For the first time ever, YouTube counted down its most watched videos for the year.
In the list published Dec. 16, singing phenomenon Susan Boyle tellingly got the most popular video of 2009. Approximately 120 million views worldwide went to a clip of her debut appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, the reality contest where she emerged as runner-up.
She bested the second-most watched video by a huge margin. “David after Dentist,” a clip of a seven-year-old boy dazed and disoriented after a dentist’s appointment, was viewed 37 million times the world over.
Up next, with 33 million views, was the “JK Wedding Entrance Dance.” Minnesotan newlyweds Jill Peterson and Kevin Heinz star in the clip, which features their July wedding’s unconventional intro. To the tune of Chris Brown’s “Forever,” the couple and their entourage walked and danced their way down the aisle.
“Forever” re-entered the music charts shortly after the video went viral. Sony, which owns the song’s rights, shared in ad revenues from the clip.
Meanwhile, “David” of dental fame has become a precocious public speaker of sorts. Even more successful was Boyle, whose debut CD has topped the US album charts for multiple weeks in December.
Coming in fourth was the trailer for the blockbuster film New Moon. At 31 million views, it gave a titillating sneak peek into the film, which chronicles the travails of a teenager caught in the romantic advances of a vampire and a werewolf. The movie was starred in by heartthrobs Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, along with Kristen Stewart.
Another commercial rounded out the top five. Bottled water maker Evian garnered 27 million views for its ad showing diaper-clad infants on rollerblades.
On top of the most watched videos, YouTube listed the year’s most popular music videos produced by record labels. At 82 million views, “I Know You Want Me” by Pitbull claimed the top spot. Teen pinup Miley Cyrus acquired 118 million views collectively for “The Climb” and “Party in the USA.”
YouTube, which debuted in 2005, is currently one of the world’s most famous websites. Every minute, 20 hours of new material are uploaded into the site.