Connie Francis Admits She Didn't Remember Her 1962 Song 'Pretty Little Baby" Before Its Viral Comeback

Published: May 22, 2025

At 87, the pop pioneer reflects on her life in the spotlight, including her recent surprise hit on the social media platform TikTok.

Connie Francis' 1962 song "Pretty Little Baby" has taken the internet by storm, racking up over 10 billion views on TikTok. The song, which was never released as a single, has become a sensation among users, with even A-listers like Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian using it in their videos.

Franics, who retired from the music industry in 2018, admits that she didn't even remember recording it. "To tell you the truth, I didn't even remember the song! I had to listen to it to remember," she told PEOPLE exclusively. "To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is touching the hearts of millions of people is truly awesome. It is an amazing feeling."

The 87-year-old pop legend is surprised by the song's success but believes it's because of its innocent and pure nature, which resonates with people in a time of chaos.

Francis' career was launched with a surprise hit, "Who's Sorry Now," which was recorded in 1957 and became a massive success. The song, which was originally written in 1923, was a turning point in her career, and she credits Dick Clark for playing it on his influential show, American Bandstand.

Throughout her career, Francis recorded songs in over a dozen languages, becoming one of the first artists in the process. She even recorded "Pretty Little Baby" in multiple languages, including French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish.

Since her retirement, Francis has settled in South Florida, where she enjoys visiting friends and playing Scrabble. She's looking forward to healing from a hip injury and traveling to New York City to see Gracie Lawrence play her in the Broadway musical Just in Time, based on the life and music of her one-time romantic partner, Bobby Darin.

The TikTok boost is an unexpected victory lap for Francis and her legendary career. "It's truly awesome. I never thought it was possible. It's a dream come true. To think that kindergarten kids now know my name and my music? It's just thrilling!"

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