While 2021 has already served many unfortunate bombs, the best surprise of the last two weeks could be the biggest new trend of TikTok: beach huts. As the world turns its head into 2021, seaside shacks are turning into a safe haven for social media users looking to take their minds off the day’s events with some (very) old fashioned entertainment.
It all started when Scottish musician Nathan Evans recorded a video performs a remarkably captivating rendition of ‘Wellerman’, a 19th century shack of New Zealand origin. It took off online, garnering over four million views on TikTok alone. From there, it wasn’t long before other users were piggybacking on the trend, duetting the whaling tune alongside Evans or debuting their own beach shack shows. Thus #ShantyTok was born.
Despite the fact that the recent resurgence of sea shacks is due entirely to the internet, their modern appeal certainly goes back to their original purpose: synchronizing individual efforts to achieve a common goal.
In past centuries, the purpose of these call-and-response work songs was, of course, to keep the attention of the ship’s crew on safe navigation in often dangerous waters. Whether it was winching, hoisting sails or pulling nets, the freehand beat of the sea shanties was intended to help sailors keep time among themselves.
But amid a global pandemic that has kept many people at home and isolated for nearly a year, beach shacks can help foster a sense of community at a time when many feel lonely. As expert noted by Vulturesby Kathryn VanArendonkat their heart, sea shanties are “unifying, survivalist songs, designed to turn a large group of people into a collective body, all working together to keep the ship afloat.”
They are also undeniable earworms.
Thanks to TikTok’s duet feature, which allows users to build on fellow TikTokers’ videos with their own additions, Evans’ solo rendition of “Wellerman” was transformed into a complex split harmony -screen, complete with several vocal parts and instrumental accompaniment. It’s a group project that everyone in the video worked on individually, which makes their success even more impressive.
Affirming that the traditional shanty format possesses a timeless quality, some people have even begun to transform today’s popular songs, such as “All Star” by Smash Mouth and Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. “WAP”, in sea shanties in their own right.
A video of a reluctant sea shack fan discovering the appeal of these nautical ditties has also gone viral. All it took was a car ride and an inspiring sibling.
The 45-second clip perfectly shows how shanty singers have a way of drawing others into the fold, or, as one commenter says, “I guess it makes sense when you think about (how much) the art form is originated as a way to provide pleasure, connection and entertainment during periods of sustained social isolation.”
So if you need a distraction between all that is happening right now, #ShantyTok is here for you. Keep calm and shack.
