The Songs That Trended In 2022

It has been said that everything old becomes new again and, in 2022, that proverb certainly rings true when it comes to music. This year, it hasn’t been unusual to see older songs become popular – and even re-enter the charts again, decades after their release. Thanks to TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms, songs are finding cross-generational appeal through viral dance trends, memes, covers, and remixes. Additionally, many of 2022’s most popular films and TV shows are incorporating older music, allowing its viewers to discover gems from the recent (and not so recent) past. Below, we’re compiling the most popular resurgent tracks of 2022, week by week.

December 14

The Weeknd – Party Monster

Taken from The Weeknd’s third album Starboy, “Party Monster” details its creator’s decadent lifestyle over a woozy beat. “Woke up by a girl, I don’t even know her name,” he sings in the chorus, lyrics matching the song’s disorientating mood. The track has been experiencing a resurgence on TikTok lately thanks to one line being central to a new trend. Users on the app are sharing videos of them using a filter that makes their lips thin and small, taking off the filter when The Weeknd sings: “Lips like Angelina.”

Mary J. Blige – Mr. Wrong

This Drake team-up appeared on Mary J. Blige’s 2011 album My Life II… The Journey Continues (Act 1) and found the R&B icon lamenting being attracted to the wrong type of man. “Bad boys ain’t no good/Good boys ain’t no fun,” she explained. Now, TikTok creators are using a sped-up version of the track to share their own complicated relationship stories.

Timbaland – Give It To Me

In 2007, Timbaland recruited Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado for the single “Give It To Me,” eventually scoring a No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with the track. It is the producer’s first and only No.1 US single as a lead artist and his third best-selling single in the country. Users on TikTok have sent it up the trends on the app recently by performing a short choreography to the track.

Snoop Dogg & Anna Kendrick – Winter Wonderland/Here Comes Santa Claus

Snoop Dogg might not be the first person you think of when it comes to festive classics, but back in 2015, the rapper appeared in Pitch Perfect 2 singing a Yuletide hit in “Winter Wonderland.” He was joined in the holiday scene by Anna Kendrick whose character mashes up the track with “Here Comes Santa Claus.” As new Pitch Perfect series Bumper In Berlin begins streaming on Peacock and as Christmas draws closer, fans are remembering the iconic scene.

December 8

The 1975 – Robbers

Inspired by the 1993 film True Romance, The 1975’s 2014 single “Robbers” told a tale of two lovers who are no good for each other, but refuse to let the other go. “I’ll give you one more time,” the protagonist declares in the chorus. “We’ll give you one more fight/Said one more line/There’ll be a riot cause I know you.” As the band return to the live stage in the US, the track has been trending on TikTok thanks to frontman Matty Healy using the song to plant kisses on fans, his fellow band members, and security guards onstage.

Colbie Caillat – Try

Taken from singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat’s fifth studio album Gypsy Heart, “Try” shares the message of not trying to be somebody else to please other people. “You don’t have to try so hard/You don’t have to give it all away,” she instructs on the single. “You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up/You don’t have to change a single thing.” Those words are striking a chord with fans on TikTok now, who are sharing their own heartfelt covers of the song.

December 2

Lady Gaga – Bloody Mary

Taken from Lady Gaga’s Born This Way album, “Bloody Mary” takes inspiration from the Biblical character Mary Magdalene and uses her – along with the star’s belief that she is both “fully divine and fully human” – as an analogy for the expectations on women to be both flawless and humble. A pitched-up version of the track is now trending on TikTok as users place it under edits of and tributes to new Netflix series Wednesday.

Def Leppard – Too Late For Love

Released in 1983, “Too Late For Love” formed part of Def Leppard’s diamond-certified album Pyromania and was eventually released as a single. When it was given its moment in the spotlight, it didn’t waste any time in rocketing up the charts, landing at No.9 on the Mainstream Rock charts. Almost 40 years later, it’s still proving an enduring and popular track as it experiences a resurgence on TikTok. The song has now become a central part of a new trend in which car lovers share videos of getting in trouble for leaving marks on lawns or spinning tires in parents’ fields, spliced with a video of a grinning, sheepish child.

Sublime – Waiting For My Ruca

Sublime’s 1992 album 40oz. To Freedom opened in a distinctive form with “Waiting For My Ruca.” The track began with a dog barking before frontman Bradley Nowell’s vocals came in over a haphazard drum beat and little else. Its unusual form is now taking over TikTok, with young fans celebrating the deep cut surging in popularity via videos of them lip-syncing along to it.

The Cramps – Goo Goo Muck

There have been a few iconic TV music moments in 2022, and Netflix’s Wednesday has provided another to round off the year. In the new series, the titular character is seen pulling some inimitable dance moves to The Cramps‘ “Goo Goo Muck,” quickly gaining the attention of her peers for her kooky style. A YouTube clip of that moment has already gained over 5 million views, while it’s also trending on TikTok as users impersonate her and share edits of the scene.

Eminem – Big Weenie

“I don’t understand/Why are you being so mean?/You’re mean mean man,” Eminem raps at the beginning of “Big Weenie,” which appeared on the 2004 Encore album. It’s a track that takes aim at those who diss Marshall Mathers, quickly that they’re “just jealous” of the rap icon. Now creators on TikTok are taking those opening lines and using them to soundtrack videos about mean things people have said about them.

Ariana Grande – Santa Tell Me

Released in 2014, “Santa Tell Me” saw Ariana Grande get festive – and score a massive hit in the process. The track, which combines holiday sentiments with classic R&B, hit the Top 10 in countries around the world, including Australia, Korea, New Zealand, Germany, and more, and has gone on to be called a “modern Christmas standard.” As the festive season approaches once again, it’s climbing up the TikTok trends, spurred on by Kim Kardashian’s daughter North using it in a video.

K’naan – Wavin’ Flag

An anthem from the 2010 World Cup, K’naan’s “Wavin’ Flag” was originally written in tribute to the people of Somalia. After it was chosen by Coca-Cola for use in the football tournament, it became an anthem of the sport that is still beloved today. That is evident in its resurgence on TikTok as the current World Cup continues to unfold, with fans using it to soundtrack edits of classic moments from the cup.

Jeremih – oui

Appearing on Jeremih’s third studio album, Late Night Tales, in 2015, “oui” flexed Jeremih’s lyrical creativity as he makes a pun in both English and French. “There’s no we without you and I,” he sings in the chorus, nodding to the English homophone of the title. A pitched-up version of the song is now trending on TikTok, soundtracking edits and lyric videos alike.

Zedd – Stay The Night

In 2013, dance music producer Zedd made an unlikely team-up with Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams on “Stay The Night.” Although unexpected, the results were massive, taking the track to No.1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs and Dance/Mix Show Airplay charts. Following its ninth anniversary earlier this year, fans have been remembering and paying tribute to the track on TikTok.

Phillip Phillips – Home

The debut single of American Idol season 11 winner Phillip Phillips arrived in 2012, one day after the singer was crowned victor of the show. It scored him instant success, selling 278,000 downloads in its first week – the biggest digital sales week for any “coronation song” for a winner of the program and the best-selling song by any alumni of the show in the US. A decade on from its release, fans on TikTok have been celebrating the hit with old performance clips of it.

November 17

Lil Wayne – Lollipop

In 2008, Lil Wayne scored his most successful single to date with “Lollipop.” The track, which served as the lead single from his acclaimed sixth album Tha Carter III, spent five non-consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has since been certified five-times platinum by the RIAA. As well as Weezy’s inimitable flow, the track featured vocals from singer Static Major, who tragically died two weeks before the single was released. More than a decade later, the song is now having a resurgence on TikTok as users create comedic videos with features and on-screen text to sync with the vibe of the music.

ABBA – Slipping Through My Fingers / Me And I

Taken from Swedish pop icons ABBA’s 1981 album The Vistors, “Slipping Through My Fingers” details a mother’s regret at time passing quickly in her young daughter’s life, noting how little time they have had together before the realities of the world like school keep them apart. Now, TikTok creators are using the sentiment of the song to highlight how they feel about the ever-moving pace of life.

Post Malone – Rockstar

On his second album, Post Malone teamed up with 21 Savage for the smash hit single “Rockstar,” which topped the charts in the US, Australia, Canada, Greece, Portugal, Romania, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and more. Since its release, its success has continued growing – just after its third anniversary, it became only the second song ever to pass 2 billion streams on Spotify. Now, the single is trending on TikTok following Post Malone’s North American tour.

Dean Martin – Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Originally composed in 1945 by Jule Styne, “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” has become a holiday staple, despite its lyrics only mentioning a wintry night staying warm while snow falls outside. While many artists have covered the track over the decades, Dean Martin released his first version of it in 1959 and re-recorded take in 1966. As Christmas approaches, users on TikTok are beginning to use it more to soundtrack winter-based videos.

Louis Prima – Pennies From Heaven

Featured on his 1957 album The Call Of The Wildest, “Pennies From Heaven” found Louis Prima fantasizing about a fortune “falling all over town.” “When you hear thunder, don’t run under a tree,” he warns. “It’ll be pennies from heaven for you and me.” Now, TikTok users have co-opted the song for a new trend that sees them sharing videos of their problems in areas like travel, family, pets, and more.

Kendrick Lamar – All The Stars

Kendrick Lamar executive produced the soundtrack for the first Black Panther movie in 2018 and, as part of the OST, he released a collaborative single with SZA, “All The Stars.” It went on to be nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars and Golden Globes the following year, while it was also in the running for four awards – including Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year – at the Grammys. Following the release of the Black Panther sequel Wakanda Forever, “All The Stars” is once again pushing back up trending charts as fans return to the first soundtrack.

Maroon 5 – Sunday Morning

After the massive success of “She Will Be Loved,” Maroon 5 returned with another song that would become a beloved hit – “Sunday Morning.” Nearly 20 years after its original release, the track is still inspiring fans, with multiple trends on TikTok using it as a soundtrack, from romantic dances to beautiful covers.

