Can you imagine a song recorded over six decades ago suddenly taking TikTok by storm? That's exactly what happened with Connie Francis' enchanting 'Pretty Little Baby'.

Connie Francis, a beloved icon of 1950s and '60s pop music, witnessed an unexpected resurgence of her 1962 track 'Pretty Little Baby' before her death, which was announced on Thursday. In a fascinating twist of fate, this sugary-sweet tune has become a viral sensation on TikTok, breathing new life into a classic hit.

Since its unexpected rebirth, more than 22.5 million TikTok creations have been set to 'Pretty Little Baby', with the videos amassing a staggering 45.5 billion views globally. Even celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian have jumped on the bandwagon, using the track in their posts. The song's charming simplicity, combined with Francis' sweet vocals and catchy riffs, have made it an irresistible choice for TikTok users, who pair it with heartwarming clips of baby animals, toddlers, and retro fashion.

Such was the viral impact of 'Pretty Little Baby' that it saw an astronomical rise in streams, leaping from just over 17,000 on-demand audio streams in early April to a jaw-dropping 2.4 million within a month. This 7,000% growth is akin to a modern-day Cinderella story for this nostalgic track, which has accumulated over 29 million streams just this year.

The TikTok phenomenon also inspired users to create covers of the song, showcasing their vocal talent by exaggerating Francis' vintage style. Connie Francis herself was so moved by her newfound popularity that she joined TikTok, expressing her astonishment in her debut videos, which collectively garnered nearly 50 million views. To her, it was truly overwhelming and magical to see a song recorded 63 years ago capturing the hearts of a new generation.

Remarkably, 'Pretty Little Baby' was never intended for the spotlight. Written by Don Stirling and Bill Nauman, it was initially released in the UK as a B-side, but it never received its due attention until now. Thanks to this viral revival, it even reached No. 20 on Billboard's Digital Song Sales chart in 2025, and made its way onto the Hot 100's Bubbling Under chart and the Billboard Global 200.

The emotional farewell from Francis resonated with fans and musicians alike. TikTok creators and fellow performers, including Peter Lemongello Jr., paid heartfelt tributes, underscoring the profound impact Francis had on their lives and careers. The popularity of 'Pretty Little Baby' led her record label, Republic/UMe Records, to reissue the song in multiple languages, adding to the nostalgic delight for fans worldwide.

In May, Connie expressed her gratitude towards TikTok and its community for the unexpected and enthusiastic reception. Her humble humor shone through when she candidly admitted, 'Clearly out of touch with present-day music statistics terminology, my initial response was to ask: 'What's that?' Thank you, everyone!'