Bed Intruder Song

The song is based on a recording from a WAFF-48 news report about an attempted rape in Huntsville, Alabama.{{cite web |last=Gentle |first=Elizabeth |title=Woman wakes up to find intruder in her bed |url=http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=12883477 |publisher=WAFF-48 |access-date=August 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816192212/http://www.waff.com//Global//story.asp?S=12883477 |archive-date=2010-08-16 }} A video of the news report was first posted to the WAFF-48 TV station website on July 29, 2010, and then copied and uploaded to YouTube on the same day.{{cite web |title=Woman wakes up to find intruder in her bed [Video] |url=http://www.waff.com/global/Category.asp?C=151146&clipId=4982173&topVideoCatNo=default&topVideoCatNoB=105966&topVideoCatNoC=105977&topVideoCatNoD=110674&topVideoCatNoE=109699&autoStart=true&flvUri&partnerclipid |publisher=WAFF-48 |access-date=August 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824102441/http://www.waff.com/global/Category.asp?C=151146&clipId=4982173&topVideoCatNo=default&topVideoCatNoB=105966&topVideoCatNoC=105977&topVideoCatNoD=110674&topVideoCatNoE=109699&autoStart=true&flvUri&partnerclipid |archive-date=2010-08-24 }} Just two days later The Gregory Brothers released an Auto-Tuned song version of the news report. The pitch contour of Antoine Dodson's voice was manipulated to make him appear to sing.

The music video for "Bed Intruder Song" achieved immense viral success. It became the most-viewed YouTube video of 2010 (excluding major label music videos) despite having been created in the summer of that year.{{cite web|url=http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/double-rainbows-annoying-oranges-and.html |title=Official Google Blog: Double rainbows, annoying oranges and bed intruders: the year on YouTube |date=12 December 2010 |work=The Official Google Blog |publisher=Blogger |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223211440/http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/double-rainbows-annoying-oranges-and.html |archive-date=23 December 2010 |url-status=live }}

Jason King, a songwriter and music journalist, was quoted by NPR as saying "It's catchy. It has a really good hook, but it's problematic, too. There's a way in which the aesthetics of black poverty—the way they talk and they speak and they look—sort of becomes this fodder for humor without any interest in the context of the conditions in which people actually live."{{cite web|last=Chace |first=Zoe |title='Bed Intruder Song' Climbs The Charts |website=NPR.org |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2010/08/13/129178815/bed-intruder-song-climbs-the-charts |publisher=NPR |access-date=August 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815203142/http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2010/08/13/129178815/bed-intruder-song-climbs-the-charts |archive-date=15 August 2010 |url-status=live }}

Michael Gregory told Billboard that he did question the appropriateness of taking a bad news story and making it into a musical parody but then came to the conclusion that "it's taking a terrible situation and making at least something positive out of it." The band is splitting the money they make from sales 50% with the Dodson family. The Dodson family was subsequently able to move thanks to the project.[https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/bed-intruder-singer-moves-family-into-new-home-2010169/ "Bed Intruder" Singer Moves Family Into New Home] Accessed September 17, 2010. Evan Gregory said of the song's success, "I think people are latching onto it is frankly quite similar to why they latch onto a classic ballad or pop song that tops the charts—because there's real emotion behind it that people identify with, even if, in this case, it was for unusual reasons." Andrew Gregory said that "There are plenty of comments that quote funny lines from the song but one of the comments I see most often on our videos is, 'I can't get this out of my head.'"

Baratunde Thurston of The Onion told NPR:

As the remix took off, I became increasingly uncomfortable with its separation from the underlying situation. A woman was sexually assaulted and her brother was rightfully upset. People online seemed to be laughing at him and not with him (because he wasn't laughing), as Dodson fulfilled multiple stereotypes in one short news segment. Watching the wider Web jump on this meme, all but forgetting why Dodson was upset, seemed like a form of 'class tourism.' Folks with no exposure to the projects could dip their toes into YouTube and get a taste. ... The creativity unleashed has been amazing, and what mitigates my fears of people minimizing the gravity of the situation is how Antoine himself has responded and taken charge of his own meme.{{cite news|title='Bed Intruder' Meme: A Perfect Storm of Race, Music, Comedy And Celebrity |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2010/08/05/129005122/youtube-bed-intruder-meme |access-date=August 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814125401/http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2010/08/05/129005122/youtube-bed-intruder-meme |archive-date=14 August 2010 |url-status=live }}

