Connie Francis’ “Pretty Little Baby” charms Gen Zs 63 years later

Metro Manila, Philippines - In a twist no one saw coming, a sweet ballad from the early ’60s has taken over TikTok and Spotify, turning a nostalgic B-side track into a 2025 global hit.

Connie Francis’ “Pretty Little Baby,” originally released in 1962, is going viral more than six decades later, captivating Gen Zs with its lilting melody and heartfelt lyrics.

The song, featured on Francis’ album Connie Francis Sings Second Hand Love & Other Hits, has sparked a viral lip-sync trend on TikTok, with millions of users — including celebrities like Kim Kardashian, North West, Kylie Jenner, and Brook Monk — pairing it with retro-inspired videos, baby clips, and pet content.

The track is now averaging over 600,000 daily TikTok creates and has amassed nearly 15 million total TikTok videos, generating more than 10 billion views across all associated sounds.

“I am thrilled and overwhelmed at the success of ‘Pretty Little Baby,’” Francis said in a statement released by Universal Music Group.

“I recorded that song 63 years ago, and to know that an entirely new generation now knows who I am, and my music, is thrilling for me. Thank you so much, everybody — thank you, TikTok.”

The song’s momentum has spilled over to streaming platforms. In just the past week, “Pretty Little Baby” racked up over 14 million global streams and climbed to #67 on Spotify’s Global Top 100 and #2 on the Global Daily Viral Songs chart. It also entered the Spotify Viral Charts in 65 countries, reaching the top spot in India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Egypt, and Morocco.

The resurgence includes a digital first: the release of “Pretty Little Baby” international versions, making rare 1962 foreign-language versions of the song available on streaming for the first time. Listeners can now enjoy “Pretty Little Baby” in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, and the already available Japanese version.

Francis, one of the most iconic voices of the 20th century, originally released “Pretty Little Baby” as a B-side to “I’m Gonna Be Warm This Winter.” Though it never topped charts in its day, its timeless charm has now cemented it as a multi-generational classic.