Lady Gaga – Judas

A single from her massive Born This Way album, “Judas” encapsulated stories of romantic betrayal and “things that haunt you in your life,” according to Lady Gaga. Just as the song represents something that is not good for you, TikTok users have now started a trend to the track, lip-syncing their crush’s name when Gaga sings the titular moniker.

Eminem – Sing For The Moment

After decades in the rap game, Eminem received a huge honor recently when he was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame – one of the few rappers in the hallowed hall. At the induction ceremony, he performed his 2002 single “Sing For The Moment” with guests Steve Tyler and Ed Sheeran, which is once again causing fans to return to the iconic track.

November 7

Bee Gees – You Should Be Dancing

Although the Bee Gees’ iconic hit “You Should Be Dancing” is well-known for featuring on the soundtrack for Saturday Night Fever, the band of brothers originally released it a year before that movie hit cinemas. It didn’t need Hollywood to propel it to success either – upon its release in 1976, it scored the group their third Billboard Hot 100 No.1. However, another association with the film industry is giving the song a resurgence on TikTok as users perform a comedic dance trend from the Despicable Me and Minions franchise on the app.

YG – Toot It And Boot It

Back in 2010, “Toot It And Boot It” was shared as rapper YG’s official commercial debut single, following two independently released mixtapes, 4Fingaz and The Real 4Fingaz. It marked the star’s arrival in the hip-hop mainstream, peaking at No.12 on the US Hot Rap Songs chart while a remix featured 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg. Following recent live performances by YG, the track is rising in the public consciousness again.

Lady Gaga – Just Dance

On “Just Dance,” Lady Gaga’s debut single, Mother Monster landed a ferocious hit. Although it took five months to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100, it has since gone on to become one of the best-selling singles of all time – not bad for a track its creator said was written in 10 minutes. A sped-up version of the fan favorite is now trending on TikTok as part of a dance trend known as “getting sturdy,” reinforcing its staying power in modern pop culture.

Aloe Blacc – The Man

Aloe Blacc’s 2014 single “The Man” was a positive declaration from an artist on the rise. “It’s time to do what must be done/Be a king when kingdom comes,” he sang on the track, which also paid homage to those who’d come before him. Elton John and Bernie Taupin received songwriting credits for the use of the line “You can tell everybody,” while the music video paid tribute to Marvin Gaye, Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr., and more. Now, the song is trending on TikTok as fans celebrate its positivity and brilliance.

Billie Holiday & Her Orchestra – Solitude

“In my solitude you haunt me/With reveries of days gone by,” Billie Holiday sings in the opening lines of “Solitude.” “In my solitude you taunt me/With memories that never die.” The mournful but beautiful song is a 1934 jazz standard that Lady Day recorded for her 1952 album, Billie Holiday Sings, putting her magic touch on the song originally composed by Duke Ellington. Recently, the song has experienced a surge of streams on Spotify, taking it from 267,000 plays to almost two million.

October 27

Drake – Girls Love Beyoncé

On Drake’s 2013 track “Girls Love Beyoncé,” the Canadian rapper shared some of the things he’d learned about women over a fitting interpolation of the Destiny’s Child hit “Say My Name.” “Look, I know girls love Beyoncé,” he opened. “Girls love to f__k with your conscience.” As the song progressed, though, he put his own issues and insecurities under the microscope. Appropriately, the track is now experiencing a resurgence on TikTok thanks to creators making videos set to the song where they share how much they relate to the lyrics.

Lana Del Rey – Sad Girl

Taken from Lana Del Rey’s second major-label album, Ultraviolence, “Sad Girl” assesses the star’s emotional state, its whole post-chorus featuring her repeating “I’m a sad girl” over and over. Fans on TikTok are celebrating different sections of the elegant ballad and using it to highlight their own emotional situations.

The-Dream – I Luv Your Girl

The last single to be taken from The-Dream’s debut album Love/Hate, “I Luv Your Girl” quickly became a hit for the North Carolina singer. As well as topping the Billboard Rhythmic Airplay chart, it also rocketed into the upper echelons of the Mainstream Top 40 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts, plus landed at No.20 on the Hot 100. Just over 14 years after its release, fans haven’t forgotten the track, making it trend on TikTok by creating videos set to one expletive-filled part of the song.

Calum Scott – Dancing On My Own

Before he found, British singer-songwriter Calum Scott shared a cover of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” on his YouTube channel and later performed it when auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent. Although he didn’t win the show, the track would still propel him further into the spotlight – it was this cover that earned him a record deal and would be eventually released as his debut single. His version of the pop hit has become associated with celebrations for various sports teams, including most recently with the MLB team, the Philadelphia Phillies.

Chief Keef – Love Sosa

Chief Keef’s second single, 2012’s “Love Sosa,” contributed to the Chicago rapper’s fast rise in the US hip-hop scene, scoring big praise from some far more established artists. Drake praised the track on Twitter at the time, telling fans he had given it “at least 130 plays in the last three days,” while Rick Ross and Stalley co-signed it by freestyling over an instrumental version of it. Now, users on TikTok are showing it more love, using the song as the soundtrack to videos asking followers what they should do with their hair, whose outfit is “hardest,” and more.

Elton John – I’m Still Standing

A bona fide classic in a back catalog busting with them, 1983’s “I’m Still Standing” scored Elton John yet another massive hit in both his native Britain and the US. At home, it peaked at No.4 on the Official UK Singles Chart, while in the States, it made its way up to No.12 on the Billboard Hot 100. As the icon continues his Farewell Yellow Brick Road, fans are sharing videos on TikTok set to the song paying tribute to the resilient people in their lives, as well as celebrating John’s phenomenal vocals.

October 20

Eminem – Mockingbird

Released when Eminem’s daughter Hailie was nine years old, “Mockingbird” sweetly addresses his child, promising to be by her side. “All I ever wanted to do was just make you proud,” he raps after acknowledging his absence and her mother’s problems have made life hard for her. “Now I’m sittin’ in this empty house just reminiscin’/Lookin’ at your baby pictures, it just trips me out.” While the track was written for his daughter, fans on TikTok have been using it to celebrate the rap icon’s recent birthday, which saw him turn 50.

Mary J. Blige – I Can Love You

Although it was released as a radio-only promo single in 1997, “I Can Love You” by Mary J. Blige still managed to dominate the charts, peaking at No.2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, No.9 on the Dance Singles Sales chart, and at No.28 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s no wonder the song was a smash – as well as being a smooth and catchy piece of R&B, it also featured a guest verse from another icon in Lil’ Kim. Creators on TikTok are now using the song to soundtrack videos of their “throwback days,” where they dress up in outfits calling back to the 90s.

Ariana Grande – Daydreamin’

“Daydreamin’,” a track from Ariana Grande’s debut album Yours Truly, captures the swooning feeling of falling head over heels in love with someone. At its end, a clip of her own grandparents, Majorie and Frank, plays, the couple talking about their own early days together. With its adoring atmosphere, the song is now being appropriately used on TikTok to soundtrack edits from romantic moments in movies and TV shows, like Cinderella.

DaBaby – Milli

“Milli” appeared on DaBaby’s 2018 mixtape Blank Blank – his last mixtape before he started releasing albums in 2019. The track finds the Cleveland, OH star rapping about the women in his life, featuring some X-rated and eyebrow-raising lyrics. One part of the first verse, in particular, has sparked a new trend on TikTok, with users lip-syncing along to the words, trying to keep a straight face as they do so.

50 Cent – Many Men (Wish Death)

Taken from 50 Cent’s debut album Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, “Many Men (Wish Death)” sampled Tavares’ “Out Of The Picture” and saw the then-rising rapper team up with Eminem, Darrell “Digga” Branch, and Luis Resto on the production. It provided an early hit for the star, peaking at No.11 on the Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, and going on to be certified gold in both the US and the UK. Fans on TikTok are remembering the track nearly 20 years on, sharing edits of the accompanying music video soundtracked by the song.

October 13

Rihanna – Pon de Replay

With her debut single, “Pon de Replay,” Rihanna burst onto the scene in 2005 and instantly carved out a space for herself as a superstar. An infectious pop banger that also paid homage to her Caribbean roots, it shot up to the upper echelons of charts around the world – including landing at No.2 in both the UK and the US – and kickstarted the career of one of modern music’s most iconic artists. Now, the track is experiencing a resurgence on TikTok as creators share a hip-swiveling dance routine set to the song, and others highlight BLACKPINK’s interpolation of one of its lines in their track, “Pink Venom.”

Soulja Boy – Pretty Boy Swag

The first single from Soulja Boy’s third album, The DeAndre Way, “Pretty Boy Swag” bigs himself up, celebrating himself. “Girls scream my name when I pretty boy swag,” he raps in the chorus. After previously going viral on TikTok in 2019, the track is at it again – this time, its rise is centered around a trend where users and their friends, family, or partners showcase their contradictory likes or habits.

Flyleaf – I’m So Sick

Inspired in part by a quote from philosopher and theologian Saint Augustine’s autobiographical work Confessions, Flyleaf’s 2006 single “I’m So Sick” took that profound influence and twisted it into a juggernaut of a rock song. The results scored a big success, catapulting the Texan rock band up the Billboard charts and growing their momentum around their self-titled album. Now, 16 years later, fans are paying tribute to the track by sharing their covers of it on TikTok.

The Weeknd – Tell Your Friends

Co-written with Kanye West, among others, The Weeknd’s “Tell Your Friends” arrived in 2015 as part of the Canadian superstar’s second album, Beauty Behind The Madness. Although it was never released as an official single, it still managed to place on the charts, including a No.19 position on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs list. Users on TikTok are sharing their favorite parts of the song, with one creator noting how they use the song to “empower” themselves before they go out.

Loretta Lynn – Coal Miner’s Daughter

Released in 1970, “Coal Miner’s Daughter” gave listeners a glimpse into country icon Loretta Lynn’s life and her childhood growing up with her coal-mining dad in Kentucky during the Great Depression. Years later, the track was voted one of the most significant recordings in music history by both TIME and the Recording Industry Association of America, so it’s no surprise that, following the news of Lynn’s death, it’s one of the songs fans shared to remember her by.

