At 87, Connie Francis didn’t expect to become a viral star. But a song she recorded more than 60 years ago has found new life, all thanks to TikTok. She’s one of the many musicians the platform has made viral in the past few years.
The track, “Pretty Little Baby,” wasn’t a major hit when it was first released in 1962. Today, it’s been used in over 17 million TikTok videos and viewed more than 27 billion times. That sudden comeback shocked even Francis, who had forgotten she recorded it.
“Pretty Little Baby” has become a TikTok sensation
@connie_francis_officialFirst time I’ve lip-synched to this 63 year old recording of mine!
Francis said she was confused when her label told her the song went viral. “I thought it meant there was a virus in the computer,” she said, laughing. She didn’t even remember the song until she listened to it again. “I had to re-learn it,” she admitted.
Now, the world is singing along. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, North West, and Kylie Jenner have all used the song in their videos. TikTok’s head of music business said it’s proof of how powerful the app can be in bringing old music to new ears. The viral trend even pushed the song onto Spotify’s global and U.S. charts for the first time ever.
Connie Francis joined TikTok to thank her fans
To celebrate the song’s success, Francis joined TikTok and posted a thank-you video to fans. “I’m flabbergasted,” she said. “To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is reaching new generations is overwhelming.” She also received a special plaque from Universal Music at her home in Florida.
“Pretty Little Baby” has now been remixed and released in different languages, including French, German, and Spanish. Though she’s sold over 200 million records and is currently trending, she still hasn’t been added to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.