Pop icon Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce recently created a viral moment during the US Open men’s tennis final on September 8th when they were spotted enthusiastically singing along to The Darkness’ hit song “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.”
This unexpected moment of joy, captured by the official US Open social media accounts, has reignited interest in the 2003 track, pushing it to the No. 1 spot on the US iTunes Rock Chart.
In the widely shared clip, Swift can be seen rocking out to the tune while playfully playing air guitar, even placing her hands affectionately on Kelce’s chest, showing the duo’s lighthearted and romantic chemistry.
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Along with the couple, Swift’s close friend Este Haim, of the band Haim, joined in the fun, singing along with the pair from the row in front.The heartwarming video shows the trio enjoying the music and tennis event, showcasing Swift’s dynamic personality and public relationship with Kelce.
While this public appearance of the couple went viral, the moment also shone a spotlight on Taylor Swift’s longstanding admiration for The Darkness.
The band’s frontman, Justin Hawkins, shared a heartfelt reaction to the clip in a TikTok video, expressing his excitement over the US Open moment and revealing a personal connection with Swift.
According to Hawkins, just a few weeks prior, he and his daughter had attended Swift’s concert in Zurich, where they received VIP treatment.
Hawkins recounted the unforgettable experience: “They put us in a lovely VIP area; I had Chris Rock on one side, Roger Federer on the other. I was dad of the year. And to make matters even more spectacular, Taylor Swift sent me a lovely letter which was waiting for me in the VIP section, talking about how much she loves the song ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love.’ I was dad of the century because all of that was a big surprise.”
Hawkins’ glowing praise of Swift’s hospitality added a touching layer to the story, illustrating her generosity and appreciation for the song.
In the same TikTok video, Hawkins also shared his excitement about seeing the viral US Open clip, noting, “It was a really heartwarming moment for me, and my little girl can’t wait to tell her friends at school. So thanks, Taylor, thanks Travis, thanks everybody who enjoys tennis, that’s a really lovely start to the day.”
Hawkins’ genuine reaction highlighted the ripple effect of Swift’s influence on music fans and artists like Hawkins, whose old hit had found a fresh audience thanks to Swift and Kelce’s spontaneous singalong.
The power of Swift’s influence, often called the “Taylor Swift effect,” has been felt in numerous areas, from skyrocketing ticket sales to reviving interest in older songs.
In this instance, her enthusiastic rendition of “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” propelled the 21-year-old song to the top of the US iTunes Rock Chart.
While the song was a success upon its initial release in 2003, cracking the Top 10 of the Billboard Modern Rock chart, its resurgence in 2024 proves the enduring power of both the song and Swift’s global influence.
While Swift continues monopolising headlines and stages, she is gearing up for her final run of North American shows in October.
The singer will perform in major cities such as Miami, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Toronto, and Vancouver, giving her fans one last chance to catch her on the road before the year’s end.
These concerts are expected to be sold out, with fans eager to see the global superstar perform live. Last-minute tickets are still available for those hoping to join the excitement.
For fans, the viral US Open moment with Kelce was yet another glimpse into Swift’s multifaceted life—balancing her music career with her public relationships and love of sports.
As for The Darkness, the renewed attention on their 2003 hit has brought the band back into the spotlight, with many new listeners discovering the charm of “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” for the first time.
