What songs are currently trending on TikTok and beyond? Well, the path to virality, chart domination, and TikTok 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 on TikTok again (and explain why they became popular one more time).
December 15
Jingle Bell Rock
Bobby Helms’ rockin’ 50s classic is back on the charts and heating up TikTok, with the holiday season in full swing. From Mean Girls reenactments to track breakdowns, the song now has over 2.7 million creates! And now, with an official sped-up version, creators will be rocking well into the new year.
Ariana Grande – Santa Tell Me (Naughty Version)
After Ariana Grande shared a photo of her working in the studio, fans rightly flipped out. To tie them over, the pop diva dropped the “naughty version” of her 2014 song, “Santa Tell Me.” Previously only available on vinyl as a hidden track, the naughty version arrived for streaming this past Monday, December 11, and creators have already run with the track on TikTok. From tightly choreographed dances to fan videos.
December 8
Tom Petty – Love Is A Long Road
Tom Petty’s 80s rocker “Love Is A Long Road” got a turbo boost this week thanks to its appearance in the new trailer for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 game. Since the trailer’s Tuesday release, Spotify reports streams for the track have increased 36,979% compared to this time last week. The game – set for release in 2025 – will take place in Petty’s native Florida in Miami-inspired Vice City. The trailer contains a number of Petty Easter Eggs and marks the second time his music has been used in a GTA game. Gamers on TikTok are already dissecting the trailer and hopefully discovering the greatness of Petty’s solo album Full Moon Fever.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Murder On The Dancefloor
We can’t remember the last time a movie has dominated TikTok this much since last summer’s Barbie-Oppenheimer off, but Saltburn is getting everyone back into theaters. While Jacob Elordi was still riding high from his role in Priscilla, it’s his co-star Irish actor Barry Keoghan that has inspired all of the memes thanks to the ending scene of the film where he dances to the 2001 U.K club hit “Murder on the Dancefloor” by Sophie Ellis-Bextor. “A naked man dancing through the rooms of a stately home…I’ve got a quirky sense of humor, and my main thing was, ‘I’ve got to see that,” Bextor told Variety around approving the sync.
Conan Grey – Heather
It was the song that launched a thousand memes and introduced the shorthand for “Heather” back in 2020 when singer-songwriter Conan Grey first released it during the pandemic. “I still remember the third of December, me in your sweater,” he wistfully sings, and thanks to the specific timing, this song is destined to trend every December.
November 17
Colbie Caillat – Bubbly
TikTok loves a mashup and has gotten ahold of Colbie Caillat’s 2007 hit “Bubbly” and juxtaposed it with other artists’ rowdy live performances, including everyone from Tyler the Creator, Post Malone, Travis Scott, and even KISS. The song is now Top 30 on the TikTok Viral Chart, and even Colbie has gotten on board.
Sir Mix-A-Lot – Ride
Forget GQ Man of the Year, TikTok decides who the new thirst trap of the year is, and that person is Josh Hutcherson. Whether fans are nostalgic for his role in The Hunger Games, with the prequel opening this weekend, or his recent appearance in Five Nights at Freddy’s, the actor is showing up in countless fan videos set to Sir Mix-A-Lot’s 1994 hit “Ride.”
Elton John – Step Into Christmas
No need to wait until after Thanksgiving; everyone (along with Mariah) knows the holiday season starts November 1, and creators are sharing their holiday flair with Elton John’s underrated classic “Step Into Christmas.” From JoJo Siwa showing off her impressive display to even Sir Elton serving looks.
November 3
50 Cent – Baby By Me
Fresh off earning his first RIAA Diamond certification for “In Da Club,” 50 Cent is also heating up the TikTok viral charts with his 2009 hit “Baby By Me.” Equipped with a catchy Ne-Yo hook, 50 also made a ballsy move with the track by sampling himself from his 2007 hit “I Get Money.” Fans and other creators are using the track to soundtrack their posts about an ideal partner, set to a Benny Benassi remix that’s even got some Euphoria stars to hop on the trend.
Quality Control, Kodak Black, and Lil Baby – My Dawg
Quality Control: Control the Streets, Vol.1 acts as a time capsule of 2017 when QC ruled the rap roost and a showcase for the label’s established and up-and-coming stars. When of the best cuts off the comp was “My Dawg” led by Lil Baby and Kodak Black, which is now getting a second life on TikTok as creators share a hot take or statement and clap when Baby says “fact.”
Alessi Brothers – Seabird
While TikTok launches old songs back into the mix on a daily basis, sometimes these trends pop up in even more surprising places. That’s certainly the case with the song “Seabird” from identical twin duo and 70s soft-rock favorites The Alessi Brothers. The song is featured in the newly launched Spider-Man 2 game that dropped in October, and it’s been popping up everywhere from TikTok to YouTube and probably your FYP page by now.
Fast Life Yungstaz – Swag Surfin
If you couldn’t tell by the crispness in the air and the smell of freshly cracked hard seltzer cans, it’s homecoming season at HBCUs and beyond this month, and everyone has adopted Fast Life Yungstaz’s 2009 hit “Swag Surfin” as their anthem. New to some but a nostalgic hit for others; some are even swag surfin’ at their wedding reception.
Listen to all the best viral tracks on TikTok on Apple Music and Spotify.