Loretta Lynn – You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)

Inspired by a conversation with a woman backstage at a concert, 1966’s “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” found its start in Loretta Lynn’s response to hearing a story of another lady trying to steal someone’s husband. After its release, the song became her eighth Top 10 single on the US country charts and lent its title to her seventh solo album. As music fans share their grief at Lynn’s death online, old performances of it are being shared on TikTok as a way to remember the star.

Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn – Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man

Recorded by Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn as part of their third collaborative album, which also shared the same name as this song, “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” was released in 1973. It gave the two stars, who shared a close bond over music, their third joint No.1 release on the country chart, while it made its presence known in the charts for a whopping 13 weeks. In the wake of Lynn’s death, it’s not just her solo songs that are being remembered – this track is also having a resurgence on TikTok as fans highlight the collaborative parts of her career.

J. Cole – No Role Modelz

Sampling Project Pat’s “Don’t Save Her,” J. Cole’s 2015 single “No Role Modelz” shared a tale of someone suspecting their fling was only interested in them for their money and status. The track brought a lot more success to the rapper’s door, becoming the highest-charting single from his album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive. Recently, the release made history by becoming the first song to be certified diamond that doesn’t have an official music video – a fact fans are celebrating by sharing the song on TikTok.

Rick Ross – Stay Schemin’ ft. Drake and French Montana

In 2012, Rick Ross recruited fellow hip-hop heavyweights Drake and French Montana for “Stay Schemin’,” a track taken from his mixtape, Rich Forever. Reportedly, the song was written as a response to Common, who is said to have dissed Drake on his song “Sweet.” A new “Stay Schemin’” challenge has sprung up on TikTok recently, which sees creators lip-syncing along to the track and raising their middle fingers to their cameras as they get in their cars before speeding off into the distance.

Lady Gaga – Alejandro

Featured on 2010’s The Fame Monster – Lady Gaga’s reissue of her acclaimed debut album The Fame – “Alejandro” took influence from Euro-pop. Despite her label not initially wanting it to be a single, it went on to become one of the star’s biggest tracks, topping charts around the world and now certified four times platinum in the US alone. Fans are sharing live performances of the song on TikTok, as well as creating dramatic re-enactments of the opening spoken word section.

Lana Del Rey – Season Of The Witch

Originally written by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan and released as part of his 1966 album Sunshine Superman, Lana Del Rey covered “Season Of The Witch” in 2019. It featured in the trailer – and on the soundtrack – for Guillermo del Toro’s Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark movie that same year. As we get deeper into spooky season, fans on TikTok are using the cover to score their own videos of macabre and supernatural sights.

October 6

Counting Crows – Accidentally In Love 

Written for the soundtrack of Shrek 2, this 2004 single from American rock icons Counting Crows scored the opening scene of the movie. The carefree, joyful song was set to visuals of Shrek and his new wife, Princess Fiona, celebrating their honeymoon, with singer Adam Duritz aiming to create a “timeless” feeling with the track. As the song experiences a resurgence on TikTok, it seems he achieved that goal. As well as fans sharing edits of the movie with the song playing over them, “Accidentally In Love” is also trending on the app thanks to a sped-up version of it doing the rounds. 

Pop Smoke – Hawk Em 

Taken from the late Pop Smoke’s 2019 album Meet The Woo, “Hawk Em” is a dark and shadowy rap song that sets his rivals in its crosshairs. But, despite his menacing tone, towards the track’s end, he insists: “Pop Smoke, gorgeous/I’m a gentleman and gangster.” Users on TikTok are spinning the track on his head in a new trend that sees them soundtracking videos of the Toy Story character Woody dancing with the track. 

Katy Perry – Dark Horse

Designed to cast a “witchy” and “black magic-y” feeling over its listener, Katy Perry wrote “Dark Horse” from the perspective of a witch warning a man not to fall in love with her. “Are you ready for, ready for/A perfect storm, perfect storm?” she asks in the chorus. “Cause once you’re mine, once you’re mine/There’s no going back.” The track went on to cast a spell on the charts, reaching the Top 10 in nearly 20 countries around the world. Now, it is trending on TikTok as fans share clips from the Egyptian-themed video on the app. 

Juice WRLD – Bandit 

The final single released by Chicago rapper Juice WRLD before his death in 2019, “Bandit” saw the star team up with YoungBoy Never Broke Again. The track saw the pair rap about their ability to steal a girl’s heart, with Juice comparing his crush to “a killer and an eater/She a Jeffrey Dahmer.” It’s that namedrop of the notorious murderer that has given the song a new resurgence following the release of Netflix’s series about Dahmer. 

Akon – Lonely 

Although New Jersey singer Akon made his breakthrough with the single “Locked Up,” it was the more commercial track “Lonely” that really set him on the path to global success. The single, which appeared on his 2004 debut album Trouble, peaked at No.4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has reached platinum and gold status in several territories around the world since. Now, as the track trends for a second time this year, creators are sharing videos of themselves recreating the pitched-up vocals using balloons. 

September 28

Selena Gomez – Fetish 

In 2017, Selena Gomez was on a hot streak of experimentation and subverting people’s expectations of her. After the Talking Heads-sampling “Bad Liar,” she released “Fetish,” which blended elements of cool electronica with its sultry R&B – a heady mix when combined with Gomez’s lyrics about attraction and desire. Now, fans on TikTok are celebrating the alt-pop gem with moody edits and videos that highlight its lyrics. 

Meredith Brooks – Bitch 

Upon its release in 2017, Meredith Brooks’ “Bitch” immediately felt like a cultural reset. The first time a woman had explicitly referred to herself as the titular label on a hit record, the single made huge waves in the music world and eventually peaked at No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also nominated for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and Best Rock Song at the 1998 Grammys. Its legacy still continues today, influencing other pioneering female artists like St. Vincent and Paramore’s Hayley Williams, while it’s currently experiencing a resurgence on TikTok. Creators are using the song to show their own multifaceted existences and to soundtrack videos of them recreating the 1997 aesthetic. 

Luke Bryan – Country Girl (Shake It For Me) 

Inspired by themes in hip-hop songs, Luke Bryan’s 2011 single “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” veered from his then-usual subject matter to celebrate getting loose. Although he and his co-writer Dallas Davidson were initially uncertain whether the change in tact would be successful, the song went on to prove them wrong – three years later, it was the third best-selling song by a male country music solo artist. Over a decade on, it’s now the center of two trends on TikTok. The first sees two people recreating a fun choreography to the song, while the second finds two people claiming not to like country music, only not to be able to stop dancing wildly as the song progresses. 

September 23

Lana Del Rey – West Coast

Produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, the woozy slow-burning “West Coast” delved into Lana Del Rey’s internal battle between love and ambition. A part of her third album Ultraviolence, the track also formed an ode to the west coast of America – a central part of the star’s iconography over the years. The psych-tinged track is still having an impact on fans eight years after its release, with users on TikTok making edits and funny videos about the feeling listening to it creates.

Woodkid – Run Boy Run

In 2012, Woodkid released “Run Boy Run” as the second single from his debut studio album, The Golden Age. The infectious, driving track quickly became a hit, scoring the French artist his highest-charting single when it landed at No.11 on the German charts. Since its release, the song has become a pop culture favourite, appearing in everything from Teen Wolf to 13 Reasons Why. Now, it’s become a central part of a new trend on TikTok. Users are creating videos in which they share what colour, fruit, animal and more they would be according to loved ones, while “Run Boy Run” provides a suspenseful soundtrack as they reveal the answers.

When In Rome – The Promise

When In Rome’s biggest commercial hit arrived in 1988 when the British trio released “The Promise” in the US, one year after it was shared in the UK. The track, which featured infectious new wave melodies, peaked at No.11 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as topping the Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart. Now, the video for the song is being remembered on TikTok, with creators sharing clips of it on the platform.

Chief Keef – Hate Bein’ Sober

Taken from Chief Keef’s debut studio album Finally Rich, which was released in 2012, “Hate Bein’ Sober” saw the then-rising rapper team up with some big names. The track featured appearances from 50 Cent and Wiz Khalifa, while the Chicagoan’s frequent collaborator Young Chop was on board to produce it. The combination proved successful – “Hate Bein’ Sober” landed at No.9 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles, setting the stage for more future achievements to come. A decade later, fans are remembering the track by setting it to edits of Chief Keef performing live.

September 13

The Cardigans – Step On Me

Released as part of The Cardigans’ 1996 album First Band On The Moon, “Step On Me” finds singer Nina Persson detailing a codependent relationship. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who would happily let their partner walk all over them as long as it meant they would stay with them, Persson singing: “Do what you want to do what you want to/Be what you want to be what you want to/Go on and step on me.” Despite the meaning behind the song, TikTok users have begun using it in a very different way on the app. Creators are now soundtracking videos featuring a person dancing happily down a sunny street with the song, showing how happy they’d be if they hadn’t watched dark, melancholy movies, had more success in their love lives, and more.

Kanye West – Bound 2

Yeezus’ grand finale, upon its release in 2013, “Bound 2” became an instant favorite with fans and critics alike. The Charlie Wilson-featuring track went on to score two nominations at the 2015 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Performance, while critics praised it for its seamless blending of soul samples, like Ponderosa Twins Plus One’s “Bound.” The track is now experiencing a resurgence on TikTok, as fans celebrate the still beloved track with clips of iconic performances by Kanye West and Wilson.

Katy Perry – The One That Got Away

Most of Katy Perry’s biggest hits might have taken the form of pop bangers but, when she mixed things up in 2010 with “The One That Got Away,” she still scored huge success. An emotional ballad about losing “The One,” the single peaked at No.3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit a chord with many around the world – including other artists, like Selena Gomez, Richard Marx, and Jordan Pruitt, who all covered the song. TikTok users have been highlighting the song’s poignant and tender lyrics via sharing videos of Perry’s own performances of it on the app.

