It seems that TikTok users are massively rediscovering the Music of yesteryear. In any case, this is what a new analysis of platform trends reveals.
In 2024, a record was set in the UK: 19 of the 50 most popular songs were over five years old, the highest proportion since TikTok began tracking these statistics in 2021. This trend is not limited to UK market. Globally, 20 of the 50 most used titles come from historical catalogswith “Forever Young” by the German group Alphaville, a hit from the 80s.
Blood Orange’s “Champagne Coast”, released in 2011, particularly stood out in the UK. The track has been used in more than a million videos this year, propelling the song to number 16 in the UK charts. The disappearance of Universal Music Group from the platform at the start of the year probably also contributed.
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« The platform has created a level playing field for all artists “, says Toyin Mustapha, head of music partnerships for TikTok in the UK and Ireland. “ Older tracks and new releases receive equal attention from the TikTok community ».
Among retro hits, six of the ten most popular titles date from the last century. These include “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone (1974), “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat (1984) and “Kiss of Life” by Sade (1993). Even forgotten B-sides are seeing a resurgence of interest, like “Harness Your Hopes” by the band Pavement, used in 220,000 videos.
Dr Holly Tessler, Senior Lecturer in Music Industries at the University of Liverpool, compares this phenomenon to 90s indie rock fans who sought out little-known tracks to stand out. « People are looking for music that sets them apart », observe-t-elle. « For young fans, there’s no real difference between listening to The Beatles or Taylor Swift. They consider the Beatles to be contemporary music ».
This musical renaissance can also be explained by the intrinsic quality of these pieces. As Dr Tessler points out: “ A good song remains a good song. Young people discover these albums from their loved ones and simply appreciate the music for what it is. “. And you, what legendary hits have you discovered or rediscovered thanks to TikTok? Don’t hesitate to tell us in the comments.
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