Kenyatta Cheese of Know Your Meme told NPR, "More and more we're seeing people be inspired by viral videos to respond by creating videos themselves. While there is a long history of 'amateur' (non-market) spoofing, it is no longer the domain of professionals at SNL, Mad Magazine and drive-time radio hosts. Spoofing is participatory and it's just as good as the commercial stuff."

Harry Connick Jr. even referenced Antoine Dodson, winking good-naturedly at the fickleness of the pop spotlight when playing a concert at the Hollywood Bowl.{{cite news|last=McNulty |first=Charles |title=Music review: Harry Connick Jr. and his Big Band at the Hollywood Bowl |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2010/08/music-review-harry-connick-jr-and-his-big-band-at-the-hollywood-bowl.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=August 19, 2010 |date=August 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819024937/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2010/08/music-review-harry-connick-jr-and-his-big-band-at-the-hollywood-bowl.html |archive-date=19 August 2010 |url-status=live }}

On August 18, 2010, Billboard reported that "Bed Intruder Song" had entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 89 by selling 30,000 copies, up by 182%.{{cite web|last=Caulfield |first=Keith |title=Chart Moves: Eminem, Jackie Evancho, Taylor Swift, 'Bed Intruder Song' |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i724a018466b894112aef52b91accf12a |publisher=Billboard.biz |access-date=August 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823071845/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i724a018466b894112aef52b91accf12a |archive-date=23 August 2010 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Trust |first=Gary |title=Eminem, Rihanna Top Hot 100 For Fifth Week |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/956793/eminem-rihanna-top-hot-100-for-fifth-week |publisher=Billboard.com |access-date=August 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821043150/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/956793/eminem-rihanna-top-hot-100-for-fifth-week |archive-date=21 August 2010 |url-status=live }} The next day they also reported that the song entered the Hot Digital Songs at number 49.{{cite web|last=Peters |first=Mitchell |title=Gregory Brothers Take Antoine Dodson To Hot 100 |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/956772/gregory-brothers-take-antoine-dodson-to-the-hot-100 |publisher=Billboard |access-date=August 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822151600/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/956772/gregory-brothers-take-antoine-dodson-to-the-hot-100 |archive-date=22 August 2010 |url-status=live }} The Gregory Brothers have reported selling over 100,000 copies of "Bed Intruder Song" on iTunes.{{cite web |url=http://www.barry.com.au/2010/09/17/gregory-brothers-interview |title=Meet The Team Behind The Meme |date=September 17, 2010 |work=Barry.com |access-date=September 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921021002/http://www.barry.com.au/2010/09/17/gregory-brothers-interview |archive-date=21 September 2010 }}

Techdirt concluded in an article that "This song is not only musically interesting, but also calls attention to a horrible incident that happened as well. And, again, some will brush it off as being meaningless, but the power with which it has interested so many people is not something that should be ignored."{{cite web|title=Autotune The News Becomes A Billboard Hit|date=20 August 2010 |url=http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100819/18210810695.shtml|publisher=Techdirt|access-date=August 20, 2010}}

