TikTok is more than just a visual social media channel. While fun, dynamic videos help make your content strategy pop, what drives virality and success on the channel is the auditory experience. TikTok is all about sounds. Using the right sound at the right time can be the difference between your best video sinking or skyrocketing to the ‘For You’ page.
Figuring out how to use popular TikTok sounds and which sounds work best can be challenging for social media managers. TikTok trends change fast, and keeping up with trends is a job in itself. In many ways, brands have to rethink everything they know about social media as it transforms into social entertainment, and users scroll through their feeds for entertainment above everything else.
To help you navigate this new era of social marketing, this blog covers:
- What Sounds are trending on TikTok, updated monthly.
- What are TikTok sounds?
- Why TikTok sounds are important.
- How to add your own sound to TikTok.
- How to find and use TikTok sounds.
How To Find Trending TikTok Audio
Diving into the vibrant world of TikTok, you'll quickly notice it's not your average social platform. It's a playground for music and entertainment enthusiasts. TikTok's heartbeat is its music — a dynamic mix of sounds and songs neatly categorized into viral hits, spanning various genres and moods. Perfect for nailing that dance challenge or mastering your lip-sync game.
Now, here's the juicy part: finding those trending TikTok audios. Picture a chart, like a treasure map, leading you to the top-performing songs that are making waves across countless videos. These aren't just any tracks; they're the ones setting the TikTok universe on fire. And let's not forget the remixes — they're a big deal here. Each track transforms, creating multiple versions that fuel fun, viral dance challenges. They're easy to film, and before you know it, you might just be the next viral sensation.
So, how do you tap into this goldmine of trending TikTok audio? It's all about exploring the viral section, where the magic of music meets the pulse of popular culture. However, this can be challenging for brands with a TikTok Business Account — often, trending viral sounds aren't approved for business use, meaning brands with these accounts might need to get more creative when it comes to sourcing sounds. Here's a simple way to filter through the right sounds for you:
- Head to TIkTok's Creative Center.
- In the header menu, select 'Trends', then 'Songs'.
- Check the box next to 'Approved for business use'.
- From there, you can sort and discover songs by when they were added (By last seven, 30 and 120 days)And whether they’re new to the top 100 or not.
If you don't have endless hours to scroll on TikTok to find the next big sound, we've curated a list of the top trending TikTok audio (updated monthly) sure to set your video up for success.
Trending TikTok Sounds — June 2024
As Summer takes shape, here are the songs approved for business use that are trending on TikTok in June.
BLUE - Billie Eilish (945.4K videos)
This song, BLUE, from Billie Eilish’s latest album is perfect to back nearly any content, from and outfit of the day to a DIY. One of the most interesting trends for beauty creators associated with this song is the ‘water challenge’ shown below — if you’re great at transitions, try your hand at this trend where you pour water over your head while transitioning to a blue makeup look.
stellar (slowed + reverbed)
This song, stellar (slowed + reverbed), is the perfect low-key, emotional-sounding song to back any TikTok content with a soft, thoughtful or tender feel.
A Day in My Life - Soft Boy
‘A Day in My Life’ is another lowkey, soft-sounding song trending this month that’s also approved for business use. Not melancholic but soft, use this audio for any type of calm TikTok content.
Life Will Be - Cleo Sol
‘Life Will Be’ by Cleo Sol is a soulful track with soft, smooth melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Cleo Sol's rich and moody vocals carry the song, making it a soothing and inspiring listen. This is the perfect song for any TikTok content that could be categorized as ‘chill’.
Trending TikTok Sounds - May 2024
Here are the TikTik songs and sounds approved for business use that are also trending on FYP's this May.
The Chicken in Black - Johnny Cash (148.8K Videos)
This 1998 release, 'The Chicken in Black', by Johnny Cash is making the rounds almost 30 years later — and this corresponding trend is made for pet owners (or even parents!). Use the song in your TikTok video, and grab your pet (or child) for the ‘stick ‘em up’ lyric, pretending your furry friends or adorable babies are actually a ‘deadly’ weapon.
Audio: 'The Chicken in Black', by Johnny Cash
Hide Away - Daya (163.5K Videos)
‘Hide Away’ by Daya is primarily being used to determine whether someone is a ‘bottom teeth’ or ‘top teeth’ talker. Simply lipsynch to the audio, and see if you lean towards talking with your top or bottom teeth.
Audio: ‘Hide Away’ by Daya
Like That! - Laila! (183.6K Videos)
This song, 'Like That!’ By Laila, is being used as background music, across a variety of TikTok content, however, it’s often being used with a cheeky little dance (found in the example below). Specifically, use this song to make fun of a situation where you want to distract someone — for example, ‘me distracting my friend since I ate all the snacks,’ while doing a little dance.
