TikTok is all about sound. From funny voice-overs to catchy mashups, popular TikTok songs help videos go viral on the platform and land a coveted spot on the For You page. And while new songs are being created and added to the app every day, some standouts have already risen to the heights of TikTok fame this year. In this article, we’re breaking down the top TikTok songs of 2021 so far — and compiling them into a single playlist for you to enjoy.
Radio and MTV once held the power of deciding which catchy tunes would reach the public and inevitably become popular hits. Now, in the era of social media, it seems that TikTok has seized the reins of the music industry.
Here are the top TikTok songs of 2021 (so far):
Now let’s dive into each of these viral TikTok songs and see what kind of videos they’re featured in.
“Oh No” is one of those songs that will forever be associated with TikTok videos. While it’s been the soundtrack for many viral hits, it’s most commonly used to show the moment when someone realizes they’re in trouble or stuck in a hilarious situation. Famous examples include a cat about to fall into a bathtub and a grandmother rocking so far back in her chair that she tips over.
Number of videos: 13.1 million
This dreamy jam takes the cake for the current most viral background song on TikTok. It’s most commonly used in artsy videos that tell a story, show a day in the life, or demonstrate a how-to.
Number of videos: 12.1 million
This is one of the many transition videos that people use to show off their favorite outfits and looks. The difference here is that instead of showing just the face, the user has to pop down into a squat-style dance move at the end.
Number of videos: 6 million
Technically, this sound was created in 2020, but it didn’t start to become popular until 2021, when big names like Addison Rae started using it as part of a dance trend. One of the reasons it’s gone viral is that it’s a pretty easy dance to mimic, unlike some others on the app.
Number of videos: 4.6 million
At almost 2 million videos, this iconic song is a staple on the For You page in 2021. Some people use it as the background for some speedy choreography, but thanks to its heartbreaking lyrics, other users film themselves in scenarios such as lying on the ground in the rain as a symbol of their heartache.
Number of videos: 1.9 million
This fast, upbeat song requires some serious skill to lip-sync. While some users have been using it to comedically describe what it’s like when people open up to them, most are just trying to keep up with ElyOtto’s speedy lyrics.
Number of videos: 1.7 million
Transitioning from no makeup to makeup is a popular video style on TikTok. And songs like this one make those transitions even more seamless. People using this sound will mimic hitting the camera for the initial beats and then reveal their new look during the “I’m so pretty” line.
Number of videos: 1.5 million
This song came out in 2008, but thanks to a sound created by PresleyWalker, it’s going viral on TikTok for multiple trends. The most popular trend features someone doing something “dangerous,” like asking their crush out, then taking a sip of water with shaky hands to show how nervous they really are.
Number of videos: 1.3 million
Because of the line “I’m on vacation every single day because I love my occupation,” this song is famous for users showing off their jobs. Sometimes this is done in a comedic fashion — like going behind the scenes at a fast food joint — and sometimes it’s serious.
Number of videos: 1.1 million
This modern-day love song is most commonly used to show off someone’s relationship. It’s popular for the person lip-syncing to grab their partner during the line “there ain’t a man like you.”
Number of videos: 714,000
Unlike the upbeat jams often found on the For You page, this sound is a little more melancholy. The slow piano version has risen to popularity as the background for everything from cats traveling in backpacks to makeup hacks. But it’s most commonly used to describe a heartfelt situation or someone the user knows that they’re proud of.
Number of videos: 571,000
While this song is used as the background for a wide array of viral content, the most common is a challenge where users show themselves fresh-faced and unready, then show how they look all done up. It’s called the “#upcardibchallenge.”
Number of videos: 549,000
This song is primarily used with how-to videos or other content that doesn’t require a voice-over. It’s been in the background of everything from hair tutorials to oatmeal recipes.
Number of videos: 436,000
This song has gone viral on TikTok for the same reason that many songs go viral on TikTok: a dance challenge. The hashtag “#batmanchallenge” is associated with a few different choreographies, all from the same song by LPB Poody.
Number of videos: 384,000
This empowering song has gone viral on TikTok thanks to users relaying the lyrics as positive affirmations, which is easy considering that the first line is, “I am healthy, I am wealthy.” People who use this sound will tell the viewers to repeat after them.
Number of videos: 345,000
Thanks to this popular song, you can’t think of Tracy without thinking about “Tracy with the Honda?” While videos showing someone before and after they get ready are common, many reveal the user to be moving in action on a skateboard, on roller skates, or hanging out of a car window.
Number of videos: 339,000
This is another popular song that’s often featured as the background track in many kinds of videos. Because of its relaxing beat and repetitive sounds, it’s an easy song over which to layer voice-overs.
Number of videos: 298,000
This slow and sweet acoustic jam is used to show how different the person filming looks now compared to how they used to look. People will display a photo of themselves from another point in their life and then show themselves now while mouthing the lyrics, “Wow, I look so weird here. My face has changed now.”
Number of videos: 240,000
“It’s Not The Same Anymore” on TikTok
The only country song to make this list is a track that has been used for — you guessed it — a viral dance. But unlike other viral dances, this one is used mainly as a parody.
Number of videos: 192,000
The iconic scream that’s carried throughout this video has accompanied everything from home decor tours to DIY bucket hat tutorials. There are some trends in using this sound, like a person screaming while surrounded by phrases they believe to be false, and showing how you look in real life compared to what your Instagram profile looks like.
Number of videos: 191,000
This song may have been released in 2008, but it’s currently having a moment on TikTok. Most videos with this song show a person standing in front of a light switch with a phrase typed out somewhere on the video. Some of the letters are in white, and others are black. When the lyric “day and night” starts, the person flips the lights off, and a new phrase with only the white letters is shown.
Number of videos: 183,000
Now that you’ve learned all of the top trending songs on TikTok right now (and the kind of videos they’re being used with), it’s time to start jamming out with your own viral TikTok playlist.
TikTok is uploading new sounds and songs every day. While these top selections could soon disappear from the For You page, we hope this playlist keeps you listening to them a little longer.
Music is at the heart of TikTok, but there are more cool features to use in your videos. Check our post on how to duet on TikTok, and get experimenting!