Decades-Old Song Gains Viral TikTok Popularity

A surprising musical revival is taking place on TikTok, where Connie Francis' 1961 recording, "Pretty Little Baby," has become the soundtrack for millions of videos. While TikTok frequently amplifies contemporary hits from today's biggest artists, this decades-old song is currently experiencing a viral resurgence, captivating a new generation of listeners and creators on the popular social media platform.
Originally recorded over sixty years ago, "Pretty Little Baby" was one of many songs Connie Francis laid down during a prolific period where she recorded enough material for three albums. Unlike her well-known hits such as "Stupid Cupid" and "Who’s Sorry Now?", "Pretty Little Baby" was a lesser-known track, reportedly buried on the back of one of those records. For decades, it remained relatively obscure, overshadowed by her more prominent chart successes.
However, in recent weeks, this forgotten tune has been rediscovered and embraced by the TikTok community. The audio-forward nature of the app has propelled "Pretty Little Baby" into the spotlight, with millions of videos featuring the song. Its appeal spans a wide range of users, from everyday content creators to popular influencers and even high-profile celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, who have both been featured in videos set to the 1960s-era song.
This newfound popularity on TikTok has translated into tangible growth in listenership. Streams of "Pretty Little Baby" are on the rise, and the song has even secured spots on some of Spotify’s playlists dedicated to popular and viral tracks, further cementing its comeback. The phenomenon highlights TikTok's power to unearth and popularize music regardless of its original release date.
Connie Francis herself has reacted to her song's unexpected trend. She candidly wrote that she was "clearly out of touch" when she first learned about the song trending on TikTok, her initial response being to ask, "what’s that?" Showing she's adaptable, Francis has since joined TikTok. While she has not yet posted any content, her official page on the platform features the song’s album artwork, acknowledging its viral status. This story was originally reported by NBC News.