A Radiohead Song from 1997 Is on the Hot 100 Charts, Thanks to TikTok
Thanks to TikTok, a track once overlooked by mainstream radio is finally getting its moment in the spotlight. A Radiohead song from 1997 is on the Hot 100 charts, thanks to TikTok, marking a rare resurgence for one of the band’s most beloved deep cuts: Let Down from their landmark album OK Computer.
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For longtime fans, this moment feels overdue. While Creep and Karma Police have long defined Radiohead’s mainstream legacy, Let Down has always been a quiet fan favorite. Its melancholic beauty and yearning lyrics now resonate with a new generation discovering the band through TikTok edits and emotional montages.
Why “Let Down” Resonates on TikTok
Unlike the viral resurgence of Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill or Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams, Radiohead’s track isn’t just a background song for cooking tutorials or fashion clips. TikTok users are connecting with the haunting tone of the track itself.
The song’s bittersweet mix of sadness and fragile hope is striking a chord with younger listeners. In a digital space built on quick trends, Let Down feels timeless — offering emotional depth that makes the content it underscores even more powerful.
From Cult Favorite to Hot 100 Hit
When OK Computer dropped in 1997, critics hailed it as one of the greatest rock albums ever made. Yet Let Down never received the same mainstream push as other singles. That’s changing in 2025, as TikTok has propelled it onto the Billboard Hot 100, giving Radiohead their fourth-ever entry on the chart.
It’s not the first time algorithms and social media have revived older tracks. Pavement’s Harness Your Hopes became a streaming hit years after its release thanks to Spotify’s quirks. But Radiohead’s TikTok resurgence feels different — this isn’t an accident. It’s the organic rediscovery of a song that always deserved more recognition.
A Viral Trend With Emotional Weight
One viral TikTok edit encapsulates this moment perfectly: Philadelphia Phillies fans paired Let Down with a montage of pitcher Zack Wheeler, whose season-ending injury left fans devastated. The choral edit of the track, layered over highlight reels, transformed a sports tribute into something deeply moving.
These edits show how music transcends decades, genres, and even platforms. TikTok has become a cultural time machine, giving overlooked classics like Let Down the recognition they never fully received.
Radiohead’s Enduring Influence
The success of Let Down in 2025 reinforces just how enduring Radiohead’s influence remains. Nearly three decades after OK Computer, the band’s music continues to find new meaning for younger audiences — not through nostalgia alone, but through genuine emotional connection.
With TikTok driving fresh discoveries daily, it wouldn’t be surprising if more overlooked tracks from the ’90s rock era found their way onto today’s charts. For Radiohead, though, this moment proves that their legacy isn’t just locked in the past — it’s still evolving, one viral video at a time.
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