The Rise of TikTok Songs

By: Eve Odum Staff Writer

The way I often discover new music is based on Youtube suggested videos and recommended songs on Spotify. But more recently, I have discovered less well-known musicians thanks to TikTok.

I would argue that there are two music phenomena forming on this platform. The first (and unfortunately more popular) is the pairing of music with dances or trends. I hardly need to mention any, as I am sure that any TikTok user can name a few. For the laymen out there, some songs associated with dances and trends include:

• ·“Say So” by Doja Cat, • · “Blinding Lights'' by The Weekend • · “Buttercup” by Jack Stauber

The second phenomenon is artists using TikTok as free marketing and advertising, which is something they may not be able to afford without the platform. Thanks to the algorithm, small artists’ music pops up on the “For You Page” of those most expected to like the song. And the bios of musicians’ accounts often links to their Spotify music or website. Luckily, I have watched, liked and sent enough videos so my “For You Page” is full of music.

My ultimate favorite discoveries range from alternative to pop to indie. Those songs include:

• ·“Silly Goose” by More Fatter • ·“i don’t really like your boyfriend” by Avenue Beat • ·“Unsolicited Contact” by Cassie Dasilva • ·“Light Of My Life” by Dafna reported increases in their Spotify downloads and YouTube views after promoting their music on TikTok, according to Robley.. People have even created playlists on Spotify strictly with songs from TikTok, although those songs are usually tied to popular trends or dances. In 2020, 176 different songs racked up over one billion listens each, according to the TikTok platform.

TikTok is a tool that is used to share music quickly. USF junior Alyia Cady states that she “usually hears music on TikTok before hearing the same songs on the radio.” There really is something to be said about the power of this social media app.

One song in particular that Cady mentions is “Driver’s License” by Olivia Rodrigo. Part of the reason this song did so well was the real-life drama connected to it. Many TikTok videos were created to speculate about who the ex-lover and “blonde girl” were that the song mentions.

Some TikTok memes even find their way onto Twitter and vice versa. Starting in late 2018, the “gummy bear Adele'' craze began and it resurfaced a few months ago. The video begins with a single gummy bear, a goldfish or another small object“singing” “Never mind I’ll find” and then pans to a crowd of a multitude of gummy bears, gold fishes, etc. singing “someone like you.” If you can’t tell, this is based on the live performance of Adele’s “Someone Like You.”

Ultimately, music drives TikTok. Creators harbor an emotional connection or feeling with music and use that to connect to listeners. If you want to stay ahead in music trends and find new artists, then you need to start scrolling through TikTok today. There is no time to waste!

It is interesting that artists like Lil Nas X, Joji and ZaeHD have