How to Find Viral Song Ideas for Playlist Sets

What Is a “Viral” Song for a DJ?

When we talk about a viral song, we don’t just mean a song on the radio. For DJs, a viral track is a short audio clip that gets popular on apps like TikTok or Instagram. It could be a sped-up version of an old song, a funny sound clip, or a new remix.

These sounds become popular because they are catchy and full of energy. Your job as a DJ is to find these popular clips and use them to get the crowd excited.

Where to Find Viral Song Ideas

Finding these songs early means you need to look in the right places. Don’t just wait to hear them on the radio. You need to be an active searcher. Here is a simple workflow you can use every week.

1. Watch Short Videos

This is where most viral sounds start. Spend a little time each day on these apps, but do it with a goal: finding music.

• TikTok: Look at the “Sounds” page to see what is trending. Watch the music in popular videos your crowd likes, such as dance challenges or wedding videos.
• Instagram Reels: The audio tab in Reels will show you popular songs and sounds. Instagram often shows you things you are interested in, so it can help you find music in your favorite genres.
• YouTube Shorts: This is a great place to find different trends, sometimes from other countries, that haven’t hit TikTok yet.

2. Check Music Charts and Apps

A trending sound is not always a full song. The next step is to find the real track.

• Spotify: Look for the “Viral 50” playlists. Spotify has these for different countries, and they show you what’s blowing up on social media.
• Shazam: Use the Charts feature in Shazam to see what songs people are trying to identify in your city. If a lot of people at local clubs are Shazaming a song, it’s a good sign.
• SoundCloud & Beatport: Check the “Hype” charts. Many new remixes and edits from DJs appear here first.

3. Look in DJ Communities

Other DJs are your best friends for finding new music.

• Reddit: Look for groups like r/DJs. DJs in these groups often share their “secret weapons” and talk about new tracks.
• DJ Pools: Websites for DJs, like BPM Supreme or DJCity, have sections for trending music. They often give you special versions of songs with intros and clean lyrics that are perfect for mixing.

Will This Song Work in My Set?

Not every viral song is good for the dance floor. Before you add a new song to your playlist, ask yourself a few questions.

• BPM (Tempo): Is the song fast or slow? A very fast TikTok song might work for a high-energy moment, but not for a chill dinner set.
• Energy and Feel: Does the song have a good beat? Does it build up and drop excitingly? You need a song that is more than just a short, repeating loop.
• Good for Mixing: Does the song have an intro or outro without words? If not, you might need to find a special “intro edit” to mix it smoothly.
• Your Audience: Will the people at your event know this song? A funny internet meme song might be great for a college party, but not for a formal wedding.
• Sound Quality: Does the song sound good? Never use low-quality audio ripped from a social media app. Find a high-quality version from a DJ pool or music store.

Finding the Right Versions of Viral Songs

The original version of a viral hit is often not the best one for a DJ set. You will usually need a special edit to make it work. Look for these types of versions:

• Intro Edits: These add a few bars of instrumental beat at the beginning, giving you time to mix the song in.
• Remixes: A good remix might add a stronger drum beat or change the style of the song to fit your set better.
• Mashups: These combine the vocals of the viral song with the beat of a well-known classic. This makes the new song feel more familiar to a wider audience.

How to Organize Your New Songs

A great song is useless if you can’t find it when you need it. As soon as you get a new track, put it in the right playlists in your DJ software.

Create playlists based on:

• Energy: Make playlists for low, medium, and high-energy songs.
• When to Play: Create lists for Warm-Up, Peak-Hour, and Closing songs.
• Mood: Use tags like Fun, Hype, Singalong, or Chill.

This system helps you quickly find the perfect viral track for any moment during your gig.

How to Use Viral Songs in a Live Set

Now for the fun part: playing the song for a crowd. You can use viral tracks to create big moments.

• Tease the Song: Play just a small, famous part of the viral song over another beat. Then, stop the music and drop the full song. The crowd will go wild.
• Let the Crowd Sing: If the song has a vocal hook everyone knows, cut the volume and let the audience sing the words. This is a great way to get everyone involved.
• Clever Mixes: Try mixing the viral song with an older hit that has similar words. This shows your creativity and gives the crowd a fun surprise.

By following these steps, you can stay ahead of the trends and keep your DJ sets feeling fresh and exciting.