These TikTok Songs Are Going to Shake Up Your Whole 2021 Playlist

  • <p>I love TikTok songs. That <a href="https://pudding.cool/2020/12/judge-my-spotify/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Spotify bot" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Spotify bot</a>—the one that downloads all your data and then roasts you for your music taste—told me to stop getting all my music from TikTok. It's the way a <em>lot</em> of people are finding music these days, and it's overwhelming because TikTok is supposed to be for teens. That's why I texted my 14-year-old sister and asked for a list of the most popular songs on the app right now before I started writing this. All the smartest people know when to do something yourself, and when it’s better to defer to the experts. </p><p>Granted, all she said was “the Corvette Corvette one.” So bravely and alone, I embarked on this journey to find the best TikTok songs of 2021. I sifted through the content treasure trove that is TikTok to mine the best of the best songs of the moment. And in all seriousness, TikTok is the only way I know what songs are popular anymore, now that there are no bars or parties or public spaces to go to. </p><p>This list will grow, so keep an eye out. For now, here they are: the best TikTok songs of 2021 so far—a healthy mix of new pop, EDM, and some blasts from the past, too. These are the ones worth listening to for longer than a 15- (or 60-) second clip. I promise. </p>
  • <p>The very catchy rap verse on Doja Cat’s “Streets” is making the TikTok rounds recently. Not as uptempo as her other viral songs, "Streets" is a slow, seductive banger from the queen of TikTok music. </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqv35UZepIM" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the original post on Youtube" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the original post on Youtube</a></p>
  • <p>Willow Smith’s “Wait a Minute!” is a poppy 2015 tune that TikTok has recently co-opted. The catchy chorus and her powerful vocals make this song one that you search and save to your library after you hear just a snippet. </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xfdjqa5dfY" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the original post on Youtube" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the original post on Youtube</a></p>
  • <p>Everyone’s heard this one by now, but as the most ubiquitous song of this calendar year so far, we'd be remiss to leave it off. Olivia Rodrigo's “driver’s license” debuted at number one on the <em>Billboard</em> charts and broke multiple streaming records, including Spotify’s record for most streams of a song in a single week. </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmDBbnmKpqQ" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the original post on Youtube" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the original post on Youtube</a></p>
  • <p>Proof that a good song is timeless, a whole new generation has recently discovered the wonder that is "Rasputin." They have also used it to soundtrack the most challenging/impressive TikTok <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El3jppEJz2w" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:dance" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">dance</a> of all time.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl_Eo2QzqU4" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the original post on Youtube" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the original post on Youtube</a></p>
  • <p><span><em>Esquire</em> cover star</span> and <a href="https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/a35408809/the-weeknd-face-bandages-surgery-explained/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:2021 Super Bowl Halftime performer" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">2021 Super Bowl Halftime performer</a>, The Weeknd has had everyone from the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ3qe7KJgK8" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:MacFarland's" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">MacFarland's</a> to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-utFM-lgzR/?utm_source=ig_embed" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Jessica Alba" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Jessica Alba</a> dance to the intro of his song “Blinding Lights” on TikTok. Turns out the rest of the song is pretty damn good, too. </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHI8X4OXluQ" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the original post on Youtube" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the original post on Youtube</a></p>
  • <p>If mumble rap and disco had a TikTok song lovechild, this would be it. Bet you can’t listen to this one without doing a little dance at your desk. </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWaAuWvFmj0" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the original post on Youtube" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the original post on Youtube</a></p>
  • <p>The titular song off Ariana Grande’s latest album, "positions" is a banger on TikTok and beyond. </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcYodQoapMg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the original post on Youtube" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the original post on Youtube</a></p>
  • <p>Even better than the adorable <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtihLCN6XRY" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:videos" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">videos</a> of construction workers doodling hearts in cement is the Kodak Black track attached to the trend. </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gHT5U3h4ho" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the original post on Youtube" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the original post on Youtube</a></p>
  • <p>"Breaking Me" is that type of song that's always playing on the Top 40 station in the Uber as you're on your way to the bar. Remember bars? Remember going out?<br></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIoEaTN7GGo" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the original post on Youtube" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the original post on Youtube</a></p>
  • <p>Same vibe. Great pump up music by the ultimate DJ TiĂ«sto. </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCg3ufihKyU" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the original post on Youtube" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the original post on Youtube</a></p>
  • <p>You can spend four hours with the same 15 seconds of this song on repeat while learning the viral dance that goes along with it, and you'll still enjoy listening to it. </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfv4GV7Ll-Y" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the original post on Youtube" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the original post on Youtube</a></p>
  • <p>She just keeps the hits coming. The soundtrack of the silhouette challenge on TikTok, Doja Cat's "Pink" effortlessly blends dirty lyrics with the soft, airy 1950s vibe of Paul Anka's "Put Your Head on My Shoulder."</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc9_dsv5YYA" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the original post on Youtube" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the original post on Youtube</a></p>
  • <p>When Ski Mask The Slump God put out this rap record in 2018, he likely did not imagine it would become a popular choreographed dance among young teenage girls. I hope he's glad it did. </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tOqUtSTF2w" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the original post on Youtube" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the original post on Youtube</a></p>
  • <p>Off her most recent 2020 album, Kali Uchis’ hit “telepatĂ­a" boasts all the smooth, sexy charm we know and love Kali Uchis for. </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwzk-XZxZ4k" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:See the original post on Youtube" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">See the original post on Youtube</a></p>
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These TikTok Songs Are Going to Shake Up Your Whole 2021 Playlist

I love TikTok songs. That Spotify bot—the one that downloads all your data and then roasts you for your music taste—told me to stop getting all my music from TikTok. It's the way a lot of people are finding music these days, and it's overwhelming because TikTok is supposed to be for teens. That's why I texted my 14-year-old sister and asked for a list of the most popular songs on the app right now before I started writing this. All the smartest people know when to do something yourself, and when it’s better to defer to the experts.

Granted, all she said was “the Corvette Corvette one.” So bravely and alone, I embarked on this journey to find the best TikTok songs of 2021. I sifted through the content treasure trove that is TikTok to mine the best of the best songs of the moment. And in all seriousness, TikTok is the only way I know what songs are popular anymore, now that there are no bars or parties or public spaces to go to.

This list will grow, so keep an eye out. For now, here they are: the best TikTok songs of 2021 so far—a healthy mix of new pop, EDM, and some blasts from the past, too. These are the ones worth listening to for longer than a 15- (or 60-) second clip. I promise.

TikTok isn't just the new king of social media. It's the king of new music discovery, too.

From Esquire

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