2005 / Video / Flash-animation novelty song
The Touchtone Genius
A phone’s dial tones became the backing band for a short song about an improbable musical talent.
The original is hosted off-site; this page provides context and a link to it.
What was this?
The animation imagines a musician who can turn ordinary telephone tones into a complete accompaniment.
Why it spread
Newgrounds Frontpaged the short the day after release and awarded it Daily Feature, Weekly Users’ Choice, and Monthly Fourth Place. Albino Blacksheep still hosts the song and a video route.
What happened
The animation imagines a musician who can turn ordinary telephone tones into a complete accompaniment.
Where it came from
Artist sunsneezer animated The Touchtone Genius around music by Andrew Pants, also known as andrewismusic. They released it to Newgrounds on November 15, 2005.
Why it mattered
The Touchtone Genius preserves a small-scale side of Flash-era comedy: a collaboration, an unusual musical constraint, and a portal audience willing to reward a replayable song.
How it spread
Newgrounds Frontpaged the short the day after release and awarded it Daily Feature, Weekly Users’ Choice, and Monthly Fourth Place. Albino Blacksheep still hosts the song and a video route.
Keep going
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