Bongo Cat is an Internet meme that originated when a Twitter user created and tweeted a GIF of a white cat-like blob smacking a table with its two paws.[1][2] The tweet was then replied to by another Twitter user[3] with an edited version of the GIF including bongos hit to the tune of a Super Mario World track.[4] The reply went viral and caused the GIF to be edited to many other songs.[5][6]
History
editThe original Bongo Cat GIF originated on May 7, 2018, when an animated cat GIF made by Twitter user @StrayRogue[2] was edited by @DitzyFlama, with the edit including bongos which were hit by the cat to the tune of "Athletic" from the Super Mario World soundtrack.[7] The original artist clarified that Bongo Cat was a cat-like blob rather than an actual cat, showing a drawing of the character's full body in another tweet.[2]
It has later been edited to many other songs and many different instruments in fan-made videos, appearing on social media such as YouTube and Twitter.[5][8] The meme has covered many songs from video game soundtracks, such as music from Persona 5 and Super Mario, as well as mainstream songs such as Toto’s "Africa" and Darude’s "Sandstorm".[9] After an increase in popularity, Stray Rogue began making and selling Bongo Cat merchandise.[1] Bongo Cat also has been made into an interactive website.[3]
In 2023, Bongo Cat's cover of "What Was I Made For?" by Billie Eilish was shared online. The cover went viral on TikTok and fans sang this version during Eilish's concerts in 2024.[10]
Reception
editPolygon and Uproxx both described Bongo Cat as the best meme of 2018.[11][12] Ellen Scott of Metro also described Bongo Cat as bringing "happiness to all, even in the trashfire [sic] year that was 2018".[13] The Daily Dot described it as the most earnest and wholesome meme of 2018.[14] Reid McCarter of The A.V. Club and Megan Farokhmanesh of The Verge both praised the meme.[8][3] Nicole Clark of Vice described the meme as "the only good thing on the internet."[15]
Praised for its flexibility, Bongo Cat has also been compared to the keyboard cat meme.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b "Take A Break With This Cat Who Plays Your Favourite Tunes". Kotaku Australia. September 26, 2018. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Sung, Morgan (September 14, 2018). "The story behind Bongo Cat, the adorable music meme that's taking over Twitter". Mashable. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c "The hot new thing is a cat just playing the drums, which is nice". The A.V. Club. 25 September 2018. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ^ "This Adorable Cat Mascot Thing Can Shred the Goddamn Drums". www.vice.com. 8 October 2018. Archived from the original on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Bongo Cat Reflects the internet's age-old love of kitties". The Daily Dot. December 18, 2018. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ "This Adorable Cat Mascot Thing Can Shred the Goddamn Drums". www.vice.com. 8 October 2018. Archived from the original on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ^ Feldman, Brian (September 25, 2018). "The Bongo Cat Meme Is Our Light in the Darkness". Intelligencer. Archived from the original on July 10, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ a b Farokhmanesh, Megan (September 14, 2018). "All hail bongo cat". The Verge. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ "Bongo Cat Reflects the internet's age-old love of kitties". The Daily Dot. December 18, 2018. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Fans Are Meowing At Her Concerts Thanks To TikTok Trend". UPROXX. 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ "The Memes That Defined 2018 -- From 'Scared To Moan' To 'Bongo Cat'". December 27, 2018. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ Radulovic, Petrana (December 24, 2018). "The best warm and fuzzy memes of the year". Polygon. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ Scott, Ellen (December 29, 2018). "27 of the best cats of 2018". Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ "Here are the 70 dankest memes of 2018". The Daily Dot. January 12, 2018. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ "All Hail Bongo Cat, the Internet's Purest New Meme". www.vice.com. 26 September 2018. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