September 8

Snoop Dogg – Sensual Seduction 

Back in 2007, Snoop Dogg gave a nod to the slow jams that soundtracked his youth with his smooth R&B single “Sensual Seduction.” The track was accompanied by a fittingly retro music video that saw the star don a keytar and talkbox while paying homage to Prince’s “When Doves Cry.” Nearly 15 years later, the song has sparked a new visual concept of its own on TikTok. “Sensual Seduction” has been trending on the app thanks to creators using it to soundtrack a new trend. In the videos, users cut between shots of themselves and friends, partners, or pets, zooming in each time the camera returns to them. As Snoop’s vocals enter the mix, each participant shows off their sunglasses and shimmying skills. 

Willow – Whip My Hair 

“Whip My Hair” kickstarted Willow’s music career with a bang, giving the then-10-year-old an instant viral hit. Setting a tone that would continue throughout her releases to come, the track brimmed with self-empowerment and encouragement. “Keep fighting until I get there, when I’m down and I feel like giving up,” she sang on the 2010 track. “I whip my hair back and forth, I whip it, I whip it real good.” Now, TikTok users are sharing videos set to the iconic song, which feature them performing choreographies to the pre-chorus. 

Summer Walker – Deep

Taken from Summer Walker’s 2018 mixtape Last Day Of Summer, “Deep” details a relationship that’s no longer casual and superficial but is also in strife. “Trust me, trust me/I don’t like being alone/Thinking bout ringing your line/I wish you would come home,” the R&B star sighs in the opening verse, later admitting she and her partner are “way too involved just to cut and not call.” The track has been experiencing a resurgence on TikTok of late as fans celebrate the emotional lyrics and Walker’s stunning vocals. 

Brick & Lace – Love Is Wicked 

“Can’t sleep at all cause your love is wicked/Pain in ma heart cause your love is wicked,” Jamaican-American dancehall/R&B duo Brick & Lace sang on their 2007 single “Love Is Wicked.” Thanks to its bright beats, that turmoil made it to the Top 40 in countries across Europe, including France, Finland, and Norway. As a new TikTok song trend reveals, though, listeners weren’t heeding Brick & Lace’s warning – creators are sharing videos of them dancing to the infectious song with captions acknowledging that they should have paid attention to what the duo was telling them. 

Bobby “Boris” Pickett – Monster Mash 

A quintessential Halloween hit, Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash” wasn’t always as beloved as it is these days. Upon its release in 1962, it was banned from being played by the BBC because it was “too morbid” for the airwaves. However, the ban couldn’t stop the track from finding its place in music history – it topped the Billboard chart in America in 1962 and, eventually, peaked at No.3 in the UK in 1973. Now, as people begin to count down the days until Halloween, it is experiencing a resurgence on TikTok, as creators use it to soundtrack videos looking forward to the holiday. 

September 1

Tears For Fears – Head Over Heels/Broken (Reprise) 

One of the highlights of Tears For Fears’ legendary second album, Songs From The Big Chair, “Head Over Heels/Broken (Reprise)” began life as part of the 1983 B-side “Broken.” Eventually, it morphed into its own, full song, becoming an ode to the anxieties and insecurities of a new relationship. In 2001, it experienced a resurgence thanks to its inclusion on the Donnie Darko soundtrack and is now, once again, finding new life as a popular TikTok song. The music video for the track has gone viral on the app, with a new generation appreciating the charms of the 80s synth-pop song. Popular videos on the video using “Head Over Heels” as their soundtrack include clips of the video and funny dance moves set to it. 

ABBA – S.O.S

Released in 1975, “S.O.S” is more than just another single from ABBA. Before the track was written, the iconic Swedish pop band had been trying to nail down exactly what their definitive style was and when this song was completed, band member Björn Ulvaeus knew they’d found their sound. Unsurprisingly, “S.O.S” went on to become yet another classic hit and, as of September 2021, was the group’s 19th-biggest song in the UK. Its legacy hasn’t gone unnoticed on TikTok either, with a sped-up version of the track accompanying videos in a new trend that sees creators share a montage of photo booth-style photos of themselves. 

Halsey – Without Me 

Written about numerous relationships that Halsey has either been involved in or observed from the outside, their 2018 single “Without Me” told a story of helping get a partner out of a low, only for them to take advantage and hurt the other person. It went on to become Halsey’s biggest solo single to date, earning them a No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the biggest song on pop radio in 2019, the biggest song in the world in that same year, and the 12th biggest song of the 2010s in the US. Now, fans on TikTok are celebrating the track as it approaches its fourth anniversary, sharing clips of the video and performances. 

Lipps Inc. – Funkytown 

American disco group Lipps Inc. might have been based in Minneapolis, but they, like many people, dreamt of moving to New York. Their classic hit single “Funkytown” was inspired by that dream, with the 1980 track longing for a place that would “keep me movin’, keep me groovin’.” Four decades later, its infectious power remains just as potent as when it was first released and has captured the imagination of TikTok users, who have been sharing clips of the track in videos on the app. 

August 24

Mazzy Star – Fade Into You

One of the most iconic songs of the 90s, Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You” was lifted from the US band’s second album, So Tonight That I Might See. It immediately scored huge success, peaking at No.3 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and at No.44 on the Billboard Hot 100. But since then, its legacy has only blossomed – it’s become a go-to song for artists of all genres to cover, while in 2021, Rolling Stone named it the 468th best song of all time. Now, TikTok users are getting in on the perpetual celebrations of the song, using it to soundtrack funny edits and sharing classic live performances of it.

Luke Bryan – Rain Is A Good Thing

In 2010, country icon Luke Bryan scored his first No.1 single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, remaining in the top spot for two weeks. The song he achieved the feat with? “Rain Is A Good Thing,” the second single from his 2009 album, Doin’ My Thing. The track came to life from the saying Bryan and his co-writer Dallas Davidson often said to each other: “Rain makes corn, and corn makes whiskey.” Not only did it catch on with listeners at the time – on the year-end Billboard Country Songs chart, it landed at No.2 – it is still captivating fans today, as evidenced on TikTok. The song has recently experienced a resurgence on the app, thanks to it featuring in recent live shows of Bryan’s.

Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby

It’s hard to believe now that Vanilla Ice’s instantly recognizable hit “Ice Ice Baby” was originally released as a B-side, but in 1990, it seemed destined to play second fiddle to a cover of “Play That Funky Music.” Luckily, renowned DJ and producer David Morales started playing the B-side instead, causing it to gain attention and become the beloved track it is today. The first hip-hop song to top the Billboard Hot 100, it also racked up No.1s around the world, including in the UK, Australia, Belgium, New Zealand, and more. TikTok creators have recently proved that its legacy is far from done, too, with users sharing videos of them creating their own choreographies to the energetic song.

August 17

The Weeknd – Starboy

The title track from The Weeknd’s third album, “Starboy” saw the Canadian R&B superstar team up with Daft Punk to create an infectious, immediate electro-pop hit. Exploring ideas of celebrity extravagance, the track details the negative effects of achieving fame and fortune. “You talkin’ money, need a hearing aid/You talking’ ‘bout me, I don’t see the shade,” he sings in the pre-chorus. “Switch up my style, I take any lane/I switch up my cup, I kill any pain.” Six years after its release, the song is experiencing a resurgence thanks to it featuring in The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn tour setlist. Fans on TikTok are sharing moments from the tour alongside creators performing dance routines to the track.

Vistoso Bosses – Delirious

Although Vistoso Bosses – the Atlanta duo comprised of Taylah P. And Kelci – might not have had the longest time in the spotlight, their debut single “Delirious” still made quite an impact. In 2009, it landed at No.42 in the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, while the pair recruited Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em to feature on the track. TikTok users have been reminding the world about the release lately, too, from sharing piano versions of it to reciting Soulja Boy’s verse from memory.

Lil Wayne – Love Me

Taken from Lil Wayne’s 10th album, I Am Not A Human Being II, “Love Me” arrived in January 2013 and represented a superstar team-up – joining Weezy on the track was Drake and Future. Lyrically, the trio talks about the conditional love they have for their partners, with their verses now being recognized on TikTok in a series of “hardest rap verses of all time”.

Akon – Locked Up

Akon’s second single of his career, arriving eight years after his first “Operations Of Nature,” “Locked Up” instantly turned the singer and rapper into a star. It scored success around the globe, including in the charts in the US, UK, Australia, and more, and set Akon’s debut album Trouble up for further acclaim. Recently, creators on TikTok have started a new trend on the app using an edited version of the track in which fans lip sync to the lyrics from the back seat of an illustration of a police car, adding the reason why they’d be locked up on top.

August 10

Eve – Let Me Blow Ya Mind 

Released in 2001, this Gwen Stefani-featuring single from Eve’s second album Scorpion gave the Pennsylvania rapper her joint highest-charting song. The track peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at No.2 – the same position its successor “Gangsta Lovin’” would reach the following year – while also collecting acclaim from the likes of the Grammys, where “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” won the trophy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration,” and the MTV VMAs, where it collected the prize for Best Female Video. Over 20 years after its original release, “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” is still wowing music fans and is now experiencing a resurgence after London MC Central Cee sampled it on his new track “Doja.” 

Flyleaf – All Around Me 

In 2007, Texas rock band Flyleaf released “All Around Me” as a single, two years after it appeared on their self-titled debut album. The ripping rock song went on to become the band’s biggest release, rocketing through the Billboard charts until it crashed into the Top 40 of the Hot 100, scoring Platinum status and achieving success on the Venezuelan Pop Rock chart, peaking at No.2. Creators on TikTok are now rediscovering the song and using it as the centerpiece to a new trend, where users film themselves lip-syncing to the verse before their friends throw in some new lighting effects as the chorus hits. 

August 3

Kelis – Milkshake 

“My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard/And they’re like, ‘It’s better than yours,’” Kelis boasted on her 2003 hit single “Milkshake.” The track previewed the album Tasty and gave her her highest charting song on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No.3. Its relevance was felt far beyond the charts, though – it also received a nomination for Best Urban/Alternative Performance at the 2004 Grammys, and has become a fixture of movie and TV soundtracks int the near-two-decades since its release. It recently experienced a resurgence thanks to Beyoncé sampling it on her new song “Energy,” although the sample has since been removed from the track. 

