“If I were a fish and you caught me, you’d say look at that fish, shimmerin’ in the sun, such a rare one, can’t believe that you caught one.”
It’s these simple lyrics from “If I Were a Fish,” that helped a song become a viral sensation on TikTok.
It all started when the Nashville-based indie musicians Corinne Savage, who goes by the stage name Corook, and Olivia Barton wrote the song as a way to cheer each other up after Corook received some hateful and angry comments on one of their videos. The song has since turned into a viral hit, spurring a movement about embracing individuality.
I am expressing myself in the purest way I know at this moment like I never have before,” Corook told Rolling Stone.
“And I think that leaves me out of a lot of boxes or groups that are way more clearly defined, whether it be the way I express myself colorfully, or my gender or genre of music, she said.” “[The hate] just ended up shining a light on how lonely I feel right now in my life. I just ended up feeling really sad, like I didn’t have anywhere that I fit in.”
Corook and Barton have been building their careers in music while balancing the stressful schedules of touring. Their music and videos on TikTok have resulted in a steadily growing fan base over the past two years.
Thousands of people have used “If I Were A Fish” to make their own TikToks. Screenshot via TikTok
However, those hate comments on one of their recent videos did more than they were intended to do – they caused a viral hit song. “If I Were a Fish” was born and hasn’t slowed down since.
With more than 1 million views in the first hour it was posted on Tiktok, it has exploded with more than 12 million views. But more importantly, it has led to a dialogue about how what makes us special and unique is the most important thing – not conforming to what others expect you to be.
It’s a reminder for people on a daily basis how cool it is to be different. Boxes don’t matter, and being yourself is the best,” Corook said.
The duo attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston and graduated in different years. Corook loved Barton’s voice after hearing her solo and weaseled her way into her life and music. Barton and Corook aren’t just TikTokers; they also have their own music careers creating indie pop and folk projects. But it’s their friendship that the musicians are the proudest of.
“I just continue to be more and more grateful that we met and got together before either of our careers started,” Barton added. “It’s unbelievable to watch each other grow.”
@hicorook #duet with @tgc1962 #ifiwereafish ♬ original sound – corook
“If I Were a Fish” is a song that has brought attention to the importance of being true to oneself and celebrating individuality. The success of the song has also shed light on the pressures of constantly posting on TikTok and balancing a music career.
The song caught the attention of a famous author and illustrator, Brad Montague. Montague, known for his book series, “Kid President”, created a hand-illustrated mini music video for the duo.
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“Take the contagious joy of the song ‘If I Were A Fish.’ In it, the singers revel in those rare qualities forming who they are … and who we each are,” Montague said.
“Maybe in a culture like ours, happiness is that thing which confuses. It’s the defiant calm in a world that celebrates hustle. The radical peace in the midst of bitter back and forths. The glorious audacity of actually liking things,” he said.
Watch the dynamic duo below!
Sources: Rolling Stone | Good Good Good
