Simple graphics, top-notch algorithms, vertical videos, interaction modes, and, most importantly, songs. These are the winning factors with which TikTok songs have become a global phenomenon in social media and the music industry. TikTok’s format works because it goes straight for the pleasure rush. Zooming in on the moment for max impact and then moving on to the next video down the feed. They are 15-second bursts of songs and melodies made for the instant buzz and lasting earworm. TikTok songs are addictive!
How is TikTok reshaping the music industry?
Let me answer this. A new study found that TikTok has become the first platform that people (60 percent of those studied) use to discover new music, and more than half of them say that TikTok influences their musical tastes.
Since the 1980s we had become accustomed to artists being born in major labels’ offices, TikTok is now re-empowering the public. Labels now use TikTok as a testing ground for artists as fans’ feedback and interaction provide a means of measuring their potential and one of the individual songs being promoted.
In other ways, once a TikTok song reaches a certain amount of virality through followers’ shares, the record companies contact “the most talented users” and bring them to the charts ( see Lil Nas X, Roddy Ricch, Doja Cat, or Beach Bunny). They all saw their singles dictate the beat to the dances of millions of TikTokers.
Is TikTok good?
The relationship between social media platforms and the music industry, and whether they are good for one another, has been ongoing debate.
From Napster to Instagram and now TikTok, the conversation has revolved around the extent to which these channels offer an opportunity for all to showcase their talent, versus the criticism that the pressure to produce repetitive and easily-digestible content for the purpose of going viral can lead to a decrease in quality. Add to this the shortening of the length of songs as artists now prefer to get to “the point” quickly. Combine it with the advent of club rap, drill, and TikTok’s encouragement of couch-bound hyperactivity for a generation of youth that is capable of surfacing a myriad of digital channels in a supersonic short-entertainment short-attention-span frenzy. You’ll get TikTok songs that are the embodiment of the company’s slogan – “make every second count.”
So no, no clear answer, but as with most social platforms and digital trends, only time will tell.
What are the most popular TikTok songs right now?
This article, which we will frequently update to keep up with the latest TikTok songs, will shine a light on which TikTok songs are trending and give a bit of context to artists, songs, and other stories surrounding these viral hits.
It will give you the right information to know exactly what TikTok songs to choose for your next video.
“Mayonaka no Door〜stay with me” by Miki Matsubara
It’s no surprise that Japanese music slaps. What better than to dig up an oldie from the 80s so that our feed is full of young sons and daughters showing their Japanese mothers how the song is back from the past.
“Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington, Jr.
There are definitely some questionable turns and consequences to the music scene TikTok a created over the years. Still, one thing is for sure: it’s a great way to make a young generation of users discover the legends of the past. And if it takes some meteoric rise and devastating falls of musicians and personalities to let them find out Grover Washington, Jr.’s “Just the Two of Us”, then so be it!
“Mother” by Meghan Trainor
Meghan Trainor is no stranger to viral songs, as I am sure we all remember her debut single in 2014, “All About That Bass” being played on all radios and seemingly every party. After this hit, she didn’t disappear but found a solid career and became an artist, frequently championing themes of womanhood, body image, and personal empowerment. It’s only fitting that her song “Mother” has become viral for all things related to funny mom videos on TikTok.
“Irish Jig” by the Irish Pub Society
For anything related to Ireland and its culture. And I mean literally anything.
“Material Girl” by Madonna
TikTok users have taken this iconic Madonna song for videos with the messages “My father/father-in-law/etc rejected many girls back in the day”. Same for mothers/mothers-in-law of course. So go ahead and help dig out some old analog pics of your parents.
“Big Boy” by SZA
Unless you’ve lived under a rock all this time, you must have heard SZA’s “Big Boy” before. Probably got stuck in your head, and now you can’t seem to live without it.
Tip: if you have a boyfriend who is taller than you, then this TikTok song is just right for you.
Umbrella Lofi(remix) by Rihanna
Another excellent example of how TikTok is reshaping old classics to cater to a new taste. Remixing is one of it, and proof of that is how (a perfectly great song if you ask me) Rhianna’s “Umbrella” is getting a new twist. I wonder what other of her best songs might end up getting the same treatment.
