Jhené Aiko, Lynyrd Skynyrd, And Richard Marx: Currently Trending Songs

What songs are currently trending online? Well, the path to virality, chart domination, and social media hits is no longer reserved for new, popular songs. The industry has seen an uptick in renewed interest around classic tracks that re-emerge in pop culture thanks to social media, soundtrack syncs, and commercial placements, and sometimes purely by chance. Look no further than the time a man went cruising on his longboard listening to Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” This column will break down all of the older songs that are trending again (and explain why they became popular one more time).

August 7

Jhené Aiko – None Of Your Concern

On 2019’s “None Of Your Concern,” Jhené Aiko got personal. The track delved into her then-former relationship with Big Sean, who guested on the track, and detailed the couple’s issues and the pain of moving on. It followed the pair collaborating on Sean’s “Single Again,” which also looked at their partnership in detail. The track has since been certified double platinum by the RIAA and is experiencing a resurgence as fans share live clips from the star’s tour.

Lynyrd Skynyrd – I Need You

“I Need You” appeared on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s second studio album, Second Helping, in 1974. The song, co-written by Ed King, Gary Rossington, and Ronnie Van Zant, details being away from a loved one and yearning to be back by their side. TikTok users are soundtracking a new trend where they share the people – or things – that they love.

Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting

Richard Marx wrote his 1989 single “Right Here Waiting” as a love letter to his wife, Cynthia Rhodes, while she was away in South Africa filming a movie. He initially sent it to Barbra Streisand to sing but, after she rejected it, recorded it himself. It went on to become a No.1 hit in countries around the world and is now featured in the trailer for Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice sequel.

Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu – Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride

“Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” was the main theme on the soundtrack for Disney’s animated movie Lilo & Stitch. “There’s no place I’d rather be/Than on my surfboard out at sea,” Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu sings in the track, and fans are using the song as the basis for videos sharing their vacations in Hawaii and beyond.

July 31

Deadpool & Wolverine

The action-packed new Deadpool & Wolverine movie reunites Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s titular characters and soundtracks their journey with some huge tracks. Among them are Huey Lewis & The News’ 1985 single, “The Power Of Love,” which was originally written as the theme song for Back To The Future. Chris de Burgh’s signature track “The Lady In Red” joins it on the score, while Fergie’s “Glamorous” offers a more modern contribution to the film. All three are now experiencing a resurgence as viewers share their reactions to the songs’ usage.

La Roux – Bulletproof

La Roux’s 2009 single “Bulletproof” earned the British duo – comprised of Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid – instant success in the U.K. There, the song debuted at No.1 in the charts but, in the U.S., it took more of a slow-burn approach to glory. It wasn’t until June 2010 that the track reached its peak of No.8 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is back in the public consciousness after rapper Kodak Black was filmed singing along to it between brushing his teeth in a car.

Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box

“Heart-Shaped Box” appeared on Nirvana’s final studio album, In Utero, in 1993 and is believed to be about frontman Kurt Cobain’s relationship with his wife, Courtney Love. However, Cobain told biographer Michael Azerrad he had written it about children suffering from cancer. The song is trending online after it appeared in the season finale of The Boys.

Jodeci – My Heart Belongs To U

“My Heart Belongs To U” was the first single to be released from Diary Of A Mad Band, the second album from North Carolina R&B duo Jodeci. On the song, the pair offer to give a partner whatever they want and need to show how much they love them. The song is experiencing a resurgence as part of a dance trend that sees TikTokers performing choreography to the song.

All-American Rejects – Gives You Hell

In 2008, All-American Rejects previews its third studio album, When The World Comes Down, with the lead single “Gives You Hell.” It became the band’s most successful song to date, topping the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 and Adult Top 40 charts and rocketing to No.4 on the Hot 100. The track is being picked up by a new generation of fans as part of a TikTok trend that sees them sharing what makes them respond with the energy in the chorus’ lyrics.

