TikTok’s Songs of the Summer 2026: Here are the tracks that took over this summer

Stockholm, 1 September 2026 – Summer on TikTok has brought everything from old favourites getting a new lease of life to new songs becoming viral sounds. At the same time, nostalgia, heartbreak and big emotions have defined the season, with hits from artists including Katy Perry, Mac Miller and Lenny Kravitz setting the tone for trends, memes, dances and other viral moments. See the full list here.Katy Perry’s 15-year-old hit The One That Got Away sits at the top of the list. Having been used in more than 42 million TikTok videos, it has generated over 55 billion views. The song has also seen a major resurgence in Sweden, where Swedish creators have put their own spin on it, from emotional covers to creating Swedish versions of the song. Globally, the track has found new life in everything from film and TV edits to the soundtrack for this summer’s “my top 5 nightmares” trend. Katy Perry herself joined the trend, ironically using the song in a video in which she reacts to the news that her ex-boyfriend, whom the song is about, has gotten married. Its renewed popularity has also sent the track back onto the charts around the world, including the Billboard Global 200, where it has spent 21 weeks.Katy Perry said: “It's surreal to see The One That Got Away having this moment, all these years later. The thing about music is that you never really know where a song is going to end up, or when someone is going to find it. From seeing it being chosen in the “choose your own adventure” section of my Lifetimes Tour concert film to seeing people discover it on TikTok and make it part of their own stories has been really special to watch. It’s nice to revisit an amazing chapter while watching another unfold.”TOP 10 MOST POPULAR SONGS ON TIKTOK – SUMMER 2026The One That Got Away – Katy PerryCinderella (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) – Mac MillerIt Ain't Over 'Til It's Over – Lenny KravitzEarrings – Malcolm ToddGhetto Love Story – BabyChiefDoitEnd of August – Noah KahanSpend Dat – Yung MiamiSelf Aware – Temper CityDai Dai – Shakira & Burna BoyDANCE... – SlayyyterMac Miller’s 2016 track Cinderella (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) comes in at number two. The line “I've been waiting all life for this moment” resonated with TikTok users, becoming the backdrop for nostalgic reflections on past relationships and different moments in life. The trend has also introduced the artist, who died in 2018, to a new generation of listeners.At number three is Lenny Kravitz’s It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over, originally released in 1991. The classic became another go-to sound for users looking back on relationships and break-ups over the summer. Fourth place goes to Malcolm Todd’s Earrings, a track that initially flew under the radar after its 2023 release, only to go viral on TikTok three years later.BabyChiefDoit’s Ghetto Love Story takes fifth place, with its “Baby, baby, I just wanna dance” chorus inspiring a dance trend of its own. In sixth place, Noah Kahan’s End of August became closely associated with nostalgic “photo dump” videos, soundtracking everything from holiday snapshots and sunsets to memories of summer romances.Yung Miami’s Spend Dat lands at number seven and similarly sparked a viral dance trend. Eighth place goes to Temper City’s Self Aware, which became a major TikTok hit and even earned a spot on Barack Obama’s summer playlist.With football dominating the summer, it’s no surprise that the World Cup also made its mark on TikTok. At number nine is Shakira and Burna Boy’s Dai Dai, the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Throughout the summer, creators could be seen recreating the song's choreography, from fans in Sweden and Spain to a flash mob of finance bros, who joined in from England.Slayyyter’s DANCE… comes in at number ten, becoming the soundtrack to a trend where users switch from looking confused and cheerful to “mogging” – a quick facial or body transformation timed to the song’s chorus.