Connie Francis reacts to TikTok’s revival of ‘Pretty Little Baby’: “What’s That?”

Connie Francis’ 1961 hit Pretty Little Baby goes viral on TikTok, sparking renewed interest and a nostalgic fan wave.

Connie Francis’ 1961 hit “Pretty Little Baby” has experienced a surprising resurgence thanks to TikTok, where the song recently went viral among Gen Z users. The renewed popularity of the nostalgic track has given the legendary singer a new wave of recognition—decades after its original release.

The song gained traction after TikTok creators began featuring it in slow-motion videos and nostalgic edits. As TikTok continues to revive classic tunes for a younger audience, “Pretty Little Baby” found itself back in the spotlight, with Spotify streams increasing and playlists getting a vintage update.

When informed about the song’s viral success, Francis responded with humor and surprise. In a Facebook post, she re-shared a Billboard article about the TikTok trend, originally posted by Ron Roberts, who had called to tell her the news. Her initial reaction, she admitted, was simply, “What’s that?”—a charmingly candid response from a star of the vinyl era unacquainted with today’s viral terminology.

Francis expressed her appreciation for the renewed interest in her work, calling the TikTok popularity “so unexpected” and extending her thanks to both Ron Roberts and the TikTok community. “Thank you, everyone!” she wrote in her post.

While Francis welcomed the unexpected fame, the trend sparked contrasting views elsewhere in the music industry. In a recent Variety interview, rapper Rico Nasty criticized record labels for pressuring artists to prioritize TikTok engagement, saying, “You did not sign me to do social media.”

The revival of “Pretty Little Baby” highlights the potential of digital platforms to breathe new life into classic music. Yet, it also underscores the ongoing debate about the role of social media in an artist’s career—between organic discovery and industry-driven promotion.