July 24

Norah Jones – “Don’t Know Why”

“Don’t Know Why” was originally penned by singer-songwriter Jesse Harris for his 1999 album, Jesse Harris & The Ferdinandos. Three years later, Norah Jones covered the track, scoring a triple Grammy-winning hit and global success story. Jones’ version peaked at No.30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and entered the upper echelons in the charts in the likes of Australia, Croatia, and New Zealand. It has since been certified double platinum in the U.S. Her take on the song is now experiencing a resurgence, thanks to Jones performing it on NPR’s Tiny Desk.

Fall Out Boy – “Centuries”

“Centuries” served as the lead single from Fall Out Boy’s sixth album, American Beauty/American Psycho, in 2014. It went on to become the band’s first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in eight years and their fourth overall. Its anthemic nature has seen it used as the soundtrack to sports coverage over the years, including on ESPN in the year following its release. As the 2024 Olympic Games approach, the song is once again receiving new interest.

Vangelis – “Chariots Of Fire”

In 1980, Vangelis composed “Chariots Of Fire” as the theme song for the film of the same name. Two years later, the instrumental piece hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, 22 weeks after it first entered the chart, making it the only release by a Greek artist in the chart’s history to reach No.1. Since then, it has been covered in numerous styles by a host of other artists and has become synonymous with TV coverage of sporting events. It is also witnessing a resurgence ahead of the Olympics in Paris.

Chris Stapleton – “Either Way”

Although Chris Stapleton co-wrote “Either Way” with Tim James and Kendell Marvel, he wasn’t the first artist to release it. Lee Ann Womack recorded a version of the track for her 2008 album Call Me Crazy. But, in 2017, Stapleton reprised the song himself, including it on his album From A Room: Volume 1. A year later, it picked up the award for Best Country Solo Performance, with the musician’s heartfelt reflections on the end of a relationship striking a chord with voters. The song is receiving fresh attention after being included on the soundtrack for Tyler Perry’s new movie, Divorce In The Black.

Dove Cameron – “If Only”

Pop star Dove Cameron starred in the Disney Channel’s original movie Descendants in 2015, playing the character of Mal. As part of the role, she performed the song “If Only,” which took the form of an internal monologue about having her heart pulled in different directions. The track is trending following the release of the latest Descendants movie, Rise Of Red, on Disney+.

July 17

Justin Bieber – “Baby”

In 2010, Justin Bieber followed up the early success of his first two singles with “Baby,” a Ludacris-featuring track that made the Canadian pop star a household name worldwide. It earned the singer his first Top Five entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No.3, and entered the Top 10 in charts across the globe. Additionally, the music video held the record for the most viewed video on YouTube for over two years. The song is experiencing a resurgence thanks to a sped-up version of Ludacris’ verse, which is at the center of a lip-syncing trend on TikTok that sees groups of friends miming along to the lyrics.

Smino – “Backstage Pass” ft. Monte Booker & The Drums

In 2020, rapper Smino teamed up with Monte Booker and The Drums for “Backstage Pass,” a contribution to the Madden NFL 21 soundtrack. In the song, the star asks someone to “get down with me,” later trying to convince them that they “really wanna be my only one.” Fans are returning to the track following the announcement of the new NCAA 25 football game and using it to soundtrack football edits.

Bee Gees – “Tragedy”

“Tragedy” was one part of a fruitful writing session for Bee Gees, during which it wrote this song, “Too Much Heaven,” and “Shadow Dancing.” When “Tragedy” was released in 1979, it scored the trio huge success, hitting the top of the charts in both the U.K. and the U.S. The song has played a big part in pop culture since, both in the British band Steps’ cover and in its inclusion on the soundtrack for the West End version of Saturday Night Fever. Now, it has been included in the trailer for Tim Burton’s new Beetlejuice movie.

Danny Elfman – “Alice’s Theme”

Danny Elfman penned “Alice’s Theme” for the soundtrack of the 2010 movie Alice In Wonderland, which Tim Burton directed. The song’s lyrics capture some of the most famous details of the classic tale, from the dream-like nature of the story to its experiments with making Alice bigger and smaller. “Alice’s Theme” is experiencing a resurgence over a decade on, trending in the countries of Spain and Mexico.

Listen to all the best viral tracks on TikTok on Apple Music and Spotify.