Getty Images

Carly Rae Jepsen, left, goes "weeeeee!" Trent Reznor, right, goes "arrrrrrrgh!"

Nine Inch Nails fans won't like the fact that the band's hit "Head Like a Hole" has been mashed together with Carly Rae Jepsen's viral beast "Call Me Maybe." But if Trent Reznor's faithful lift their bobbing heads and wipe away the eyeliner streaming down their cheeks, they might just enjoy this most unlikely pairing.

Pieced together beautifully on SoundCloud by pomDeterrific (with a hat tip for inspiring the idea to Reddit user carly_rae_reznor), the song, titled "Call Me A Hole," makes NIN's 1989 industrial anthem seem so carefree. And it's hilarious to imagine the person who Jepsen just met and asked to call her being told to "bow down before the one you serve."

Reznor's vocals lose all of their angst and grit when set over the top of the bubblegum synth of Jepsen's song. Why is he screaming "I'd rather die than give you control!" to a legion of 13-year-old girls?!

"Call Me Maybe" was the most downloaded track on iTunes in 2012. The video for the song has 418 million views on YouTube. Nine Inch Nails' "Head Like a Hole" video has 1.8 million views on YouTube. One of the videos features a shirtless lawn guy and an extended car washing scene. The other video features a rotating, half-man/half-machine head.

User comments on the SoundCloud page range from, "This is the only mashup I have ever enjoyed this thoroughly" to "This makes me want to kill myself."

You can't argue that Jepsen's pop hit lacked a catchy hook. So if all you hated was her lyrics, subbing in Reznor's words should do the trick, right? As Gawker simply notes -- it's "surprisingly good." Is it better than this attempt by Devo? Is it more fun than Kermit the Frog doing this "Hurt" cover? Go ahead and cast your vote below.

This year, we discovered it was possible to mash up wildly divergent parts of pop culture (Cookie Monster and The Dark Knight), or pretend we were riding horses ("Gangnam Style" tributes) or just watch a cat spin on a turntable. And then we sent those videos around. Everywhere. To everyone.

In case you missed some of the year's great viral videos, we've compiled a list of our favorites.

(Note: Some of the videos may have adult language, or situations.)

Movies

Darth Vader visits Disneyland, rides teacups

Okay, so it was part of a big ad campaign following Disney’s acquisition of George Lucas’ space opera epic -- but that didn’t make the mashup of Lord Vader with the Happiest Place on Earth any less hilarious. Thanks to cheap editing software and a prevailing geek ethic, virals featuring comic book characters/movie franchise heroes (Batman Gets Lost Thanks to Apple Maps) and straight-up Pixar favorites (“Toy Story” toys burn up in family prank on Mom) were among the most popular this year. And let’s not forget the mashups: Prepare for your holiday travel with the Scariest Flights from Films in One Supercut and then calm your nerves by watching 250 Movies in 2 Minutes.

TV

Downton Tabby

Popular TV shows were ripe for parody. PBS’s “Downton Abbey” offered the most fertile ground for hilarity, from the use of cats (see above) to subbing in a former Will Smith character (The Fresh Prince of “Downton Abbey”). “Breaking Bad” also was popular for mixologists, who blended the meth-making characters with a pop tune (Taylor Swift Takes “Breaking Bad” Turn). Sometimes multiple shows got mashed together, as in Don Draper Eats Brains on “Walking Dead Mad Men.” And wouldn’t “Game of Thrones” be even more interesting if, instead of swords, they borrowed from "Star Wars"? (“Game of Thrones” with Lightsabers.)

PBS

Happy Little Trees Grow Again in Bob Ross video

If “Downton Abbey” held a warm place in many readers’ hearts, nostalgia for PBS and Muppet-related programming was white-hot. Gentle painter Bob Ross was able to paint again, while singing, thanks to auto-tune (see video above), a connection was forged between Cookie Monster and Batman (Video Proves Dark Knight is Secretly Cookie Monster), and the Muppets welcomed “The Voice’s” Cee Lo into their homes (Muppets Join Cee Lo on “All I Need Is Love” video). 

