4.19.2023
TikTok Treats, Week of April 17th
An Aging Trend Boosts the Fortunes of Multiple Songs, Plus K-Pop, Indie Pop, and a “Sunday Kind of Love”
The News:
Each week, the TikTok Treats newsletter gives a snapshot of the state of music on TikTok, touching on trending hits, emerging artists, superstar moves, ascendant memes, and much more. This week’s newsletter reels in the years, with a trend showing how different communities use music to express themselves.
Creatively interpreting songs to fit their needs, the TikTok community helps define and redefine the visual representation of music. A recent trend, affectionately called #oldtrend (2.5 billion views), in which TikTok creators speculate about what they and their significant others would look like after a lifetime together, shows how a single trend can boost the fortunes of multiple thematically appropriate songs.
The trend started bubbling on the app to the tune of “Forever and Ever, Amen,” a 1987 country hit by Randy Travis, centered around his chorus lyric “I’m gonna love you forever,” inspiring videos that range from comedic to heart-warming. The trend explores the feelings of daughters of young moms, couples who hope their tattoos will age well, to curious parents looking to recreate the case of Benjamin Button. The former #1 Hot Country hit has over 134k creations on the platform.
As the #oldtrend spread to other corners of TikTok, creators paired the aging effect with other songs. Some users have taken to Alphaville’s 1984 hit “Forever Young,” which has over 415k video creations and a chorus that adds a bit of irony to the rapidly aging images. Most recently, Jay–Z’s Alphaville-interpolating “Young Forever” has taken over, generating over 160k creations en route to placing at #2 on TikTok’s top trending songs of the past week. Creators with especially discerning tastes, however, have been using Steely Dan’s 1972 classic “Reelin’ In The Years.”
TikTok makes it easy to project one’s future appearance using the soundtrack of one’s choice–just make sure to moisturize for best results.
Check out more recent trends and tidbits from the world of music on TikTok:
- The latest classic hit to experience a resurgence on TikTok is Etta James’ 1960 classic “Sunday Kind of Love.” A new trend featuring the breezy and bluesy song finds creators showing off their style through a number of outfit changes. Reaching over 144K+ creations to date, the song finds creators transitioning from their casual army wear to uniform, wearing matching outfits with their significant other, and twinning with their best friend.
- Indie pop band TV Girl’s gloomy “Blonde” is the latest song to soundtrack the TikTok community’s knack for boosting others’ confidence. Garnering over 91K creations to date, the lyrics “Who’s gonna kiss the brown haired girl? Who’s gonna wipe away their tears?” help creators shine a light on their sometimes underappreciated types in romantic partners. While some creators admit that they are drawn to introverts with trust issues, others admit that they are attracted to people who remind them of the Criminal Minds character Spencer Reid.
- Whether it inspires a specific trend or soundtracks general creations on the platform, K-Pop consistently remains a popular genre on TikTok. Rising K-Pop girl group FIFTY FIFTY is the latest group to see TikTok-powered success thanks to their new bubbly track “Cupid.” With over 874K creations, “Cupid (Twin Ver.)” (the English-language version of the song) inspires creations from those who love to celebrate their volleyball wins with their toddlers as well those who want to share their perfect panda pancake recipes and re-live fun family dinners. The song also inspired the #CupidChallenge (128 million views), a dance trend inspired by FIFTY FIFTY members and real life twin sisters Sio and Aran. “Cupid” is taking over TikTok and the charts, reaching #2 on Spotify Viral, #8 on Spotify Global, #22 on Billboard Global 200, and #60 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Visit TikTok’s Newsroom for more noteworthy stories: newsroom.tiktok.com
For more info, please contact:
Michelle McDevitt, Annjie Houston, Destiny Riley, T’Keyah Hayes, Audible Treats
Leah Linder, TikTok
The Background:
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Their mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy.
TikTok has global offices including Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Links:
TikTok’s Newsroom: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/
Check out previous editions of TikTok Treats, a weekly newsletter about the most interesting music happenings on TikTok:
TikTok Trends Assemble: Fresh x Reckless, Taylor Swift & Much More
Madonna, Brent Faiyaz, Destroy Lonely & More from Music on TikTok
On TikTok: De La, Bieber, Tank & The Bangas, and More
On TikTok: The “Buddy Holly” Lick, Dogg Transformations, and More
RiRi Returns, Superstar Pride Shines, and TikTok Trends That Prove
On TikTok: Skrillex & Fred Again.., Philly Club, and New Trends From Rising Artists
Grammy Winners, Mariah’s “Wrap,” “Mrs. Right,” and more
Celine Brings It All Back, Tech N9ne Celebrates the Chiefs, Plus More TikTok Music Stories
Pink Floyd’s New Great Gig, PARTYNEXTDOOR’s Sped Up Makeover, & More on TikTok
Miley and Shakira Get Petty, Miguel’s “Sure Thing” Revival, and More TikTok Music Stories
TikTok Welcomes 2023 with Timbaland Jams, K-Pop Bangers, and Multilingual Raps
Music on TikTok: 21 Savage, Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse, and Ice Spice Headline a Star-Studded Week of Trends
SZA’s ‘SOS’ Signal, Coi and Busta Mash Up, Plus More TikTok Trends to Close Out 2022
Metro & The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Baile Funk and More TikTok Trends to Warm Up The Winter
2022 For You: TikTok’s Top Songs, Artists, and Music Stories of 2022
Blink 182, Lil Yachty, Cardi & GloRilla, and More from Music On TikTok
Taylor Track Reveals, Sam Smith + Kim Petras, and More From Music on TikTok
BLACKPINK, Steve Lacy, and The Smashing Pumpkins Lead a Busy Week of Music on TikTok
On TikTok: ‘Yonce, Yeat, Lizzo, SZA and More
TikTok’s 2021 Music Report: Key Takeaways
TikTok Reveals Top Songs of 2021, Incl. Doja Cat, Coi Leray and More