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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, we check out the most popular TikTok songs in the UK based on their performance on TikTok and Spotify.
Move over charts and radio airplay, there’s a new sheriff in town when it comes to musical trends: TikTok. This short-form video platform has become a cultural phenomenon, catapulting songs to viral fame and shaping the soundscape of a generation. But what exactly are the tunes currently setting UK thumbs ablaze? Buckle up, music lovers, because we’re diving into the most popular TikTok songs in the UK, exploring the tracks that have everyone from teens to grandparents tapping their feet and recording their own versions.
Creator Economy Market Research Firm, Net Influencer investigated the most popular TikTok songs in the UK by investigating official sounds and audios and analysing their performance on TikTok and Spotify.
It is fascinating to see the power of social media, especially TikTok over the recent years. Most of these songs listed are performed by smaller, independent artists or artists from different generations and genres from other parts of the world. TikTok enables these artists to be discovered, or rediscovered, allowing for widespread exposure.
-Nii A. Ahene, Managing Director of Net Influencer
| Rank | Song | Artist | Total Streams | Potential Royalties (£) | Total Videos |
| 1 | Love You So | The King Khan & BBQ Show | 14,610,693 | 92,047 | 32,500,000 |
| 2 | Aesthetic | Tollan Kim | 3,699,001 | 23,304 | 17,300,000 |
| 3 | girls like me don’t cry (sped up) | thuy | 28,539,016 | 179,796 | 9,700,000 |
| 4 | This Wish – From “Wish” | Ariana DeBose & Disney | 1,115,744 | 7,029 | 4,300,000 |
| 5 | Notice Me | Guchi & Loud Behaviour | 1,012,896 | 6,381 | 3,900,000 |
| 6 | Paint The Town Red | Doja Cat | 503,843,730 | 3,174,215 | 2,700,000 |
| 7 | We Don’t Take About Bruno | Encanto Cast | 454,072,527 | 2,860,657 | 2,500,000 |
| 8 | Barbie World | Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice & Aqua | 329,014,235 | 2,072,790 | 2,457,700 |
| 9 | Wassup Gway | FamousSally & YB | 2,664,077 | 16,784 | 2,400,000 |
| 10 | Endless Summer | Alan Walker | 15,041,142 | 94,759 | 2,400,000 |
The data revealed that The King Khan & BBQ Show’s 2005 release, ‘Love You So’, ranks as the number one most influential song, with 32,500,000 TikTok’s using the song. On Spotify, the song has earned an estimated £92,047 in royalties and has had a 5% playlist increase between August and October 2023, having landed in 450 playlists created by users.
In 2005, garage rock outfit The King Khan & BBQ Show released “Love You So,” a fuzzed-out, bluesy jam about the complexities of love and miscommunication. With its catchy “did you know, you know?” hook and Khan’s raw vocals, the song became a fan favorite, capturing the band’s raw energy and infectious garage rock spirit. While not reaching mainstream charts, “Love You So” earned its place in indie rock history and gained renewed recognition years later thanks to TikTok trends, proving its timeless appeal.
Tollan Kim’s ‘Aesthetic’ ranks as the second most influential TikTok song, with over 17,300,000 videos using the song. Surprisingly, the song has had a playlist increase of 3900% on Spotify over the past three months and has earned an estimated £32,304 in royalties. This is surprising because the song features no singing and is often used as an ambient background track in TikTok videos.
“Aesthetic” by Tollan Kim weaves a tapestry of chilled, lo-fi beats and smooth melodies, painting a sonic picture of tranquility and understated beauty. The track unfolds slowly, with gentle piano chords and jazzy drums creating a relaxed atmosphere. Kim’s signature airy synths add a touch of dreaminess, while subtle vocal samples and field recordings whisper in the background, evoking a sense of nostalgia and peace.
