If you grew up with a late baby boomer/early gen x parent, chances are that you have heard the smooth sound of a Gerry Rafferty classic. Released in 1978, "Right Down the Line" is an ear soothing, itch-scratching sound that lately has had everyone on TikTok in a chokehold.
With #rightdowntheline having 64.4M views on TikTok, you could say the song has gone viral.
Why the sudden hype you might ask? I mean it's been over 30 years since the song's release...
Thank HBO's Euphoria.
In this scene with Rue, played by Zendaya and Elliot, played by singer/songwriter Dominic Fike, some illegal actions are accompanied by the smooth sounds of none other than Gerry Rafferty. Ironically, the song is a love song with lyrics that say "it's been you, woman, right down the line". You might say this is the director's way of metaphorically translating Rue's love for being high and how she continues to come back to drugs even though she knows it isn't good for her.
This song and scene have sent viewers over the world in a frenzy, wanting to listen more. I don't blame them as it is an addictive listen, but hopefully, the Rafferty hype isn't a phase. I am happy to see classics being brought into the gen z space and challenging what we think music is. I fear that singers/songwriters like Etta James, Otis Redding, Fleetwood Mac, and so many more will be lost in the newer generations if we don't continue to share their artistry.
Hopefully, Euphoria continues to bring these older songs into a new light and allow them to relive their popularity as we can learn so much from those who came before us in the music space!
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