Ed Sheeran, Donald Trump and Lady Gaga were all beaten by a singer dressed as an oyster to be named YouTube’s top video of the year.
The bizarre performance took place a Thai talent show and was the top trending film clip of 2017, after getting 181 million hits and becoming the internet sensation of the year.
Others on the list include Lady Gaga’s halftime show at this year’s US Super Bowl, Ed Sheeran’s carpool karaoke with James Corden and the hilarious moment two children interrupt a live interview with a top professor on the BBC news.
Donald Trump also features in the top ten global trending videos on the channel but only for a spoof film in which his inauguration speech is dubbed for comedy effect.
The number one trending video was filmed at a singing contest where contestants wear disguises, this one as an oyster singing a song that translates as ‘Until We Become Dust’.
It is the first time a Thai clip has been the top trending video of the year. In second place was a routine by LA dancers to Ed Sheeran’s song The Shape of You, which made it the most watched choreography video of all time.
The top ten were watched for more than 40 million hours during 2017 and come from channels which now have more than 55 million subscribers.
All in all, the videos were viewed 633 million times, 83 million more times than last year’s top ten.
The channel Dude Perfect, whose ping pong trick shots came third in this year’s list, have accumulated a staggering 4.2 billion views in total and is now the 13th largest channel on YouTube.
Some of the worldwide top ten were among the UK’s own top ten according to YouTube.
Ed Sheeran’s Carpool Karaoke was the top trending UK video and his song set to dance was the sixth most popular. Another Carpool Karaoke, featuring singer Harry Styles, was in fourth place.
YouTube said the top trending list was not necessarily made up of the most viewed videos but those that were most likely to spark conversations, sharing and likes whilst being discussed on social media.
A spokesman said: ‘From international phenomenons and educational videos to thrilling moments from traditional media and big names, this year’s list of top trending videos represents the amazing variety of creativity brought to YouTube each day.
‘Collectively these 10 videos have more than 633 million views and were watched for over 40 million hours. The channels who created them have more than 55 million subscribers in total who tune in regularly to experience the content they create.’
The top 10 videos on YouTube in 2017
1. Until We Will Become Dust – Oyster Masked
Clip from a celebrity singing competition in Thailand where all competitors wear masks.
2. Dancers dancing to Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You
Dance routine posted by LA-based choreographer Kyle Hanagami.
3. Ping Pong Trick Shots 3 (Dude Perfect)
A ontage of ping pong ball trick shots.
4. Darci Lynne, America’s Got Talent
The moment when the future winner of the US show got the ‘golden buzzer’.
5. Ed Sheeran Carpool Karaoke
The UK’s top watched video showing Ed Sheeran and James Corden singing in the car.
6. Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl Halftime Show
The official NFL video of Lady Gaga’s halftime performance at the Super Bowl.
7. Inauguration Day
Comedy channel ‘Bad Lip Reading’ dubs over Trump’s inauguration speech.
8. History of the entire world, I guess
Comically animated history montage by creator Bill Wurtz
9. In a Heartbeat
Animated short film by two art college students, funded by Kickstarter.
10. Children interrupt BBC News interview
Prof Robert Kelly being interviewed via Skype on the BBC as his kids burst into the room.