Eminem – Superman ft. Diana Rae

Featured on 2002’s The Eminem Show, “Superman ft. Diana Rae” detailed Marshall Mathers’ romantic history, focusing on ups and downs in his past relationships, including his own issues with commitment. “I can’t be your Superman, can’t be your Superman,” he warns women who are interested in him. The track is trending on TikTok thanks to fans setting the song to aesthetic edits of photo montages and videos.  

Rick James – Super Freak 

Released in 1981, this Rick James classic quickly became known as one of the artist’s best-loved songs. It’s not just the fans who rate it, though, with the track featured on Rolling Stone’s Greatest Songs Of All Time list – rising from No.477 in 2004 to No.153 in 2021 – and being nominated for a Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1982. “Super Freak” has become the latest track to receive a bump from Stranger Things. While it didn’t feature on the soundtrack of the fourth season, it has become a trending song on TikTok thanks to fans using it in videos of the character Eddie Munson, widely regarded by his classmates to be a “freak.” 

ABBA – Chiquitita 

One of ABBA’s biggest hits, “Chiquitita,” arrived in 1979 as the first single from the Swedish icons’ sixth album, Voulez-Vous. It went on to be one of the group’s biggest hits, scoring the No.1 spot in Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Switzerland, as well as a No.2 position in the UK. Its original release raised money for UNICEF, while in 2020, Cher released a cover version to benefit the same organization. Two years later, the track is now trending on TikTok thanks to a mash-up with Elton John’s “Bennie And The Jets,” with the band’s Benny Andersson sharing his own piano version of “Chiquitita” adding to the resurgence.  

Elton John – Bennie & The Jets 

Taken from 1973’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, “Bennie & The Jets” might have been released in most countries as a B-side to “Candle In The Wind,” but in 1974 it got its dues in the US and Canada with its own single release. A satire of the music industry in the 1970s, the track went on to become one of Elton John’s beloved songs, whose popularity is still felt today. As well as at the icon’s live shows, that love can be felt online, too, with the track being mashed up on TikTok with ABBA’s “Chiquitita” and John creating his own duet on the app with Benny Andersson. 

July 27

Kendrick Lamar – Alright

This To Pimp A Butterfly single is often considered one of Kendrick Lamar’s finest works so far. It has the plaudits – including four nominations and two wins at the Grammys and multiple spots on 2015’s end-of-year lists – and it has the power, too. The song has largely come to be associated with protest and the Black Lives Matter movement after protestors began chanting it while fighting for the cause. Recently, the track was featured at the end of the trailer for the upcoming Marvel movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, inspiring fans on TikTok to create new edits of the teaser featuring more of the song.

Kanye West – Heartless

Released in 2008 as a single from Kanye West’s fourth album 808s & Heartbreak, “Heartless” had an unusual premiere. Instead of being unveiled to the public via radio, music video, or website, the rapper gave his first performance of it at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. That out-of-the-ordinary approach didn’t stop it from being another hit for the legendary musician, though. It peaked at No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Rhythmic Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts. Nearly 14 years later, fans are celebrating the track with videos on TikTok of performances of it over the years.

George Strait – Carrying Your Love With Me

Taken from the 1997 album of the same name, “Carrying Your Love With Me” details the relationship of a man who has to be away from his partner for stretches of time. A message to the person left behind at home, “king of country” George Strait promises: “I’m carrying your love with me, West Virginia down to Tennessee/I’ll be moving with the good Lord’s speed, carrying your love with me.” Users on TikTok have been sharing the original version of the track after a cover of it went viral for leaving people unimpressed, helping Strait’s classic to trend on the app.

Katy Perry – Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)

In 2011, Katy Perry released this pop classic and an ode to cutting loose with your friends. Inspired by her own girls’ trip to Santa Barbara with her pals, the pop icon has said that “most of the song is actual truth” and was written the day after the group had a big night out. TikTok users have since started a new trend set to the song, which centers around them making videos with their friends depicting the events in the lyrics.

Corey Hart – Sunglasses At Night

A new wave classic, Corey Hart’s “Sunglasses At Night” was first released back in 1984 and became a hit for the Canadian singer, landing in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. It had its genesis in the recording studio where Hart was working on his album First Offense – a place where vents blew air into the faces of those working in the control room, prompting them to wear sunglasses to protect their eyes. Hart is said to have come up with the song’s central line – “I wear my sunglasses at night” – because of that, crafting the rest of the track around it. “Sunglasses At Night” is one of the many 80s songs to feature in the latest season of Stranger Things, helping it reach a new audience and experience a resurgence on TikTok.

Lady Gaga – LoveGame

Written about being attracted to someone at a nightclub, “LoveGame” continued Lady Gaga’s ascent as she rode the wave of success from her debut album The Fame into 2009. It went on to be one of the most popular tracks of that year, landing in the Top 40 of the year-end charts of the Billboard Hot 100. As Gaga kicked off her Chromatica Ball tour in Germany earlier this month, “LoveGame” made its way onto the setlist, inspiring fans on TikTok to share videos of the performance on the platform and catapult it into the trending tracks on the app.

Eminem – Business

“Business” served as the final single from Eminem’s fourth studio album The Eminem Show, and found the hip-hop icon comparing himself and fellow legend – and the song’s producer – Dr. Dre to Batman and Robin. “Chip off the old block, but old Doc is back/Looks like Batman brought his own Robin,” he raps on the opening verse. Fans have been celebrating the track of late, making edits of the song that highlights its rapid-pace lyrics.

July 20

Sam Smith – I’m Not The Only One

Taken from Sam Smith’s 2014 debut album In The Lonely Hour, “I’m Not The Only One” continued the British star’s ascent as a songwriter with a knack for emotionally and sensitively capturing heartache in their songs. The single tackled infidelity in a relationship, Smith putting themselves in the shoes of a married woman they knew. Fans have recently been sharing edits of the song, highlighting their soulful vocals and rich lyricism on TikTok, helping it to become a popular soundtrack on the app.

Lil Baby & Gunna – Drip Too Hard

A single from Lil Baby and Gunna’s 2018 collaborative album Drip Harder, “Drip Too Hard” saw two of Atlanta’s hottest rising talents teaming up to create a hit. The track peaked at No.4 on the Billboard Hot 100, scoring a chart best for Gunna, while it also went onto be nominated at the 2020 Grammy Awards for Best Rap/Sung Performance. Four years later, it is trending again on TikTok following Lil Baby’s performance of the song at London’s Wireless Festival going viral online.

Chaka Demus & Pliers – Murder She Wrote

Often called one of the best and most important dancehall tracks of all time, Chaka Demus & Pliers’ 1992 single brought global attention to the Jamaican musical method of toasting and inspiring the likes of Shaggy in the process. “Murder She Wrote” was based on The Maytals’ 1966 track “Bam Bam,” while it has helped other songs find their form since via being sampled by artists including Pitbull, French Montana, and Jason Derulo. Now, it is experiencing a resurgence on TikTok, with creators taking on a dance challenge set to the song.

Summer Walker – Session 32

This raw and emotional 2018 track found Summer Walker confronting an ex over their treatment of her and their unwillingness to work through the difficult times together. “And I need you to know/You don’t know what love is,” she sings in the chorus. The track has become the subject of newfound attention after videos of Walker tearing up while performing it at London’s Wireless Festival this summer – and the crowd’s impassioned singing along – went viral on TikTok.

Lana Del Rey – Young And Beautiful

In 2013, Lana Del Rey contributed “Young And Beautiful” – an elegant, timeless pop song – to the soundtrack of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby adaptation. The track was written from the perspective of the novel’s Daisy Buchanan, taking inspiration from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s plot to craft a desperate and wistful classic. It’s something that’s now being recognised again on TikTok, with users making edits set to the song celebrating its emotional grace and beauty. – Rhian Daly

July 14

The Weeknd – Stargirl (Interlude)

Featured on The Weeknd’s 2016 album Starboy, “Stargirl (Interlude)” boasts vocals from Lana Del Rey, with whom the R&B superstar has a long working relationship. In this two-minute, slow-burning synth-pop track, Del Rey and The Weeknd sing a refrain each, her first admitting: “And I shouldn’t cry, but I love it starboy.” He then replies, “I just wanna see you shine, cause I know you are a stargirl” as the track fades out. It’s experiencing a resurgence thanks to TikTok and creators on the app using the song to soundtrack edits from Stranger Things, particularly in a key scene from the show’s latest season where music helps save a pivotal character.

Lana Del Rey – Summertime Sadness

Released as the fourth single from 2012’s Born To Die, “Summertime Sadness” mixed pop with trip-hop underneath Lana Del Rey’s elegant vocals. It was a combination that proved incredibly successful – the song hit the top spot on the charts in Poland, Ukraine and Armenia, as well as entering the Top 10 across Europe and in the US. In fact, via a remix by Cedric Gervais released a year later, “Summertime Sadness,” scored the star her highest chart peak on the Billboard Hot 100 at No.6. Now, it’s climbing back up the TikTok trends as summer gets into full swing, with fans using it soundtrack videos about their plans for summer. 

July 6

The Game – Hate It Or Love It

Taken from The Game’s 2005 album The Documentary, “Hate It Or Love It” marked the Compton rapper’s second Top 10 entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No.2 on the chart. The track featured vocals from the star’s former G Unit comrade 50 Cent, who also wrote the chorus. “Hate it or love it, the underdog’s on top,” 50 Cent rapped. “And I’m gon’ shine homie until my heart stop/Go ‘head envy me, I’m rap’s MVP/And I ain’t going nowhere so you can get to know me.” It’s this part of the song that has experienced a resurgence on TikTok, with creators on the app highlighting that section as one of the key moments in the track.

