The best songs TikTok has rediscovered and made viral

We’ve all heard it a thousand times, ‘Why would I get TikTok, I’m Not 12”, it's a pretentiousness that hurts the open minded and is a serious red flag in any relationship. Regardless of its early reputation of being an application for children, TikTok has become one of the leading players in social trends and entertainment, single handedly shifting the structure of the music industry forever. In every major label marketing budget there is a heading for TikTok with the hope of virality. 

Interestingly enough, and despite millions of dollars being thrown into the platform from major labels, some of the biggest songs on the platform are oldies but goodies. Young people are rediscovering these tracks, repromoting the tracks, or simply realising their meme power that previous technology didn’t allow for.. TikTok has given a whole heap of songs second lives and these songs, despite popular belief, are bangers.

To make life easy, we’ve collated the best songs that have re-entered the limelight due to the app and their rise to fame.

BADBADNOTGOOD - Time Moves Slow feat. Sam Herring

BADBADNOTGOOD’s Time Moves Slow with Sam Herring has spiked tremendously in streams following its inclusion in a whole heap of viral videos. The remixed edition pitches the track upwards and increases its BPM, leading to a cheeky and slightly cheesier version of the original. It features in the Adult Swim (AS) TikTok trend.

Playboi Carti - Molly

Playboi Carti's Molly still has not been officially released, yet has been one of the most viral song of the rappers career. Having leaked in 2019, the track received countless remasters, remixes and spaced out edits, all of which have gone viral. Beginning in underground hiphop circles, the track now lives on with a legacy of its own, with one Destxmido's remix blowing up on the platform.

Clairo - Sofia

Clairo's debut album, 'Immunity' on first listen didn't have as much viral power compared to her earlier, bedroom pop focussed releases. Regardless, her intimate, indie track, 'Sofia' has been given a second life on TikTok. The track's personal vocals have been the backdrop to many memes for many content creators.

Britney Spears - Toxic x Love Shank

FREE BRITNEY. Britney Spears Toxic remixed with Love Shank is one of the biggest sounds currently on the platform, with the track playing host to the popular Dragula Dance TikTok Challenge.

Harry Styles - Watermelon Sugar

It's no surprise Harry Styles has gone viral on the platform. His track, 'Watermelon Sugar' is jacked with seratonin via its summery guitar loops, infectious vocal and cheeky undertones. The track has been highjacked by the cheesiest corner of the platform, but as long as Harry is getting streams at the end of the day, we don't care.

Boney M. - Rasputin

The biggest banger on this list and the biggest surprise in terms of virality, Boney M's Rasputin is one of the biggest songs in the world at the moment due to TikTok. It's comedic lyrical undertones and disco rhythms make it a universally accessible track, with youth globally rediscovering it and dancing to it.

Kid Cudi - Day N Nite

Many millennials consider Kid Cudi one of the greatest artists of all time and now the youth are ctahcing on. His track, 'Day N Nite' and especially its lyrics, 'now look at this' acts as the intro to many home comedy videos and self deprication.

Words by PARRY TRITSINIOTIS

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