The Brief: A historical TikTok trend has people dancing to an instrumental version of "Hips Don't Lie" in front of Medieval paintings.

Bluesquiggle
DEEP DIVE

The Medieval “Hips Don’t Lie” TikTok trend consists of creators jauntily improvising dance moves in front of Medieval paintings on a green screen to an instrumental Bardcore cover of “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira. Usually, these videos have captions explaining that this is how they feel after doing an everyday task in a way that seems old-fashioned.

@lily_macdonald

#greenscreen this is probably historically inaccurate. don’t try me 😾. #medieval #history #peasant #cottagecore

♬ This turned into a trend I dont know how (Shakira- Hips Don’t Lie) – Lichen Decay Forest

In these videos, TikTokers may perform vaguely Baroque/Rennaissance/Medieval-inspired dance moves while wearing improvised costumes made out of materials like bath towels. The low production value of the videos is a signature TikTok style, adding to the joke by reminding viewers that they’re still in the year 2020.

@dietblack

Sir Geoffrey is typing…. #foryourpage #fyp #foryou #PerfectAsIAm #PopcornDuet #funny #comedy #relatable #history #meme #dietblack

♬ original sound – alien_boy_forest

At the time of writing, over 9,700 videos have been made using the instrumental “Hips Don’t Lie” clip, and videos associated with the hashtag #Medieval have been viewed over 97 million times on the app. Overall, the medieval Hips Don’t Lie TikTok trend doesn’t have much of a point or message other than that we need more old-timey covers of popular songs (there are already plenty out there).

@veganhotdog26

oh to be a humble shepherd boy gazing out over his flock, wondering how he shall survive thy great plague #medieval #ActionLines #history #ArtLessons

♬ original sound – alien_boy_forest

@maxxxyandrews

I will use these shillings to buy mincemeat for my wife and child #WhatsYourPower

♬ original sound – alien_boy_forest

@stinkyrattictok

I legit feel so…💅accomplished💅 if I don’t go on my phone for a while😫✅ #greenscreen

♬ original sound – alien_boy_forest

@angele.tarte

this doesn’t need a caption❤️

♬ original sound – alien_boy_forest

@joshthorleyy

Just saw this trend and couldn’t help myself #fyp #foryou #funny #trend

♬ original sound – alien_boy_forest

@shinydwarf

#fyp #readySETgo #ItStartsOnTikTok #dwarf #Longclaw #GOT

♬ original sound – alien_boy_forest

Some TikTokers used this trend to act out moments in history, giving a mini-lesson to their followers.

@lucas_millership

Only 16th century kids will understand 😤 #henryVIII #henrythewomanizer

♬ original sound – alien_boy_forest

With a global plague pandemic, Medieval times don’t seem too far away from the present day…

@ittsjoya

the covid 19 plague #greenscreen #covid #wearyourmask #comedy #pandemic #funnyvideos

♬ original sound – alien_boy_forest