The Carpenters – Goodbye To Love

Released in 1972, “Goodbye To Love” originally appeared on The Carpenters’ A Song For You album. It was inspired by Richard Carpenter’s viewing of a 1940 Bing Crosby film called Rhythm On The River, in which the characters kept referring to a song called “Goodbye To Love” and he was inspired to imagine what the song might sound like. Now, Phoebe Bridgers has covered the resulting track as part of the soundtrack for Minions: The Rise Of Gru, which was overseen by Jack Antonoff. The soundtrack has inspired fans on TikTok to share their own covers of “Goodbye To Love,” helping make it trend on the platform.

Cameo – Candy

In 1986, New York funk group Cameo released “Candy” as the second single from their platinum-selling album Word Up!. As a single release, it was also highly successful, charting at No.21 on the Billboard Hot 100, topping the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, and landing in the Top 30 of the Official UK Singles Chart. Its relevance has extended long past the year it was released, with artists as eclectic as 2Pac and Mariah Carey sampling the song on their own records. Four decades on, that impact is still being felt as the track experiences a resurgence on TikTok thanks to a new trend. Creators on the platform are using “Candy” as a base for a new, subtle choreography that centers around a dynamic movement as if the dancers are slapping the ground. – Rhian Daly 

June 30

Siouxsie And The Banshees – Spellbound

Released in 1981 as the first single from Siouxsie And The Banshees’ fourth album Juju, “Spellbound” compared the intense feeling of falling in love to being under a spell. “You hear laughter cracking through the walls,” Siouxsie Sioux sang on it. “It sends you spinning, you have no choice.” An electric song, it won fans in all corners, including The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, who once described it as “so clever” and “mysterious.” Now, fans on TikTok are joining in praising the track, sharing their appreciation for it through edits of the video and live performances.

Songs from The Summer I Turned Pretty

New Amazon Prime Video series The Summer I Turned Pretty premiered on June 17 and is quickly propelling both the books it’s based on –  by To All The Boys author Jenny Han – and the music featured in the adaptation up the charts. The show tells the story of Isabel “Belly” Conklin (played by Lola Tung), who becomes embroiled in a love triangle with two brothers during summer break. Three tracks from Taylor Swift’s Lover album feature on the first season – “Cruel Summer,” “False God, and “This Love” – and all have been sent soaring back up the charts since it premiered.

The release of The Summer I Turned Pretty has given Swift up to a 6,000 percent boost in song sales, with Lover re-entering the Billboard Top 40 and becoming her most streamed album on Spotify with an additional 3.9 million streams. The series’ social media stats have likely played a part in that too, with the hashtag #TheSummerITurnedPretty alone racking up over 1.3 billion views on TikTok, many of those videos using Swift’s songs to soundtrack them.

Ellie Goulding – Lights

Featured on Bright Lights, the reissue of British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding’s debut album Lights, this song was inspired by the star’s fear of the dark. “And I’m not sleeping now, the dark is too hard to beat/And I’m not keeping up the strength I need to push me,” she sings on the verse, before finding strength in a loved one on the chorus: “You show the lights that stop me turn to stone/You shine them when I’m alone.” TikTok users are now using the song as part of a new trend that sees them make videos of themselves and their friends forming a dance circle illuminated by phone lights, taking turns to show off their moves.

The Weeknd – Call Out My Name

Taken from The Weeknd’s 2018 EP My Dear Melancholy, “Call Out My Name” details the aftermath of a relationship and the heartache that comes with it. “Guess I was just another pit stop/Til you made up your mind,” the star sings bitterly. “You just wasted my time.” TikTok creators are highlighting the song’s emotional lyrics in new videos, sharing their reactions to the painful sentiments contained within them.

Lee Greenwood – God Bless The USA

Country star Lee Greenwood first released “God Bless The USA” back in 1984 as part of the album You’ve Got A Good Love Comin’, but its popularity contains to stay strong nearly 40 years later. In the decades since, it’s been covered by superstars including Dolly Parton and Beyoncé, and released several times as a way to raise money for charity. Now, TikTok users with military connections are showcasing the song on the platform, from covering the song themselves to highlighting heroes who’ve served the US.

2Pac – Keep Ya Head Up

2pac’s 1993 single “Keep Ya Head Up” detailed some of the abuse that Black women face at the hands of society, the lyrics sending a message to the world that it’s “time to heal our women, be real to our women.” As well as noting what Black women go through, the song also shared an encouraging message to “keep ya head up, ooh child, things are gonna get easier.” Creators on TikTok are now using the track to reinforce their videos about women’s rights, using the lyrics “since we all came from a woman/Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman.”

The Police – Every Breath You Take

The Police’s mega-hit “Every Breath You Take” was released in 1983 as part of their Synchronicity album and went on to top the charts in the US, Canada, the UK, and more. Nominated for three Grammys, it won two awards at the 1984 ceremony, including Song Of The Year and Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Considered one of the band’s best-known songs, it’s also been included in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame’s 500 Songs That Shaped Rock And Roll. Now, TikTok users are sharing their favorite moments its been featured in movies and TV shows, from Ally McBeal to Stranger Things.

June 22

Guns N’ Roses

In 1987, Guns N’ Roses’ debut album Appetite For Destruction kickstarted an illustrious career, ignited by huge anthems like “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “Paradise City.” The former began life in a jam session at the band’s house on LA’s Sunset Strip and found its form when frontman Axl Rose centered the lyrics around his then-girlfriend Erin Everly. A huge hit whose relevance has spanned the decades since, the track has most recently appeared in the trailer for the new Disney and Marvel movie Thor: Love And Thunder.

“Paradise City,” meanwhile, was penned on the road, while the band was heading to a gig in San Francisco. As they drove to the show, the members took turns coming up with the lines, making it a truly collaborative effort. Lately, fans on TikTok have been celebrating the anthem by sharing clips of incendiary live performances.

Also trending this week is Guns N’ Roses’ 1991 epic “November Rain.” The track appeared on their Use Your Illusion I album and, upon its release as a single, quickly became the longest song to enter the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 – its radio edit clocked in at 4:43, while the album version was 8:57, but an 18-minute version is also said to exist. TikTok users have been highlighting the song’s iconic solo in videos recently, putting the focus on a legendary moment in rock.

Summer Walker – Karma

Taken from her 2018 debut album Last Day Of Summer, “Karma” finds Atlanta R&B star Summer Walker issuing a warning. It’s one that alerts her male listeners to not treat their partners poorly, telling them she’ll get revenge for the wronged women. “You can’t keep just doing them girls like that,” she sings. “Thinking that nobody finna bite back.” The track is now soundtracking a trend on TikTok where fans share their best photos of themselves.

ABBA – Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)

Released in 1979, this ABBA classic was released as a then-brand-new song on the second volume of the Swedish icons’ Greatest Hits compilation. Lyrically, it found Agnetha Fältskog singing about longing for a partner who will help her “chase the shadows” of the night away. “Movie stars find the end of the rainbow with a fortune to win,” she sings sadly. “It’s so different from the world I’m living in.” The track is now part of a trend on TikTok where creators make videos of them dancing in a casual outfit to the song before it transitions to “Boogie Wonderland” and they appear in a get-up fit for a dance party.

Justin Bieber – Confident

This 2013 cut saw Justin Bieber team up with Chance The Rapper and marked the end of his Music Mondays project, which saw him release a new song every Monday for two months. The song has love at its core, with the Canadian pop star squiring a new love interest who’s “confident.” With Bieber performing the track on his current Justice world tour, TikTok has been full of fans sharing videos of him nailing the song life, nearly a decade on from its release.

YK Osiris – Worth It

The second single from YK Osiris’ debut album The Golden Child, “Worth It” was released in 2019 and gave the US rapper his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. It debuted on that chart at No.87 before moving up to a peak position of No.48. Later, a remix of the track was also released, featuring contributions from Tory Lanez and Ty Dolla Sign. Now, fans on TikTok are sharing their own versions of the hit single, with some performing them from their local grocery store. 

June 17

Songs from Spiderhead

The anticipated new Netflix film, starring Chris Hemsworth, Miles Teller, and Jurnee Smollett, is already delivering plenty of intrigue – and an enticing soundtrack, to boot. In one memorable sequence from the film, Hemsworth character Steve Abnesti twirls to the sophisticated pop of Roxy Music’s “More Than This” (Hemsworth reportedly requested it himself, as it’s one of his favorite songs). In a climactic scene from the film, Poco’s “Crazy Love” is also used to great effect. The entire soundtrack is on a similar vibe, with additional appearances by Supertramp and Chuck Mangione.

June 15

Katy Perry – Firework

Released in 2010, Katy Perry’s “Firework” is an inspirational anthem of the modern era, intended to make the star’s fans “feel proud and feel strong.” The self-empowerment banger clearly resonated too, with it hitting the Top 10 in charts all around the world and scoring Perry a No.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (as well as multiple other Billboard charts). The song has been trending on TikTok lately, including some of Perry’s past performances of it.

The-Dream – Falsetto

The second single from The-Dream’s debut album Love/Hate, “Falsetto” kept the then-rising artist’s trajectory moving onwards and upwards. It landed at No.3 in the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart upon its release in 2007 – his best peak at the time – and took him into the Top 30 of the Hot 100 too. The smooth R&B track is now experiencing a resurgence thanks to a playful new TikTok trend where users deliver a piece of lighthearted choreography to its addictive chorus.

Afroman – Crazy Rap (Colt 45 & 2 Zig Zags)

In 2001, LA rapper Afroman became a commercial success and a worldwide star thanks to his hit song “Because I Got High.” Just two months after that track was conquering charts all over the globe, he unleashed his follow-up on the world, “Crazy Rap (Colt 45 & 2 Zig Zags).” Lyrically, it continued in the same themes as “Because I Got High,” while referencing both Cheech and Chong, and Dolly Parton. Although it didn’t reach the same dizzying commercial highs as its predecessor, “Crazy Rap” still had its moment in pop culture – a fact reinforced by its status as a trending song on TikTok. The track is being used to soundtrack videos where creators share their dream people to “sesh” with.

Lady Gaga – Government Hooker

Featured on Lady Gaga’s second studio album Born This Way, “Government Hooker” meshed techno and industrial sounds with themes including female sexual empowerment. Never an official single, the track still charted in South Korea and reached No.16 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Digital Songs chart. Now, it is being used to soundtrack videos on TikTok where fans edit scenes of their favrite male characters from Stranger Things into clips celebrating their visuals.

