How Sabrina Carpenter (and Others) Turn Songs into TikTok Trends
On TikTok, music isn’t just background noise — it’s fuel. A clever hook or cheeky lyric can spark a trend, launch a challenge, and send a song straight up the charts.
In this scroll-happy landscape, wordplay is currency, and artists like Sabrina Carpenter are cashing in. Her playful, meme-ready lyrics make her songs catnip for creators looking for something funny, flirty, or instantly quotable.
Take this line from “Nonsense”:
“This song’s catchier than chickenpox is.”
It’s absurd. It’s sticky. It’s perfect for TikTok.
Whether it’s a lip-sync, a skit, or a green-screen gag, that kind of lyric invites users to remix, reinterpret, and make it their own. That’s the magic of modern music marketing: the song becomes the trend.
But Sabrina isn’t alone. Artists like Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo, and Lizzo have all cracked the TikTok code:
Doja Cat’s “Say So” kicked off a viral dance thanks to lines that practically begged to be choreographed.
Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers license” turned heartbreak into a global soundbite, with fans using the lyrics to share their own emotional timelines.
Lizzo’s witty self-love anthems? Built for mirror dances, glow-ups, and unapologetic energy.
So, what makes a lyric trend-worthy?
Catchy, clever phrasing
Emotional relatability
Room for interpretation and creativity
TikTok is a playground. The songs that win are the ones that give users something to play with.
In 2025, music promotion isn’t about polished music videos — it’s about moments. One line, one beat, one TikTok sound can change everything. The smartest artists know this, and they’re writing lyrics with the algorithm in mind.
And when the right line hits at the right time? That’s not just a trend. It’s a cultural moment.