That One Sound on TikTok

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.

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

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

benjamins deli: Group of three dancing and posing(three split)

What is the ‘Benjamin’s Deli’ dance trend?

It’s gotten so popular because it seems to be bridging a generational divide.

On Nov 9, 2023 by Audra Schroeder

jubi slide trend - Pimp Named Slickback

‘I don’t even understand the physics of this’: The Jubi Slide challenges TikTok

This summer the song started being used in a new(ish) trend: The Jubi Slide.

On Nov 2, 2023 by Audra Schroeder

Surprise Surprise woman over crockpot(l), Surprise Surprise woman singing(c), Surprise surprise woman over woman drinking from water bottle

A beloved British singer has become TikTok’s ‘surprise’ meme

Here’s a look at singer Cilla Black’s journey from British talk show host to TikTok meme.

On Oct 26, 2023 by Audra Schroeder

she was a fairy tiktok

TikTok’s ‘She was a fairy’ trend revived a 14-year-old song

That sound has now been used in more than 187,000 TikToks.

On Oct 19, 2023 by Audra Schroeder

Homepage article image

‘I just know Harley Quinn listens to this’: A rapper’s song gets a ‘goth’ remix on TikTok

It’s been interesting to see some people use a remix of 'Pound Town' for fairly innocent content.

On Oct 12, 2023 by Audra Schroeder

‘It’s becoming a real multiverse of sitting’: Brian Jordan Alvarez on his viral TikTok hit ‘Sitting’

A song about the joys of sitting has evolved beyond TikTok and is inspiring countless covers and remixes.

On Sep 28, 2023 by Audra Schroeder