This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

10 Memes That Inspired The Internet In 2015

Your Year In Memes: The Very Best Of 2015
Katy Perry performing at halftime of Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 1, 2015.
hpaton1/Flickr
Katy Perry performing at halftime of Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 1, 2015.

The internet can be a weird and wonderful place. A home for things like tweets and gifs and memes and outstanding news sites. Of course it has its downsides -- trolls being just one example -- but it can also be a place where people from all over the world can express their creativity, often with hilarious results.

2015 was a big year for memes -- what with the introduction of 'left shark', the release of 'hotline bling' and Kanye's announcement of plans to run for president -- so here at The Huffington Post Australia, we thought we'd take a stroll down memory lane and revisit the most notable memes of the year.

And it would be remiss of us not to kick off this list with Drake.

1. Drake and 'Hotline Bling'

People just went nuts for Drake's dance moves in the music video for his single 'Hotline Bling.'

It didn't take long for the internet to put its own spin on one particular sequence -- resulting in dancing meme gold.

2. Netflix and chill

Apparently this all started with the development of Netflix's "The Switch" -- a button which allows you turn on your TV, dim your lights and silence your phone.

However, the internet being the internet, soon nicknamed the device the "Netflix and chill" button, which then became just "Netflix and chill."

While its origins may have started innocently enough, it's understood "Netflix and chill" has nothing to do with watching Netflix and chilling out. Rather, as the urban dictionary puts it, "It means that you are going to go over to your partners house and f--k with Netflix in the background."

3. Left shark

Katy Perry's performance at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show was witnessed by 118.5 million viewers -- the largest audience in the history of the Super Bowl.

While those viewers were treated to a cracking performance by Ms. Perry herself, as well as guests Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliot -- the real show-stealer was "left shark" who appeared to be struggling with his choreography.

He quickly captured the imagination of internet users everywhere, and now even has his own Twitter account.

It's important to note Katy Perry didn't seem to mind... especially after she nabbed an Emmy nomination for the show.

4. Kanye for President

During his acceptance speech for a lifetime achievement award at the MTV Video Music Awards, an admittedly stoned Kanye West announced he was running for president in 2020.

Not much more needs to be said on this except, of COURSE the internet went ballistic.

5. Donald Trump

Speaking of people who should never become President, here we have Trump. And Trump's hair. And Trump's entire presidential campaign -- including his desire to shut down parts of the internet.

Yeah... good luck with that.

6. The dress

Blue and black or was it white and gold? This question captured the internet early in the year and, though people got pretty sick of the debate within 24 hours, it wasn't before some glorious memes were created.

Rihanna's dress

Speaking of dresses, the yellow gown Rihanna wore to the Met Gala in May inspired some egg-cellent internet work.

As well as some other creative interpretations...

7. Adele's 'Hello'

But let's move onto another songstress who inspired some excellent memes this year. This time, Adele, whose emotional ballad 'Hello' -- and the music video that goes with it -- captured the imagination of the internet.

8. Kim Kardashian's blonde hair

Aaaaaaaand as much as this reporter would love to ignore the hold the Kardashian Klan seems to hold over the internet, it is an indisputable fact that, whenever one of them does pretty much anything, the internet explodes.

Such as when Kim (shock! horror!) died her hair blonde.

9. Pizza Rat

Nothing says "internet fodder" like a rat dragging a slice of pizza down some stairs in New York City.

Of course, comparisons to Master Splinter from 'The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' were inevitable.

View the full video here.

10. This guy

Young R.Kelly 💫 #downgoesfraser #whyyoualwayslying

A photo posted by NicK Fraser🌟 (@downgoes.fraser) on

And here, for our final meme, is the perfect example of the way the internet can sometimes grab hold of a complete and utter random and raise them up from obscurity to become a viral sensation.

Nicholas Fraser is an ordinary 21-year-old man who, one day, uploaded a vine, in which he sings “why you always lying?” to the tune of Next’s “Too Close”.

Somehow, by grace of the internet Gods, his post went viral, and his face became a symbol of when someone is telling a lie.

Well played, internet. Well played.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.