Ylvis, Band Behind 'The Fox,' Wrote Epic Massachusetts Anthem

Massachusetts is spoiled to have been the subject of or mentioned in some cool songs over the years.

Think "Massachusetts" by the Bee Gees, "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" by Dropkick Murphys or "Boston" by Kenny Chesney. James Taylor mentions the Berkshires in "Sweet Baby James." The late Jimmy Buffett shouts out Buzzards Bay in "Volcano." If you've ever been to a winning Red Sox home game, you've heard The Standells sing "Dirty Water" on your way out of Fenway.

The songs are classics, the artists legendary.

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Then, there's "Massachusetts" by Ylvis. The Norwegian comedy group behind 2013 megahit "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)" released a song all about the Bay State as a follow-up. It lacked the global appeal of its predecessor so it's OK if you haven't heard it. That said, a decade after its release, it's worth a second listen.

Behold the Commonwealth's unofficial European anthem in all its NSFW glory:

Far away across the oceans
An undiscovered paradise
Forget New York and California
There's a better place - now close your eyes...

Lest you think Vegard Ylvisåker is earnest as he sings the praises of Massachusetts, a place he "can't believe" is real, remember that he's a comedian. The song and the music video are absurd in all the right ways.

Ylvis spits straight facts about Massachusetts, including that it's a four-hour drive from New York (only true if you're driving from, say, Cape Cod), that it's the 14th biggest state (it's the 45th; Montana is the 14th) and, in an especially weird twist, that it's the home of Nelson Mandela (that would be South Africa).

The song stays true to places in Massachusetts, mentioning Attleboro, Haverhill, Suffolk County and Pingryville, a village in Ayer and Littleton. You can picture the Ylvis guys looking at a map of Massachusetts and picking out the names they liked.

Ylvis is still around and, according to YouTube, still spreading the good word about Massachusetts at concerts.

Maybe if we start a petition to make "Massachusetts" our official state song, we can get the guys to perform here.

Oh, and just to get in stuck in your head again after a long break, here's "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)" You're welcome.

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Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall