Tik Tok has been credited with popularising whipped coffee, the renegade and now sea shanties.
So far, videos with the hashtag #SeaShanties have more than 1 billion views.
Shanty fever has spread faster than scurvy on a pirate's ship.
In fact, Google Trends tweeted that sea shanties were searched more last week than any other time in the platform's history.
Sea shanties are more searched now than at any time in Google history 🌊 ⛵⚓ https://t.co/8vvjzxUfKu#shanty pic.twitter.com/wVcLxpYRRO
— GoogleTrends (@GoogleTrends) January 12, 2021
Musicologist Gavin Ring has explained the addictive music's origin.
He says sailors used Sea Shanties to keep time with the rest of the crew over 200 years ago.
Anyone on the sea shanty vibe should catch ‘Fisherman’s Friends’ (2019) on Netflix. Based on a true story.
“Sea shanties have long united 10 Cornish fishermen, but when their chants sail to the music charts, their friendship is kept at bay”. #seashantypic.twitter.com/Ho8IVsFPVn
— Manus Weed (@ManusWeed) January 16, 2021
"They first made their appearance in the eighteenth centaury on French vessels."
He says by the following century, shanties became synonymous with rhymical labour on ships.
Celebrities And Tik Tokers Put Their Own Twist On Sea Shanties
The songs themselves have only just four to five notes, making them easier for sailors - and Tik Tokers - to chime in on.
Users have been putting their own spin on the simple rhymes, including this 2020 version.
I love a sea shanty. And I’m obsessed with a modern twist. This is my JAM. pic.twitter.com/dkxRV7zm6Q
— Nic (@CloneNic) January 17, 2021
Even Olivia Rodrigo's smash hit song "Drivers License" has gotten the shanty treatment by talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.
You’ve heard the POVs and the lyrics decoded, now it’s time for…
“drivers license” by @Olivia_Rodrigo as a Sea Shanty! 💳🌊 pic.twitter.com/SFtQHGYSHq
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) January 16, 2021
Gavan Ring says they fell out of favour then when machine driven vessels took over in the shipping industry, as there were fewer jobs to carry out on deck.
But then along came Tik Tok.
80s/indie pop meets THAT sea shanty ⚓️ Follow us on TikTok decoband for more 💛 pic.twitter.com/awOfpLrriw
— DECO (@decobanduk) January 18, 2021
The musicologist said he "never thought in a million years" he'd be discussing sea shanties in 2021.
"It's incredible and some of them are fantastic!"
"The arrangement and the harmonic constructions of it are really lovely - so why not?!"
