Over the last few years, TikTok has become a major player in breaking new artists and helping emerging acts gain massive fanbases. But the social media platform – and others like it – doesn’t just benefit the up-and-coming. It’s also spurred on the resurgence of many older songs, giving classic tracks new life, exposing cult favorites to a new generation, or simply reminding us of a previous chapter in an artist’s story. Below, we’ve compiled the most popular trending songs of 2024 as they happened.
February 28
Jessie J – Domino
The explosive euphoria of “Domino” has always packed a whole lot of power ever since it was first released back in 2011. At that time, it became Jessie J’s second No.1 single in the UK and broke new ground for her in the US, giving her a Top 10 track for the very first time. Over a decade later, it’s still going strong with regular viral boosts, keeping it at the forefront of the pop consciousness. Its latest resurgence comes via a “Domino” emote being launched on Fortnite, sparking new interest in the song and a healthy amount of memes reacting to the addition.
Far East Movement – Rocketeer
Taken from Far East Movement’s third studio album, Free Wired, “Rocketeer” saw the hip-hop and electronic group team up with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder. The track saw the four-piece making a departure from the sound that had propelled the previous single “Like A G6” to huge success, with “Rocketeer” taking a softer, more tender approach. “Here we go, come with me/There’s a world out there that we should see,” Tedder sings in the chorus over a polished piano backing.
Miley Cyrus – Party In The U.S.A.
Miley Cyrus’ “Party In The U.S.A.” is instantly recognizable from its very first note. The 2009 single told a coming-of-age story of the star’s move from Nashville to Hollywood, capturing the wide-eyed excitement of the move in an irresistible piece of pop greatness. That youthful wonder still courses through the song – now certified Diamond by the RIAA – which is likely part of its frequent resurgences around the world.
February 21
Juvenile – Back That Azz Up
Juvenile’s 1999 single “Back That Azz Up” – alternatively known as the censored “Back That Thang Up” – has experienced something of a cultural resurgence in recent years. In 2021, the rapper released a new version called “Vaxx That Thang Up” to encourage the public to get educated about the COVID-19 vaccine. More recently, the original track has been sampled by Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s “Do It” and formed a pivotal part of an Abbott Elementary scene, with the power to bring Principal Ava back to her usual ways. On social media, meanwhile, fans are taking the song viral with mash-ups of Beyoncé’s new country single “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
Iggy Pop – The Passenger
In one sense, the titular passenger in Iggy Pop’s 1977 hit was the singer, traveling around with David Bowie. “I’d been riding around North America and Europe in David’s car ad infinitum,” he told the Guardian in 2016 of the literal inspiration behind the track. “I didn’t have a driver’s license or a vehicle.” But the song was also inspired by Jim Morrison’s “The Lords,” a poem that characterized modern life as a car journey. Over the years, “The Passenger” has been featured in numerous films, ad campaigns, and TV shows, and a new Calvin Klein commercial has been added to that list. The advert sees BTS singer Jungkook dancing to the song in an empty Grand Central Station, where he recreates part of its iconic melody on piano.
Ne-Yo – Closer
At the time of its release, Ne-Yo’s 2008 single “Closer” marked a new move into dance-pop sounds for the singer. Nearly two decades later, that step is still proving to be a success, with the track going viral as part of a new dance trend. Users are sharing videos in which one person runs at another, causing the other to start running away. After a few steps, though, they reconsider, turn around, and start dancing to the track together.
Selena Gomez & The Scene – Love You Like A Love Song
Taken from the third album by pop-rockers Selena Gomez & The Scene, “Love You Like A Love Song” captured the addictive feeling of new love. “I love you like a love song, baby/And I keep hitting repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat,” Gomez sang over a pulsating electro-pop backing. The track has been making its mark on social media, with fans using it as the soundtrack to Valentine videos, transformation videos, and sharing old live footage of Gomez.
February 14
Justin Bieber – Favorite Girl
Believe it or not, Justin Bieber first teased his 2009 single “Favorite Girl” because of Taylor Swift. In August of that year, Taylor and her team shared a tour diary video on her YouTube channel which featured her and her friends dancing to Bieber’s “One Time.” Bieber was so excited by the news that he shard an acoustic rendition of the then never-before heard “Favorite Girl” on his YouTube channel in response. The song eventually appeared on his album My World. The two artists eventually met at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, and she even invited him to be a special guest on her Fearless Tour. Now, Bieber’s song is back in the spotlight.
Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now
Queen’s iconic track “Don’t Stop Me Now” is making renewed noise in the viral world thanks to its use in a Pfizer commercial that aired during the Super Bowl. In the clip, portraits of famous thinkers like Isaac Newton, Copernicus, and more come to life to sing along to the song. The ad speeds through the history of medicine, culminating a final ode to science. Fittingly, the commercial concludes with Brian May’s scorching solo. Check out the ad below.
