What Songs Are Trending On TikTok This Week?

What songs are currently trending online? Well, the path to virality, chart domination, and social media hits is no longer reserved for new, popular songs. The industry has seen an uptick in renewed interest around classic tracks that re-emerge in pop culture thanks to social media, soundtrack syncs, and commercial placements, and sometimes purely by chance. Look no further than the time a man went cruising on his longboard listening to Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” This column will break down all of the older songs that are trending again (and explain why they became popular one more time).

October 2

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps

In “Maps,” Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O shared a message to her then-partner, Liars frontman Angus Andrew. “Wait, they don’t love you like I love you,” O sang in what has become one of the most affecting modern alternative love songs. Its impact has spread far and wide, evidenced in covers by artists as varied as Macy Gray, Anderson .Paak, and Arcade Fire. It is trending on TikTok, where its resurgence began in a face puzzle trend, in which users have to reattach their features in the right place, and later, as part of a dance trend taken on by the likes of Towa Bird and Khalid.

The Cramps – Goo Goo Muck

“Goo Goo Muck” was first released by Ronnie Cook and The Gaylads in 1962. The single failed to chart but was dug out of the crates by The Cramps in 1980 before appearing on its second album, Psychedelic Jungle, a year later. The band’s take on the original turned it into something far more sleazy, the song’s monster figure becoming a hormone-fuelled teen. It is part of a new photo trend on TikTok linked to the lyrics “When the sun goes down and the mood comes up,” with users sharing photos of their day and night looks. It is also being shared on the platform as part of an Addams Family-themed trick creators are sharing in videos.

Crowded House – Don’t Dream It’s Over

“Don’t Dream It’s Over,” the 1986 single from Crowded House, would go on to be the band’s biggest international hit. It peaked at No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987 and reached the top spot in Canada and the band’s home country of New Zealand. It is receiving renewed interest after it was used prominently in the sixth episode of Ryan Murphy’s latest Netflix series, Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story.

John Lennon – Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)

Paul McCartney has called “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy),” a track on John Lennon’s final album Double Fantasy, one of his favorite songs by his former Beatles bandmate. The track was written by Lennon for his son Sean, sharing his love for the child in its lyrics. It is experiencing a resurgence online as part of two different trends – one in which users share photos illustrated by cartoon-adorned versions of the lyrics and another focused around the line, “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.”

September 25

Pearl Jam – Future Days

“Future Days” is a poignant tribute to Eddie Vedder’s friend and founding member of The Frogs, Dennis Flemion. “Back when I was feelin’ broken, I focused on a prayer,” the Pearl Jam frontman sings on the Lightning Bolt track. “You came deep as any ocean, did something out there hear?” The song was previously featured in the game The Last Of Us Part II, becoming a theme between the characters Joel and Ellie. As the HBO adaptation of the video game prepares to return to screens, “Future Days”’ connection with The Last Of Us has been reignited, with the song soundtracking the trailer for the new episodes.

Sugarland – It Happens

Country duo Sugarland captured a relatable scenario on its 2009 single “It Happens,” sharing a tale of oversleeping and being late to work. As the story unfolds further, the drama surrounding the narrator increases, with Jennifer Nettles getting into a car accident with her ex and his new girlfriend. The song topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was nominated for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2010 Grammys. Fans are sharing the song on TikTok after discovering its lyrics have a different impact in adulthood.

Halsey – Bad At Love

Taken from Halsey’s second album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, “Bad At Love” details the star’s past relationships and why they failed to last. After the song’s release, Halsey explained to Billboard that they wanted the track to “sound like Leonardo DiCaprio in a Hawaiian T-shirt in a droptop yellow convertible car – driving down the highway like in Miami Vice with all his friends.” The song is now being used on TikTok to soundtrack videos showing off users’ pick-up trucks.

Sir Mix-A-Lot – Brown Shuga

“Brown Shuga” appeared on Sir Mix-A-Lot’s 1994 album Chief Boot Knocka and found the artist opining about a woman he called “Sweet Brown Shuga.” The track is trending on TikTok as creators set anime clips to it and celebrate it in light of “Nasty Dog”’s recent viral moment.

