The Longest Johns

The Longest Johns
The Longest Johns performing in 2022
The Longest Johns performing in 2022
Background information
OriginBristol, England
Genres
Years active2012–present
LabelsDecca Records
MembersAndy Yates
Jonathan "JD" Darley
Robbie Sattin
Past membersJosh Bowker
Anna Cornish
Dave Robinson
Websitethelongestjohns.com

The Longest Johns are an English folk musical group from Bristol, England,[1][2] consisting of Andy Yates, Jonathan "JD" Darley, and Robbie Sattin. They are known for performing folk music and sea shanties in the English tradition, and they also compose and record their own music.[3] They gained popularity from their rendition of the folk song "Wellerman", which went viral on TikTok in early 2021.[4][5][6]

They released their debut EP, Bones in the Ocean, in 2013, the title track of which is still one of their most popular. Their first full album, Written in Salt, was released in 2016, featuring tracks such as Drunken Sailor, Old Maui and Randy Dandy-O.

In June 2018 they released their second album, Between Wind & Water, which included "Wellerman." This recording, as well as the one used in the bands' Sea of Thieves series "Open Crewsing" would later fuel the sea shanty viral trend, principally on TikTok, in early 2021.[7]

In January 2021, they signed a deal with Decca Records and United Talent Agency.[8] A year later, the group released their first album with Decca, Smoke & Oakum.

  1. ^ Furdyk, Brent (31 December 2020). "The Longest Johns Host 500-Person Singalong Of Sea Shanty". ET Canada. Archived from the original on 31 December 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  2. ^ "About Us". The Longest Johns. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Written in Salt by The Longest Johns". brightyoungfolk.com. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  4. ^ "The true story behind the viral TikTok sea shanty hit". The Guardian. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Tendance. Les "sea shanties", des chants de marins à l'abordage de TikTok". Courrier international (in French). 13 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Why TikTok (and Everyone Else) Is Singing Sea Chanteys". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  7. ^ Renner, Rebecca (13 January 2021). "Everyone's Singing Sea Shanties (or Are They Whaling Songs?)". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  8. ^ "Bristol sea shanty sensations The Longest Johns sign major record label deal". Bristol 24/7. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.