“Players” by Coi Leray
Officially released as 2 minutes 19 seconds song, Coi Leray’s catchy lyrics and melody on “Players” show us exactly why it is more than enough time to release a viral song on TikTok and get your dance moves off.
“Kill Bill” by SZA
Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned revenge story? SZA’s “Kill Bill” is a coded reference to Quentin Tarantino’s 2003 film, starring Uma Thurman. SZA takes Tarantino’s bloody storyline about an ex-bride getting revenge on her boss and translates it to her life and career.
“Sure Thing” by Miguel
Whether sped up, slowed down, or untouched, if you even attempt to complete this dance challenge, Miguel’s “Sure Thing” will be a guaranteed new obsession on your TikTok songs playlist.
“Escapism” by RAYE
If you ever had to deal with some ‘dumb decisions’ (didn’t we all) and needed an escape from reality after a heartbreak, “Escapism” by Raye and Shake070 is here for you. The song becoming viral on TikTok transformed the course of the singer’s life as she went from being stuck with a record label that refused to release her album for 7 years to being an independent artist who’s hitting #1 on the charts.
“Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
More on self-love and positive affirmations, we have Miley Cyrus. She is now viral on TikTok with one of her best songs to date, and Charli D’Amelio approved. If you are going through a breakup, or divorce, and need some inspiration, this song is made for you.
“Boys A Liar Pt. 2” by PinkPantheress & Ice Spice
Riding the wave of her first viral song, “Munch (Feeling U)”, this new TikTok trending song by Ice Spice and PinkPantheress sounds both fast and sluggish, new and old. It features cute keyboard sounds reminiscent of an early-2000s DVD menu, perfect for nostalgic TikTok users.
But most importantly, it has all the other magic formulas needed to create a guaranteed trending song on TikTok; it’s short, catchy, and quickly gets to the point.
“Doja” by Central Cee
Fresh off our Spring 2023 Highsnobiety Issue, the UK sensation Central Cee is everywhere on TikTok and beyond as his song “Doja” can’t seem to stop being viral. I guess that intro will last a long time.
“Made You Look” by Meghan Trainor
“Made You Look” is two minutes and 14 seconds long. Why try to make a song any longer when you already are a TikTok star and have made your most recent success since. Combine it with a catchy doop-woop rhythm, lyrics centered on self-love and body positivity, and there you have it. One of the most popular TikTok songs out there.
“Everything I write I’m like ‘Yo, TikTok’s gonna eat this up,’ like I truly am focused on like, my fans on TikTok […] I just have many more friends on TikTok and like, that’s my home and I’m writing for TikTok.” She said during an interview for Entertainment Tonight.
“Bloody Mary” by Lady Gaga
With this entry, we have another glimpse into the changing landscape of the music industry. Lady Gaga’s slept-on song “Bloody Mary”, released on her album Born This Way in 2011, saw a huge rebirth when Netflix released the new series Wednesday.
The lead character, and FRONTPAGE interviewee Jenna Ortega, performs an iconic routine at a school dance, and it quickly took over the internet. Originally, Ortega’s moves were soundtracked by the punk band The Cramps and their old tune “Goo Goo Muck,”. Everything changed when one TikTok user took the video and changed out the music, swapping The Cramps for a sped-up version of Gaga’s decade-old “Bloody Mary”.
After that upload went viral, people began using “Blood Mary” and replicating Wednesday Addams’ moves, all over the world.
“Anti-Hero” by Taylor Swift
Another artist who has been able to transition from the standard notoriety to TikTok fame is Taylor Swift. Not unfamiliar with catchy radio hits, she is destined to become a constant when it comes to popular TikTok songs, TikTok dances, TikTok challenges, and everything in-between.
A great song to start is “Anti-hero”. WithThe #TSAntiHeroChallenge asks fans to acknowledge their unique traits, yes, even the more chaotic ones, in a fun way.
For more TikTok-related content, check out how the platform is making eye shapes trendy, or it’s deinfluencing trend on viral products.