In September 2010, the Gregory Brothers performed a slower rendition of the song live at New York's Bowery Ballroom without Antoine Dodson.{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2010/09/the_gregory_bro.html |title=the Gregory Brothers played 'Bed Intruder' @ Bowery (video) |publisher=Brooklynvegan.com |date=2010-09-03 |access-date=2012-01-15}} In October 2010, Dodson performed "Bed Intruder Song" for the first time with Michael Gregory on keyboards at the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards.{{cite web |url=http://www.bet.com/video/hiphopawards/2010/antoine-dodson-10-12-10-230224.html |title=Hip-Hop Awards 2010 Official Site: Hip Hop Awards '10 Performances! |date=October 13, 2010 |work=Black Entertainment Television |publisher=BET.com |access-date=October 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005100345/http://www.bet.com/video/hiphopawards/2010/antoine-dodson-10-12-10-230224.html |archive-date=October 5, 2011 }} He was joined by the Gregory Brothers again and performed the song on BET's music video countdown show 106 & Park later that month.{{cite web|url=http://www.bet.com/video/106andpark/highlights/antoine-dodson-230389.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531131032/http://www.bet.com/video/106andpark/highlights/antoine-dodson-230389.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |title=106 & Park: Antoine Dodson | 106 & Park |publisher=BET |access-date=2012-01-15}} Dodson and the Gregory Brothers performed the song again for the 15th Annual Webby Awards.{{Cite web |url=http://tumblr.webbyawards.com/post/2134089673/who-said-auto-tune-is-dead-the-webby-winning |title=Who said auto-tune is dead? |website=The Webby Awards |access-date=2018-05-07}}

According to The Observer, "More than 2,500 videos inspired by the meme had been uploaded by August 14, 2010".{{cite news|title=Antoine Dodson: from local news item to internet sensation |work=The Guardian |date=August 15, 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/15/antoine-dodson-internet-sensation |access-date=August 15, 2010 |location=London |first=Paul |last=Gallagher |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817162211/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/15/antoine-dodson-internet-sensation |archive-date=17 August 2010 |url-status=live }} Internet trends website, Urlesque, listed the "11 Best Antoine Dodson 'Bed Intruder' Remix Covers".{{cite web |last=Stryker |first=Cole |title=11 Best Antoine Dodson 'Bed Intruder' Remix Covers |url=http://www.urlesque.com/2010/08/13/antoine-dodson-bed-intruder-remix-covers/ |publisher=Urlesque |access-date=August 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818054551/http://www.urlesque.com/2010/08/13/antoine-dodson-bed-intruder-remix-covers/ |archive-date=18 August 2010 }} The Annoying Orange also spoofed the song and posted it on YouTube November 23, 2010. A full version was released December 3, 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pezdRcVe04c|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208184230/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pezdRcVe04c|archive-date=2010-12-08|title=YouTube - Kitchen Intruder (Bed Intruder Spoof) with AutoTune remix!|website = YouTube|date=2010-12-08|access-date=2018-05-09}}

These included an arrangement by the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine and a version on a shamisen.{{cite web|last=Jones Jr.|first=Thomas L.|title="The Original" NC A&T – Bed Intruder Song 8.11.2010 |date=August 12, 2010 |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3UsvLyu3N0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Q3UsvLyu3N0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube|access-date=August 17, 2010}}{{cbignore}}

Andrew Gregory did a collaboration with fellow YouTuber Hank Green.{{cite web|title=Bed Intruder Song – Hank Green and Andrew Rose Gregory Cover – iTunes Version! |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6A-cgfK91c|publisher=YouTube|access-date=August 17, 2010}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}} Evan Gregory's acoustic piano cover was included at the end of the first "Bed Intruder Song" video.{{cite web|title=BED INTRUDER SONG!!! (now on iTunes) [Evan's Cover] | date=July 31, 2010 |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMtZfW2z9dw#t=1m14s |publisher=YouTube |access-date=August 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816153638/https://www.youtube.com//watch?v=hMtZfW2z9dw |archive-date=16 August 2010 |url-status=live }}

