How the Alcorn State Golden Girls put a 40-year-old Fleetwood Mac song back on the charts

The Alcorn State University Golden Girls are finally getting the credit they deserve for their role in a viral meme that layered Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” over one of their performances and put the 40-year-old song back on the Billboard charts.

It all started last month, when a Twitter user/Fleetwood Mac “superfan” edited video footage of the dance team by overlaying the song in a tweet that quickly went viral.

https://twitter.com/bottledfleet/status/976864863329931265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fnews%2Farts-and-entertainment%2Fwp%2F2018%2F04%2F04%2Fhow-a-black-college-dance-troupe-landed-a-decades-old-fleetwood-mac-song-on-the-billboard-charts%2F

Despite the tweet’s popularity, most people didn’t know who the dancers were or where they came from. Even 19-year-old Mark Villasana, who wrote the tweet, didn’t know the origin of the video, telling the Washington Post, “Whoever she was, she was very fierce.”

“She” is Elexis Wilson, captain of the Golden Girls, and the viral video clip was of her first performance as the team’s new leader.

“I was shocked that actually somebody watched that video,” Wilson told the Washington Post.

 

 

The meme has been viewed by millions, and digital streams of “Dreams” went up 24 percent to 1.9 million the following week, according to Billboard.

The Golden Girls have been trailblazers since their inception in 1968. They were the first dance team to perform choreographed routines set to the marching band’s halftime music.  Their debut performance at the Orange Blossom Classic in Miami was groundbreaking, as described by the Alcorn Campus Chronicle:

“As the young ladies took the field, a silence fell upon the crowd as these eight regal, African American females took the field. The capes were snatched off in a quick one, two motion, revealing Alcorn’s most prized possessions. As the young ladies danced to the tunes of the band, the crowd went ballistic, giving the band and the Golden Girls the approval that was needed.”

News

Mississippi man arrested for reportedly fighting, spitting on police during Morgan Wallen concert

News

Mississippi police looking for man who reportedly killed girlfriend by running over her several times

News

Pedestrian hit, killed by Peterbilt truck along Mississippi highway

News

Mississippi woman arrested after allegedly setting son’s clothes on fire – then blaming it on son to get him ‘locked up’

News

Mississippi researcher developing smartphone app that detects heart issues through body vibrations

News

Mississippi deputies arrest Alabama man after reportedly carjacking vehicle with adult, 3 children inside

News

Mississippi toddler dies after being struck by vehicle Sunday

News

One killed, two injured after car pulling out of driveway hit by dump truck passing on Mississippi highway

News

Groundbreaking of premier Mississippi RV resort lake, golf course and more could redefine RV travel in heart of the state

News

Car reportedly worth $350,000 creates spectacle at weekend Mississippi car show. Only 25 made to honor 2024 solar eclipse.

News

Police: Video leads to quick arrest in armed robbery of Mississippi convenience store

News

Nine Mississippi counties under frost advisory tonight

News

‘Relentless rise in food’ costs forces popular Mississippi buffet restaurant to announce closure

News

Mississippi historian to discuss new book about slavery, his personal history, and conflicting narratives of American and Southern identity

News

Dead bodies of couple discovered inside Mississippi house

News

Mississippi town keeps racking up awards in national contests. Could it just be the ‘best’ place in Mississippi period?

News

25-year-old woman killed in early morning wreck on Mississippi highway

News

One person killed, two seriously injured in rollover wreck in Mississippi highway Saturday afternoon

News

Former lead singer of hit Mississippi band Bishop Gunn indicted after allegedly stealing $100,000 of ex-bandmate’s equipment

News

Brother wants answers after body pulled from Mississippi river IDed as missing Jackson man

News

Human leg discovered in Wisconsin park, other remains found on beach weeks later thought to be of woman with Mississippi ties

News

Police: Man trying to enter wrong home in Mississippi neighborhood shot by homeowner

News

‘Most Wanted’ man who eluded officers for 17 months arrested. He allegedly helped woman who shot into occupied Mississippi hotel room.

News

April showers one lucky Mississippi Lottery player with $151,000 in winnings