The 21 most popular TikTok songs of 2021 in one playlist
TikTok is all about sound. From funny voice-overs to catchy mashups, popular TikTok songs help videos go viral on the platform and land a coveted spot on the For You page. And while new songs are being created and added to the app every day, some standouts have already risen to the heights of TikTok fame this year. In this article, were breaking down the top TikTok songs of 2021 so far and compiling them into a single playlist for you to enjoy.
Here are the top TikTok songs of 2021 so far
Radio and MTV once held the power of deciding which catchy tunes would reach the public and inevitably become popular hits. Now, in the era of social media, it seems that TikTok has seized the reins of the music industry.
Here are the top TikTok songs of 2021 [so far]:
- Oh No by Kreepa
- Aesthetic by Xilo
- Buss It by Erica Banks
- Lotus Flower Bomb by Wale feat. Miguel
- drivers license by Olivia Rodrigo
- Sugarcrash! by ElyOtto
- So Pretty by Reyanna Maria
- Dangerous by Kardinal Offishall
- Vacation by Dirty Heads
- Streets by Doja Cat
- Pieces by Danilo Stankovic
- Up by Cardi B
- telepatía by Kali Uchis
- Batman by LPB Poody
- I Am by Yung Baby Tate feat. Flo Milli
- oops! by Yung Gravy
- Caution by Kaytranada
- Its Not The Same Anymore by Rex Orange County
- Church Bells by Carrie Underwood
- UCKERS by Shygirl
- Day n Nite by Kid Cudi
Now lets dive into each of these viral TikTok songs and see what kind of videos theyre featured in.
1. Oh No by Kreepa
Oh No is one of those songs that will forever be associated with TikTok videos. While its been the soundtrack for many viral hits, its most commonly used to show the moment when someone realizes theyre in trouble or stuck in a hilarious situation. Famous examples include a cat about to fall into a bathtub and a grandmother rocking so far back in her chair that she tips over.
@breelynn14 ??️ #ohno #ohnono
Oh No Kreepa
Number of videos: 13.1 million
Oh No on TikTok
2. Aesthetic by Xilo
This dreamy jam takes the cake for the current most viral background song on TikTok. Its most commonly used in artsy videos that tell a story, show a day in the life, or demonstrate a how-to.
Number of videos: 12.1 million
Aesthetic on TikTok
3. Buss It by Erica Banks
This is one of the many transition videos that people use to show off their favorite outfits and looks. The difference here is that instead of showing just the face, the user has to pop down into a squat-style dance move at the end.
@gjuanita TIKTOK TOOK MY VIDEO DOWN AT 800K ? i have more tho ?
Buss It Erica Banks
Number of videos: 6 million
Buss It on TikTok
4. Lotus Flower Bomb by Wale feat. Miguel
Technically, this sound was created in 2020, but it didnt start to become popular until 2021, when big names like Addison Rae started using it as part of a dance trend. One of the reasons its gone viral is that its a pretty easy dance to mimic, unlike some others on the app.
Number of videos: 4.6 million
Lotus Flower Bomb on TikTok
5. drivers license by Olivia Rodrigo
At almost 2 million videos, this iconic song is a staple on the For You page in 2021. Some people use it as the background for some speedy choreography, but thanks to its heartbreaking lyrics, other users film themselves in scenarios such as lying on the ground in the rain as a symbol of their heartache.
@jaredtcurtis thought i found an empty parking lot she was so nice tho #fyp #foryou #xyzbca #driverslicense #sad #help #friend #feels
drivers license Olivia Rodrigo
Number of videos: 1.9 million
drivers license on TikTok
6. Sugarcrash! by ElyOtto
This fast, upbeat song requires some serious skill to lip-sync. While some users have been using it to comedically describe what its like when people open up to them, most are just trying to keep up with ElyOttos speedy lyrics.
Number of videos: 1.7 million
Sugarcrash! on TikTok
7. So Pretty by Reyanna Maria
Transitioning from no makeup to makeup is a popular video style on TikTok. And songs like this one make those transitions even more seamless. People using this sound will mimic hitting the camera for the initial beats and then reveal their new look during the Im so pretty line.
@evazapico Im so pretty and he like that? #fyp
Im So Pretty chunkymonkeeyy
Number of videos: 1.5 million
So Pretty on TikTok
8. Dangerous by Kardinal Offishall
This song came out in 2008, but thanks to a sound created by PresleyWalker, its going viral on TikTok for multiple trends. The most popular trend features someone doing something dangerous, like asking their crush out, then taking a sip of water with shaky hands to show how nervous they really are.
Number of videos: 1.3 million
Dangerous on TikTok
9. Vacation by Dirty Heads
Because of the line Im on vacation every single day because I love my occupation, this song is famous for users showing off their jobs. Sometimes this is done in a comedic fashion like going behind the scenes at a fast food joint and sometimes its serious.
