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TikTok songs are among the most played out there, but it’s rare to see them played in full. Because of TikTok’s short video formats, songs can only really be showcased for their catchiest parts, especially if those parts happen to be the more quotable or dance-worthy parts of a song.
But many of Tiktok’s most popular hits are more than just the sound bites you hear on the videos. These TikTok songs hold up well on their own without the need for a Nightcore speed-up or remix so you can add them to your morning drive playlist without being reminded of annoying TikTok sound clips.
1. See Tình by Hoàng Thùy Linh
What you hear on TikTok: “Way, way, way, way” or “baby, baby [foreign language], can you stay?” or “Tình tình tình tang tang tính tang.”
The TikTok song name: See Tình by Hoàng Thùy Linh
See Tình has been featured in tons of TikTok dances by female users, but its popularity mostly hinges on a sped-up version of it that makes the song sound like a hyperactive toddler. If you actually listen to it on its own though (no remixes or speed changes), it becomes a mellow, upbeat song perfect for vibing outdoors on a warm summer afternoon.
See Tình is a Vietnamese song by V-pop singer Hoàng Thùy Linh. The song revolves around a cute crush on a guy and that’s about it. But what sets See Tình is its visually captivating music video that mixes traditional Vietnamese culture with a modern touch straight out of a Doja Cat Planet Her MV.
2. Yucky Blucky Fruitcake by Doechii
What you hear on TikTok: Why don’t you introduce yourself to the class?
The TikTok song name: Yucky Blucky Fruitcake by Doechii
Yucky Blucky Fruitcake is a song from Doechii’s Oh The Places You’ll Go album that’s known on TikTok as a self-introduction soundbite (“My name’s Doechii with two ‘I’s.”) used for showing off outfits and makeup looks.
If you actually listened to it, though, you’ll hear a touching story of self-determination that pays homage to Doechii’s roots.
It starts as an upbeat hip-hop song that wouldn’t sound out of place in a club before becoming a genuinely moving story about a young woman who’s been fighting to discover her place in the world since childhood set to slower, old-school rap.
“I fuck with Junie B, Barbara was my idol
Had to wear my attitude to every dance recital
In my black Taylor Chucks, the ones that laced up to my thighs
Lisa Frank lipstick on my eyes.”
Since that’s around 4 minutes into the song, you won’t be hearing that in the TikTok clip version.
3. Angel Eyes by ABBA
What you hear on TikTok: Sometimes when I’m lonely, I sit and think about him/ And it hurts to remember all the good times/ When I thought I could never live without him
The TikTok song name: Angel Eyes by Abba
A song by ABBA needs no introduction.
Angel Eyes has been used in sad TikToks where people share experiences they’ve realized are pretty messed up and/or just stuff that they think is sad.
It’s a pretty fitting use for Angel Eyes as the song is written from the perspective of a woman seeing her ex with a new lover. While she misses him, she’s compelled to warn the woman of just how terrible her ex is as a person.
4. About Damn Time by Lizzo
What you hear on TikTok: “It’s bad bitch o’clock” or “It’s about damn time” or “Cause I give a fuck way too much / I’ma need like two shots in my cup.”
The TikTok song name: About Damn Time by Lizzo
About Damn Time is a track from Lizzo’s Special album. It’s a funky feel-good track about getting over the blues and embracing your inner power and beauty. If you need a song to start the morning to, you can’t go wrong with this track.
Naturally, About Damn Time has been used as a soundbite in dance TikToks. Honestly, with a beat like that, it takes effort not to dance.
5. Meet Me At Our Spot by THE ANXIETY, Tyler Cole, and Willow Smith
What you hear on Tiktok: Caught a vibe/ Baby, are you coming for a ride?/ I just wanna look into your eyes/ I just wanna stay for the night.
The TikTok song name: Meet Me At Our Spot by THE ANXIETY, Tyler Cole, and Willow Smith
Meet Me At Our Spot is the second song sung by Willow Smith to go viral after the sudden success of Wait A Minute!, a track from her 2015 album Ardipithecus. Meet Me At Our Spot is the alt girl’s summer soundtrack that speaks the language of after-school meet-ups and late-afternoon picnics.
The song’s nostalgic yet happy vibe has made it popular on TikTok for showcasing throwback photos of users starting from their childhood up until their current appearance.
6. Supalonely by BENEE
What you hear on TikTok: I know I f- up, I’m just a loser / Shouldn’t be with ya, guess I’m a quitter / While you’re out there drinkin’, I’m just here thinkin’
The TikTok song name: Supalonely by BENEE
Supalonely is one of those deceptively happy songs that sound like they’re about being happy but actually have a depressing message. But since the beat is cheery, it still ended up being a TikTok soundbite for dances.
The song first became popular on TikTok in 2020, but it’s still being used today for many videos which is a testament to the song’s lasting power in an app that’s built for microtrends.
7. DARARI by Treasure
What you hear on TikTok: Dararararari~
The TikTok song name: DARARI by Treasure
Treasure’s DARARI is one of the bigger casualties of TikTok as the song is mostly known for the repeating lines of its chorus. If you bother to listen to the rest of it though, it’s a cute love song sung from the perspective of a shy singer whose creative work is inspired by their lover.
While TikTok sound bites often don’t do justice to the TikTok songs they’re taken from, there’s no denying that TikTok has helped make these artists and their songs reach a wider audience, empowering them to create more music that normally wouldn’t be approved by big labels.
Aside from making TikTok songs go viral, the app has been credited for changing the music scene for a new generation of artists who would otherwise not gain traction with a mainstream audience.