Other cover versions include styles of death metal, a cappella,{{cite web|last=Stever |first=Shane |title=Bed Intruder Song – A Cappella Cover |date=August 10, 2010 |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wucEzYqTXk |publisher=YouTube |access-date=August 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819025654/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wucEzYqTXk |archive-date=19 August 2010 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Carr |first=Jordan |title='Bed Intruder' Song Cracks the Billboard Charts |work=AOL News |url=http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/bed-intruder-song-cracks-the-billboard-charts/19601818 |access-date=August 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821032601/http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/bed-intruder-song-cracks-the-billboard-charts/19601818 |archive-date=21 August 2010 }} power pop,{{cite web|last=Berghult|first=Joel|title=Roomie – Bed Intruder FULL Song|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilqQjN6cXMw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ilqQjN6cXMw |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube|access-date=August 20, 2010}}{{cbignore}} and folk.{{cite web|last=Vektormusic |title=Bed Intruder Song (Cover) |date=August 9, 2010 |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKraf32VU6M |publisher=YouTube |access-date=August 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829142530/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKraf32VU6M |archive-date=29 August 2010 |url-status=live }} Eric Stanley covered the song on the violin and incorporated hip hop and pop elements.{{cite web |last= Hathaway |first= Jay |url= http://www.urlesque.com/2010/09/10/eric-stanley-violin-covers/ |title= Eric Stanley Plays Violin Covers of the Hits |publisher= AOL |website= urlesque.com |access-date= December 12, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141215113000/http://www.urlesque.com/2010/09/10/eric-stanley-violin-covers/ |archive-date= December 15, 2014 }} On August 20, 2010, Dane Cook and musician J Chris Newberg incorporated sections of the "Bed Intruder Song" into a cover of "Don't You Want Me" by The Human League.{{cite web|title=DC & JCN – Bed Intruder / Human League | date=August 20, 2010 |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79uFlWECla0 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=August 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821110410/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79uFlWECla0 |archive-date=21 August 2010 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=@DaneCook & @thechrisarmy mashup @AutoTuneTheNews w/ Human League "Don't You Want Me" support @NOH8Campaign|url=https://twitter.com/danecook/status/21698611326|publisher=Twitter|access-date=August 21, 2010}} On August 25, 2010, a punk version of the song was recorded by Hayley Williams (from Paramore), Jordan Pundik (from New Found Glory), and Ethan Luck (from Relient K) and posted to YouTube.{{cite web|last=Montgomery |first=James |title=Paramore singer collaborates with New Found Glory and Relient K members for 'punk rock cover' of the YouTube hit. |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1646551/20100826/paramore.jhtml |publisher=MTV |access-date=August 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828062400/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1646551/20100826/paramore.jhtml |archive-date=28 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|last=Herrera |first=Monica |title=Paramore's Hayley Williams Puts Rock Twist on 'Bed Intruder Song' |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/956650/paramores-hayley-williams-puts-rock-twist-on-bed-intruder-song |publisher=Billboard |access-date=August 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829050019/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/956650/paramores-hayley-williams-puts-rock-twist-on-bed-intruder-song |archive-date=29 August 2010 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Bed Intruder Ft. Hayley Williams, Jordan Pundik & Ethan Luck | date=August 25, 2010 |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H08EXnT0Pz0 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=August 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828113455/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H08EXnT0Pz0 |archive-date=28 August 2010 |url-status=live }} LIGHTS has sung the song in several live performances.{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLtdxQICg-4 |title=LIGHTS - The Bed Intruder Song LIVE HIGH QUALITY |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2012-01-15}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}} Ska group Suburban Legends regularly perform the song at their live shows, later releasing a studio version on 7" vinyl as part of Asbestos Records' Ska is Dead 7" Club. Los Angeles-based rock band Vayden released a rock remix,{{cite web|title=Rock Remix "Bed Intruder Song" |website = YouTube| date=August 4, 2010 |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJJwROocTHQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/wJJwROocTHQ |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}} and Spanish language versions "Bed Intruder (Discoteca En Español)" and "Bed Intruder (Rock En Español)" under the alias Hide Your Kids in 2011.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}

On August 1, 2020, the Gregory Brothers uploaded a remaster with improved autotune for the tenth anniversary of the song's creation, with a message from Antoine Dodson encouraging viewers to vote in the election and wear masks to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic.

{{certification Table Top}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United States|artist=THE GREGORY BROTHERS & ANTOINE DODSON|title=BED INTRUDER SONG|award=Platinum|certyear=2012|relyear=2010}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|format=3col | nosales=true}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{authority control}}

Category:2010 singles

Category:Novelty songs

Category:Viral videos

Category:Rape in the United States

Category:Violence against women in Alabama

Category:Internet memes introduced in 2010

Category:2010s fads and trends

Category:2010 songs

Category:Songs about sexual assault

Category:Obscenity controversies in music

Category:American pop songs

Category:American contemporary R&B songs

Category:2010 YouTube videos