Olivia Rodrigo – All I Want
It was only five years ago that Olivia Rodrigo was a star on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, but so much has changed in that time. Now, Olivia is one of the biggest pop stars on Earth. Despite her solo discography turning her into an icon, it’s a HSM song that’s currently trending. “All I Want” was first performed by Rodrigo’s character, Nini Salazar-Roberts, in the fourth episode of the first season, titled “Blocking.” Revisit the beloved Disney favorite below.
February 12
Fast Life Yungstaz – Swag Surfin’
F.L.Y.’s (Fast Life Yungstaz) “Swag Surfin’” has taken over the internet thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs and Taylor Swift’s adoption of the track as the team’s official theme song. The cultural sensation is back in 2024 thanks to Swift and Travis Kelce’s mother, who were captured dancing along to the song last month. Swifties worldwide chose the song as their anthem, too, and the soundtrack for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run received a big boost after emerging as one of the most popular songs of 2009. The group, from Stone Mountain, Georgia, were everywhere during the Super Bowl, bringing their infectious track to the masses.
The Band – The Weight
The Band’s “The Weight” is reemerging for new audiences after it was featured prominently in a Super Bowl LVIII commercial for Budweiser. The ad begins with an instrumental version of the track before evolving into the original song. The commercial features Bud’s famous Clydesdale horses delivering beer to a very thirsty bar.
The track was featured on the band’s debut album Music From Big Pink. Released at the height of the psychedelic era, Big Pink sideswiped a music scene that had become reliant upon finding itself in lysergic experiences and extended instrumental wig-outs.
Neil Diamond – I Am… I Said
Neil Diamond’s “I Am… I Said” is stirring up a lot of buzz after being featured in a Volkswagen Super Bowl ad. The commercial features Volkswagen throughout history, culminating in the unveiling of the company’s brand-new electric vehicle.The song was first featured on Diamond’s Stones LP. After debuting on the American chart on November 13, 1971, the album hit the UK bestsellers on December 11 of that year.
Steppenwolf – Magic Carpet Ride
“Magic Carpet Ride,” the 1968 anthem from Steppenwolf, is making waves after being featured in a Super Bowl advertisement from Bud Light. The clip features Peyton Manning, Post Malone, and the Tyrannosaurs Rex from Jurassic Park.
“Magic Carpet Ride” was built around a riff conjured by Steppenwolf bassist Rushton Moreve, and with lyrics inspired by the stereo system that frontman John Kay had bought with the royalties from the band’s self-titled debut album. The lines “I like to dream/Yes, yes/Right between my sound machine” reportedly came to Kay after he took a demo of the song home to listen to.
Coi Leray – Make My Day
Rap star Coi Leray has been stealing the spotlight thanks to her 2023 David Guetta-featuring single “Make My Day.” The song soundtracked a Super Bowl commercial for E*Trade. The clever clip features babies playing Pickleball against Grant Hill.
The track is featured on the rapper’s 2023 album COI. In an interview upon release, Leray explained her reasoning behind the album title. She said, “I feel like even just self titling it COI, I want people to understand everything that is just about me. At home they call me Coi, Coi Leray is my brand. But my mom, everybody, you or anybody here in the room, I would want you to call me Coi ’cause it’s a personal thing.”
The Velvet Underground – I’ll Be Your Mirror
Velvet Underground’s classic “I’ll Be Your Mirror” is back in the spotlight, serving as the soundtrack for an Expedia Super Bowl ad. The song is taken from the group’s 1967 debut album The Velvet Underground & Nico.
In the clip, the band’s song soundtracks a mother booking a trip to Norway to see the Northern lights after seeing how much her child loves them. This is the first advertisement featuring the Velvet Underground song, and the first national campaign featuring a song from the group, since a Nissan Xterra campaign in 2003.
January 30
The Cranberries – Linger
The Cranberries’ bevy of hits is the perfect catalog for TikTok, where creators spin the band’s lyrics into fresh, related pieces of content or build new worlds from the band’s signature sound. Recently, the Irish rock band’s “Linger” has become quite popular on the app, with users riffing on the lyrics, “But I’m in so deep, you know I’m such a fool for you.” Users have created playful tributes to their favorite stuffed creatures, videos showing an inability to miss impossible basketball shots, and a collage that celebrates the power of good dentistry.
Cher – Dark Lady
Cher always has a hit bubbling up, and this time, it’s her 1974 single “Dark Lady.” The song has found a new audience thanks to its inclusion on RuPaul’s Drag Race, with Geneva Karr and Mirage lip syncing to the classic track. Fans of the show then took to TikTok to react to the performance, with some less impressed than others by Mirage’s performance. In fact, most fans walked away from the show hoping for a better showing. On the bright side, however, it’s reminded folks just how powerful Cher’s original track is.
