Woman Sings Haunting 'Titanic' Theme Song, Dog Joins In for Mournful Duet

The internet has goosebumps from a woman singing the haunting Titanic theme song—as her dog duets.

Lauren Paley, 31 and living in Nashville, Tennessee, has gained a massive online following thanks to her powerful voice, and even became known as the "Stairwell Siren" after videos of her singing under her apartment stairwell went viral.

Now a full-time music content creator and mom to 2-year-old daughter Piper, Paley shares updates on her everyday life—and impressive vocals—to her TikTok account, @laurenpaley.

In a recent video of her singing the melody from the hit 1997 film Titanic, her 8-year-old rescue Australian shepherd mix, Oliver, joined in. And the result was incredible.

She told Newsweek she learned of Oliver's affinity for the "Hymn to the Sea"—composed by James Horner—when she sang the haunting track to her daughter, and Oliver "started singing along like he'd known the song his whole life."

Rescued Australian shepherd mix, Oliver, howled to the track like he'd known it his "whole life." Musician Lauren Paley shared their incredible duet to TikTok. Rescued Australian shepherd mix, Oliver, howled to the track like he'd known it his "whole life." Musician Lauren Paley shared their incredible duet to TikTok. TikTok @laurenpaley

Shared on August 25 and already viewed 15 million times, with 2.3 million likes, it shows Paley in a white dress, sitting down with Oliver by her side, as she launches into the gut-wrenching theme.

And immediately, Oliver begins howling along, almost perfectly matching her pitch. He approaches the camera and lifts his head before letting out a long, sad, howl — to the point where one commenter wrote: "Imagine if he's a lost soul from Titanic reincarnated into your dog & that's why he's in the feels."

Another moved commenter said: "Howling is a pack activity. Your doggo loves you very much and thinks you're both a pack, that's why he joins in!"

And one asked: "OK but why does the doggo harmonize so well?"

Paley told Newsweek that Oliver was originally her mother's dog, rescued when he was just 5 months old wandering a road in "very bad shape," and likely thrown out of a car.

When her parents moved into Paley's home in 2023, Oliver came with them and became part of their large family, which also includes Paley's 4-year-old Australian shepherd, Flynn.

"Oliver has always been very vocal and would howl along to ambulances driving past and anytime he hears singing. You will never be singing alone in our house, because he will always join you," she said.

Dogs howl for a multitude of reasons, from attracting attention to reacting to high-pitched sounds, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

While some can howl due to separation anxiety or even illness, others, like Oliver, respond to trigger sounds—and in this case, Paley's singing.

Paley told Newsweek: "It wasn't until recently that I thought of the idea of filming us singing a duet. The internet absolutely loves him! He's a natural performer."

Paley revealed she and Oliver were approached to appear on "America's Got Talent" after their video went viral. She said singing with her dog has been a bonding experience for them both. Paley revealed she and Oliver were approached to appear on "America's Got Talent" after their video went viral. She said singing with her dog has been a bonding experience for them both. TikTok @laurenpaley

She believes that particular video went viral because "he was so close to my pitch and sounded like he was harmonizing with me at one point. He moved closer to the camera, making it clear he was the star of the show."

Songwriter Paley has since been contacted by America's Got Talent, offering her and Oliver the chance to audition as a duo, which she said "made me laugh so hard".

"He is such a funny boy and deserves all the love and recognition," she said.

And while Oliver is getting older and suffering from arthritis, meaning he can no longer go on long strolls, Paley stays with him when the family goes on walks, and sings with him.

"I feel like it helps him feel less 'left out,'" she said. "It's been a special bonding time for us."

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