A weekly dive into the origin of sounds on TikTok, from The Daily Dot. Join us weekly as we dive into the trending and viral noises you hear scrolling through the app — and the stories behind them. If you want to read this column before everyone else, sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here.

Three split of people dancing to song

‘Nobody knows me like you do’: This slow jam has everyone posting about their twin flame—even Kevin Bacon

A recent R&B hit has us twinning on TikTok.

On Mar 14, 2024 by Charlotte Colombo

That One Sound: Elite Employee

‘You are now one of my elite employees’: The pro-workforce rallying cry that’s not just about getting in trouble with the boss

'When my sister gets old enough to help me with chores.'

On Mar 5, 2024 by Charlotte Colombo

Chris Colfer that one sound from tiktok

‘All that work and what did it get me?’: This classic ‘Glee’ cover is making us confess our deepest resentments

'Can't even get an agent.'

On Feb 27, 2024 by Charlotte Colombo

Lesley Gore with cat in a tree and clouds in the background

How a 60-year-old jazz standard became a TikTok hit

The popular sound on TikTok starts with a woman singing: 'Look at me/I’m as helpless as a kitten up a tree.'

On Jan 25, 2024 by Audra Schroeder

'North Sea' TikTok/That One Sound

How a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ cover became an anthem for North Sea TikTok

Are you on North Sea TikTok?

On Jan 18, 2024 by Audra Schroeder

murder on the dance floor tiktok

A 20-year-old U.K. hit gets revived, thanks to ‘Saltburn’

It’s really taken off on TikTok.

On Jan 11, 2024 by Audra Schroeder

i think i like this little life

Cordelia’s ‘Little Life’ draws out the sweet—and sour—on TikTok

There was a shift around the sound when it started being used by influencers and celebrities to show off their 'little life.'

On Jan 4, 2024 by Audra Schroeder

phone with TikTok on screen with earbuds in front of pink and blue split background with web_crawlr year_in_review logo at bottom right corner

The top 10 viral TikTok sounds of 2023

These sounds dominated TikTok in 2023.

On Dec 28, 2023 by Audra Schroeder

TikTok Hits 2023: Sounds and Trends

Our favorite TikTok sounds from 2023

A nice, warm send-off to TikTok's most popular sounds.

On Dec 27, 2023 by Avital Oehler

Julia Roberts in Notting Hill

A famous quote from a ‘90s rom-com gets a new meaning on TikTok

People ran with the “I’m just a girl” line and applied it to TikToks where they feign helplessness or ignorance.

On Dec 21, 2023 by Audra Schroeder

Laurie Anderson attends the red carpet of the Opening Ceremony during the 76th Venice Film Festival on August 28, 2019 in Venice, Italy.

Laurie Anderson’s ‘O Superman’ is the sound of coincidence on TikTok 

It’s not often that we see a genuinely emotional viral trend.

On Dec 14, 2023 by Audra Schroeder

Abby Lee Miller with mic

A sound from ‘Dance Moms’ is the soundtrack for the annoying

It’s pointed out the annoyances of cohabitating, the scourge of people who like overhead lights, and vexing fictional characters.

On Dec 7, 2023 by Audra Schroeder

whos that wonderful girl? Three puppets

‘Who’s that wonderful girl?’: A song from an obscure 2000s Canadian kids’ show gets revived on TikTok

The #whosthatwonderfulgirl tag has been viewed more than 89 million times. 

On Nov 30, 2023 by Audra Schroeder

look at my son: cat doing handstand (l) man singing (c) dog with mouth open (r)

A ‘Hamilton’ song is revived to document weird pet behavior 

That sound has been used in more than 5,700 TikToks, and applied largely to the curious and baffling things our pets do. 

On Nov 23, 2023 by Audra Schroeder

clinical depression: Ja'mie: Private School Girl

The origin of the ‘clinical depression’ sound on TikTok

It’s been used in more than 3,800 TikToks so far.

On Nov 16, 2023 by Audra Schroeder