Even Severance's vintage soundtrack songs went viral

Severance boosts oldies Mel Tormé, Bobby Darin streams by over 30,000%.

: The popularity of season two of Apple TV+'s Severance led to a revival of vintage songs by Mel Tormé and Bobby Darin. Tormé's 'The Windmills of Your Mind' saw a staggering 30,000% increase with 215,000 streams. Bobby Darin's 'Work Song' also experienced a 35,000% rise, streamed over 20,000 times. Alan Parsons Project’s 'Sirius' received a 16% boost in streams, showing the show's impact.

The phenomenal success of the second season of the Apple TV+ series "Severance" has not only captured the audience’s imagination but also reignited interest in classic tunes from bygone eras. This nostalgic wave propelled by the series' ending scenes dramatically influenced the digital music streaming landscape, particularly revitalizing music streams of Mel Tormé and Bobby Darin's historical pieces. The finale's incorporation of these ageless tracks garnered unprecedented attention from the audience, representing a bridge between classic music and modern media consumption dynamics.

One important instance of this trend includes Mel Tormé’s 1968 rendition of 'The Windmills of Your Mind', which underscored the main characters Mark S. and Helly R.’s run towards an undefined fate. This artistic decision evoked significant public intrigue in the song, resulting in an extraordinary 30,000% spike in streams. Within just four days following the finale release on March 20th, this track amassed 215,000 on-demand audio streams in the U.S., as reported by Billboard. These numbers highlight the range of influence that contemporary popular culture can exert on classic music content.

Similarly, Bobby Darin’s rendition of 'Work Song' from 1963 has witnessed a parallel resurgence. Despite having fewer streams than Tormé's track, it recorded over 20,000 streams, experiencing a massive 35,000% surge in just the span of four days. This revival emphasizes the power of visual storytelling in introducing vintage music to newer generations, showcasing how 'Severance' leveraged these older tracks with the show's thematic elements and emotional arcs, amplifying their impact.

Furthermore, Alan Parsons Project’s 'Sirius', originally famed for associated Chicago Bulls introductions during the Michael Jordan era, saw a 16% increase, achieving close to 125,000 streams. This evidences a broadening spectrum in listeners’ musical repertoire induced by 'Severance'. These figures underscore a renewed interest cultivated through cleverly integrated music choices in screen narratives, merging auditory nostalgia with innovative media storytelling techniques.

Overall, 'Severance’s' blend of narrative and music has spotlighted archived musical treasures, reflecting their enduring appeal and adaptability to evolving artistic environments. The synergy of visual and auditory nostalgia calls upon the emotional engagement and curiosity of audiences globally, reminding us of the lasting resonance that well-curated soundtracks can achieve. Such instances illustrate how contemporary media can serve as a catalyst for rediscovery and significant artistic innovation.

Sources: io9, Billboard

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