Audio: 'Like That!’ By Laila
A Bar Song (Tipsy) - BOOZEY (192.6K Videos)
Perhaps ironically, the trending country TikTok song 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' by BOOZEY isn’t necessarily being used across partying-centric content — trending along with the song is a wholesome dance by user @thesupercole’s 11-year-old daughter. If dancing’s not your thing, feel free to use this in the background of POV videos, adventures with friends, unboxings and more.
Audio: A Bar Song (Tipsy)' by BOOZEY
Being A Girl - jonica (9.4K Videos)
‘I Love Being A Girl’ by Janica is the perfect audio for the beauty industry — or any creator who wants to celebrate being a woman. The lyrics go, ‘I love when my hair is done, I love when my nails are done, being a girl is fun,’ making this song an excellent choice for beauty content.
Audio: ILove Being AGirl - Janice
Trending TikTok Sounds - April 2024
As we prepare for Spring, an eclipse and more this month, these are the sounds and songs trending on FYP’s across TikTok.
Magnetic - ILLIT (275.4K Videos)
Magnetic by new K-pop group ILLIT is taking TikTok by storm — use this upbeat track to back products you love and feel ‘magnetic’ towards, or try the trending dance that accompanies the song.
Audio: Magnetic - ILLIT
we can’t be friends (wait for your love) — Ariana Grande (605.1K Videos)
Another newly released and trending song on TikTok, ‘we can’t be friends’ by Ariana Grande is being used across a range of content, from backing videos featuring DIYs, makeup looks and more, to users lipsynching the chorus in video content.
Audio: we can't be friends - Ariana Grande
Karma - JoJo Siwa (58.6K Videos)
Love it or hate it, JoJo Siwa’s newest song ‘Karma' is taking TikTok by storm — before it was even officially released. Whether you’re doing the original choreography, celebrating your unabashed love for the song or simply using it to back your normal TikTok content, this is a fun, upbeat song to use across a range of content.
Audio: Karma - JoJo Siwa
Blue Monday (Extended Mix) - Above and Beyond (250.7K Videos)
Blue Monday has been popular among creators, and comes with a corresponding trend. First, find a friend or filming partner. Using the text feature, add a common difference or decision you often struggle to decide on with a friend. This can include things like deciding where to eat, whether to go out or stay in, or even your favorite product in a range.
Then, pretend like you’re a character in a video game during a pause (ex. Moving your knees slightly so you’re moving back and forth). Punch your first to the beat of the music to mimic a ‘fight’ (while standing apart — no actual hitting should occur!)
Audio: Blue Monday (ExtendedMix)- Above and Beyond
Make You Mine - Madison Beer (610.5K Videos)
This song has been trending for a few weeks now, but shows no signs of slowing down — originally used often in blonde and brunette hair color filters, this song is upbeat and perfect to back almost any TikTok content, from beauty tutorials to recipes.
Audio: Make You Mine - Madison Beer
Trending TikTok Sounds - March 2024
March’s songs celebrate friendship with a mix of fun, upbeat tracks.
What You Won’t Do for Love - Bobby Caldwell (2.8M Videos)
Do chocolate-covered strawberries mean anything to you? This simple trend uses 'What You Won't Do for Love', and involves moving your camera to the music, has quickly skyrocketed a bowl of strawberries as the most-liked video on TikTok.
Audio: What You Won't Do for Love - Bobby Caldwell
Twin, where have you been? (3.8K Videos)
This is a fun trend, perfect to do with your favorite coworker, best friend or an actual twin — if you have one! Grab a partner and lipsynch to the audio, ‘Twin, where have you been?’ while the other video partner says, ‘Nobody knows me like you do’.
Audio: original sound - Ryan Quejada
Texas Hold ‘Em - Beyonce (281.4K Videos)
Of course, Beyonce’s latest release, 'Texas Hold 'Em' — a foray into country and an homage to her Texan roots — is trending on TikTok. Use this song for nearly any type of TikTok content, but especially anything with a ‘country’ vibe, whether that be line dancing, Southern food or anything else of the like.
Audio: Texas Hold'Em - Beyonce
Baddie Friend, 2 Bad B Remix - CasaDi (25K Videos)
This audio is perfect to showcase your best baddie friend — this can be a human, pet or anyone else you want to showcase. Get creative and use it to showcase your brand’s favorite product pairings and more.
