Not just a song that can be found in the archives, but one that almost everyone can hum, even today.
(Somebody asked what was meant by “today’s…” Throw whatever you want out, somebody tossed out “Love me tender” as being a tune from in the 1860s.)
All Star by Smash Mouth, obviously.
One thing people might not realise, is that memorable old music can come and go. Until someone recorded a successful rendition in the 60’s, Cannon in D had been forgotten for centuries. Now it’s almost synonymous with wedding music, and seems completely timeless.
It’s possible everyone will be crazy about 1919’s El sombrero de tres picos in 2450, and (with this all being indistinct distant history) will picture us in 2024 playing it on boombox at a 2050’s-style holo-orgy.
Tell me more about these 2050’s Holo-Orgies
I think having a dance associated with the song is integral to the staying power of a song. The Twist, Hokey Pokey, Electric Slide, all great contenders.
But time will prove that the champion is The Macarena, by Los Del Rio.
Nutbush City Limits might have a chance then, we’ll see whether Australian public schools are still teaching the dance in a couple of hundred years…
Darude - Sandstorm
it’s blur - song 2.
I heard it on an aired commercial the other day.
Fly me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
Simple, yet very recognizable melody. Easy to whistle, but could also be extended to a whole orchestra with vocals.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Amen Brother by The Winstons, more specifically the drum break on it. It’s by far the most used sample of any song ever, and once you know of it you’ll hear it everywhere kind of like the Wilhelm Scream in movies.
You won’t like the answer, but I’ll tell you anyway.
It’s The Macarena, by Los Del Rio.
What? “Baby Shark” hasn’t been mentioned here yet?
Define “today”? My first pick would be Yesterday, but that’s about 60 years old already.
On the scale of Greensleeves, I would suggest Yesterday is today.
Oh this is easy, but you may not thank me for it. Hum, whistle or sing, anyone near you will do the same after a minute or so. It’s timeless and it even has it’s own website
I give you Lipps Inc. - Funky Town
Bella Ciao
Belgian techno anthem Pump Up the Jam by Technotronic is one for the ages. Some say it has always been with us.
Get your booty on the floor tonight, make my day
One of my favorite little details of Blood and Wine, Witcher 3, is random people humming or singing small refrains of modern pop songs like the Beatles, implying these tunes are exactly what you’re asking about.
O Fortuna, Carmina Burana.
The poem was written in the medieval period, but finally set to music in 1935-1936. It still took till the 1970s to be used in TV/Film and became so widely used, it is now known as the most overused piece of music in film history.
