TikTok Music Failures

By: Luci Girolami

Tiktok. You either have it, and if you don’t have it, you have apps like it. Instagram or Snapchat or any other types of viral apps are a present, important part of the world today. Everyday people go viral for anything: dances, opinions, music, and more. Most importantly, celebrities go viral for their music. Both Kendrick Lamar and Chappell Roan are examples of musical artists who are advancing their agenda through becoming viral online, showing a growing number of artists using technology for their advantage. 

When “Apple” by Charlie Xcx was released on the Brat, it blew up the entire album. Though many songs were good additions to the album, each album has one viral song that causes the rest of the album to blow up, even if it is only due to that one song. The song “Apple” is about generational trauma, a meaningful and important topic to address. But, it was so viral that it lost its value. The song follows the story of a daughter, terrified of becoming like her parents and simply wanting to escape. But, because of how viral it was, it lost its meaning, leading listeners to only hear the music, but not understand the message beneath it. 

Additionally, the same problem happened with the song “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar. It was supposed to be a diss track, to bring light on the embarrassing and repulsive actions Drake had performed. But, because it was so viral and was everywhere, it once again lost its meaning. Every time the song was played, it was unnecessary. 

The last song, “Good Luck Babe!” by Chappell Roan, is about a woman regretting her decision of marrying her husband and missing her old high school girlfriend. The message was how certain decisions can be regretful in later years. This important theme can draw light to the regrets everyone has, and how to cope with them. However, TikTok simplified the song and its meaning by turning it into small clips of what it was really supposed to mean.

TikTok is a platform where small businesses can advertise their work, helping ordinary people enhance their business’s presence. Or, TikTok is where all types of drama - good or bad - can grow. But what happens when TikTok music is overplayed, transforming its purpose for negative reasons? TikTok is good to blow up small artists or small businesses, but there are points when it isn’t needed. People need to realize when the music becomes too exasperating and other viewers on the platform start to complain, that it is time to step back and stop using the audio. Therefore, the music can be better appreciated in another setting.