Katy Perry’s 2011 single, "The One That Got Away," has been named TikTok’s Global Song of the Summer for 2026, demonstrating a significant shift towards older catalog music dominating the platform. The song, initially released as part of Perry’s "Teenage Dream" album, also topped TikTok’s U.S. Songs of the Summer list. This 15-year-old track garnered over 42 million video creations and more than 55 billion views on the platform throughout the summer.
The dominance of catalog music is further emphasized by the fact that the entire top four of TikTok’s U.S. Songs of the Summer list consists of tracks defined as catalog (older than 18 months). Following Perry’s hit were Mac Miller’s "Cinderella" (2016), Lenny Kravitz’s "It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over" (1991), and Malcolm Todd’s "Earrings" (April 2024). This trend reflects a broader pattern observed across streaming services, where catalog tracks accounted for 75.8% of total U.S. audio streams in the first half of 2025, according to Luminate data.
Katy Perry expressed her surprise at the song’s renewed popularity, noting the "surreal" experience of seeing it embraced by a new generation on TikTok. Tracy Gardner, TikTok’s Global Head of Music Business Development, highlighted how the platform helps both emerging artists and older tracks find new audiences, driving momentum beyond the app. The trend extended to the UK, where Kyla and DJ Paleface’s 2008 track "Do You Mind" was TikTok’s UK Song of the Summer, generating over 543 million video views. Notably, five of the top ten UK summer tracks were released before 2010, with Oasis’s "Wonderwall" and "Champagne Supernova" also making the list.
This resurgence of older hits is also relevant financially. Carlyle-backed Litmus Music acquired Perry’s stake in master royalty income and publishing rights for five albums, including "Teenage Dream," in September 2023 for an estimated $225 million. This deal underscores the enduring value of catalog music, even as Universal Music Group retains control over the master rights for her Capitol Records albums. The success of these older tracks on TikTok indicates that catalog music continues to attract a substantial audience and drive significant cultural moments on the platform.
