In the age of TikTok, tracks once buried in the archives are experiencing a glorious resurgence, captivating a new wave of audiences and proving that in the ever-evolving landscape of pop culture, some songs are simply timeless.
The resurgence of old songs on TikTok can be attributed to a myriad of factors. First and foremost, the platform’s vast and diverse user base ensures that a wide range of music tastes are represented, allowing songs from various genres and eras to find their niche. Additionally, the bite-sized nature of TikTok content makes it easy for users to engage with these songs, fitting perfectly within the platform’s short-form video format.
Furthermore, TikTok’s algorithm plays a crucial role in amplifying the reach of these revived tracks. As users interact with and share these musical gems, the algorithm takes notice, pushing the songs into the feeds of more and more users, creating a snowball effect of viral sensations. Suddenly, the artists are finding their old songs back on the charts and in the playlists of a whole new generation.
Dreams by Fleetwood Mac (1977)
Fleetwood Mac’s iconic hit Dreams, experienced an extraordinary resurgence when user doggface208 posted a video of himself skateboarding while sipping Ocean Spray cranberry juice. The video went viral, amassing a staggering 90.8 million views and sparking a sensation across TikTok. The unexpected fame brought delightful surprises to the user as both Ocean Spray and Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood took notice. Ocean Spray rewarded doggface208 with a truck filled with bottles of cranberry juice, while Mick Fleetwood himself recreated the video. The trend propelled Dreams to become Fleetwood Mac’s most streamed song of all time with 1.3 billion streams on Spotify alone.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGJg11UDe/
Potential Breakup Song by Aly & AJ (2007)
Potential Breakup Song regained popularity TikTok when @miagillespiee posted a hilarious video of her and her friends’ mums lip-syncing to the track. The original video accumulated a staggering 108 million views. @miagillespiee’s creativity didn’t stop there, as her recreations amassed over 70 million views each, propelling the trend to new heights. The song became a sensation with thousands of duets and videos discussing and replicating the fun. The viral wave caught the attention of Aly & AJ themselves, prompting them to rerelease the song after 13 years.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGJg1DRSD/
Smile by Lily Allen (2006)
Lily Allen’s Smile found itself at the centre of a viral dance trend, thanks to the moves of @zockjat, whose video garnered nearly 50 million views. This infectious dance challenge catapulted Smile to the top of Lily Allen’s most-played songs on Spotify, a testament to the incredible influence TikTok wields over streaming platforms.
I’m Just A Kid by Simple Plan (2002)
I’m Just A Kid sparked a hugely viral challenge where people would recreate their childhood photos. It seemed like everyone was taking part including Simple Plan themselves and other celebrities like Ed Sheeran who recreated this photo of himself donning his beloved Ipswich Town’s shirt when he was Just A Kid.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGJg1DAa5/
Love Story (Disco Lines Remix) by Taylor Swift (2008)
In 2020, Dance/Electronic producer Disco Lines remixed the timeless Taylor Swift classic, Love Story, somehow transforming it into an even more irresistibly catchy tune. His revamped track set off a trend that predominantly featured dancing teenagers, yielding both entertaining and cringe-worthy videos. However, amidst the sea of attempts, one particular participant stood out: Zain, an adorable dog who flawlessly nailed the dance.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGJg1dFTT/
The resurgence of old songs on TikTok showcases the platform’s unique ability to bridge the generational gap and reignite the appreciation for classic tunes. As these timeless tracks find their way into the hearts of today’s audiences, it reaffirms that good music transcends time and continues to thrive in the digital age.