K’NAAN – Bang Bang
K’NAAN’s massive “Bang Bang” never needs all that big of a boost, considering the 2009 smash seems to be omnipresent, but the Adam Levine-assisted track received a new push thanks to its soundtracking a meme from the video game Warfare. The song’s uptempo energy has inspired video creators to use the song to soundtrack moves from some of the fastest characters in the game.
Erykah Badu – Didn’t Cha Know
Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers has gone viral thanks to his new theme song, “Didn’t Cha Know” from neo-soul legend Erykah Badu. In a press conference, George explained why fans may have chosen it as his soundtrack, saying, “I guess it’s something smooth. I always look at basketball as dancing anyways. I’m always down to tango.” Fans have been uploading compilations of highlights from the all-star, highlighting his smooth moves on the court.
January 26
Frank Sinatra – Somethin Stupid
When is old Blue Eyes not trending on TikTok? After his iconic hit “My Way” took the platform by storm, Frank Sinatra is trending again for his 1967 duet “Somethin Stupid.” Sinatra worked with everyone from Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and bossa nova icon Antônio Carlos Jobim, but his biggest collaboration of the 60s was with his daughter Nancy for the hit song. Countless creators have used the song around ruining situationships with the lyric “and then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like ‘I love you.’”
The 1975 – Sex
As one of the few torchbearers of aughts rock, The 1975 both have a devoted original fanbase thanks to their nonstop touring and passionate younger fans rediscovering their early catalog again. Case in point is their song “Sex” from their 2012 self-titled EP. Another lyric trend, creators on TikTok are using the lyric “she’s got a boyfriend anyway,” to show off their boyfriends and celebrity crushes. With streams up 70 percent, no wonder it’s still a fixture in their setlist.
Bob Marley – One Love / People Get Ready
It’s a time-honored tradition for every generation to rediscover Bob Marley’s music. For one, it was the Legend compilation and dorm poster; for this generation, it’s TikTok and the forthcoming biopic One Love. From posts about appreciating Jamaican culture to outdoor adventures, Marley’s 1965 unifying anthem is more resonant than ever.
January 19
Lesley Gore – You Don’t Own Me
Following the viral success of her 1963 song “Misty,” Lesley Gore is taking over TikTok with an even bigger hit, “You Don’t Own Me.” Forever a feminist anthem and cemented in pop culture forever thanks to its appearance in the 1996 film The First Wives Club, the song is back in the zeitgeist thanks to a very memorable Calvin Klein ad starring Jeremy Allen White of The Bear. From girlfriends to models, it was the ad campaign heard around the world set to one of the best songs of the 60s.
Ariana Grande – bloodline
Along with the wild anticipation for her new album, Ariana Grande fans are revisiting her past hits, including the reggae-tinged “bloodline,” from her thank u, next album. From dance challenges to glam transitions and TV fan edits, the Arianators are working overtime.
Kristen Bell – Love Is An Open Door
Following last week’s Tangled trend, another Disney classic is trending on the app, with “Love Is An Open Door” performed by Kristen Bell as Princess Anna from Frozen, as the focus of a trend about getting the ick from a romantic partner. Despite its title, the song is really a duet between Anna and Prince Hans, performed by Santino Fontana, who turns out to be the villain.
January 12
Lesley Gore – Misty
New year, new trends, and 2024 is kicking off by once again looking to the past, with the fast-rising virality of Lesley Gore’s 1963 track “Misty, which reached No. 1 on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart. Creators are discovering the “original sad girl” Lesley Gore, who made an entire crying-themed album called It’s My Party, produced by the legendary Quincy Jones and featured the “Misty.” The main trend driving the virality of the track is a couples and friends trend: “me without X, me with X,” with X being a trait of the other person. With 1.8 million video creates and counting, more and more people are discovering the remarkable singer and queer pioneer.
Fast Life Yungstaz – Swag Surfin
Fast Life Yungstaz’s 2009 hit “Swag Surfin” first trended back in November of last year thanks to its popularity during homecoming season at HBCUs, and now it’s trending again after being adopted as the unofficial anthem of the Kansas City Chiefs. Otherwise known as Travis Kelce’s team. The song reached fever pitch when a church in Atlanta played the song and did the dance during service. If the Chiefs win this weekend, we’re going to be Swag Surfin into the playoffs.
Sara – Je Voudrais
Still riding the success of WISH, Disney is trending for another reason on TikTok thanks to a French version of Grace Potter’s “Something That I Want” from the 2010 Disney film Tangled. The French version “Je Voudrais” is performed by French singer Sarah Bismuth (Sara). Both versions of the song are currently trending, but it’s the sped-up version of the French track that creators are embracing. Fun fact: Sara first started her career after winning the Disney Channel Talents singing competition when she was just 12!
Listen to all the best viral tracks on TikTok on Apple Music and Spotify.