@firstdateguide #watermelon #challenge
Vacation Dirty Heads
Number of videos: 1.1 million
Vacation on TikTok
10. Streets by Doja Cat
This modern-day love song is most commonly used to show off someones relationship. Its popular for the person lip-syncing to grab their partner during the line there aint a man like you.
Number of videos: 714,000
Streets on TikTok
11. Pieces by Danilo Stankovic
Unlike the upbeat jams often found on the For You page, this sound is a little more melancholy. The slow piano version has risen to popularity as the background for everything from cats traveling in backpacks to makeup hacks. But its most commonly used to describe a heartfelt situation or someone the user knows that theyre proud of.
@sherinicole455 She wants them to play so bad ?️ #fyp #fy #puppy #puppies #puppiesoftiktok #foryou #MyRoutine #BachelorReady
Pieces [Solo Piano Version] Danilo Stankovic
Number of videos: 571,000
Pieces on TikTok
12. Up by Cardi B
While this song is used as the background for a wide array of viral content, the most common is a challenge where users show themselves fresh-faced and unready, then show how they look all done up. Its called the #upcardibchallenge.
Number of videos: 549,000
Up on TikTok
13. telepatía by Kali Uchis
This song is primarily used with how-to videos or other content that doesnt require a voice-over. Its been in the background of everything from hair tutorials to oatmeal recipes.
@shescraftyaf_ Lets make a pink drink fake one of course ? #customcups #coffee #icedcoffe #snowglobetumbler #pinkdrink #bling #smallbussinesscheck #starbucks
telepatía Kali Uchis
Number of videos: 436,000
telepatía on TikTok
14. Batman by LPB Poody
This song has gone viral on TikTok for the same reason that many songs go viral on TikTok: a dance challenge. The hashtag #batmanchallenge is associated with a few different choreographies, all from the same song by LPB Poody.
Number of videos: 384,000
Batman on TikTok
15. I Am by Yung Baby Tate feat. Flo Milli
This empowering song has gone viral on TikTok thanks to users relaying the lyrics as positive affirmations, which is easy considering that the first line is, I am healthy, I am wealthy. People who use this sound will tell the viewers to repeat after them.
@gabschase Bless my soul. #fyp
I Am [feat. Flo Milli] Yung Baby Tate
Number of videos: 345,000
I Am on TikTok
16. oops! by Yung Gravy
Thanks to this popular song, you cant think of Tracy without thinking about Tracy with the Honda? While videos showing someone before and after they get ready are common, many reveal the user to be moving in action on a skateboard, on roller skates, or hanging out of a car window.
Number of videos: 339,000
oops! on TikTok
17. Caution by Kaytranada
This is another popular song thats often featured as the background track in many kinds of videos. Because of its relaxing beat and repetitive sounds, its an easy song over which to layer voice-overs.
@danny.kim Just doing my part. Buying a meal does more than keep local restaurants afloat #WashingtonDC #DCFoodies #HonduranFood
Caution Kaytranada
Number of videos: 298,000
Caution on TikTok
18. Its Not The Same Anymore by Rex Orange County
This slow and sweet acoustic jam is used to show how different the person filming looks now compared to how they used to look. People will display a photo of themselves from another point in their life and then show themselves now while mouthing the lyrics, Wow, I look so weird here. My face has changed now.
Number of videos: 240,000
Its Not The Same Anymore on TikTok
19. Church Bells by Carrie Underwood
The only country song to make this list is a track that has been used for you guessed it a viral dance. But unlike other viral dances, this one is used mainly as a parody.
@snarkymarky POV: Donna walks into work and Church Bells by Carrie Underwood is playing
Church Bells by Carrie Underwood mark
Number of videos: 192,000
Church Bells on TikTok
20. UCKERS by Shygirl
The iconic scream thats carried throughout this video has accompanied everything from home decor tours to DIY bucket hat tutorials. There are some trends in using this sound, like a person screaming while surrounded by phrases they believe to be false, and showing how you look in real life compared to what your Instagram profile looks like.
Number of videos: 191,000
UCKERS on TikTok
21. Day n Nite by Kid Cudi
This song may have been released in 2008, but its currently having a moment on TikTok. Most videos with this song show a person standing in front of a light switch with a phrase typed out somewhere on the video. Some of the letters are in white, and others are black. When the lyric day and night starts, the person flips the lights off, and a new phrase with only the white letters is shown.
@annaxsitar hey bestie hey bestie hey bestie inspo @chrisquashie & @claraandherself
Day n Nite Kid Cudi
Number of videos: 183,000
Day n Nite on TikTok
The playlist of the best TikTok songs right now
Now that youve learned all of the top trending songs on TikTok right now [and the kind of videos theyre being used with], its time to start jamming out with your own viral TikTok playlist.
TikTok is uploading new sounds and songs every day. While these top selections could soon disappear from the For You page, we hope this playlist keeps you listening to them a little longer.
Music is at the heart of TikTok, but there are more cool features to use in your videos. Check our post on how to duet on TikTok, and get experimenting!
Writer and editor, driven by curiosity and black coffee.
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