Audio: Baddie Friend
Trending TikTok Sounds February 2024
Universal Music Group has removed its catalog from TikTok — but what does this mean for brands? Despite many of these songs being off-limits for brands in the first place, social teams might be surprised to find certain songs from their past content removed. This has opened the floor for smaller artists and other creators to share their music — with that, here are February’s trending sounds on TikTok.
Feeling Down These Days (13.2K Videos)
To use the ‘feeling down’ audio and the corresponding trend, simple lipsynch to all of the ‘no’ answers in the sound. Another way creators are using this trend is to add a question from the perspective of one of their viewers, then lipsynch to the questions while using TikTok’s text feature to add questions that respond to the original question. For example, the creator below asks, ‘I want to get glass skin but don’t know how’, then proceeds to ask her audience, ‘do you double cleanse?’ and a series of other questions that relate to the glass skin trend.
Audio: original sound
“For Valentine’s Day…”(318.8KVideos)
This Valentine’s Day sound might be a little ‘dark’ for some brands but is trending across TikTok regardless. This trend uses audio from the movie ‘Gone Girl’ and says, ‘For Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d buy a gun…’ before evolving into a sped-up version of ‘Oblivion,’ by Grimes. This audio is used for Valentine’s Day content or even just an interesting seasonal track to back tutorials and OOTDs.
Audio:original sound - forsaken
Full Crate x Jungle Black On 74 Remix (5K Videos)
Full Crate x Jungle Black is the perfect ‘vibey’ track to back almost any type of TikTok video content, from carousel posts to videos to Stories. This song appears on OOTDs, recipes, ‘things I’m into lately’ round-ups and more.
Audio: Full Crate x Jungle Black
How hard can it be, boys do it? (13.2K Videos)
The ‘how hard can it be, boys do it?’ trend is brought to us by creator @mad_mitch, and is perfect for the girls (but really, almost anyone can participate!) Use a text overlay to describe something you did that men commonly do to flex your accomplishments or brand.
Audio:How hard can it be?
Trending TikTok Sounds January 2024
Memory Reboot (2.2M Videos)
‘Memory Reboot’ has a dramatic, slow-building beat, making it perfect to build anticipation for a product or event, or any other intense TikTok content.
Audio: Memory Reboot - iBertoli
the lonely tree, slowed (76.2K Videos)
This breezy, calm instrumental sound called ‘the lonely tree’ is perfect for any melancholic or serious content — but it’s also perfect for a peaceful, subtle backing track.
Audio: the lonely tree (slowed) - ciaffa
Happiest Year - Jaymes Young (1.7M Videos)
Use this song, 'Happiest Year', all month long to replay your fondest memories from 2023, your holiday celebrations or even the highlights of the month as you usher in 2024.
Audio: Happiest Year - Jaymes Young
Trending TikTok Sounds December 2023
Which songs and sounds are making their way to FYP’s this holiday season? Here are some trending songs to incorporate in your December TikTok content.
This Little Life - Cordelia (75.5K Videos)
Use this sweet and calm song, ‘This Little Life by Cordelia’, to celebrate daily life by sharing video snippets from your recent adventures, outings, recipes and any other footage you’ve captured.
Audio: This Little Life - Cordelia
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee (1M Videos)
This holiday classic, Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree, is trending once again this year — use this cheery, festive song to back any Christmas content, but especially featuring your Christmas tree or a fun dance.
Audio: Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
You’re Losing Me (From The Vault) - Taylor Swift (3.4K Videos)
Taylor Swift celebrated being the top global artist for Spotify Unwrapped by releasing a Midnights track ‘From The Vault’, ‘You’re Losing Me.’ This is a great song to back any Taylor Swift content, while many Swifites use the song in TikTok content discussing the song’s origins. As of writing, this song has a relatively low number of views, making this a great time for brands to be early-adopters of this song.
Audio: You're Losing Me - Taylor Swift
Christmas - neozilla (44.6K Videos)
Transport viewers to the North Pole with this classic, festive, instrumental holiday song that’s perfect for any holiday content you plan to share.
Audio: Christmas - neozilla
Trendsetter - Connor Price & Haviah Mighty (5.9K Videos)
This approved-for-business-use song is a hip-hop song that works well in any content sharing a new product, look or style. Use 'Trendsetter' to back content promoting recent trends or any content that aims to boost self-esteem or celebrate someone.
Audio:Trendsetter - Connor Price and Haviah Mighty
What are TikTok Sounds?
TikTok sounds are the auditory cues that users can play during their videos. Short-form videos automatically play with the sound turned on, and your choice of audio plays an all-important role in making a strong first impression in your TikTok marketing strategy.
