From TikTok to the Top: The Biggest Songs That Blew Up on TikTok
- H A Z E
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 2
In the ever-evolving world of music discovery, TikTok has emerged as a cultural game-changer. What once started as a short-form video app is now one of the most powerful platforms for music promotion, giving rise to viral hits, underground bangers, and even reviving forgotten classics. Artists today aren't just chasing radio plays—they're chasing TikTok virality.
Here’s a curated list of some of the biggest songs that popped off thanks to TikTok—tracks that turned ordinary users into creators, dances into trends, and unknown artists into household names.
1. “Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X
Before Lil Nas X was a Grammy-winning artist, he was a viral meme-maker with a country-trap song that took TikTok by storm. “Old Town Road” became the blueprint for TikTok success. The #YeehawChallenge helped it gain traction, and a Billy Ray Cyrus remix later? Chart domination.
💡 Fun Fact: Nas X bought the beat for $30 off BeatStars and used memes to market it. Genius.
2. “Say So” – Doja Cat
Doja Cat went full 70s glam with "Say So," but it was a dance created by TikTok user Haley Sharpe that helped push the song into the stratosphere. The combination of a catchy disco-funk beat and repeat-worthy moves made this one unmissable.
💡 Cultural Shift: This was one of the first times TikTok virality truly influenced Billboard charting.
3. “Lottery (Renegade)” – K CAMP
You’ve seen the Renegade dance even if you didn’t realize it. The song “Lottery” by K CAMP gained massive traction after 14-year-old Jalaiah Harmon created the iconic dance—and after credit was finally given, her rise was as viral as the track.
✊ Lesson Learned: Proper credit matters. Jalaiah's moment sparked an important convo about Black creators.
4. “abcdefu” – GAYLE
What starts as a sarcastic, angsty open mic song can turn into a record deal and radio hit when TikTok gets involved. GAYLE’s brutally honest breakup anthem became the soundtrack for fed-up exes everywhere.
🎤 True Story: GAYLE was allegedly responding to a fan’s TikTok comment suggesting she write an alphabet breakup song. The result? Gen Z gold.
“Bloody Mary” – Lady Gaga
Yes, even older tracks get revived thanks to TikTok. In a brilliant case of musical resurrection, “Bloody Mary” by Lady Gaga, originally released in 2011, found new life in 2022 thanks to Wednesday Addams-inspired dance videos.
🧛 Spooky Synergy: The viral trend was inspired by Netflix's Wednesday, proving again that timing + fandom = viral potential.
6. “Laxed (Siren Beat)” – Jawsh 685 & Jason Derulo
A beat made by New Zealand high schooler Jawsh 685 turned into a global hit when Jason Derulo hopped on it—though not without some controversy. Once cleared, “Savage Love” exploded on TikTok and climbed the charts globally.
🌍 Global Moment: The track helped introduce siren beats to the mainstream.
7. “Stunnin’” – Curtis Waters ft. Harm Franklin
Effortlessly cool and slick, “Stunnin’” was made for TikTok swagger edits. The beat, the flow, the attitude—it had everything creators needed for flexing and outfit transitions.
💼 DIY King: Curtis Waters did it all from his bedroom—writing, producing, and marketing. A modern indie success story.
8. “Jiggle Jiggle” – Duke & Jones x Louis Theroux
What happens when a quirky BBC interview gets auto-tuned? A viral meme track. “My money don’t jiggle jiggle, it folds...” became the unlikely soundtrack for dance skits, filters, and flex edits alike.
🤯 Unexpected Icon: Louis Theroux never planned a music career—but TikTok had other plans.
9. “Made You Look” – Meghan Trainor
Trainor came back with a vengeance, and TikTok was her stage. “Made You Look” exploded thanks to bright visuals, mom-core aesthetics, and a choreo challenge that pulled in creators of all ages.
✨ Comeback Queen: This track reintroduced Meghan to a younger audience—and it worked.
Honorable Mentions
“Cupid (Twin Version)” – FIFTY FIFTY – K-pop’s viral moment of 2023.
“Supalonely” – BENEE ft. Gus Dapperton – The quarantine blues anthem.
“Track Star” – Mooski – Smooth, emotional, and tailor-made for TikTok lip-syncs.
“Ginseng Strip 2002” – Yung Lean – A 2013 cult classic turned hyperpop trend.
“Somebody That I Used to Know” – Gotye (Remix) – Proof TikTok can even make breakup songs trend again.
TikTok isn’t just a social app—it’s the new A&R. Whether you’re an indie artist uploading from your bedroom or a major label exec trying to forecast the next big trend, the app has leveled the playing field and flipped the music industry on its head. From viral dances and relatable lyrics to sound bytes turned memes, TikTok has become the ultimate music tastemaker.
So if you’re still sleeping on the app’s influence, consider this your wake-up call—because if your song goes TikTok-viral, you might just be one trend away from your first platinum plaque.
