The Crazy Frog mobile phone ring tone shot straight to the top of the British singles chart on Sunday — the first time a ring tone has achieved such a feat.
The Official UK Charts Company said Crazy Frog’s “Axel F”, which went on sale as a CD last week, knocked Coldplay’s new release “Speed Of Sound” into second place.
For all its popularity, the Crazy Frog has also aroused loathing.
Earlier this year the Advertising Standards Authority received complaints from viewers who not only objected to the frog’s visible genitalia but also the frequency of the television spots.
Television adverts that plug the tune feature an animated frog wearing a broad smile singing the distractingly catchy “ding ding dididing ...”. In recent adverts, the frog's tiny penis has been censored even though the watchdog deemed in February it was acceptable.
"Music purists might not be too happy at the prospect of the Crazy Frog outselling Coldplay," said HMV's Gennaro Castaldo.
"Kids obviously find it cute and cool, but even students and office workers seem to be drawn to its rather kitsch, ironic appeal."
