Popular TikTok Songs: How To Use Trending Sounds

Too many people neglect sound when making TikToks. In fact, mixing popular TikTok songs into your vids could boost them to new heights. But how do you even find which songs are currently trending? In this post, we’ll answer this question and any others you might have about TikTok’s music catalog.

A person looking through their phone while listening to music.

Why Add Popular TikTok Songs to Videos?

If a song is trending on TikTok, adding it to your video can really help it. The algorithm may push it further, or people might seek out more videos with that song. Either way, you’ll get more eyes on your content before people start watching.

In fact, TikTok itself describes trending sounds as the platform’s “anti-scroll.” It forces the viewer to pay attention and listen, letting them decide whether to keep on watching. The same research also says that 73% of users pay more attention to audio-focused ads.

Whether you’re a brand or just want to get big, catchy trending sounds make a difference. It’s worth looking at which songs are charting on TikTok and building vids around this. For example, you could outline a humorous situation where the song’s lyrics are especially fitting.

A GoRead.io screenshot of TikTok’s analytics for Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Taste.”

How To Find Popular Songs on TikTok

TikTok is upfront about which songs are making waves on their platform. In fact, they even have a special page that outlines currently trending songs. You can check the results from the past week, month, or four months. 

The page’s Breakout tab also shows which songs are quickly gaining traction. You can use this to ride a trend as it’s first taking off. Clicking a song in either set of results will show you popular videos that use it. You’ll also see detailed analytics, including a breakdown of age ranges.

71% of the people listening to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Taste” on TikTok are 18-24. This means the song is especially good for targeting that particular TikTok demographic.

A GoRead.io screenshot of TikTok’s five most popular songs from the past 120 days.

Current Popular TikTok Songs (2024)

As we can see, TikTok measures popularity in several ways. The songs taking off right now are very different from the most popular of last week, for example. With this in mind, here are the top songs from the past 30 days:

  1. Akon’s Beautiful Day (Akon)
  2. Pretty Slowly (Benson Boone)
  3. QKThr (Aphex Twin)
  4. The Viper (BabyChiefDoit)
  5. Turn My Swag On (Soulja Boy)
  6. Being loved isn’t the same as being understood (Vines)
  7. Hecha Pa’ Mí
  8. Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby (Cigarettes After Sex)
  9. What We Doin’ (City Girls)
  10. PHAT (DaBaby)

The results here are always changing. They also rarely line up with any global or national music chart. It isn’t just a collection of the hottest songs. For the most part, these tracks are easy to turn into memes.

The videos of these songs mostly use the same “moment.” Videos of “Akon’s Beautiful Day,” for instance, mainly use the chorus. This then goes with footage of something beautiful the creator wants to call attention to.

A GoRead.io screenshot of TikTok’s popular ad-approved songs.

Can Businesses Use TikTok Songs?

Only a fraction of TikTok’s licensed music is available for businesses to use in an ad. They can’t simply ride the wave of popularity affecting big songs. In TikTok’s trending music list, there’s an option to tick Approved for Business Use.

Once you tick this, you’ll see which songs your brand can use. This is usually around 10% of the full list. Very few of them will be recognizable. You likely won’t see the top summer songs on this list, for example.

However, you will still have quite a robust library to look through. You can still find your next ad’s track this way. Trending music will also still help you get more views on TikTok ads.

Two people dancing while recording a video vertically.

What Makes a Song Popular on TikTok?

There are plenty of factors that contribute to this. Catchy hooks and relatable lyrics, however, may be the biggest ones. The latter, in particular, makes it easy to match the lyrics to different situations. For many of these videos, there’s comedy in how the words fit entirely new contexts.

When a song is more “danceable,” then users will choreograph their own dances to the song. If just one video of a song reaches the For You page, more people will use it. 

Sometimes, a song getting big on TikTok can seriously impact music culture as a whole. Several of today’s biggest hits owe their popularity to the site’s ability to spark viral trends.

Are TikTok’s Popular Songs Always New?

A song doesn’t have to be new to be part of TikTok’s biggest music moments. In fact, songs can start trending specifically because of the contrast in eras. For example, it’s funny for a song from the mid-2000s to be in a video using 2024 slang. 

The most popular songs on TikTok at any given moment can be years or even decades old. For example, the second most popular song of the past 120 days on TikTok is “Forever Young.” This Alphaville song is actually from 1984. TikTok can put these tracks in the public eye once again. 

A person looking at their phone and smiling while carrying a soft drink.

Boost Your TikToks Today

Adding popular TikTok songs to your videos can really help your profile grow. Buying new views and followers with GoRead.io can compound these benefits. 

Our team will help your short-form musical vids reach new heights with true organic growth. Try GoRead.io today, and your TikToks will find the audience they deserve in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which songs are trending on TikTok?

The answer to this changes every single day. However, you can track the latest music trends in TikTok’s Creative Center. The Breakout tab shows which songs are growing in popularity.

Should you use TikTok’s trending songs?

It’s definitely worth experimenting with TikTok’s song recommendations. This can help you find a new audience of people who enjoy those tracks. However, don’t let this stop you from using songs you enjoy.

Which music genres are most popular on TikTok?

TikTok’s most popular songs carry a good mix of genres. However, pop, rap, and EDM are some of the top choices. Lo-fi chill-out music is also common as lyric-free background music.