TikTok Song of the Summer 2026 revealed: Katy Perry tops the list
TikTok’s Song of the Summer 2026 is Katy Perry’s “The One That Got Away”, while Mac Miller, Lenny Kravitz, Zara Larsson and emerging artists also made an impact.
TikTok has revealed its Song of the Summer 2026, with Katy Perry’s “The One That Got Away” taking the global top spot.
The 2011 hit has enjoyed a major revival on TikTok this summer, while the platform’s wider list highlights everything from catalogue comebacks to emerging artists and K-pop. TikTok has also handed out its Summer Honors, recognising some of the artists, tracks and trends that defined the season.
For independent artists, there’s plenty to take from the results.
Katy Perry’s “The One That Got Away” is TikTok’s Song of the Summer
First released as a single in 2011 from Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream album, “The One That Got Away” has found a completely new audience 15 years later.
The track was used in more than 42 million videos this summer, generating over 55 billion video views in the process. Its revival also helped push the song back onto charts around the world, including the Billboard Global 200, where it has spent 21 weeks.
The song’s resurgence is another example of TikTok’s ability to give older music a new lease of life. Creators used it for everything from covers and TV edits to personal stories about their own “one that got away” moments.
It’s a reminder that a song doesn’t necessarily have an expiry date. A track released years ago can suddenly find a new context, audience and cultural moment.
The other biggest songs of summer
Katy Perry may have taken the top spot globally, but TikTok’s US list shows just how varied the platform’s summer soundtrack has been.
Mac Miller’s “Cinderella” featuring Ty Dolla $ign came in at #2, with creators using the track for romantic photos and relationship edits. Lenny Kravitz’s “It Ain’t Over ’Til It’s Over” followed at #3 after appearing in FX’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.
Meanwhile, Malcolm Todd’s “Earrings” landed at #4, showing that newer artists can sit alongside established names and catalogue favourites when a track connects with TikTok’s community.
Image credits: TikTok
Elsewhere, TikTok crowned Kyla and DJ Paleface’s “Do You Mind” as the UK’s Song of the Summer. The 2008 UK garage track generated more than 543 million video views from 644,000 creations in the UK and returned to the Official Singles Chart as part of its revival.
Image credits: TikTok
TikTok’s Summer Honors
Alongside its main Songs of the Summer list, TikTok has introduced its Summer Honors 2026, celebrating artists and trends that made an impact over the season.
The honours include:
- Outstanding Contribution to the Summer: Zara Larsson
- Misheard Track of the Summer: KITSCHKRIEG feat. Blumengarten and Shirin David – “Du Bist Gut Genug”
- Boyband of the Summer: CORTIS
- Emerging Artist of the Summer: Slayyyter
TikTok is also marking the end of summer with “Songs of the Summer, Vol. 2026”, a digital mixtape built around three of the biggest musical moments of the season: Zara Larsson’s Midnight Sun, Katy Perry’s “The One That Got Away” and CORTIS’ “REDRED”.
What does TikTok’s Song of the Summer mean for artists?
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this year’s list is that there’s no single formula for a TikTok hit.
A 15-year-old pop song, a 2008 UK garage classic and music from emerging artists have all found audiences on the platform this summer. Sometimes a song becomes part of a trend, while other tracks simply find the right creator, community or cultural moment.
That makes TikTok an increasingly important part of music discovery. If you’re looking to release your music, RouteNote can help distribute your music to TikTok and other major platforms worldwide.
Who knows? Next year’s Song of the Summer could be your song.