-o-orse?
Mo-o-o-o-orse?
Mo-o-o-o-orse?
How will you speak to that
Ho-o-o-o-orse?
Ho-o-o-o-orse?
Ho-o-o-o-orse?
What does the fox say?
"Jacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!"
What the fox say?
"Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!"
What the fox say?
"A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!"
What the fox say?
"A-oo-oo-oo-ooo!
Woo-oo-oo-ooo!"
What does the fox say?
The secret of the fox
Ancient mystery
Somewhere deep in the woods
I know you're hiding
What is your sound?
Will we ever know?
Will always be a mystery
What do you say?
You're my guardian angel
Hiding in the woods
What is your sound?
(Wa-wa-way-do, wub-wid-bid-dum-way-do, wa-wa-way-do)
Will we ever know? (Bay-budabud-dum-bam)
I want to (Mama-dum-day-do) I want to, I want to know!
(Abay-ba-da bum-bum bay-do)
Cat goes "meow"
Bird goes "tweet"
And mouse goes "squeek"
Cow goes "moo"
Frog goes "croak"
And the elephant goes "toot"
Ducks say "quack"
And fish go "blub"
And the seal goes "ow ow ow"
But there's one sound
That no one knows
What does the fox say?
"Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!"
What the fox say?
"Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!"
What the fox say?
"Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!
Hatee-hatee-hatee-ho!"
What the fox say?
"Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Tchoff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!
Joff-tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!"
What the fox say?
Big blue eyes
Pointy nose
Chasing mice
And digging holes
Tiny paws
Up the hill
Suddenly you're standing still
Your fur is red
So beautiful
Like an angel in disguise
But if you meet
A friendly horse
Will you communicate by
Mo-o-o-o-orse?
Mo-o-o-o-orse?
Mo-o-o-o-orse?
How will you speak to that
Ho-o-o-o-orse?
Ho-o-o-o-orse?
Ho-o-o-o-orse?
What does the fox say?
"Jacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!"
What the fox say?
"Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!"
What the fox say?
"A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!"
What the fox say?
"A-oo-oo-oo-ooo!
Woo-oo-oo-ooo!"
What does the fox say?
The secret of the fox
Ancient mystery
Somewhere deep in the woods
I know you're hiding
What is your sound?
Will we ever know?
Will always be a mystery
What do you say?
You're my guardian angel
Hiding in the woods
What is your sound?
(Wa-wa-way-do, wub-wid-bid-dum-way-do, wa-wa-way-do)
Will we ever know? (Bay-budabud-dum-bam)
I want to (Mama-dum-day-do) I want to, I want to know!
(Abay-ba-da bum-bum bay-do)
Lyrics submitted by terriblecomics, edited by dabitch12345, deandreawesome, zacfirth95, AlienCot
The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?) Lyrics as written by Christian Loechstoeer Bard Ylvisaaker
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
^This song by Ylvis is undoubtedly a parody of the modern style of EDM, particularly House and maybe even a little bit of Trance.
"Pop-House", a subcategory of House music which has, in recent years, been integrated into Pop music and Pop culture, has had a very similar layout. That being: first a build up with rising music and some lyrics, leading to a "hook" that introduces the dance/rave portion of the music; this then abruptly slows down with a bit more lyrics, and the "hook" is again used to introduce the dace/rave portion of the music, and this pattern continues to be repeated and the music usually increases in tempo to create an uplifting effect. To see the similarity, you can juxtapose this song(The Fox, by Ylvis) with other Pop-House songs such as [Feel So Close, by Calvin Harris] or [Titanium, by David Guetta].^^^^^^^^
^Now, when you listen to "The Fox" you will notice how the dance/rave portion of the song is mocked by onomatopoeias instead of just the music. The fact that the song is satirical is also evident by the fact that Vegard and Bård Ylvisåker (Ylvis) are a Norwegian comedy duo, who have done this type of satirical work before.^^^
I'm sure some people will claim that the song has a deeper meaning, and concordantly will also come up with some very plausible explanations. But when asked about the origin of idea for the song in a Billboard interview, one of them said, "I guess we must have been talking about what kind of sound the fox makes".^^^^^
In my opinion, the song is simply a piece of satire, whilst also being a great and catchy song.^^^^ And thus, the message is that we should find a new pattern for House, because the old one is overrated.
-TG
seems legit!
this song is meaningless, yet everyone listens to it and likes it. just like his song stonehedge
Completely agree with katiekatbrjk : Ylvis's songs have no meaning, but are outstanding and are actually well written and performed<br /> PS What the fuck is Stonehenge???????????? #classic
He was obviously high.
lol I agree
And apparently, "fox" is some kind of Norwegian slang for "marijuana", according to an interview with Ylvis on Ellen des Generis' TV show.<br />
What terriblecomics said! Also, maybe the guy legitimately wants to know what a fox sounds like. It's a real mystery.
Clearly an insightful analysis of the universe's greatest mysteries.
Okay, I know this song's annoying but TO BE FAIR TO THESE GUYS, they're a comedy group. This wasn't an attempt to make a hit song, they were just trying to make something for laughs (not unlike The Lonely Island or Weird Al), but it went extremely viral, even they were surprised at it.
i love this song it's so funny it make me laugh. me and my sisters listen to it all the time.
I must be mad but I love this song!
NO ONE believed me when I said this will be the next Smash hit of the summer... Then BAM! Norwegian Gangnum style!
Also, The funny thing is, if you strip away the autotune and such... Vegard and Bård Ylvisåker can both REALLY SING! LOL That Falsetto is on point. LOL
Not gangnam style -.-"
Imagine if any animal were actually the ones that made the techno parts whenever after "what does the fox says" techno parts LOL!!
This song is about wanting to get with a sexy lady. The narrator starts out comparing his various partners to different animals -- dogs, cats, even fish. But there's one woman who he hasn't slept with, the "fox". He's wondering what she will sound like in bed. The woman has "big blue eyes / pointy nose" and her "[hair] is red / so beautiful / like an angel in disguise". The narrator is the "friendly horse" on account of his... you know. The narrator's predicament of wanting to sleep with the woman is timeless, an "ancient mystery". At the end of the song the narrator fails to score, so the question remains: "What is your sound? / Will we ever know?" Probably not.