About the song

Surfin' Bird was the biggest hit for the 60's surf rock band The Trashmen, reaching number 4 in the Billboard charts in 1963. Based on two songs by Doo-Wop group The Rivingtons, Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow and The Bird is the Word, the song is memorable for it's driving fast beat and the bizarre vocal styles of Steve Wahrer, and was featured in a famous scene in the movie Full Metal Jacket.

On the internet

The songs popularity has survived to this day, with frequent use on Youtube videos and Poops, often in a similar fashion to The Benny Hill Theme, being played over footage of humorous antics for a supposed funny effect. Youtube Poops often showcase the supposed annoying nature of the song, with footage of characters reacting in pain and anger to the music, most likely in reference to the Family Guy episode below.

Family Guy

The song featured a massive surge in popularity after an episode of Family Guy featured the song as an important plot point in the season 7 episode "I Dream of Jesus", with Peter Griffin driving his family mad with a record of the song. This video has over 40 million views on Youtube so far.

Notice the huge spike in popularity in 2008 after the date in which the episode aired. It has maintained a steady popularity since, with an extra boost in 2010 due to an failed attempt by Facebook groups to get the song to Number 1. for Christmas to beat the X-Factor, much like the more succesful Rage Against the Machine campaign from the previous year.