Ed Ivory – Oogie Boogie’s Song

“Oogie Boogie’s Song” was written for the soundtrack of Tim Burton’s 1995 movie The Nightmare Before Christmas and served as an introduction to the character, the Oogie Boogie Man. The song finds the figure making fun of “Sandy Claws” – aka Santa Claus – and taunting him as he keeps him captive. As Halloween approaches, it is doing the rounds on social media.

September 18

JAWNY – Honeypie

When JAWNY released “Honeypie” in 2019, he was still using the artist name Johnny Utah and working as an independent artist. The track captured the imagination of many around the world, though, going viral on TikTok, racking up millions of streams, and helping secure him a record deal with Interscope Records. The track is experiencing a resurgence as an animated lyric video goes viral on TikTok.

Mint Condition – So Fine

Minneapolis R&B group Mint Condition shared “So Fine” as part of its second studio album, From The Mint Factory, in October 1993. The track earned it a Top 40 finish in both the Billboard Hot R&B Songs and Adult R&B Songs charts, the track’s tribute to “a woman of quality” striking a chord with fans. The song is part of a new dance trend on TikTok that sees users dance in pairs.

WILLOW – Whip My Hair

“Whip My Hair” was the debut single for WILLOW, then aged 10 years old. The song mixed motivational lyrics with dance-pop melodies and rhythms – a combination that proved popular with her new fans. It peaked at No.11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and rocketed into the Top 10 in charts around the world, including in the UK and Denmark. The track is having a resurgence on TikTok as part of a hair-whipping dance trend.

Blackstreet – Don’t Leave Me

Taken from Blackstreet’s second album, Another Level, “Don’t Leave Me” samples DeBarge’s “A Dream” and was produced by Teddy Riley. It wasn’t given a physical release, which meant chart rules at the time stopped it from appearing in the Billboard Hot 100, although it did peak at No.1 on the Hot R&B Airplay chart. It also scored huge success in New Zealand, where it topped the chart for two weeks and was later certified gold. The song is trending on TikTok as users lip-sync along to its powerful vocals.

Disclosure – Latch

“Latch” catapulted both Disclosure and guest vocalist Sam Smith to fame in 2012, with the track peaking at No.11 in the U.K. and at No.7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. It was a sleeper hit in the latter country, not reaching the upper echelons of the chart until 2014. The track is seeing an uptick on TikTok as fans share clips of both Disclosure and Smith performing it live at recent festivals and concerts.

Idina Menzel – Into The Unknown

“Into The Unknown” appeared in the 2019 Disney film Frozen 2 and was recorded by actor Idina Menzel and Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora. It went on to be nominated for numerous awards, including Best Original Song at the Oscars and the Golden Globes. Fans are sharing their versions of the song on TikTok.

September 11

Crystal Waters – Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)

Taken from Crystal Waters’ debut album Surprise, “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” is best known for its infectious “La de dee, la dee da” hook, which helped propel it to the upper echelons of the charts – and to classic status. In the decades since its 1991 release, the track has frequently been dubbed one of the best songs of all time by publications like Pitchfork and Rolling Stone. It is experiencing a resurgence following Katy Perry sampling it on her single “I’m His, He’s Mine.”

Richard Harris – MacArthur Park

Although the Jimmy Webb-penned “MacArthur Park” has been recorded and released by numerous artists over the years, Irish actor and singer Richard Harris was the first back in 1968. Harris met Webb at a fundraising event in Los Angeles and mentioned that he was looking to make his own record, leading to Webb playing the track for him. Harris’ version peaked at No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of his biggest hits. It is piquing the interest of a new generation of music listeners now after it was featured on the soundtrack for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

Ashanti – Rain On Me

With the lead single for her second album, Chapter II, Ashanti shared a powerful message of overcoming an abusive relationship. During the promotion of “Rain On Me,” the star teamed up with organizations LidRock and Family Violence Prevention Fund to raise awareness of domestic violence. The track also earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 2004. It is now the soundtrack to a new trend on TikTok where users share a still from Black Mafia Family as part of a “My face when…” meme.

