Sea shanties are traditional work songs that were sung by sailors and maritime workers while they performed various tasks on ships. These songs often had a call-and-response format, with one person leading the singing and the others joining in on the chorus. Although sea shanties originated as a practical way to coordinate work on ships,
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22 January 2021
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On December 23, a video of the 26-year-old Scottish postman-and-singer s cover of The Longest Johns Wellerman went viral and saw #ShantyTok trend on TikTok.
The likes of Gary Barlow, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ronan Keating have since joined Nathan for a duet of the song, and now his debut single has been officially released on Polydor Records (Universal).
Nathan - who has been dubbed the ‘King of Sea Shanty’ - announced on TikTok: See how I was a postman on Friday? I have just signed to the biggest record label in the world. I have just signed a deal with Polydor Records. I’ve done it. It’s done and I’m releasing a single.”
Wellerman streams on Spotify have increased 7000% since sea shanties exploded on TikTok
Palmer HaaschJan 16, 2021, 04:17 IST
Sea shanties, like one sung by TikTok user Nathan Evans, have blown up on Spotify.@nathanevanss/TikTok/Olly Curtis/Future via Getty Images
Sea shanties have become a viral sensation after they found a growing fanbase on
TikTok.
According to
Spotify data, streams have skyrocketed for sea shanties like The Wellerman, a whaling song that s emerged as a favorite.
Viral videos from creators like Scottish musician Nathan Evans and brothers Promise and Frankline Uzowulu helped the phenomenon spread to other social media.
Spotify data reinforces the idea that the sea shanty is one of 2021 s first breakout musical styles, revealing massive increases in streaming of tracks like Wellerman, as performed by The Longest Johns, and thousands of new playlists that reference sea shanties in the title.