TikTok has a library of sounds where you can discover new sounds or listen to your favorites that you’ve saved. TikTok’s Discover section not only features the top trending tags but also calls out the top trending sounds. Users looking for variations of a particular trend may search for more content related to that sound. TikTok may also organically serve them trending content as they scroll, which is why taking advantage of trending sounds leads to higher performance on TikTok.
Megan Thee Stallion’s songs had the most catalog views of any artist in 2020 and 2021.
In 2022, the most played sounds didn't belong to one particular artist — these were:
- Nicky HYoure &Dazy - Sunroof
- Luclover - L$d
- Yung Lean - Ginseng Strip 2002
- Lizzo - About Damn Time
- Pharrell - Just a Cloud Away
- Labrinth - Forever
- Willow - Wait aMinute
- Duke &Jones &Louis Theroux - Jiggle Jiggle
- Armani White - Billie Eilish
- Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (ADeal With God)
How to Find and Use TikTok Sounds
Adding Sounds to New Videos
Sounds integrate directly with the TikTok camera. Once you select the plus button at the bottom of your screen, you will see the “Add sound” button at the very top of the camera.
From there, you will see the sounds library, which will most likely be the commercial music library if you are using TikTok for Business (these sounds are royalty-free and can be used commercially).
Additionally, you can search for specific sounds in the library or create content related to a sound once you’ve found it on the Discover page.
Adding Sounds to Existing Videos
You can add sound to videos from your camera roll as well. After you upload your video, tap “Sounds” and drag your intended sound from the library or your Favorites into your video.
In this case, it’s harder to sync existing video with an original sound from the library, and most marketers simply use their phones to record TikToks in the moment. It’s easy to record, and audiences on this channel are accustomed to lo-fi footage over staged video.
How to Add Your Own Sound to TikTok
Although TikTok has a robust library of sounds, all viral sounds have to start from somewhere. Case in point: the “berries and cream” earworm that took over TikTok feeds in 2021 originated from a Starburst marketing campaign in 2007. Podcaster Justin McElroy uploaded it as a custom sound to the channel in January 2021, and the sound did not take off until August of the same year.
There’s no telling which sounds will take off or when, but experimentation, keeping a pulse on TikTok analytics, and being open to unconventional new ideas is vital. The following tips will help you start creating your own sound on TikTok.
Record a Voiceover on TikTok
Once you record or upload a video, tap “Next” to go into the editor. From there, you have the option to tap the voiceover button and speak into your phone’s microphone. Once you hit “Save,” your content is ready to post.
Voiceovers are a great way to narrate your content if you don’t want to use text. Keep your sound short, sweet, and funny for a better chance of your sound going viral on TikTok.
Add Your Own Music to TikTok
You can also add your own music to TikTok by uploading a video that uses your sound. You will need to use a third-party app like iMovie to overlay the audio, but once it’s uploaded to TikTok, you can use the sound in future content by selecting “Use this sound” or adding it to your favorites.
Use TikTok’s Algorithm to Your Advantage
The best way to make a catchy sound is to keep it short and easy to loop. TikToks play on repeat, and the more time TikTok users spend watching your video, the more likely the algorithm is to recommend your content to them in the future, which is invaluable for your marketing initiatives, such as TikTok shopping.
TikTok Sounds FAQs
What are the most popular sounds on TikTok?
What's exciting about TikTok is how the most popular sounds and trends are always changing. Artists such as Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat are mainstays at the top of the charts, however independent artists are also able to find themselves skyrocketing to the top of the charts.
How do you download TikTok sounds?
While TikTok does not offer a native option to download sounds, you are able to select “Add to favorites” to save a sound for later and use it in your own videos.
How do I trim a sound on TikTok?
Once you’ve selected a sound on TikTok, tap “Next” to go into the editor. By selecting the scissors icon, you are able to move your selection of the song to your desired length, as well as adjust the volume.
Can you add two sounds to a TikTok?
TikTok doesn’t allow you to use two sounds, however you are able to use multiple sounds by taking advantage of your third-party video editing software of choice.
Can you block a sound on TikTok?
You are able to indicate to TikTok’s algorithm that you are not interested in a particular sound by long-pressing a video, and tapping “not interested” to stop having similar content recommended. After doing this on a couple of videos with the sound, your recommendations should be fine tuned—this tip also goes for all TikTok content.
How do I Duet on TikTok with sound?
Duets automatically use the sound from the TikTok you’re doing a Duet with. However, you can use your own sound by using the mic button to turn on your own sound. Then, after you record your video, you can select the “Volume” button and turn the added sound from the Duet all the way down so that only your audio plays.
