The brothers debuted professionally on 19 October 2000 at the Ole Bull Theater in Bergen with the show "Ylvis – en kabaret" ("Ylvis – a cabaret"). In connection with the show was the song "Rumor says" recorded, pressed as a CD-single, and sold during the show, but was never put out for regular sales.
In 2001, after the Norway tour with "Ylvis - a cabaret", Ylvis' main characters performed in the Grieghallen with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert called "Ylvis goes philharmonic". That same year debuted Bård and Vegard on TV as regular guests in Rune Larsen's "Absolutt Norsk" on NRK. In 2002 NRK added Ylvis as an element in Trond-Viggo Torgersens "TVT".
In 2003, Ylvis guest-starred on the Swedish vocal group The Real Group's Christmas CD, "Julen er her".
In the summer of 2004 they sold tickets worth 4.8 million NOK for the show "Ylvis – en konsert" ("Ylvis – a concert"), which played in Tønsberg, Norway. In this concert Ylvis covered Ole Ivars's song, "I kjempeform" (I'm in great shape). The song was popular with audiences and Ylvis recorded a music video for it. When rower Olaf Tufte won Olympic gold at the Olympics 2004 in Athens, he yelled "Ylvis" and sang "I kjempeform, I kjempeform!" during the victory dance.
The duo were hosts for the radio program "O-fag" ("O-subjects") on NRK P3 summer 2006 and summer 2008
"YLVIS III" premiered 27 January 2007 at the Ole Bull Theater in Bergen, and 31 October 2007, in Oslo. "YLVIS III" was recorded on tour in a large part of Norway several times and ended with a final performance at the Grieghallen 19 December 2008. The content of the show is described as challenging and surreal musical comedy. Vegard and Bård write much of the lyrics and the music they perform. Ylvis collaborated with director Arvid Ones and choreographer Hilde Sol Erdal on both "Ylvis-a cabaret" and "YLVIS III".
"YLVIS III," was released on DVD 3 December 2008 (from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Norway).
Bård and Vegard hosted their own show in the Fall of 2007 on TVNorge called Norges herligste (Norway's Best)- a Norwegian edition of the Swedish program "100 höjdare". Norges Herligste premiered in November 2007, and was later broadcast on Swedish television and released on DVD in Norway 15 October 2008.
Ylvis were officials in the television program "Ylvis møter veggen", which is a Norwegian version of a Japanese television concept, known as the Human tetris or Hole in the wall. The Japanese original Brain Wall was part of a larger game show called Tonneruzu no Minasan no Okage deshita. "Ylvis møter veggen" was broadcast in autumn 2008 on TVNorge with high ratings.
From 2009 on Ylvis hosted the entertainment show "Hvem kan slå Ylvis" on TV Norge, the Norwegian version of "Schlag den Raab".
In September 2011, they premiered their TV talkshow "I kveld med YLVIS" on TV Norge.
In September 2013, they uploaded a music video called "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)" to YouTube, which went viral. The song was later released as a digital single and was an international hit peaking at 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping digital download charts in the U.S. Internationally, the song ranked number one in Norway VG-lista, and ranged from second to one hundred sixty seventh on other major international rankings.
Mr. Toot
Ylvis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bup bup ba, Bup bup ba
Bup bup ba, Bup bup ba
Bup bup ba, Bup bup ba
Hey, hey!
Come with me to Istanbul
Land of turbans, spice and carpets
Legendary music man
Up on the roof he played the Toot
No one could resist his rhythm
Slave and Sultan side by side
Dancing dance of Mr. Toot
What's that sound?
Is it him?
Did you see a shadow moving?
Everybody, quiet, quiet
Can you hear him, mr. Toot?
Bup bup ba, Bup bup ba
Bup bup
Play it, Mr. Toot!
Play it, Mr. Toot! Hey!
Hey! Play it, Mr. Toot!
Ladies kissed him on the belly
Children dressed like him in school
He ate caviar and jelly
Bought a modern swimming pool
Yes, Mr. Toot got greedy
Wanted even better Toot
Threw the Toot from highest tower
Bought a fancy Midi Toot
Then a poster in the city
Mr. Ibanez tonight
Modern show with modern music
Smoke machine and laser light
Bup bup ba, Bup bup ba
Bup bup
Play it, Mr. Toot!
Play it, Mr. Toot! Hey!
Hey! Play it, Mr. Toot!
Bup bup ba, Bup bup ba
Bup bup ba, Bup bup ba
That was the end of Mr. Toot
He was never to return
Though you can kill the man
You can never kill the Toot
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Mr. Toot
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Play it, Mr. Toot!
