I love TikTok songs. That Spotify bot—the one that downloads all your data and then roasts you for your music taste—told me to stop getting all my music from TikTok. It’s the way a lot of people are finding music these days, and it’s overwhelming because TikTok is supposed to be for teens. That’s why I texted my 14-year-old sister and asked for a list of the most popular songs on the app right now before I started writing this. All the smartest people know when to do something yourself, and when it’s better to defer to the experts.
Granted, all she said was “the Corvette Corvette one.” So bravely and alone, I embarked on this journey to find the best TikTok songs of 2021. I sifted through the content treasure trove that is TikTok to mine the best of the best songs of the moment. And in all seriousness, TikTok is the only way I know what songs are popular anymore, now that there are no bars or parties or public spaces to go to.
This list will grow, so keep an eye out. For now, here they are: the best TikTok songs of 2021 so far—a healthy mix of new pop, EDM, and some blasts from the past, too. These are the ones worth listening to for longer than a 15- (or 60-) second clip. I promise.
“Streets,” Doja Cat
The very catchy rap verse on Doja Cat’s “Streets” is making the TikTok rounds recently. Not as uptempo as her other viral songs, “Streets” is a slow, seductive banger from the queen of TikTok music.
“Wait a Minute!,” WILLOW
Willow Smith’s “Wait a Minute!” is a poppy 2015 tune that TikTok has recently co-opted. The catchy chorus and her powerful vocals make this song one that you search and save to your library after you hear just a snippet.
“driver’s license,” Olivia Rodrigo
Everyone’s heard this one by now, but as the most ubiquitous song of this calendar year so far, we’d be remiss to leave it off. Olivia Rodrigo’s “driver’s license” debuted at number one on the Billboard charts and broke multiple streaming records, including Spotify’s record for most streams of a song in a single week.
“Rasputin,” Boney M
Proof that a good song is timeless, a whole new generation has recently discovered the wonder that is “Rasputin.” They have also used it to soundtrack the most challenging/impressive TikTok dance of all time.
“Blinding Lights,” The Weeknd
“Bad Boy,” Yung Bae, bbno$, Billy Marchiafava
If mumble rap and disco had a TikTok song lovechild, this would be it. Bet you can’t listen to this one without doing a little dance at your desk.
“positions,” Ariana Grande
The titular song off Ariana Grande’s latest album, “positions” is a banger on TikTok and beyond.
“Heart & Mind,” Kodak Black ft. Plies
Even better than the adorable videos of construction workers doodling hearts in cement is the Kodak Black track attached to the trend.
“Breaking Me,” Topic, A7S
“Breaking Me” is that type of song that’s always playing on the Top 40 station in the Uber as you’re on your way to the bar. Remember bars? Remember going out?
“The Business,” Tiësto
Same vibe. Great pump up music by the ultimate DJ Tiësto.
“dirty laundry,” blackbear
You can spend four hours with the same 15 seconds of this song on repeat while learning the viral dance that goes along with it, and you’ll still enjoy listening to it.
“Freak,” Doja Cat
She just keeps the hits coming. The soundtrack of the silhouette challenge on TikTok, Doja Cat’s “Pink” effortlessly blends dirty lyrics with the soft, airy 1950s vibe of Paul Anka’s “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.”
“Foot Fungus,” Ski Mask The Slump God
When Ski Mask The Slump God put out this rap record in 2018, he likely did not imagine it would become a popular choreographed dance among young teenage girls. I hope he’s glad it did.
“telepatía,” Kali Uchis
Off her most recent 2020 album, Kali Uchis’ hit “telepatía” boasts all the smooth, sexy charm we know and love Kali Uchis for.
Lauren Kranc
Lauren Kranc is an editorial assistant at Esquire, where she covers pop culture and television, with entirely too narrow of an expertise on Netflix dating shows.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Source link
