Love Story – Taylor Swift, 2008

A reimagined remix of Taylor Swift’s Love Story captured TikTok’s attention in 2020 with a challenge involving a phone-on-wheels. As users danced to the track, they’d push their camera away at the climactic “marry me Juliet” lyrics. The buzz around this challenge, along with the rerelease of Swift’s Fearless album, revived the 2008 hit.

Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush, 1985

A surprise resurgence for Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill was sparked after the song was featured in Netflix’s Stranger Things in 2022. The popularity of the show among younger fans breathed new life into this classic song, catapulting Bush’s Hounds of Love album to its first-ever Billboard number one ranking, 37 years after release.

Love Grows – Edison Lighthouse, 1970

In early 2022 Love Grows by Edison Lighthouse found a new audience on TikTok, courtesy of user Rosemary Blake’s uplifting video. The 1970 hit became the soundtrack for countless joyful montages, thanks to its cheery and vibrant feel. Blake’s charming use of the song sparked a trend that caught on with other users, making it a favourite backdrop for shared moments of happiness.

Potential Break Up Song – Aly and AJ, 2007

The 2020 renaissance of Aly and AJ’s Potential Break Up Song resulted in an impressive 969k videos on TikTok. Due to its sudden surge in popularity, the duo released an explicit version of the song, further reviving the track and intriguing both old and new fans.

I’m a Survivor – Reba McEntire, 2001

Reba McEntire’s empowering anthem I’m a Survivor witnessed an unexpected revival on TikTok. Known by its memorable line “A single mom who works two jobs,” the 2001 song became the soundtrack for a viral 2021 TikTok trend. TikTok users began creating skits and lip-sync videos, humorously depicting themselves as the resilient ‘mum’ of their group of friends, or candidly showcasing their own survival narratives and daily challenges.

It’s All Coming Back to Me Now – Celine Dion, 1996

Celine Dion’s powerful ballad It’s All Coming Back to Me Now found a new life in 2023, when TikTok users began staging dramatic lip-sync performances during the song’s emotional climax. These imaginative, makeshift productions attracted millions of views, reinstating Dion’s classic as a viral sensation.

Dreams – Fleetwood Mac, 1977

In 2020, Nathan Apodaca’s simple yet smile inducing video of him skateboarding and drinking Cran-Raspberry juice to Dreams by Fleetwood Mac went viral on TikTok. This video brought a resurgence of interest in the classic song, leading to a substantial rise in chart positions for both the song and its parent album, Rumours.

Rude Boy – Rihanna, 2009

Following Rihanna’s 2023 Super Bowl performance, her hit Rude Boy made a triumphant return on TikTok. The platform’s users relished the chance to recreate and reimagine elements from her spectacular show, reviving the song’s popularity and bringing it back to the limelight.

Smile – Lily Allen, 2006

Smile by Lily Allen was catapulted back into popularity in 2020 due to a dance trend on TikTok. It all started when user Zack Jot posted a jubilant dance routine in response to the “racists getting exposed” narrative. This viral trend not only brought the 2006 track back into the spotlight, but also introduced Allen’s unique style and sound to a whole new generation of listeners.

How Bizarre – OMC, 1996

In a testament to the unpredictability of trends, the 1995 hit How Bizarre by OMC made an unexpected comeback on TikTok in late 2020. The catchy track became a favourite among users to accompany a wide range of situations, from awkward encounters to coincidental events. With the song’s lyrics cleverly incorporated into countless videos, the #HowBizarre hashtag quickly gathered momentum, amassing billions of views.