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Mr. Toot
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Play it
Mr. Toot
The lyrics of Ylvis's song "Mr. Toot" tell the story of a legendary music man, Mr. Toot, who played the Toot on the roof and made everyone dance along to his rhythm - from slaves to sultans. The song describes how Mr. Toot got too greedy and abandoned his old Toot for a modern, fancy Midi Toot. He then went on to organize a modern show with modern music, smoke machine, and laser lights but was never to return after that. Although people might have been able to kill the man, they can never kill the Toot.
The song celebrates the memory of Mr. Toot as a music legend who had a unique sound that no one could resist. The catchy melody of the song, accompanied by repetitive phrases like "Bup bup ba, Bup bup ba," creates an infectious and up-beat tune that makes it hard to resist moving along.
Overall, the song seems to pay homage to the power of music to bring people together and make them forget their differences. Whether in old times with Mr. Toot's Toot or in modern times with smoke machines and laser lights, music remains a powerful force that can make people laugh, dance, and have fun.
Line by Line Meaning
Bup bup ba, Bup bup ba
Repetitive sounds to create a rhythmic tune
Hey, hey!
Attention grabbing interlude to shift focus to the story of Mr. Toot
Come with me to Istanbul
Invitation to go on a trip to Istanbul, where the story of Mr. Toot unfolds
Land of turbans, spice and carpets
Description of the cultural richness of Istanbul
This is the tale of Mr. Toot
Introduction to the story's protagonist
Legendary music man
Emphasis on the fame and popularity of Mr. Toot
Up on the roof he played the Toot
Visual depiction of Mr. Toot's performance setting
No one could resist his rhythm
Acknowledgment of Mr. Toot's captivating musical ability
Slave and Sultan side by side
Illustration of the unifying power of Mr. Toot's music
Dancing dance of Mr. Toot
Description of the joyful and festive atmosphere generated by Mr. Toot's music
What's that sound?
Questioning of an unidentified sound
Is it him?
Inquiry about the possible source of the sound
Did you see a shadow moving?
Wondering if there is visual evidence of the sound's origin
Everybody, quiet, quiet
Request for silence to better hear the sound
Can you hear him, mr. Toot?
Associating the sound with Mr. Toot
Play it, Mr. Toot!
Request for Mr. Toot to play his music
Ladies kissed him on the belly
Description of the adoration Mr. Toot received from his female fans
Children dressed like him in school
Influence of Mr. Toot's style on younger generations
He ate caviar and jelly
Illustration of Mr. Toot's luxury lifestyle
Bought a modern swimming pool
Further evidence of Mr. Toot's wealth
Yes, Mr. Toot got greedy
Acknowledgment of Mr. Toot's change in character due to success
Wanted even better Toot
Desire for further improvement to his music
Threw the Toot from highest tower
Dramatic action to symbolize Mr. Toot's dissatisfaction with his music
Bought a fancy Midi Toot
Acquisition of new technology to replace the old music instrument
Then a poster in the city
Announcement of a new musician in town through advertising
Mr. Ibanez tonight
Introduction of the new musician's name and performance schedule
Modern show with modern music
Indication of Mr. Ibanez's innovative and contemporary music style
Smoke machine and laser light
Description of the theatrics that accompany Mr. Ibanez's performance
That was the end of Mr. Toot
Finality of Mr. Toot's story
He was never to return
Implication that Mr. Toot's music will never be heard again
Though you can kill the man
Acknowledgment of the human mortality
You can never kill the Toot
Assurance that Mr. Toot's music will continue to live on
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Vegard Ylvisaker, Tor Erik Hermansen, Christian Lochstoer, Mikkel Eriksen, Bard Ylvisaker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Molybdaenmornell
The toot is perilous indeed.
Three "Buh"s for the Ylvis bros bringing the trance.
Seven for the dwarf lords sitting by the fire.
Nine for mortal folk doomed to dance.
One for the Dark Bård with his Dark Lyre.
One toot to swing them all.
One toot to flock them.
One toot to bring them all
and synthesizer-shock them.
In the land Morocco,
Where the carpets lie.
@lhugueny
That was beautiful! Now I must go indulge in some jelly and caviar...
@kihopo
The fact i found your comment here made me laugh
@JoJo-es9yd
It's 2023 and I find myself coming back to this video often because it reminds me of a nice time in my life. Always makes me smile.
@joppekim
When did you see it first?
@JoJo-es9yd
@@joppekim in 2014
@joppekim
@Jo Jo Ah cool, me in 2016. It does bring nostalgia, that's for sure.
@CRYBABYK1
Same I’ve just discovered it in 2023 though and I can’t stop playing it!
@EuCoruja
It's one of the best Ylvis. I love it. I wish I could have a Turkish perspective on it, for I now think if it doesn't (even accidently) fall on some offensive stereotypes, racism and orientalism.
@oliverkoais9775
never seen Jesus play this good...
@sanheliix928
+Oliver Koais Hahaha xD