The third most influential TikTok song is ‘Girls Like Me Don’t Cry (Sped Up)’ by ‘Thuy’. This song has been used over 9,700,000 times on TikTok. In the past three months, the song has seen a playlist increase of 47%, and has a total of 28,539,016 streams on Spotify; this means it has earned an estimated £179,796 in royalties.
The sped-up version of her soulful ballad took TikTok by storm, transforming the raw emotion of the original into an empowering anthem of resilience and self-love. The catchy melody and Thuy’s powerful vocals, now delivered with breakneck speed, create an infectious energy that resonates with listeners yearning to break free from societal expectations. It’s a song for healing, for dancing away heartbreak, and for reminding everyone that girls like them are strong, beautiful, and won’t be silenced.
‘This Wish’ performed by Ariana DeBose from the 2023 Disney Movie ‘Wish’ ranks as the fourth most influential TikTok song despite the film not being released yet. The song has been used in over 4,300,000 videos. On Spotify, the song has received over 1,115,744 streams despite only being available to listen to since the 18th of October 2023; the song has also had a 750% playlist increase from its release date to the end of October.
DeBose’s vocals, known for their raw power and expressiveness, imbue the lyrics with a heartfelt yearning as she embodies Asha, a young woman with a wish so strong it reaches the cosmos. The song’s melody, a blend of contemporary pop and classic Disney charm, perfectly complements the film’s message of hope and adventure, leaving listeners both inspired and eager to see Asha’s dreams unfold.
In fifth place is ‘Notice Me’, performed by Guchi and Loud Behaviour. The song has been used in over 3,900,000 videos on TikTok. The song was released in August 2023 and has received over 1,012,896 streams on Spotify, earning an estimated £6,381 in royalties. Though this is not as much as other songs, due to the song’s popularity on TikTok, the song could potentially earn more streams and royalties, as there has been a playlist increase of 400% since the song was released.
Guchi’s smooth vocals intertwine with Loud Behaviour’s energetic production, creating an irresistible groove perfect for dancing and radiating confidence. The lyrics express a desire for recognition and connection, resonating with anyone who’s ever felt overlooked or underestimated. The song’s catchy chorus and infectious energy make it a surefire party starter, while Guchi’s soulful delivery adds depth and emotional pull. Get ready to move and be moved by “Notice Me,” a song that’s both fun and relatable, leaving you wanting more.
The data also revealed that ‘We Don’t Take About Bruno’ from Disney’s ‘Encanto’ ranks among the most influential TikTok songs, despite being released in 2021. The song has been used in over 2,500,000 videos and has seen a 7% playlist increase in the past three months.
“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Disney’s “Encanto” isn’t your typical Disney song. It’s a catchy, genre-bending bop disguised as a family’s frantic attempt to avoid discussing the ostracized uncle Bruno and his unwelcome visions. With Lin-Manuel Miranda’s signature lyricism, the song weaves through multiple musical styles – from Colombian folk to salsa to hip-hop – as each family member reveals their secret fear of Bruno’s prophecies. The result is a surprisingly complex and relatable portrayal of family dynamics, highlighting the fear of the unknown and the sometimes messy consequences of good intentions. It’s no wonder the song became a viral sensation, captivating audiences with its catchy melody, clever lyrics, and nuanced exploration of family relationships.
Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice and Aqua’s ‘Barbie World’ from the Barbie soundtrack also ranks among the most influential TikTok songs, with over 2,457,700 videos using the song. Despite being released prior to the film, the song has seen a 7% playlist increase in the past three months on Spotify and has earned an estimated £2,072,790 in royalties.
It samples Aqua’s iconic 90s pop hit “Barbie Girl” but injects it with Minaj’s rap royalty sass and Ice Spice’s fresh, unapologetic flow. The lyrics playfully nod to the original’s Barbie-doll world, but with a grown-up, independent twist. It’s a celebration of female confidence, self-made success, and not bowing to societal expectations. The song topped charts, sparked controversies for its cheeky lyrics, and solidified its place as a summer anthem for the modern Barbie – powerful, playful, and owning it all.
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