A classic Cliff Richard song is enjoying a new wave of popularity among younger music fans, after it was unveiled as part of the soundtrack for Grand Theft Auto VI.
The 1976 hit features in the hugely anticipated video game along with other Seventies and Eighties tracks like “But I Think It’s a Dream” from duo Captain and Tennille, “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” from Wang Chung and “Let Your Love Flow” by the Bellamy Brothers.
Since the soundtrack for the video game sequel was announced, all of the featured songs have seen a major surge in streams – “Devil Woman” increased its plays on Spotify by 325 per cent, according to reports last month.
The song originally appeared on Richards’ 18th studio album, I’m Nearly Famous, which helped bring him back into the public consciousness as an artist still capable of producing hits.
“Devil Woman” in particular was considered to show a new, edgier side to Richard and remains one of his biggest hits, at the time peaking at No 9 in the UK and also becoming his first Top 10 in the US, charting at No 6.
It has already enjoyed additional success thanks to its use in the 2017 film I, Tonya, which starred Hollywood actor Margot Robbie as figure skater Tonya Harding.
Gen Z in particular seem to be fans of the track, which is used prominently in an extended look at the game.
“The best song from the extended look, I've been hooked on it since August,” one fan wrote in a widely shared post to X this month.
One 21-year-old fan proudly shared that she’d tracked down the song on vinyl after hearing it used in the trailer.
Others shared their surprise that Richard appeared on the soundtrack, while praising the selection: “Who would’ve thought that Sir Cliff Richard would be on the OST for GTA 6,” one fan said. “Great song to pick though.”
“A Cliff Richard song in GTA VI has sent my head to Mars! Devil Woman is a certified banger though!” another fan wrote.
“Cliff Richard jumpscare in the GTA 6 extended look,” one joked.
Video games and TV shows for younger audiences, along with the social media platform TikTok, have in recent years proved to be huge launchpads when it comes to introducing classic artists to younger audiences.
A viral TikTok of a man skateboarding down a highway while drinking cranberry juice to Fleetwood Mac’s song “Dreams” sent the track back into the charts in 2020, along with the album Rumours.
Similarly, Kate Bush’s hit “Running Up That Hill” surged to No 1 on the Official Singles Chart in the UK when it was used in a pivotal scene for Netflix’s sci-fi series Stranger Things in 2022.
So while Richard might seem painfully uncool to some, Gen Z seem refreshingly unconcerned and are instead just enjoying their new music discovery.
The eclectic GTA VI soundtrack will feature 34 new songs, including Yung Lean ft. Future and Metro Boomin with “That's It”; Travis Scott with “Rhyno” produced by Daft Punk's Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo; and CA7RIEL and Paco Amoroso, PinkPantheress, Fred again.. and Étienne de Crécy with “Sexy Magic”.
Also confirmed are Morgan Wallen with “The Last Thing You Need”; Rauw Alejandro with “Macacoa 2000”, and Keith Richards with “Bright Lights, Big City”; the game's radio stations will feature Bad Bunny, Lana Del Rey, and Robyn, with Slayer's King Kerry and Tom Araya confirmed as hosts.
Elsewhere in the GTA VI universe, French electronic duo Justice were revealed as the original score composers for the game last week.
GTA VI is out on 17 November.
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