We can only apologise in advance for what we’re about to tell you.
Baby Shark – the cute and ultra-catchy children’s song recorded by South Korean company Pinkfong, which the vast majority of people can admit to hearing at least one time and parents across the globe can admit to hearing one too many times – has just officially become the most viewed video on YouTube of all time.
With a total of 7.04 billion views and counting, it edges past the 2017 single Despacito by Puerto Rican pop/rap stars Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee.
And if you want an even more mind-blowing statistic, if played back-to-back, this number of views would mean Baby Shark has been streamed continuously for 30,187 years.
Just let that sink in for a moment.
The video has claimed the most-viewed crown more than four years after it was first uploaded.
The original writer of the song is unclear as it has long been a nursery rhyme/campfire song, and a version of it had previously been recorded and released in German under the name “Kleiner Hai” by Alexandra Müller back in 2007, but it became a global phenomenon after being recorded by 10-year-old Korean-American singer Hope Segoine.
Produced by educational company Pinkfong and accompanied by a dance routine arguably as viral as the song itself, Baby Shark first went viral in South East Asia, then later in the US and Europe.
It even reached Number 6 in the UK Top 40 Singles chart, and Number 32 in the US Billboard Hot 100.
The one minute and 21 seconds-long earworm song likely has the lyrics, if you can even call them that, “doo-doo-doo-du-du-du-du-du-du” to thank for the endless replays which contributed to its record-breaking total, and has seen a spin-off live tour, a range of merchandise, books and more come out of it.
On top of that, a number of remixes of the song – one including Luis Fonsi, again, and another which encouraged a promoted the concept of handwashing for children amid the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – have also contributed to its popularity.
It hasn’t gone down without a fight though.
As previously mentioned, the origins of the song are unclear and it is actually in the public domain and not owned by Pinkfong, which lead to the company being sued in 2019 by children’s songwriter Jonathan Wright – who had recorded a similar version to Pinkfong’s in 2011 and argued that he held copyright on his own take on the material – but no outcome has yet been reported in the case as of yet.
When it comes to the video though, Pinkfong have undeniably won this one, but we’ll leave it up to you to decide whether you feel like congratulating them on the record, or informing them they’ve potentially ruined your life a little in the process.
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My Chemical Romance fans are losing it as emo favourites appear to tease UK tour
Danny Jones
American alt-rock and emo favourites My Chemical Romance aren’t just back for one last Black Parade; it looks like they might be heading to the UK for more tour dates.
Not just a phase, never was.
My Chemical Romance (an entirely different kind of MCR) made yet another mighty return to the fore earlier this year, nearly two whole decades on from the release of the seminal album, which dropped in 2006 and has now been toured live again by the New Jersey band.
Playing the album IN FULL for the first time in years, they’ve been busy in North America delighting die-hard crowds, but now a recent teaser has got My Chem fans gearing up for UK and Ireland shows.
As you can see, MCR released the somewhat cryptic comedy sketch above, in which they seem to spoof a gameshow centred around a robot named ‘Quizzo’.
The host of this fictional programme goes on to explain that the result will determine “who will be the next lucky country to win the grand prize of one nuclear winter.”
It might only last for a few seconds, but the main takeaway is that the ‘who’ selected as the recipient of this upcoming prize is none other than the United Kingdom.
Combine that with a simple caption that reads, “Let’s show them what they’ve won”, it’d be hard not to jump to the conclusion that we Brits are about to pretend we’re ‘Teenagers’ again and chant ‘Na Na Na’ until our lungs give out.
In the time since the post went live, fans on this side of the pond have understandably started getting very excited…
My Chemical Romance are coming back to the UK… For the 1st time since 2022 when we all thought it would be the last hurrah…#MCRpic.twitter.com/vHWO5mK89j
At first, some were wondering whether this year’s revival might have also seen the resurrection of their much-mythologised but ultimately scrapped 2019 record, The Paper Kingdom, but it seems pretty much nailed on that their transatlantic followers are about to get some gigs.
It remains unclear whether these still TBC dates will be an extension of the current ‘Long Live The Black Parade‘ tour, which began on 11 July, or something new entirely.
Either way, with this current run of shows due to end in September and hints at a ‘nuclear winter’, it’s a fair assumption to guess that My Chemical Romance will be coming to the UK either later this year or early 2026 – and you bank on a big Manchester booking to be thrown in there too.
Featured Images — NBSTwo (via Flickr)/Reprise Records
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Alejandro Garnacho set for Premier League switch as Manchester United shuffle attacking lineup
Danny Jones
Young Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho looks set to make a switch to another Premier League team as he has reportedly already reached an agreement regarding personal terms with his next club: Chelsea.
The promising winger, who graduated from Man United’s academy setup and has quickly made an impact even in just a short time in the first team, is now believed to be London-bound very soon, with Chelsea now “close” to completing a deal for the 21-year-old.
While there are no doubts surrounding his talent and potential, it is said the rift between him and the United head coach comes down to personality, character and conduct, with the latter not shying away from sharing grievances publicly.
🚨 Chelsea have stepped up talks with Manchester United over deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho. Clubs in touch on topic for some time & now advancing amid Benjamin Sesko joining #MUFC. 21yo winger wants #CFC or nothing + expects move to happen @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/vdc1dtnA0p
According to The Athletic, it now looks as though after having agitated for a move, Garnacho has got his wish and is set for the capital, in a move which could see him become the 51st senior player to sign for the Blues under Todd Boehly’s ownership.
It is, quite frankly, a staggering number – especially given the fact that he only purchased the club back in May of 2022.
Most notably in Garnacho‘s case, too, it also raises questions around where in the Chelsea squad he will fit and how much regular first-team football (a guaranteed starting spot rumoured to be a flashpoint with Amorim) he will be able to enjoy should the deal go ahead.
For instance, besides the plethora of other attacking players at Enzo Maresca’s disposal, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says that the west Londoners are also pursuing PSG’s Xavi Simons.
Nevertheless, the Italian journalist claims that “every detail of personal terms with Chelsea” has now been agreed, with the Argentine prospect now fully set on a move to Stamford Bridge.
You can see what other Manchester United transfer updates he gave in his latest video.
Romano goes on to state that the deal is effectively done as far as the player side of things is concerned, adding that Garnacho is now only interested in Chelsea since and has been since July.
Although negotiations are yet to begin with Man United, it looks likely that they will push to get a transfer approved quickly as they look to cover the costs of the other business, having already brought in a number of players.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd November 2020 
