Reels on Instagram have become incredibly popular over the past couple of years. Users love being able to create fun and engaging short video clips to share with their followers. Music is a huge part of what makes reels stand out. Adding the right soundtrack can take your reel to the next level.
Certain songs seem to gain more traction than others when it comes to reels. These catchy, upbeat hits get used in reels again and again by creators around the world. Using one of the most popular reels songs is a great way to increase the chances that your reel will go viral.
Top Reels Songs Right Now
Here are some of the biggest reels songs on Instagram at the moment:
- “About Damn Time” by Lizzo – This funky pop song is perfect for dance reels and features retro-sounding production.
- “As It Was” by Harry Styles – The lead single from Harry’s House has an infectious beat that works great for all kinds of reels.
- “First Class” by Jack Harlow – Jack Harlow’s breakthrough hit is smooth and catchy, ideal for travel reels or any type of lifestyle content.
- “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals – The laidback, dreamy vibe of this indie track is great for creative video reels.
- “STAY” by The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber – This catchy collboration dominated the charts in 2021 and remains a reels favorite.
- “INDUSTRY BABY” by Lil Nas X featuring Jack Harlow – The bold beat and lyrics of this Lil Nas X chart-topper make it perfect for memes and comedy reels.
- “Cold Heart” by Elton John & Dua Lipa – This unexpected mashup of Elton John classics has gone hugely viral on reels thanks to its retro appeal.
- “Kill Bill” by SZA – The revenge narrative of this track resonates with users, making it a popular choice for drama or acting reels.
How to Find the Top Reels Songs
Wondering how to stay on top of the latest reels hits? Here are some tips:
- Check Instagram’s own Top Reels chart in the Explore tab. This will show you reels using the most popular songs at the moment.
- Look at which songs creators similar to you are using in their top-performing reels.
- Search relevant hashtags related to reels, music, or memes and see which songs appear frequently.
- Use apps like TuneMoji that suggest trending songs to use in reels.
- Listen to curated reels playlists on streaming services like Spotify to discover new tracks.
Finding the Right Reels Music for You
While using a popular reels song can help get more views, you also want to choose music that fits your brand and content style. Here are some factors to consider:
- Genre – Select a genre like hip-hop, pop, indie, that makes sense for your niche.
- Mood – Pick songs that match the vibe you want to create in your reels.
- Tempo – Faster, upbeat tracks tend to perform better.
- Trends – Look at music that is going viral and aligned with your niche.
- Recognition – Well-known songs can help more users relate to your content.
You can discover new music to use in reels on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Follow playlists related to viral hits, trending songs, or your specific genre. This will give you fresh ideas beyond the most mainstream reels songs.
Tools for Finding Reels Music
In addition to streaming services, there are specialized tools you can use to discover top-performing reels songs:
- TuneMoji – This app analyzes current reels trends to suggest hot tracks for you to use.
- Songfluencer – Discover what music creators in your niche are using for reels.
- Hyros – Get recommendations for mood-based, non-copyright music for reels.
- Epidemic Sound – Search a huge library of copyright-free music of all genres.
Ensuring You Have Rights to the Music
It’s important when sourcing reels music to make sure you have the rights to use the song. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Using copyrighted music without permission can lead to your reel being muted or removed.
- Viral hits on the reels charts tend to be major label songs requiring a license.
- Independent and lesser-known music often grants reels usage rights more easily.
- Tools like Songfluencer show if a track is cleared for use in reels or requires a license.
- Sources like Epidemic Sound offer a paid subscription for unlimited use of their catalog.
Doing your research before selecting reels music will ensure you don’t run into any copyright issues down the line. Services like Lickd offer affordable licenses if you want to use popular commercial songs legally.
Best Practices for Using Reels Music
Once you’ve found the perfect reels soundtrack, make sure you utilize it effectively by following these best practices:
- Pick a short segment of the song with the catchiest lyrics or hook.
- Use songs that are recognizable and elicit an emotional reaction.
- Time transitions and effects in your clip to match the beats and rhythm.
- Adjust audio volume to make the music clearly audible but not overpowering.
- Add text overlays with song lyrics to make the reel more engaging.
- Credit the artist and song name somewhere in your reel caption.
Taking the time to edit your reel carefully around your chosen song will make it as compelling as possible. The music should complement and enhance the visuals.
Top Reels Music Genres
While pop hits dominate many reels, certain genres consistently offer great options for soundtracks. Here are some of the best genres for reels music:
- EDM/Dance Music – The high energy and steady beat makes EDM tracks perfect for dance reels.
- Hip-Hop – Hip-hop instrumentals and verses provide bold, engaging rhythms.
- Pop – Mainstream pop hits and throwbacks provide fun, familiar options.
- Indie Pop – Cool melodies and electronic textures from indie artists can make reels stand out.
- Latin Music – Reggaeton, salsa, and other lively Latin genres are ideal for reels.
- Country Pop – Modern, upbeat country-pop lends reels a fun, Nashville-inspired vibe.
Expanding beyond just current chart hits can give you more variety. Dig into rising songs and catalog tracks from genres that fit your personal brand identity and content style.