Bobby Valentino – Slow Down

“Slow Down” introduced Bobby Valentino to the world in 2005 and made a strong first impression. The track topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, spending four consecutive weeks in the No.1 spot, while it also reached No.8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.4 on the Official UK Singles Chart. It is experiencing a resurgence after being shared on TikTok by the latest winners of Love Island.

September 5

Rihanna – Love On The Brain

On “Love On The Brain,” Rihanna took inspiration from doo-wop and soul from the 1950s and 60s, repackaging it in a modern style. In the emotionally powerful track, the star sings of a toxic but addictive relationship. The song is trending again following Rihanna’s appearance in a perfume campaign for Christian Dior’s J’adore, with a promotional film soundtracked by “Love On The Brain.”

Bobby “Boris” Pickett – Monster Mash

Although considered a novelty song, Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash” has experienced an enduring impact that many other tracks of its ilk fall short of. A now-traditional soundtrack of Halloween, the song tells the tale of a mad scientist who creates a monster that comes to life and comes up with a new dance move that becomes popular among other monsters, like Dracula and the Wolfman. As anticipation for Halloween 2024 ramps up, the song is beginning to experience its annual resurgence, with content creators online flocking to use the song in their videos.

Rockwell – Somebody’s Watching Me

In 1983, Rockwell released “Somebody’s Watching Me,” the lead single from his debut studio album of the same name. It featured vocals from Michael and Jermaine Jackson and Norman Dozier. It rocketed into the Top 5 of the charts around the world, including in the US, South Africa, Canada, Switzerland, and more. The track has become associated with Halloween thanks to its themes of paranoia and fear and is trending again as the season approaches once again.

Phil Collins – En Mi Corazón Estarás

Phil Collins contributed the song “You’ll Be In My Heart” to the soundtrack of Disney’s animated film Tarzan in 1999. “En Mi Corazón Estarás” is a Spanish version of that song, performed by Collins. That version of the track made it to No.32 in Billboard’s Hot Latin Tracks chart, marking the star’s only appearance on the list in his career. The song is trending on TikTok as creators use it to share the people and places that have touched their hearts.

The La’s – There She Goes

“There She Goes” gave The La’s its biggest single, hitting No.13 in the UK charts when it was re-released in 1990. The track was taken from the band’s self-titled debut album – its only LP to be released – and has frequently been listed as one of the greatest songs of all time. As autumn takes over from summer, the song is trending online, with fans using it as the soundtrack for seasonal snippets of Gilmore Girls and Gossip Girl, as well as in general autumn-themed content.

August 21

Sir Mix-A-Lot – Nasty Dog

The dog at the heart of Sir Mix-A-Lot’s 1994 track “Nasty Dog” isn’t a furry friend but, in fact, the rapper himself. Instead of taking an interest in his fellow canines, the star spends the song in pursuit of a “kitty cat,” tempting them down from treetops “with a jingle of my car keys.” Between his recounted attempts, barks and woofs take on a percussive role, Mix-a-Lot occasionally adding to the layers with baritone “bow wow” refrains.

Riley Green – There Was This Girl

On “There Was This Girl,” country singer Riley Green shares stories about different women he’s met, from encounters at bars to the front rows of his shows. What starts out as a tale of various crushes, though, ends in commitment and the musician finding out “what love is all about.” The 2018 single is experiencing a resurgence thanks to an acoustic version soundtracking a new TikTok photo swipe trend, in which users share photos of themselves and their partners.

Cher – Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves

Cher’s first solo US No.1 single “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves” put the pop icon in the shoes of a 16-year-old Romani girl, sharing details of her life. The big comeback track appeared on the album of the same name, which arrived in 1971 and earned Cher a nomination for the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Grammy in 1972. It is receiving renewed attention thanks to a sync in Netflix’s Umbrella Academy, in which it soundtracks a dance sequence.

Hannah Montana – You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home

Hannah Montana’s 2009 track “You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home” was stuffed with superstar talent. Its vocals were recorded by the fictional Montana’s real-life counterpart, Miley Cyrus, while Taylor Swift co-wrote it with Boys Like Girls’ Martin Johnson. It appeared in 2009’s Hannah Montana: The Movie and is now trending thanks to Cyrus’ induction into Disney Legends.

