Reels have become one of the most popular ways for people to create and share short form video content on social media. On platforms like Instagram and Facebook, reels allow users to record 15-60 second multi-clip videos combined with audio, effects, and creative editing. One of the things that makes reels so engaging is users’ ability to showcase their creativity by dancing, lip-syncing, or reacting to trending songs and audio clips. This has led to certain songs going viral on reels as many creators make reels using the same popular tunes. So what is the song that everyone seems to be dancing to on reels right now?
Current Top Reels Songs
The songs that gain the most traction on reels tend to be upbeat, catchy pop songs with an energetic beat and easy to memorize lyrics or hooks. Songs that inspire dance trends or challenges also often spike in popularity on reels as users create their own versions. Some of the biggest reels songs at the moment include:
- “About Damn Time” by Lizzo – This funky pop anthem with a feel-good message has inspired many dance reels.
- “As It Was” by Harry Styles – The bubbly disco-pop lead single from Styles’ new album Harry’s House has gone hugely viral on reels.
- “First Class” by Jack Harlow – The hyper-confident rap track has generated numerous reels, especially using the catchy chorus.
- “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals – The mellow, groovy hit has soundtracked many artsy and slowed-down reels.
- “Made You Look” by Meghan Trainor – The retro-inspired Meghan Trainor dance jam has unsurprisingly led to many dance reels.
These current hits have the kind of melodies, lyrics, and rhythms that make them perfect fodder for trends and challenges on reels. They also tend to be widely popular songs dominating music charts and streaming playlists. So reels creators know using these familiar tunes will help their videos appeal to a broad audience.
Factors Driving Reels Song Choices
But what exactly makes a song go viral on reels and inspire so many dance, lip-sync, and trend videos? Here are some key factors:
Catchy Melodies and Hooks
Songs with catchy, memorable melodies and hooks tend to gain traction on reels as they get stuck in viewers’ heads. A distinctive chorus also gives creators an identifiable part of the song to feature or dance to.
Upbeat Tempo and Danceable Rhythm
An energetic, upbeat tempo and danceable rhythmic groove make a song ideal for reels dance trends. Fast-paced songs give creators’ videos a sense of motion and fun.
Trend Potential
Songs that have an element that sparks a dance craze, challenge, or meme have high reels potential. Viral trends inspire many creators to put their own spin on concepts.
Current Popularity
Songs that are already widely popular and getting significant radio play or streaming have a leg up when it comes to dominating reels. Familiarity helps drive engagement and sharing.
Appeal to Reels Demographics
Reels have high usage among Gen Z and millennial demographics. So trending reels songs often have a sound tailored to younger audiences.
Case Study: “About Damn Time” by Lizzo
One song that clearly demonstrates what it takes to blow up on reels is “About Damn Time” by Lizzo. Released in April 2022 as the lead single from Lizzo’s new album Special, “About Damn Time” quickly rose to prominence on reels and TikTok. Here’s a closer look at why it took off:
Catchy, Empowering Lyrics
From the opening lines “Turn up the music, let’s celebrate / I got a feelin’ I’m gon’ be OK,” the lyrics are catchy, fun, and empowering – perfect for reactive and celebratory reels.
Upbeat Retro Sound
The funky disco-pop sound led by bouncing bass and Lizzo’s soulful vocals creates an energetic beat ideal for dancing. The retro roller-rink vibe appeals to Gen Z and millennial nostalgia.
Viral Dance Potential
The pre-chorus “It’s about damn time” lends itself perfectly to a viral shuffled dance trend that blew up on both TikTok and reels.
Existing Lizzo Fanbase
As a hugely popular, Grammy-winning pop star, Lizzo has a massive fanbase ready to help push her new single. Her celebrity profile brought extra momentum.
| Weeks on Billboard Hot 100 | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| 16 weeks (and counting) | #1 for 2 weeks |
As this table reflects, “About Damn Time” clearly had the ingredients to dominate reels and music charts. It shows no signs of leaving the reels zeitgeist anytime soon.
Future Reels Song Predictions
Looking ahead, what songs seem poised to blow up on reels next? Based on rising hits with viral potential, here are some guesses:
- “Super Freaky Girl” by Nicki Minaj – saucy new single perfect for lip-sync and dance reels
- “Break My Soul” by Beyoncé – already inspiring dance videos with its house music vibe
- “Bam Bam” by Camila Cabello – feel-good lyrics and Latin flair could generate trends
- “Late Night Talking” by Harry Styles – smooth, funky sound and romance-themed lyrics
- “About You” by The Kid LAROI – catchy pop-punk breakout hit
Pop music will likely continue dominating on reels. But viral meme audio clips, hip hop songs sparking new dances, and nostalgic old hits revived on TikTok can also make their way to reels eventually. The reels musical landscape remains fast-moving!
Conclusion
In an era when TikTok and reels dominate as platforms to consume music and trends, certain songs emerge as ubiquitous anthems. Factors like catchy melodies, danceable rhythms, meme potential, and existing popularity make some current hits unescapable on feeds. “About Damn Time” by Lizzo has been the defining reels sensation – an empowering retro jam inspiring dance videos across genres. And fresh songs like “Super Freaky Girl” seem ready to pick up the reels baton next. While it’s impossible to definitively predict which songs will explode online, keeping an eye on rising hits with viral momentum is key. One thing is certain: creative reels creators will continue churning out engaging videos using whatever songs provide the perfect soundtrack to capture a cultural moment.