June 8

Musical Youth – Pass The Dutchie

Released in 1982, Musical Youth’s “Pass The Dutchie” scored a massive hit around the world by stitching together two pre-existing songs. The British-Jamaican reggae outfit spliced together U Brown’s “Gimme The Music” and Mighty Diamonds’ “Pass The Kouchie,” and rocketed up the charts. “Pass The Dutchie” hit the top spot in the UK, while in the Billboard charts it landed in the Top 10. The track is now experiencing a second life thanks to season four of Stranger Things. Musical Youth’s creation has become a fan-favorite moment on the new episodes’ soundtrack, scoring scenes with the new character Argyle (played by Eduardo Franco) and his pizza delivery van.

The power of Stranger Things has also been giving several other tracks from the 80s a big resurgence, most notably Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” which is pivotal to the storyline of Max Mayfield (played by Sadie Sink). Among the other songs being discovered – and rediscovered – via the show is KISS’ “Detroit Rock City,” which can be heard as the Hawkins High basketball team runs on to victory in episode one.

The Cramps’ “Fever” and “I Was A Teenage Werewolf,” meanwhile, are also trending thanks to features on the show. The latter soundtracks the scene where the new character Eddie Munson (played by Joseph Quinn) causes chaos in the cafeteria when he’s first introduced.

June 1

Lena – life was a beach

In 2019, German singer-songwriter and 2010 Eurovision Song Contest winner Lena released her fifth album, Only Love, L. Among its tracks was “life was a beach,” a piece of deceptively breezy, minimal pop in which the star reflected on losing a loved one and the loneliness of the aftermath. Despite not being a lead single, the track has now gone viral in Japan, ranking in Spotify’s “Viral Top 50 Japan” chart for over 76 consecutive days. The song is being used on many TikTok videos and Instagram reels in the county as well. Notably, the popular Japanese dance group Local Campione danced along to the song on TikTok, with Lena joining in with the moves in her own video shortly after.  

May 18

Marvin Gaye – I Want You

Marvin Gaye’s 1976 single “I Want You” provided something of a change in gear for the legendary singer. The track, written by Leon Ware and Arthur “T-Boy” Ross, not only took the acclaimed artist into disco territory but also found him great success in that arena. The track landed at No.15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at No.10 on the Disco Singles Chart, while it also earned him a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Male Vocal Performance. The track has been sampled and covered by acts like Madonna, Massive Attack, and Robert Palmer, while it has seen a new resurgence on TikTok thanks to Kendrick Lamar interpolating it on his recent surprise single “The Heart Part 5.”

50 Cent – Best Friend

Back in 2005, 50 Cent released his own movie Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, in which he played the character of Marcus. Throughout the film, the song “Best Friend” can be heard, particularly in instances where Marcus is seen with love interest Charlene (played by Joy Bryant). “If I was your best friend, I’d want you ’round all the time,” 50 Cent sings on the track. That romantic view has sparked a new TikTok trend soundtracked by the song, in which creators share videos and photos of them with their other halves.

Weezer – I Just Threw Out The Love Of My Dreams

Originally intended to be a part of a scrapped concept album called Songs From The Black Hole, “I Just Threw Out The Love Of My Dreams” is the only track from the project that would go on to be recorded in full. Had the complete record been made, the song would have filled in a part of the space-themed rock opera where the character of Laurel turned down the advances of her shipmate Jonas (played by frontman Rivers Cuomo) despite having feelings for him. The Weezer obscurity has since gone on to find recognition on TikTok with users soundtracking videos of anime and cartoon strips with the track.

Tame Impala – New Person, Same Old Mistakes

Taken from Tame Impala’s 2015 album Currents, “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” deals with the concept of change and how much you can really transform who you are or leave behind your distinct character traits. The woozy synth-pop song found a second life in 2016 when Rihanna featured a cover of it on her album ANTI, while it is now having a resurgence on TikTok, thanks to a new trend. Creators are using the track as part of “transition” videos, which show them growing into a “new” person when the chorus hits.  

May 11

Nelly – Grillz

In 2005, Nelly – with the help of Paul Wall and Ali & Gipp – wrote an ode to grillz. “Got 30 down at the bottom, 30 more at the top/All invisible set in little ice cube blocks,” the Austin, TX rapper detailed. “If I could call it a drink, call it a smile on the rocks.” The track immediately caught music fans’ ears and went to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, as well as the upper echelons of charts around the world. Now, the song is finding a popular second life on TikTok, as users share videos of them and their friends bobbing their heads to its opening lines, taking it in turns to look at the camera and lip-sync along to its words.

Kanye West – Runaway

One of Kanye West’s finest masterpieces, “Runaway” finds the rapper entering vulnerable and candid territory, sharing his feelings about past failed relationships and some of the criticisms that have been aimed at him over the years from the media and beyond. An emotive and powerful piece, the track made it No.25 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time list in 2021. Creators on TikTok have also joined the crowd in showing appreciation for the trending song – 12 years after its release, “Runaway” is being celebrated in performance edits on the app, which highlight the attention-grabbing nature of its simple piano opening.

May 4

Migos – Stir Fry

Taken from Migos’ second album Culture II, “Stir Fry” saw the Atlanta hip-hop group team up with Pharrell Williams and, in the process, score a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Moving away from their more typical trap sound, the track presented fresh territory for the trio that is still as enticing today as it was in 2017. Proving that, a new trend has emerged on TikTok of users sharing their enthusiastic reactions whenever they hear the song.

Maggie Rogers – Alaska

Maggie Rogers’ debut single, “Alaska” kickstarted a brilliant career with early approval from a modern music icon. The former NYU student famously played the song for Pharrell Williams during a Masterclass held at her then-school, with footage of his awestruck reaction quickly going viral and propelling Rogers to sudden fame. Thanks to a remix of it being included on the soundtrack of the Netflix series Heartstoppers, the song is enjoying a popular resurgence on TikTok, with users sharing clips of the show featuring the track.

2Pac – Dear Mama

On “Dear Mama”, 2Pac details his upbringing surrounded by poverty and addiction. Despite these hardships that he and his family faced, he uses the track to pay tribute to his mom. “You always was committed/A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how you did it,” he raps at one point. Creators on TikTok have been sharing edits of the song and performances from 2Pac on the app, highlighting the touching lyrics in their videos.

April 20

Crystal Waters – Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)

Released as part of Crystal Waters’ 1991 debut album Surprise, “Gypsy Woman” has made its presence felt in music ever since. Regarded as one of house music’s classic tracks, the song has been remixed numerous times, and its “la da dee, la dee da” hook and keyboard riff sampled multiple times since its release. “Gypsy Woman” has been trending on TikTok, with the song being mashed up with “The Bomb” by The Bucketheads.

Pusha T – Nosetalgia ft. Kendrick Lamar

The Kendrick Lamar-featuring, Notzz and Kanye West-produced “Nosetalgia” was an early taste of Clipse member Pusha T’s solo work. Released in 2013 on his debut solo album My Name Is My Name, the track saw Push and Lamar trading stories about how the drug epidemic in the US in the 80s and 90s affected them both growing up. “Nosetalgia”’s high bar is being recognized on TikTok, as creators celebrate some of its verses as some of the greatest in the history of hip-hop.

YG – Who Do You Love?

Back in 2014, Compton rapper YG was just making his first moves with his debut album My Krazy Life, and “Who Do You Love?” was shared as the record’s third single. The Drake-featuring cut peaked at No.54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since been certified double platinum by the RIAA. It continues to have an impact eight years later, with fans on TikTok making it trend on the app by using its “Who do you love?” refrain to soundtrack videos about complicated relationship situations.

Maroon 5 – Payphone

After the release of their gargantuan hit “Moves Like Jagger,” Maroon 5 kept the ball rolling with another massive smash in “Payphone.” Collaborating with Wiz Khalifa on the track, the group broke records in the US, and witnessed great success in Canada – where it topped the charts for eight consecutive weeks – and the UK. A decade after its initial release, users on TikTok are still showing the song love as they make aesthetic edits of live performances of it or highlight its emotional lyrics in videos.

Akon – Lonely

Although New Jersey singer Akon made his breakthrough with the single “Locked Up,” it was the more commercial track “Lonely” that really set him on the path to global success. The single, which appeared on his 2004 debut album Trouble, peaked at No.4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has reached platinum and gold status in several territories around the world since. Creators on TikTok have been using the song to soundtrack videos that reflect its solitary atmosphere, helping it trend on the app.

Far East Movement – Rocketeer

After Far East Movement scored a hit with “Like A G6,” the group decided its next release should show another side of them. Instead of working on a dance track, like that previous single, they created “Rocketeer,” which incorporates elements of alt-rock, hip-hop, and electronic music. With OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder featured on the track, it soon scored the group another Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and showcased their range as artists. The track is now experiencing a resurgence on TikTok as users highlight it as a song that evokes nostalgic feelings.

April 13

Justin Bieber – Baby

In January 2010, a then-15-year-old Justin Bieber released “Baby,” the lead single from his debut album My World 2.0, and was catapulted off on a blazing career path that would swiftly make him one of the biggest pop artists in the world. Its video was at one point the most-viewed video on YouTube, surpassing Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” With Bieber back on the road, fans have been eagerly sharing videos of “Baby” being performed live 12 years later, with its creator – and fans – in a different part of his life.
Listen to the track here.

Troye Sivan – Angel Baby

Troye Sivan’s “crack at an adoring, doting, love-struck, mega pop, gay, power ballad,” “Angel Baby” arrived in August 2021 as a soaring, serene piece of yearning, romantic pop. The track is the lead single from the Australian singer-songwriter’s upcoming third album Trouble and set the mood for the record in widescreen, cinematic style. The track has since been trending on TikTok, with fans sharing aesthetic edits of the song, while Sivan himself has also joined the surge of people sharing it on the app, with several humorous stories about it.
Listen to the track here.

