TikTokers are speeding up songs - but are we forgetting the originals?

In recent times, a fascinating trend has emerged in the world of music, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok. This trend involves the creation of sped-up versions of popular songs, which are often used in short videos featuring dances or other entertaining themes. Many music fans are now more familiar with these 15-second snippets than with the original tracks. A notable example of this phenomenon is RAYE's single 'Escapism,' which gained significant popularity through fan-made sped-up versions. This surge in interest helped RAYE achieve her first number one on the UK Official Singles Chart, nearly three months after the original song was released. The trend began with a specific lyric that resonated with listeners, leading them to share their own stories of 'dumb decisions' while enjoying the sped-up versions.

The rise of sped-up music presents a modern challenge for artists and songwriters. They must consider how to create hit songs when the versions that listeners are engaging with may sound quite different from the originals. The concept of speeding up music is not entirely new; it originated in the early 2000s with a Norwegian DJ duo called Nightcore, who popularized the practice of increasing a song's pitch and tempo. Today, this trend is prevalent across various social media platforms, where users can adjust the speed of podcasts, voice notes, and videos to consume content more quickly. For instance, in 2023, over a third of Spotify listeners in the US were reported to be speeding up their podcasts, while nearly two-thirds preferred to listen to songs at a faster tempo. Spotify has even confirmed that it is testing a new feature that would allow users to remix the tempo of songs and share their creations. Dr. Mary Beth Ray, an expert in digital music culture, notes that short-form video platforms like TikTok can limit our listening experiences to brief snippets. However, these constraints also provide a unique opportunity to experience tracks in a fresh way. She explains that short clips can deliver a quick dopamine rush, which makes them addictive and encourages users to engage with the content.

The pressure to adapt to this trend is palpable among established artists and music labels. For example, Sabrina Carpenter's single 'Espresso' was released in multiple versions, including 'Double Shot' and 'Decaf,' which garnered millions of streams. Maia Beth, a DJ at BBC Radio 1, believes that the trend has become impossible for musicians to ignore. She suggests that if artists do not release a sped-up version of their songs, someone else might take the opportunity to do so. While she personally finds it hard to listen to a sped-up version of a song in its entirety, she acknowledges that these versions can help artists gain visibility and go viral, even if that initial success may not be sustainable. Unlike professional remixes, these unofficial sped-up or slowed-down versions are typically shorter and can be easily created by anyone using apps like TikTok and Instagram Reels. Interestingly, some of the biggest pop stars are embracing this trend. In 2022, Summer Walker released the first entirely sped-up album, a remixed version of her 2018 record 'Last Day of Summer,' which was inspired by a dance trend on TikTok. Billie Eilish has also released official fast and slow versions of her songs, while other tracks like 'Please Please Please' and 'Espresso' have received similar treatment. TikTok has observed an increase in the number of sped-up and slowed-down versions of songs that were initially unofficial but later became officially released. These altered versions are now included alongside the original songs in the UK Official Singles Chart, along with remixes, acoustic versions, and live performances, helping artists climb the charts.

Despite the excitement surrounding this trend, not everyone is pleased with the rise of sped-up versions. The popularity of these altered tracks can make it challenging to differentiate between the original and the remix, potentially distorting the artist's intended pacing, mood, and tone. In March, Lil Yachty expressed his embarrassment on the A Safe Place Podcast when he discovered that additional versions of his song 'A Cold Sunday' had been released without his consent, prompting him to request their removal. Similarly, during a concert in October 2022, Steve Lacy's audience appeared to struggle to sing along to his hit 'Bad Habit,' with some fans suggesting that a popular sped-up version of the song was more recognizable to them. While some artists appreciate the trend, others are less enthusiastic about it. Nevertheless, it seems that sped-up versions are here to stay. For 23-year-old artist and producer tonka. _. b from London, adjusting the speed and tempo of her music is an integral part of her creative process. She enjoys listening to her songs at different speeds—sped-up, slowed down, and at normal tempo—because each version offers a unique experience and opens doors to new audiences.