Music

USA Olympic Swimming Team’s “Call Me Maybe” Tribute

U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen Go “Gangnam Style”

A newcomer to the U.S. must think everyone is out there dancing (or galloping) in the streets 24/7, thanks to the flood of “Gangnam Style” and “Call Me Maybe” tribute videos. (The original "Gangnam Style" video itself hit 1 billion views on Dec. 21.) Among the most-watched of these videos here at TODAY.com were the Olympic Swimming Team’s tribute to the Carly Rae Jepsen song and the Naval Academy’s take on “Gangnam Style.” Ohio University’s band also got into the “Gangnam” act, as did Hugh Jackman when singer PSY visited the “Wolverine” set, and clever editors managed to get both Klingons and Bill Nye in on the Korean pop sensation. Even the president got in on it, unwittingly, thanks to auto-tune and some clever editing, as his “version” of “Call Me Maybe” proves.

Kids

Autistic child ballerina dances her way into viewers' hearts with viral video

Songs are funny but kids are gold: One of our most popular stories of the entire year came from the video of an autistic child ballerina going through her steps in perfect precision with a pro. Katy Perry also stepped up to the mic with a little girl who had autism and sang with her onstage. And lest anyone think all kids can do is sing, it turns out they can also kick a little butt, as the “Dragon Baby” video showed in graphic (hey, stuffing is just pouring out of that toy’s wound!) detail. 

Cats and Dogs

Cat Wanders Into Weather Report

Cats don’t care. They just do their thing. And sometimes, when they do, a camera captures their awesome indifference. Another one of the year’s top clicks went to the kitty who wandered onto Univision’s Miami news set as Eduardo Rodriguez read out the weather; the crew just couldn’t stop laughing, but at no time did Rodriguez break a sweat. A cat also delighted readers with its ride on a record player, and to be fair to canines, the much-clicked sight of actor Kevin Bacon diving into a pool with his pet pit bull Lucy was also hugely popular.

So what was your favorite viral video of the past year? What did we miss? Let us know on Facebook!

More Entertainment news:

• The year in movies: It's time to punch a wolf
• Slideshow: Year in celebrity weddings
• Slideshow: Year in celebrity breakups

Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty Images file

Carly Rae Jepsen.

Steal me maybe ... or maybe not? Carly Rae Jepsen is seeing that success sometimes has its downside.

The Canadian crooner is on the receiving end of a copyright infringement suit filed by a fellow recording artist and producer who claimed she ripped off her sexually suggestive Christmas song and used it as the basis for Jepsen's infectious hit, "Call Me Maybe."

Per the complaint set to be filed today in federal court in Los Angeles, Ukrainian popster AZA accused Jepsen and Scooter Braun (the manager she shares with Justin Bieber) of borrowing elements from her tune "Hunky Santa" off her album "High Speed" for "Call Me Maybe," which AZA claimed was a derivative work.

Carly Rae Jepsen talks touring partner Justin Bieber: "His Energy Is Contagious"

"I'm shocked and surprised that these people wanted to sample my lyrics on "Call Me Maybe," AZA said in a statement obtained by E! News. "They didn't ask me for permission -- they just stole it. That's why I filed this lawsuit. When I first listened to it on the radio while driving my car, I almost got into an accident. I couldn't believe what I was hearing."

Also listed among the defendants are the 26-year-old popster's cowriters, Tavish Crowe and Josh Ramsay, as well as her label Schoolboy Records.

The Ukrainian singer is seeking unspecified damages against Jepsen and company and a court order barring the parties from continuing to possess, distribute, sell, reproduce, advertise or promote "Call Me Maybe" around the world.

Nine great moments from Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars

Given that the video for "Call Me Maybe" has racked up over 325 million YouTube views, we can't imagine Carly's fans would be thrilled about that.

An attorney for Jepsen could not be reached for comment.

Carly's touring partner, Justin Bieber, is all grown up!

Related content:

• Which 'Call Me Maybe' parody is your favorite?
• VIDEO: Jepsen performs 'Call Me Maybe' on TODAY

Getty Images, AP

Carly Rae Jepsen, left, and Psy, both during concerts on TODAY.

What could possibly be more viral or earwormy than Korean sensation Psy's "Gangnam Style," or Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe?" A mashup of both songs, of course.

A Soundcloud user with lots of time and some mad editing skills has rather seamlessly put the two songs together for your listening pleasure. Give a listen to "Call Me Gangnam":

We can only hope a video of some sort is in the works next. In the mean time, you can check out PSY's recent cameo on the 38th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live." And just for fun, a personal favorite -- Jimmy Fallon, Carly Rae Jepsen and the Roots covering "Call Me Maybe."

