I revived an 1820s sea shanty with AI, and it’s a banger
My kids have been really into sea shanties lately (my family has eclectic musical tastes.) There are a surprisingly large number of modern shanties on YouTube and TikTok . But one historic song, The Wellermen , really spoke to me. Going down a rabbit hole of the song’s history, I learned that it was written in 1966 by a New Zealander. But the whaling classic was inspired by a much older song from 1820. Eventually, I found the lyrics to the original. But there was a problem–the words were cryptic and the melody was lost to the sands of time, making it impossible to sing. So, I decided to leverage today’s most powerful music-generating AI to bring it back. The result is a modern shanty that draws word for word on the 19th century original. Spoiler alert: it’s a banger. Here’s how I made it–and what I learned about the future of AI music. The rise of ShantyTok During the pandemic, sea shanties had an odd cultural moment. The trend was known as ShantyTok . Modern creators discovered centuries-old shanties, and started adapting them for young, streaming audiences . Shanties work surprisingly well on social media. They’re often simple, repetitive songs, designed to be sung communally. They’re dramatic. And they’re highly story-driven, which encourages listeners to stick around and listen to the whole thing, rather than swiping away. TikTok and Youtube’s algorithms love that kind of engagement . With their messages of struggle and resilience, shanties were also perfect for
My kids have been really into sea shanties lately, which is a bit unexpected given that our family has eclectic musical tastes. I was surprised to find out that there are a surprisingly large number of modern shanties on YouTube and TikTok. One historic song, "The Wellermen," really spoke to me. As I delved into the song's history, I learned that it was written in 1966 by a New Zealander named Neil Colquhoun. However, the whaling classic was inspired by a much older song from 1820. Eventually, I found the lyrics to the original 19th-century version. But there was a problem—the words were cryptic, and the melody was lost to the sands of time, making it impossible to sing.
Determined to bring the song back to life, I decided to leverage today's most powerful music-generating AI. The result is a modern shanty that draws word for word on the 19th-century original. Spoiler alert: it's a banger. Here's how I made it and what I learned about the future of AI music.
During the pandemic, sea shanties had an odd cultural moment. The trend was known as ShantyTok. Modern creators discovered centuries-old shanties and started adapting them for young, streaming audiences. Shanties work surprisingly well on social media. They're often simple, repetitive songs, designed to be sung communally. They're dramatic and highly story-driven, which encourages listeners to stick around and listen to the whole thing, rather than swiping away. TikTok and YouTube's algorithms love that kind of engagement. With their messages of struggle and resilience, shanties were also perfect for the Covid-addled moment.
The rise of ShantyTok yielded really fantastic modern renditions of ancient classics. "Wellerman" is a perfect example. Collected and put to music by the folk musician Neil Colquhoun in 1966, it was adapted by modern musician Nathan Evans and went viral on social media in 2021. The song tells the story of a ship's captain and his crew, locked in a mortal, never-ending battle with an elusive and powerful whale. If that sounds a lot like the story of Moby Dick, you're not wrong—it's a nod to Herman Melville's iconic novel.
Returning to my own project, I started by researching the 1820 song that inspired "The Wellermen." The lyrics were cryptic, filled with maritime jargon and archaic language. I needed to decipher them to understand the song's meaning and structure. Once I had a clearer understanding, I turned to AI-generated music tools to recreate the lost melody. I used a state-of-the-art AI platform that allows users to input lyrics and generate a corresponding tune.
The AI tool worked remarkably well. I provided it with the 19th-century lyrics, and it generated a melody that felt both authentic and modern. I then recorded a demo version of the song, using the AI-generated melody and the original lyrics. The result was a hauntingly beautiful shanty that captured the essence of the 1820s original while appealing to contemporary audiences.
Through this project, I learned a lot about the future of AI music. AI-generated tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated, capable of creating music that is not only technically impressive but also emotionally resonant. As these technologies advance, they have the potential to revolutionize the way we create, compose, and consume music.
In the case of "The Wellermen," the AI not only helped me bring a historic song back to life but also transformed it into a modern banger. The combination of the 19th-century lyrics and the AI-generated melody created a unique sonic experience that bridges the past and the present.
As ShantyTok and similar trends continue to gain traction, it's clear that there's a growing appetite for music that tells stories and connects with listeners on a deeper level. AI has the potential to play a significant role in this evolution, enabling creators to explore new musical possibilities and bring forgotten classics into the spotlight.
In conclusion, my journey to revive an 1820s sea shanty with AI was both challenging and rewarding. The result is a modern shanty that pays homage to its historic roots while captivating a new generation of listeners. As we continue to explore the possibilities of AI in music, it's exciting to think about the innovative sounds and stories that are yet to be created.
