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Lil Nas X – Old Town Road
Few songs have felt as inescapable as Old Town Road. Lil Nas X’s country-trap anthem was initially self-released in late 2018, barely making a ripple on traditional platforms. Everything changed when TikTok users started the “Yeehaw Challenge,” pairing the song’s catchy hook with cowboy transformations. Suddenly, the track shot up the Billboard charts and became the longest-running No. 1 single ever, holding the top spot for a stunning 19 weeks. According to Billboard, streams surged by thousands of percent within weeks of its TikTok blowup, turning Lil Nas X into a household name and rewriting how hits are born in the streaming era.
Doja Cat – Say So
Say So simmered quietly on Doja Cat’s album Hot Pink for months before TikTok users latched onto its disco groove and infectious chorus. A simple dance by creator Haley Sharpe went viral in late 2019, and the track’s presence on the platform exploded. The song’s TikTok fame catapulted it onto radio playlists and ultimately the Billboard Hot 100, where it reached No. 1 in 2020. Spotify reported that the song’s streams increased by more than 1,000% after its TikTok breakthrough, demonstrating just how powerful the platform can be in shaping musical tastes.
Fleetwood Mac – Dreams
Dreams is a classic from 1977, but it found a second life thanks to a viral TikTok video in 2020. Nathan Apodaca (known as @420doggface208) posted a clip of himself skateboarding while sipping cranberry juice and lip-syncing to the song. The video’s feel-good vibes inspired millions of recreations and sent Dreams back to the top of the charts, reaching the Top 10 of Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Songs Chart. Fleetwood Mac saw a 374% surge in streams within days, proving that even decades-old tracks can find new audiences through the app.
Masked Wolf – Astronaut in the Ocean
Masked Wolf’s Astronaut in the Ocean was originally released in 2019 and went largely unnoticed. Two years later, the song exploded on TikTok as users flocked to its hard-hitting beat and memorable chorus for everything from dance routines to sports highlights. The track climbed into the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and racked up hundreds of millions of streams worldwide. According to Universal Music, TikTok videos featuring the song exceeded 15 million, showcasing the direct link between TikTok virality and chart success.
Surf Mesa – ily (i love you baby)
Surf Mesa’s dreamy reimagining of Frankie Valli’s classic Can’t Take My Eyes Off You found a home with TikTok creators in 2020. Thousands used the song’s gentle melody as the backdrop for romantic montages and travel clips, causing Spotify plays to skyrocket. The song entered the Top 40 in multiple countries and amassed over 2 billion streams globally, with the bulk of its popularity attributed to TikTok’s endless loop of content.
Tai Verdes – A-O-K
Tai Verdes was working at a Verizon store when he released A-O-K, a breezy anthem about optimism. The track’s catchy, uplifting chorus resonated with TikTok users, who turned it into the soundtrack for videos about overcoming struggles, celebrating milestones, and sharing good vibes. Within weeks, A-O-K entered the Billboard charts and earned Gold certification. Verdes himself credits his TikTok audience for the song’s breakout, and data from Chartmetric showed a 700% increase in playlist adds after the track went viral.
Megan Thee Stallion – Savage
Savage was already popular in hip-hop circles, but a dance challenge by creator Keara Wilson sent it into the TikTok stratosphere. The routine, which was catchy and easy to follow, drew in millions of users—including celebrities like Jessica Alba and even Beyoncé, who later jumped on a remix. Savage shot up to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Megan Thee Stallion herself credited TikTok for the song’s meteoric rise. Billboard confirmed that TikTok dance videos with Savage surpassed 30 million, driving streaming and radio success.
CKay – Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)
CKay’s Love Nwantiti was quietly released in 2019 but didn’t make waves until TikTok creators started using it for romantic and travel-themed videos in 2021. The song’s sultry Afrobeat rhythm and catchy hook resonated globally, leading to over 7 million TikTok creations and topping charts in more than 30 countries. According to Rolling Stone, global streams surged by 400% after its TikTok ascendance, marking it as one of the platform’s most successful sleeper hits.
Gayle – abcdefu
When Gayle’s angry, alphabet-inspired breakup anthem abcdefu hit TikTok in late 2021, it became the go-to track for users venting about exes and tough breakups. The song’s raw emotion and singalong chorus led to over 2 million TikTok videos and helped it climb to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. As reported by Variety, the viral momentum on TikTok translated directly to massive streaming numbers and radio play, making Gayle a breakout star.