Related Content:

• Video: Carly Rae Jepsen performs 'Call Me Maybe' on TODAY
• Video: 'Gangnam Style' makes plaza go gangbusters with PSY
• Going Gangnam! This Korean music video has 117+ million YouTube view

It's the most parodied, copied, lip-dubbed and reworked song of the summer. From Olympians to Cookie Monster, everyone who can carry a tune (or pretend to) has taken a turn belting out Carly Rae Jepsen's catchy, bouncy hit.

Here are a few of our favorites:

U.S. Olympic swim team
They're talented athletes but they're also up on modern music -- and look terrific in their suits. Don't miss Ryan Lochte's blown kiss, Michael Phelps' wink and the hilarious airplane-aisle scene. And how much do we want a shot at that water slide?

Jimmy Fallon and friends
Hard to beat Jimmy Fallon's rendition -- after all, he has Jepsen herself singing along with his band The Roots. We love this for the variety of little-kid instruments enlisted, plus the fact that these folks are actually singing, not lip-synching.

Harvard baseball team
This early version is simpler than many of the elaborate ones that came later, but we still love it for the serious looks, the car-ceiling-thumping choreography and best of all, the one guy in the back seat who sleeps through it. Even the YouTube video has the explanation "yes, he was actually sleeping the whole time." (The Southern Methodist University women's crew team also has a version, and the two teams met on TODAY in May for a face-off, with the TODAY anchors joining in.)

Kathie Lee and Hoda
The ladies of TODAY's fourth hour got in on the craze too when the SMU and Harvard teams visited the show. They may not be ready to medal in synchronized kicking yet, but the results were pretty funny. Note Kathie Lee showing off the binder clips holding down her dress.

U.S. Olympic dive team
The divers couldn't let the swim team take all the watery, musical glory. Their version contains the awesome line, "Hey, I just medaled, and this is crazy, but Ryan Lochte, call me maybe!" It was also filmed during the Olympics, so viewers get to see what the athletes' housing looks like -- love the American flags hanging from their balconies.

Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and pals
Even celebrities who make their own music can't resist Jepsen's ditty. Check out Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Ashley Tisdale and various friends of theirs rocking out with some fake mustaches, billiards equipment, a banana phone and a copy of "The Hunger Games."

President Obama and Mitt Romney
Jay Leno put the two politicians together in a car (OK, so it's not really them ...) for a fun version. Dig those black socks. (The Prez also rated a stand-alone take.)

Cookie Monster
Of course, furry blue Muppet Cookie Monster doesn't want anyone's number, he wants a COOOOOKIE! "Pie and ice cream, it no faze me, but you got cookie, so share it maybe!"

Which version of the song is your favorite? Vote in our poll, and tell us on Facebook.

Carly Rae Jepsen on TODAY:

• Video: Jepsen performs smash hit 'Call Me Maybe'
• Video: Jepsen: I'm living my dream

Related content:

• Swim team makes 'Call Me Maybe' lipdub
• Jimmy Fallon has the most fun with 'Call Me Maybe'
• Harvard and SMU recreate 'Call Me Maybe' videos on TODAY
• KLG and Hoda nailed the 'Call Me Maybe' dance-off
• Obama gets 'Call Me Maybe' treatment
• Obama, Romney parody 'Call Me Maybe," thanks to digital hijinks
• Cookie Monster begs for treats in pop parody

At long last, President Obama has weighed in on an important matter of our time: Does he like his "Call Me Maybe" parody?

During a radio interview with KOB-FM, a person actually asked the leader of the free world about the pop song, which has inspired what feels like millions of viral "response" videos and this, on TODAY. 

A disc jockey for the New Mexico station wanted to know if the president had ever seen the parody in which he appears to sing the ear worm. 

The president admitted that while he hasn't heard the original, he has indeed seen "Barack Obama Sings Call Me Maybe."

"I saw this version where they spliced up me from a whole bunch of different speeches that I made. They kind of mashed together an Obama version of it," he said. "It looks like a cute pop song."

Julieanne Smolinski is a TODAY.com contributor.

More:
Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City join TODAY concert lineup  
Obama, Romney parody 'Call Me Maybe' thanks to some digital hijinks 
Sorry, everyone else: KLG and Hoda totally nailed the 'Call Me Maybe' dance-off  
Kid plays hooky, gets presidential excuse note
Adorable baby grooving in car to Gotye goes viral  
Romney staff pranks candidate for April Fool's 
Romney 'raps' in Eminem parody