August 14

The Cardigans – Lovefool

The Cardigans’ catchy hit single “Lovefool” was released in 1996 but didn’t reach the upper echelons of charts around the world until a year later. Its success was propelled by a feature on the soundtrack of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet and a re-release, pushing it to No.2 on the Official UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay Chart and to No.1 in New Zealand and Scotland. The song is now experiencing a resurgence as fans use it to soundtrack edits of couples they wanted to see together on TV shows and share their own covers of it.

Lorde – The Love Club

In 2012, Lorde introduced herself to the world with The Love Club EP. Its title track depicted the then-teenager befriending the bad kids in her peer group and shone a light on the negative sides of popularity. TikTok users are setting it to a new trend on the app where they show recent photos from their camera roll.

Lloyd – You

“You” previewed Lloyd’s second studio album, Street Love, in 2007 and boosted a feature from Lil Wayne. It became the R&B singer’s first Top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100 and his first No.1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Nearly a decade after its release, it is regaining attention after being posted by Olympian Suni Lee.

Young Jeezy – Leave You Alone

Young Jeezy’s slow-burning “Leave You Alone” was released in 2012 and saw the rapper team up with hip-hop icon Warren G, who produced the track. It marked Jeezy’s fifth single from his 2011 album, Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition, and after a steady climb up the charts earned him a No.3 placement on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Kavinsky – Nightcall

Kavinsky’s “Nightcall” brought together some of the buzziest names of the early 2010s, featuring CSS’ Lovefoxxx, produced by Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and mixed by Sebastian. It went on to be used as the theme for Nicolas Winding Rein’s Drive and appeared on Kavinsky’s debut album OutRun in 2013. It is now getting a second life after he performed it with Phoenix and Angèle at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony.

The Tragically Hip – Ahead By A Century

In 1996, The Tragically Hip scored its most successful single in its home country of Canada with “Ahead By A Century.” It topped the singles chart in the territory and was one of the top 10 most-played songs there that year. A decade later, it would become the final song the band would play live, closing out its last concert in Victoria, BC. After featuring in the new season of Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, the track is gaining fresh momentum.

Christopher Jackson – Where You Are

Hamilton superstar Lin-Manuel Miranda penned “Where You Are” for the soundtrack of Disney’s Moana, tapping into the feeling of finding happiness in one’s current situation. It’s become a central part of a TikTok trend that sees users sharing vacation posts, expressing their gratitude for being “where they are.”

August 7

Jhené Aiko – None Of Your Concern

On 2019’s “None Of Your Concern,” Jhené Aiko got personal. The track delved into her then-former relationship with Big Sean, who guested on the track, and detailed the couple’s issues and the pain of moving on. It followed the pair collaborating on Sean’s “Single Again,” which also looked at their partnership in detail. The track has since been certified double platinum by the RIAA and is experiencing a resurgence as fans share live clips from the star’s tour.

Lynyrd Skynyrd – I Need You

“I Need You” appeared on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s second studio album, Second Helping, in 1974. The song, co-written by Ed King, Gary Rossington, and Ronnie Van Zant, details being away from a loved one and yearning to be back by their side. TikTok users are soundtracking a new trend where they share the people – or things – that they love.

Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting

Richard Marx wrote his 1989 single “Right Here Waiting” as a love letter to his wife, Cynthia Rhodes, while she was away in South Africa filming a movie. He initially sent it to Barbra Streisand to sing but, after she rejected it, recorded it himself. It went on to become a No.1 hit in countries around the world and is now featured in the trailer for Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice sequel.

Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu – Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride

“Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” was the main theme on the soundtrack for Disney’s animated movie Lilo & Stitch. “There’s no place I’d rather be/Than on my surfboard out at sea,” Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu sings in the track, and fans are using the song as the basis for videos sharing their vacations in Hawaii and beyond.

Listen to all the best viral tracks on TikTok on Apple Music and Spotify.