10 Songs You Wouldn't Know if Not for TikTok

Shelbi Baker
Aug 2
6 min read

Are you new to the TikTok world? Maybe you don't use the app but keep hearing these songs everywhere. On the other hand, maybe you're a TikTok connoisseur and already know every song on this list without even reading it. Either way, we hope you'll stick around for the new and the nostalgia, because this list spans across TikTok's short but vibrant eight year history. Come along as we explore ten songs you wouldn't know if not for TikTok.

10. Chase McDaniel - Project

We're starting off strong with a country banger. "Project" by Chase McDaniel is an iconic, shameless tune about being a heartbreaker. McDaniel expresses that he, himself is a project, and that loving him is a mistake. Ouch! But that vulnerability is exactly what so many people online resonated with. Seemingly out of nowhere, "Project" jumped to number one on iTunes in the country category upon its release in 2023. Of course, this wasn't a surprise to McDaniel's follower base. He knew exactly what he was doing, teasing bits of the song for weeks until its full release. McDaniel might see himself as a project, but he's certainly a promotional guru.

9. Tay Money - The Assignment

If you were on TikTok in 2022, you might remember the trend surround Tay Money's "The Assignment". Fans using this song would caption the video with something they were told to do followed by them doing it in either malicious compliance or some other kind of overkill. This is a tough trend to explain, but it was very funny at the time. Regardless, the song was pretty catchy and quickly blew up all over the net. Even today in 2025, "The Assignment" still sits as Tay Money's fourth most popular song on Spotify.

8. Phao - 2 Phut Hon (KAIZ Remix)

Phao's "2 Phut Hon", specifically the KAIZ remix, was memed over and over again across the clock app. Most interestingly, this one taps into the cosplay culture of TikTok the most. Part of its popularity comes from the fact that it uses iconic anime characters like 002 from Darling in the Franxx to showcase an incredibly simple dance, actually. And if the dance is easy, well, people are going to want to do it! Everyone wanted to dress up as their favorite character and recreate that unforgettable shimmy. And just like that, "2 Phut Hon" spread like lightning. Everyone was doing the "002 dance" as it was called at the time, with their own spin on it. While the song isn't talked about much in 2025, it's definitely a certified banger and I highly recommend adding it to your workout playlist.

7. Paul Russell - Lil Boo Thang

Paul Russell's "Lil Boo Thang" is the sunny pop jam we can all go to when we need to smile. With elements of funk and disco, its almost impossible not to dance to. Maybe that's why it became such a popular sound bite. "Lil Boo Thang" is often used in videos showcasing people from all walks of life dancing or even happy dog videos. It's the true definition of a feel good jam. Being fairly new to going viral, Russell doesn't have any other major hits yet, but has worked with A-list artists like Meghan Trainor and opened for her during her tour in 2024. This song is just the kind of sunlight the music world needs, and we're certain that Russell will continue to release great tunes with all of his talent and charisma!

6. Alex Warren - Ordinary

Now for a sentimental love song, Alex Warren's "Ordinary". This one is genuinely beautiful. It's often used in wedding videos or in shorts about couples' unique love stories. Warren's smooth voice is reminiscent of artists like Sam Smith or Hozier. It's incredibly pleasant to listen to. Meanwhile, the passion behind "The Ordinary" is undeniably cinematic. It fits the vibe for romantic TikToks perfectly. Today, it remains Warren's most popular song on Spotify, but he has some other vibrant and artistic songs that are sure to captivate you just as much. His whole discography pretty much feels like a fairytale.

5. Sarah Maddack - Coffee Shop Bop

If you remember the "Coffee Shop Bop" trend on TikTok, you might also remember that its creator, Sarah Maddack was absurdly under-credited for the song. The sound bite was used over and over again due to how catchy it is, but few of the users making videos with it even knew the original source. Thankfully, Maddack has reclaimed her adorable, infectiously catchy little jam, having released it on streaming services. Now, it's easy to find the song with the correct credentials. Maddack has a creative, rhythmic songwriting style that she claims has "ADHD energy", which is actually the perfect descriptor for her work. Her YouTube channel is full of whimsical little songs describing wild, imaginary tales. She's quite the creator, and if you like "Coffee Shop Bop", you should check out the rest of her music!

4. Kenya Grace - Strangers

Singer and electronic producer, Kenya Grace found TikTok popularity with her song "Strangers" in 2023. Similarly to Chase McDaniel's approach, the song was teased constantly until its release. This continues to be a powerful marketing strategy, especially when the song is this good. Kenya Grace's style is particularly unique, which sets her apart from other viral artists of the time. Her music is fast-paced drum and bass with soft, almost whisper-like vocals. However, all of her lyrics hit hard with relatable themes. "Strangers" talks about the rise and fall of relationships, about how at first you spend all of your time with someone, but when things go wrong, you go back to being strangers. It's a contemplative theme, but we've all been there. Maybe that's why it speaks to so many people.

3. JVKE - Golden Hour

"Golden Hour" by JVKE is a masterclass in portraying emotion through sound. The title of the song genuinely reflects the feeling in the music. You can put this sound to any beautiful sight or experience and it elevates the moment. Of course, that's because it was carefully thought out, planned, and executed. "Golden Hour" is the work of JVKE and his brother, Zac Lawson. The song took over four months to create and even longer to promote. In the end, the beautifully-crafted piano work became the focal point of the song, with many TikTok creators recreating it, boosting the song's popularity. Eventually, it became a staple in everyone's romantic Spotify playlist. If you somehow haven't heard this song, you absolutely need to!

2. Connie Francis - Pretty Little Baby

This song is particularly interesting, as it wasn't promoted by TikTok, it was revived by it. "Pretty Little Baby" by Connie Francis was released all the way back in 1962. Interestingly enough, this was not Francis's most popular track of the time. She was more well-known for "Stupid Cupid" or "Who's Sorry Now". Of course, the internet has a way of pulling gems like "Pretty Little Baby" out of the woodwork. Lately, it's been the song stuck in everyone's head with how often it accompanies videos showcasing animals, parenting, or even comedy sketches. It's a lighthearted little tune that resurfaced just before Francis' untimely passing this past July. We hope this queen can rest easy knowing that her music is beloved by countless generations.

1. Gayle - ABCDEFU

Finally, we've reached what I consider to be the quintessential TikTok virality song. "ABCDEFU" by Gayle is, to me, the most memorable song promoted on the app. The instant hit can be heard playing literally everywhere in countless videos and on the radio. Gayle absolutely hit the nail on the head with a unique spin on the revenge against your ex trope. The simple idea of using the alphabet song to make a diss track? Incredible. And the internet thought so too. This song took Gayle's music career to a completely new level, currently sporting over 270 million streams on YouTube alone since its release in 2021. Since then, she's been consistently releasing music, with notable titles like "internet baby" and "kinda smacks" bringing the same kind of energy to the table. With the work that goes into creating and promoting her music, Gayle deserves all the success in the world, and we can't wait to see what she puts out next!

Finally, I want to include some honorable mentions that didn't quite make the list. iLOVEFRiDAY's "Mia Khalifa" is one of those tunes that defines TikTok's launch, but is a bit too raunchy to showcase on its own. Additionally, I want to mention Fulton Lee for promoting his entire career on TikTok with so many releases at this point that it's impossible to pinpoint just one.

So, what did you think of today's list? Have you been hearing these songs on TikTok over the years? Have you discovered something new? Feel free to let us know at any of our socials below!

Written By Shelbi Baker