Show summary Hide summary
- How TikTok and streaming reshaped music discovery
- How Pavement’s “Harness Your Hopes” became the band’s biggest song
- Deftones’ “Cherry Waves” and a Gen Z resurgence for alt-metal
- Aphex Twin’s “QKThr” and the rise of the corecore soundtrack
- Ghost’s “Mary on a Cross”: a B-side turned streaming phenomenon
Social platforms are messy, but they have changed how audiences find music. In the last few years, TikTok and other apps have rescued overlooked tracks, turning B-sides and deep cuts into global hits and introducing classic and experimental artists to new listeners.
How TikTok and streaming reshaped music discovery
Short-form video apps and algorithmic playlists now act as modern radio. Songs once ignored on release can explode months or decades later.
Nas slams music industry over disrespect: teases new music, vows to address it
1992 vocal performances: 3 jaw-dropping moments that still amaze
- Algorithms amplify emotion: Clips that fit a mood or aesthetic spread quickly.
- Gen Z drives rediscovery: Younger listeners adopt older tracks and make them relevant.
- Streaming metrics change narratives: Plays on Spotify and other services translate to renewed attention.
How Pavement’s “Harness Your Hopes” became the band’s biggest song
From obscurity to streaming leader
“Harness Your Hopes” started as a B-side on the CD release of Pavement’s 1999 EP Spit on a Stranger. It was recorded in the late 1990s and largely forgotten for years.
The viral turning point
The track began attracting attention on social media around 2017 and gathered steam on TikTok by 2020. Clips using the song introduced it to a much younger audience.
Measurable impact
- The song eclipsed “Cut Your Hair” as Pavement’s most-streamed track on Spotify.
- It now has tens of millions more plays than older singles, prompting the band to produce an official video for a reissue.
- What was once a throwaway B-side became the group’s signature streaming hit.
Deftones’ “Cherry Waves” and a Gen Z resurgence for alt-metal
Background and album context
“Cherry Waves” appears on Deftones’ 2006 record Saturday Night Wrist. The album was noted for its atmospheric textures and darker tones.
Why it connected with a new audience
In late 2022, TikTok users began pairing the song with moody, aesthetic videos. The band’s blend of heavy and ethereal elements resonated with alternative Gen Z listeners.
Results and ripple effects
- Multiple Deftones tracks trended on social platforms around the same time.
- The exposure brought younger fans into a catalog that spans decades.
- Live interest, playlist placements, and streams all rose after the viral wave.
Aphex Twin’s “QKThr” and the rise of the corecore soundtrack
Electronic mood music meets internet aesthetics
Aphex Twin’s textured, atmospheric pieces found a new audience when visual trends needed emotive soundtracks.
The corecore phenomenon
In 2023, a loosely defined TikTok trend called “corecore” paired disconnected, melancholic clips into statements about loneliness and the world. Tracks like “QKThr” became staples for that aesthetic.
Community reaction
- Many longtime fans welcomed the renewed attention.
- Rather than gatekeeping, the community largely celebrated new listeners.
- The trend underscored how niche electronic music can thrive in short-form formats.
Ghost’s “Mary on a Cross”: a B-side turned streaming phenomenon
How a fan video ignited interest
Originally a B-side from Ghost’s 2019 EP Seven Inches of Satanic Panic, “Mary on a Cross” gained traction after appearing in a fan-made video tied to a popular TV series.
Streaming growth and momentum
- Following the TikTok surge in 2022, the track climbed streaming charts worldwide.
- By August 2022 the song had tens of millions of plays; by early 2026 it reached around 870 million streams on Spotify.
- Unlike some viral hits, this song spread largely through vibe-driven content, not a single dance or meme template.
Long-term effects
The viral moment broadened Ghost’s audience and fed interest in their theatrical aesthetic and catalog.