Using Trending Sound Clips and Samples
In addition to full songs, many creators make reels using short viral sound bites. These samples take off on reels and inspire countless remixes and reinterpretations. Some examples of trending sound memes are:
- “Oh no, oh no, oh no no no” from TikTok
- “Bones” by Imagine Dragons
- “Lisa dancing to Lady Gaga” audio from The Simpsons
- “Just a little bit” audio of a child singing
- “Corn kid” saying “I like corn”
You can easily find packs of popular sound samples to download or apps that curate the latest viral audio clips and songs. This allows you to capitalize on meme trends related to reels. However, the popularity of sound memes can fade quickly, so stay on top of the latest samples.
Sourcing Trending Songs From Other Platforms
It’s smart to look beyond Instagram when researching popular reels music. Pay attention to songs going viral on other platforms like:
- TikTok
- YouTube Shorts
- Snapchat Spotlight
- Triller
- Pinterest Story Pins
Music trends often start elsewhere before blowing up on Instagram reels. Following hashtags related to short-form video can help you discover rising song choices. Just confirm that you have the rights to use the song before reposting a trend from another app.
Using Reels Music Playlists
Many music streaming platforms like Spotify make dedicated playlists for reels music. Here are some of the top ones to follow:
- Top Reels on Spotify – The official reels playlist from Spotify, updated weekly.
- Reel Hits / Reel Vibes – Apple Music’s constantly updated reels song playlists.
- TikTok Hits / Viral Hits – Great for finding new reels music on Pandora.
- Reel Good – Amazon Music’s playlist of trending songs for reels.
Following these specialized playlists makes it easy to stay on trend with your reels music choices. You can quickly discover both viral hits as well as lesser-known songs recommended for reels.
Sourcing Reels Music from Compilation Channels
On YouTube, channels like LaMusique and Burstimo post hourly compilations of the top-trending reels and TikTok songs. This provides a simple way to sample potential soundtrack options and see what is currently performing well in short-form social media videos.
Compilation channels are useful discovery tools, but you still need to verify licensing for any reels music you find before reposting a song. Streaming playlists offer more legally cleared options in most cases.
Using Non-Copyright or Royalty-Free Music
To avoid hassles with copyright on reels, many creators opt to only use non-copyrighted music. Sites like these offer unlimited access to royalty-free songs and sound effects:
- Envato Elements
- Epidemic Sound
- Shutterstock Music
- Motion Array
- Mixkit
- Free Music Archive
- Creative Commons Music
The tradeoff is that royalty-free music is often more generic sounding than popular hits. But these catalogs can still be great sources for background instrumentals, electronic music, and mood-based tracks to use in your reels.
Using Cover Songs and Remixes
As an alternative to licenses for expensive chart hits, you can find cover versions and remixes of popular songs recorded by lesser-known artists. Sites like these offer a wide selection:
- Soundstripe
- Songtradr
- Music Vine
- Songrendition
The copyright situation can still be tricky with any recognizable remix, so carefully review licensing rules. But professionally recorded cover songs can capture the catchy sound of reels hits without the same level of legal risk or cost.
Sourcing International Reels Music Trends
It can be valuable to look at reels music trends happening globally. Some resources for discovering songs going viral overseas include:
- Musically charts for top international TikTok hits
- Spotify Viral 50 playlists for different countries
- Shazam charts to see trending songs in foreign markets
- Trend-monitoring sites like Trendo and Trend Catcher
Local viral sensations offer a fresh option beyond the standard North American reels soundtrack. Just confirm licensing and localization opportunities before using an international breakout song.
Tools to Edit Reels Music
After selecting your reels soundtrack, you may want to edit the song to fit your video clip better. Here are some helpful tools:
- InShot – Trim/cut clips and mix audio within the app.
- CapCut – Similar editing features tailored for reels creation.
- Reels Manager – Repost and watermark reels plus simple editing.
- Adobe Premiere Rush – Robust audio editing tools like compression and noise reduction.
Basic editing like shortening a song, adjusting volume, or creating seamless audio loops can make your reel flow better. More advanced audio effects may also help a track fit the visuals and vibe.
Following Trendsetters in Your Niche
The top songs for your niche may not always align with the most mainstream reels hits. Pay attention to reels creators in your industry to spot more targeted music trends. Here are some ways to discover what leaders in your field are using:
- Check out reels from leading brands or influencers in your category.
- Search relevant hashtags to your niche and look at top posts.
- See what music is trending on niche sites like Later for social media managers.
- Ask micro-influencers in your field what songs they recommend.
- Follow playlists created for your specific niche like “Country Reels” or “Yoga Flow Reels.”
Identifying songs popular among top creators similar to you can help narrow down the best options for your content, brand and audience.
Consider Original Compositions
Commissioning an original track tailored to your reel is the best way to create a one-of-a-kind soundtrack. Sites like these offer custom, made-for-you music:
- Songfinch
- Jingle Punks
- SoundBetter
- Fiverr
- Upwork
Describe the genre, mood, instruments, tempo and length you want. This gives you 100% copyright clearance to use the track however you like. An original composition can help your reel stand out.
Conclusion
Music is one of the most vital elements for creating engaging, high-performing Instagram reels. Using popular, trending songs can help more users discover and share your reels organically. Do your research to find current hits, niche trends, and undiscovered tracks that will make the perfect soundtrack for your next reel.