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Dvořák's Symphony No.9 is actually the power behind viral hit Baby Shark

28 October 2018, 12:26

By Kyle Macdonald

We need to talk about the viral ear worm of 2018 (but from a uniquely Czech symphonic perspective).

If you're a parent, grandparent, uncle or aunt, or have been on social media at least once within the last four months, chances are you've heard this incredibly catchy song about a family of sharks.

And if you're a particularly bat-eared classical music fan, you might have noticed that it opens with some ascending semitones from symphonic strings.

It isn't Jaws (as one might expect given the subject matter), but rather the beginning of the finale to Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 'From the New World'. And in fact, it was probably chosen for its resemblance to John Williams' famous theme. But crucially the Dvořák is in the public domain…

The video has now received over 1.8 billion views worldwide, making it the 33rd most viewed video on YouTube.

This means millions and millions of children, all poised with arms snapping like a shark, have been listening to a few bars of the 'Allegro con fuoco' from the Czech composer's 1893 symphonic masterpiece. Which is lovely, when you think about it.

Here you go. And 'Baby Shark' will now be in your head all day. You're welcome.