Summary

The article discusses the evolution of the phrase "Who's Zoomin' Who" from Aretha Franklin's 1985 hit song to its contemporary association with the videoconferencing platform Zoom, which gained immense popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

The phrase "Who's Zoomin' Who," originally from Aretha Franklin's 1985 comeback single, has taken on a new life in the era of COVID-19. As the use of the Zoom videoconferencing platform surged by 67% during the pandemic, the term "Zoom" has become synonymous with virtual meetings and connecting with others remotely. The article reflects on the song's original meaning, rooted in Franklin's personal experiences and her return to the music scene, juxtaposing it with the current context where "Zoom" has become a verb describing the act of video conferencing. This shift in meaning highlights the adaptability of language and culture in response to technological advancements and societal changes. The article also touches on the personal impact of the pandemic, referencing the death of Willie Wilkerson, Franklin's long-time partner, and contemplates the future return to normalcy, with the song serving as a metaphor for the collective longing for community and freedom after prolonged isolation.

Opinions

The author initially associates the term "Zoom" with Aretha Franklin's song but acknowledges that the widespread use of the Zoom platform has shifted its meaning for many, including the author's wife.
The author suggests that Aretha Franklin's song "Who's Zoomin' Who" could serve as an anthem or advertisement for the Zoom videoconferencing service due to the serendipitous connection between the song's title and the company's name.
The author admits to not understanding the original meaning of the song's lyrics for years, which may have contributed to its lasting presence in the author's memory.
The article implies that the song's theme of playful flirtation and intrigue, as described by Franklin and her producer Narada Michael Walden, has been overshadowed by the practical use of "Zoom" as a tool for remote communication during the pandemic.
The author reflects on the personal significance of the song as a marker of Franklin's career resurgence in the 1980s, alongside other hits like "Freeway of Love," and considers the poignant parallel between Franklin's emergence from a period of personal care to her father and society's eventual emergence from pandemic restrictions.
The author posits that the song's title, with its connotations of changing perspectives and fast movement, resonates with the current desire for a return to community and the ability to "zoom" in and out of social interactions freely.

New Meanings: “Who’s Zoomin’ Who’’ Moves From Old Song to Way of Life

My bride had another Zoom meeting so I asked “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?’’ Has Aretha Franklin’s comeback been redefined?

Aretha Franklin (center) in 2011. Photo by Boss Tweed via Wikimedia Commons.

Everyone suddenly uses Zoom, the biggest growth engine of 2020. My wife’s meetings have all moved from “in person’’ and phone to the videoconferencing platform. Its use soared 67 percent during the pandemic.

I smiled and asked “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?’’

I hear “zoom’’ and I still think of Aretha Franklin’s big 1985 comeback song, “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?’’ Others already think of something totally different when you say the word “Zoom.’’

Zoom has been equated with videoconferencing and connecting

But the word “Zoom” has suddenly become so closely related with videoconferencing that my wife had totally forgotten the song and proceeded to tell me the people she was meeting with.

I had to look the song up on YouTube and play it so she would “get’’ my little gag. She said it should be the theme song or ad for the company. It made sense. Then it occurred to me:

I remembered the song but never knew what it was all about

“Who’s Zoomin’ Who,’’ released in 1985, charted as high as seventh in the United States and 11th in the United Kingdom. Franklin (1942–2018) wrote the song with songwriter Preston Glass.

Her producer, Narada Michael Walden, was simultaneously producing Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know,’’ and the two songs have a similar up-tempo, pure ’80s, dancing feel.

But I have to admit: for the past 35 years I had no idea what “Who’s Zoomin Who’’ was about. Maybe that’s why it’s one of those songs that’s stuck in my head ever since: because I kept asking myself what it meant. I looked it up.

The original meaning of “Who’s Zoomin’ Who’’ vs. the 2020 meaning

The song came after Walden asked Franklin, “what do you do at night to have fun?’’ At the time, she stayed close to her Detroit home and didn’t travel much.

She told him she went to night clubs, recalling, “Maybe I see someone in the corner who looks kind of cool. He looks at me, I look at him, and it’s like who’s zooming who. But as soon as he thinks he’s got me, the fish jumps off the hook.’’

Walden thought Franklin’s “zoomin” phrase was “kind of a cool concept for a song… But after it was done she didn’t really like the song. Clive Davis (the legendary record executive and hit maker) had to convince her to do it.”

“Who’s Zoomin’ Who’’ was Franklin’s first song of her 1980s revival, along with songs like “Freeway of Love’’ and “Until You Say You Love Me.’’

This comeback album marked her first top 10 hits since 1973 and a new phase in her legendary life.

While it was the first song she recorded and the title track of her album, it’s less well-known than the classic first song to single from the album, “Freeway of Love,’’ which is also an amazing music video, one that made her comeback soar higher.

New meaning to the song?

When Franklin recorded “Who’s Zoomin’ Who,’’ she hadn’t recorded in two years because she’d been at home, caring for her dying father. This new song marked a new phase of her career as the Queen of Soul.

Today, Americans and people in 183 countries are being impacted by a pandemic confining many to home and limiting the freedom of others. We use services like Zoom to connect with the outside world.

Willie Wilkerson, Franklin's “forever love,’’ friend and romantic partner for more than 30 years just died in the pandemic. Franklin died in 2018.

But we listen to more music, watch more movies and think about what our “break-out’’ will be like when we are free again when the restrictions ease.

Zooming is about changing perspectives (as in a zooming your camera closer and further away). Zoom also references cars moving fast. Listening to the dance classic, fast-paced movement of “Who’s Zoomin’ Who,’’ it seems like a great song to explain our future return to community, our need to get out after being kept in our homes so long.

And for the first time since 1985, we have a better idea of what “Zoom’’ and “Zoomin’’ mean in relation to something we do in every day life (using Zoom to connect with others).