Engelbert Humperdinck – A Man Without Love

Originally written in Italian and called “Quando m’innamoro,” Engelbert Humperdinck’s track was turned into an English-language hit by Ivor Novello-winning songwriter Barry Mason and released in May 1968. It received recognition around the world, landing at No.2 on the Official UK Singles Chart and No.19 on the US Billboard Hot 100, as well as topping charts in Belgium, Ireland, and Switzerland. The track is now finding a new audience as it experiences a resurgence on TikTok, propelled by it featuring twice in the first episode of the Marvel TV series Moon Knight.

Kali Uchis – After The Storm

In 2018, Kali Uchis teamed up with Tyler, The Creator, and Bootsy Collins on the track “After The Storm,” which appeared on her 2018 debut album Isolation. Produced by BadBadNotGood, the song layered funk with slinky R&B and marked Uchis’ second collaboration with the legendary Collins. Since the singer has been back on tour, the track has been trending on TikTok with fans sharing videos of her performing “After The Storm,” alongside funny videos responding to its lyrics.
Listen to the track here.

K Camp – Slum Anthem

Atlanta, Georgia rapper K Camp got his start performing at open mic contests and self-releasing his own mixtapes before getting snapped up by Interscope Records in 2014. That same year, he released the single “Slum Anthem” on the label, a track that found him propositioning other men’s girlfriends. Eight years since its release, the single is growing on TikTok, with creators sharing their own intricate dance routines set to the song .
Listen to the track here.

April 7

Jeremih – All The Time

Jeremih’s sexy and sensual R&B track “All The Time” first appeared on his debut mixtape Late Nights With Jeremih and was released as that record’s only single in 2013. Two years later, the Lil Wayne and Natasha Mosley collars smooth grooves and explicit nature made it a perfect candidate for inclusion on the soundtrack for the Magic Mike XXL soundtrack. Now, the track is being recognised for its lyrics, with fans on TikTok making edits of the song with its lines emblazoned onto colourful visuals.
Listen to the track here.

Guy – I Like

New York trio Guy was a hip-hop, R&B and soul group founded in the city in 1987 and who, one year later, released their self-titled debut album. It was a hit, topping the Billboard R&B Albums chart and sneaking into the Top 30 on the Billboard 200, and its success was in part propelled by the record’s fourth single “I Like.” A fusing of R&B and new jack swing, the track was the album’s most impactful release and is still capturing a new audience 35 years later. TikTok creators are helping the song trend on the app by showing their appreciation for it in the form of a hip-swinging dance routine.

Fergie – Glamorous

Fergie’s dominance on TikTok is showing no signs of slowing up, with yet more of the Black Eyed Peas star’s solo work taking over the app. Following the likes of “Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal)” and “Hit It” trending on the popular platform, “Glamorous” is also driving new videos. The third single from 2006’s The Dutchess, the song gave Fergie her second No.1 single in the US as a solo artist and is still growing in relevance today. The track will be sampled on Jack Harlow’s single “First Class” and creators on TikTok are showing their excitement for the new interpolation of the 00s hit by dancing to a snippet the rapper shared of his reworking.
Listen to the track here.

March 30

Fergie – Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal)

Fergie might be more typically associated with infectious hip-hop and pop tracks but, on her 2006 debut album The Dutchess, she veered into more heartfelt, tender territory with “Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal).” An acoustic pop ballad laden with strings, the track offered a mature take on a relationship going through rocky waters and the need to take some time for yourself. TikTok users have been honing in on the line “Yes, you can hold my hand if you want to/Cause I want to hold yours too,” sharing their impressions of how it would be sung to a partner.

Lana Del Rey – The Other Woman

Originally recorded by American jazz singer Sarah Vaughan in the 50s, “The Other Woman” was popularized by icon Nina Simone before Lana Del Rey covered it for her 2014 album Ultraviolence. The song’s story of a married man’s mistress has provided a jump-off point for TikTok creators, who have been soundtracking edits of TV’s “other women” with Del Rey’s rendition of the track. Among them, Cassie from Euphoria is the most popular, with clips of her storyline with Nate from season two appearing in many videos using the song.

Luke Bryan – Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye

Released in 2012, “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” served as the fourth single from country titan Luke Bryan’s third studio album Tailgates & Tanlines. In its chorus, the star asserts that he isn’t going to waste his time begging someone to stay with him, reasoning: “Ain’t no reason running after something already gone.” It’s that part of the song that has now been immortalized in a new TikTok trend, which sees users on the app sharing photos of themselves living their best lives as the track plays.
Listen to the track here.

March 23

Alessia Cara – Here

The debut single from Canadian singer Alessia Cara, “Here” became a sleeper breakthrough sensation upon its release in 2015 thanks to its relatable lyrics. The song detailed being at a house party where the star didn’t know anyone and feeling uncomfortable, her singing: “But really I would rather be at home all by myself/Not in this room with people who don’t even care about my wellbeing.” Since Cara’s appearance at Lollapalooza Argentina in mid-March, where she delivered a stunning version of the track, “Here” has experienced a resurgence on TikTok, with fans highlighting its reliability.
Listen to the track here.

Lorde – Writer In The Dark

Piano ballad “Writer In The Dark” featured on Lorde’s critically-acclaimed second album Melodrama, released in 2015, which tackled her first major heartbreak. This track found her laying out who she is – and will continue to be – for an ex-partner and included the line: “I am my mother’s child, I’ll love you ’til my breathing stops.” It’s that lyric that has inspired a new TikTok trend, with creators using the song to soundtrack videos explaining how they’re like their mothers – or, contrastingly, more like their fathers.
Listen to the track here.

Patsy Cline – Crazy

Although written by Willie Nelson, “Crazy” was popularised by influential country singer Patsy Cline when she released it as a single in 1961. An enduring classic, over three decades after its release it was the all-time most played song on jukeboxes in the US. Almost another three decades on, the country standard is now picking up steam on TikTok, as users soundtrack videos explaining the extreme lengths they’ve gone to in relationships with the song.

WILLOW – Wait A Minute!

Released in 2015, “Wait A Minute!” appeared on WILLOW’s debut album Ardipithecus and already inspired a TikTok challenge in 2019 with the #HereRightNow dance challenge. Three years later, the upbeat track is inspiring yet another viral surge, with fans showing their appreciation for the track and sharing cute dance videos soundtracked by it .
Listen to the track here.

March 16

Suzanne Vega – Tom’s Diner

The inspiration for Suzanne Vega’s classic song is a cult New York figure – the Upper West Side’s Tom’s Restaurant, which also featured heavily in Seinfeld. It was at the restaurant that the iconic singer-songwriter penned “Tom’s Diner,” crafting a narrative from people watching and the characters around the area triggering moments of nostalgia. Forty years after the track was initially written, it is finding a new audience on TikTok, streams spurred on by a viral cover by the German rock band AnnenMayKantereit.

Drake – Emotionless

Taken from Drake’s 2018 album Scorpion, “Emotionless” in part offers up a critique of our social media-driven lives and our habit of focusing on likes rather than living in and enjoying the present. “I know a girl whose one goal was to visit Rome / Then she finally got to Rome / And all she did was post pictures for people at home,” the Toronto megastar raps on the track. The song is experiencing a resurgence on TikTok with creators using it to soundtrack montages of photos from their past travels, the lyrics knowingly pasted on top of the images.
Listen to the track here.

Drake – Trust Issues

Although “Trust Issues” was released to build anticipation for Drake’s Take Care album, the track ultimately didn’t make it onto the final tracklist for the record. In the years since it’s become something of a cult obscurity, only getting an official release on streaming services in 2019 – eight years after its original release – as part of the compilation Care Package. TikTok users have been showing love to the track of late, sharing videos appreciating it through beautiful covers and remixes.

Demi Lovato – Cool For The Summer

When “Cool For The Summer” was first released in 2015, Demi Lovato described it as a shift in their output. “After kind of being put in a corner of talking about so many things in my past, I just want to talk about sexy time and fun things,” they told radio host Elvis Duran at the time. A huge pop banger with EDM undercurrents, it was an instant party anthem that received massive acclaim, including nominations at the MTV VMAs and Teen Choice Awards. As summer approaches, fans on TikTok are highlighting the track and sharing videos of Lovato’s past performances of the bright and infectious hit .
Listen to the track here.

March 9

Nirvana – Something In The Way

The closing track on Nirvana’s seminal album Nevermind, “Something In The Way” is one of the Seattle grunge band’s most moving songs. Written by frontman Kurt Cobain during a period of homelessness, the track is brimming with heightened emotion, desperation and helplessness, and has long been considered one of the band’s best works. It has been seeing a resurgence of late thanks to its impact on Matt Reeves’ The Batman and its use in the film’s trailer, as well as its two appearances in the movie itself. On TikTok, that re-emergence is being shown in videos of clips from the film, soundtracked by the melancholy track.

Bastille – Good Grief

“Good Grief” might deal with the topic of death, funerals, and the confusing process that is grieving for a loved one, but it does so in classic Bastille style – by lacing the lyrics into a big, bold pop banger. The song is trending on TikTok through multiple ways, including aesthetic lyric video edits, creators using it to soundtrack montages of good times and people they miss, and a sped-up version of the song.
Listen to the track here.

Big Sean – I Know

Taken from Big Sean’s 2015 album Dark Sky Paradise, “I Know” marks the Detroit rapper’s third collaboration with LA R&B singer Jhené Aiko. Together, the pair swap lines about being there for someone who’s having relationship problems, telling them: “I know you’ve been going through some things.” The collab is experiencing a resurgence on TikTok as fans show appreciation for a great team-up.

Kiana Ledé – Wicked Games

LA-based singer, songwriter, and actor Kiana Ledé’s 2018 EP Selfless marked her first release on Republic Records. It showed the wider world what her loyal fans already knew – she was an artist with a talent for emotional storytelling. “Wicked Games” is a shining example of that, positioning her as a loyal partner for someone who treats her badly and exploits her weaknesses. Scroll through TikTok and you’ll find many videos using the track as their sound, with fans covering the song and using it to share their own relationship tales.