Steve Lacy – Bad Habit
Bad Habit simmered for months before exploding on TikTok, where users gravitated to its infectious “I wish I knew” chorus. Creators used it for everything from outfit changes to relationship confessions, making the song almost unavoidable on the app in 2022. Bad Habit shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped Steve Lacy earn his first Grammy nomination. According to Spotify, streams increased fivefold in the weeks following the song’s TikTok peak.
Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers License
Drivers License was a strong debut for Olivia Rodrigo, but its real momentum came after TikTok users began dissecting its lyrics and emotional narrative. The heartbreak anthem inspired countless covers, reaction videos, and storytime posts, making it one of the most talked-about songs of 2021. The song broke Spotify’s record for most streams in a single week for a non-holiday song, with much of that growth traced back to TikTok’s viral machine.
SAINt JHN – Roses (Imanbek Remix)
The original Roses by SAINt JHN was released in 2016, but it was Imanbek’s 2019 remix that caught TikTok’s attention. The sped-up beat and chopped vocals became a favorite for dance challenges, racking up millions of uses. Roses rocketed up the charts, hitting No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping charts in over 30 countries. According to Chartmetric, the remix’s TikTok virality preceded a 600% spike in global streams.
Yung Gravy – Betty (Get Money)
Betty (Get Money) by Yung Gravy became a summer 2022 staple after TikTok creators used its infectious, Rick Astley-sampling hook for dance challenges and meme videos. Its tongue-in-cheek lyrics and nostalgic sample helped the track go viral, with over 1 million uses on TikTok. The song climbed into the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Yung Gravy’s monthly listeners quadrupled within a few months.
Oliver Tree – Life Goes On
Oliver Tree’s Life Goes On had modest success on traditional streaming platforms, but its quirky hook and relatable message found a home on TikTok. Users adopted the song for videos about resilience and bouncing back from tough times, driving over 7 million TikTok creations. The viral spike led to a significant increase in Spotify streams and helped the song chart internationally.
Tones and I – Dance Monkey
Dance Monkey was released in 2019, but its quirky, high-energy sound didn’t catch fire until TikTok users made it the soundtrack for dance and challenge videos. The song shot up global charts, eventually topping charts in over 30 countries and becoming one of the most Shazamed songs ever. According to IFPI, Dance Monkey was among the Top 10 most streamed songs of 2020, with TikTok credited as a key driver in its global domination.
Stromae – Alors On Danse
Alors On Danse initially topped charts in Europe back in 2010, but it found a whole new audience when TikTok creators rediscovered it over a decade later. Its infectious beat and universal message of dancing through tough times resonated with users worldwide, leading to millions of new TikTok videos. Spotify reported a 200% increase in global streams in 2023, proving that even songs from previous eras can become viral sensations thanks to TikTok’s endless appetite for catchy tunes.
Jawsh 685 & Jason Derulo – Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)
In 2020, Savage Love became a global hit after TikTok users discovered its catchy beat and synced it to viral dance routines. Initially, the track was a lesser-known release by New Zealand producer Jawsh 685, but once the “Siren Beat” started making waves on TikTok, the song skyrocketed to the top of the charts.
The end.
K CAMP – Lottery
While K CAMP’s Lottery had modest success upon its release in 2019, the song exploded in popularity in 2020 when TikTok users started creating a dance challenge that took over the platform. By early 2020, the #LotteryDance challenge was everywhere, with influencers and everyday TikTokers alike participating in the viral trend.
The Weeknd – Blinding Lights
Though Blinding Lights by The Weeknd was already a highly anticipated release, its real breakthrough came when it became synonymous with a viral TikTok dance challenge. Users took the retro-sounding track and paired it with a fast-paced, synchronized dance routine that exploded across the platform.
Levitating – Dua Lipa ft. DaBaby
Dua Lipa’s Levitating was a fan favorite when it was first released in 2020, but it gained even more momentum when TikTok began adopting the song for its upbeat videos. The song quickly became one of the most-used tracks on the platform, especially for dance challenges and motivational clips. TikTok users took the song’s funky beat and created viral content that spread across the globe.
Christian Wiedeck, all the way from Germany, loves music festivals, especially in the USA. His articles bring the excitement of these events to readers worldwide.
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