Connie Francis’ 1962 Hit “Pretty Little Baby” Crowned TikTok’s Top Global Song of 2025
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A remarkable resurgence has propelled Connie Francis’ 1962 ballad, “Pretty Little Baby,” to the top of TikTok’s year-end charts for 2025, demonstrating the platform’s power to revive classic hits for a new generation. The song was featured in over 28 million posts, garnering more than 68 billion views.
The Unexpected Reign of a 63-Year-Old Song
The video-sharing app revealed in a year-end report that “Pretty Little Baby” dominated its platform throughout 2025, captivating users with its nostalgic charm. The song’s popularity was fueled by prominent figures like Nara Smith, Kylie Jenner, and Ariana Greenblatt incorporating it into their content.
The track first experienced a significant surge in May, topping the TikTok Music Charts with over 1.3 million posts. Francis herself expressed her delight, stating in a press release, “I am thrilled and overwhelmed at the success of ‘Pretty Little Baby.’ I recorded that song 63 years ago and to know that an entire new generation now knows who I am, and my music is thrilling to me. Thank you so much everybody, thank you TikTok.” Sadly, Francis passed away in July 2025 at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy unexpectedly revitalized by the platform.
Currently, two official audio versions of the song boast 2.4 million and 1.3 million videos respectively. Numerous other clips, ranging from 14,000 to one million videos each, contribute to the song’s massive presence. The decentralized nature of content sharing on TikTok makes pinpointing the exact figure of 28 million uses a challenge, but the scale of its impact is undeniable.
TikTok representatives did not respond to a request for comment from Rolling Stone regarding the song’s viral success.
Beyond “Pretty Little Baby”: Other Top Tracks of 2025
While Francis’ hit led the pack, other songs also resonated strongly with TikTok users in 2025. Jess Glynne’s 2013 track, “Hold My Hand,” secured the second spot on the Top Global Songs list, featured prominently in the viral “Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday” audio, used in over 3.6 million videos. Additional notable entries included Black Eyed Peas’ “Rock That Body,” J Balvin’s “Azul,” and Fantomel and Kate Linn’s “Dame Un Grrr.”
Rising Stars and Established Artists Shine
TikTok also celebrated its top artists of the year. Katseye was named TikTok’s Global Artist of the Year, a recognition based on video views utilizing their music and views of the group’s own posts. “You turned our songs, our moments, and our chaos into something truly global, and we are so grateful for this community,” Katseye shared in a statement.
Taylor Swift earned the title of Global Most-Saved Artist, while Sombr’s “Back to Friends” was designated the Global Most-Saved Track and Tate McRae’s So Close to What was the Global Most-Saved Album. Doechii inspired the Music Trend of the Year with her song “Anxiety.”
The platform’s influence on the music industry is clear, demonstrating its ability to not only launch new artists but also to breathe new life into decades-old classics.