Janet Jackson’s ‘Call My Lover’ Surges on TikTok, Sparks New Interest

NEW YORK, NY — Janet Jackson‘s iconic 2001 track “Someone to Call My Lover” has made a remarkable comeback, currently ranking No. 26 on TikTok‘s “Viral 50” chart. This resurgence marks a notable 606 percent increase in streaming activity, with more than 1.14 million on-demand streams reported in just one week from March 14 to 20, according to Luminate.

The renewed attention on the song can be attributed to a collective wave of social media usage, particularly on TikTok, where over 70,000 posts feature the song. Among its many fans, rapper Doechii caught Jackson’s attention by sharing a androgynous rendition of the song lyrics on March 22. Jackson responded the following day, expressing her enthusiasm with a gif and the lyric: “And fall so deeply in love 😘.” This exchange has sparked speculation about a potential collaboration between the two artists.

“The slow burn of the song’s revival speaks volumes about TikTok’s influence on music consumption today,” said music industry analyst Dave Clarke. The track’s rise can be seen as an aggregation of fan-driven content—including popular remixes and edits—that gradually built momentum over the past few years.

Originally released in 2001, “Someone to Call My Lover” was Jackson’s second single from her album *All for You*. The song samples the 1972 hit by America and incorporates a piano motif by composer Erik Satie. It initially peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard “Hot 100” chart and showed significant chart longevity over its 20-week tenure.

Between 2004 and 2015, Jackson faced considerable backlash following the wardrobe malfunction incident at the Super Bowl, yet she released four additional studio albums during this period without performing “Someone to Call My Lover” live. It wasn’t until 2017 that she sung the song again during a performance, marking her first live rendition in over 15 years.

Fast forward to 2021, the song found a new lease on life when a remix by SoundCloud user @minga57 gained traction, especially among younger demographics dedicated to fan edits and creative video transitions.

The song’s popularity continued to grow in 2022 and 2023 as it became a staple soundtrack for various TikTok edits, particularly those featuring cute animal clips, reflecting current trends in social media content creation.

Jackson’s latest tour, “Together Again,” has also capitalized on this TikTok fame. The song was notably included in her encore setlist, allowing her to reconnect with audiences who may have only recently discovered her music through social media.

As TikTok users increasingly identify with the feel-good lyrics and nostalgic value of “Someone to Call My Lover,” the song has transitioned from a niche revival to a wider cultural phenomenon. The engagement on posts related to the track demonstrates both old fans and new listeners sharing their connections to Jackson’s work, leading to increased streams on platforms like Spotify.

As of March 14, the track entered Spotify’s “Daily Viral Songs USA” chart at No. 51 and climbed to No. 25 shortly after, supported by Jackson’s proactive engagement on social media wherein she began liking and reposting user-generated content.

“This song has become a bridge connecting Janet’s classic sound to today’s audience,” said music journalist Sarah Jenkins. “It’s fascinating to see how older songs can regain life in the digital era.’

With the TikTok resurgence, fans are encouraged to explore more of Jackson’s discography, further enhancing her legacy as a music icon.