“Eight Days a Trend”: Gen Z Drives Beatles Resurgence on TikTok and Spotify
The Beatles may have officially disbanded over five decades ago, but their cultural impact continues to echo louder than ever—especially among Generation Z. Platforms like TikTok and Spotify have seen a remarkable surge in Beatles-related content, with classic hits like “Here Comes the Sun” and “Come Together” racking up millions of streams and soundtracking viral videos. From makeup tutorials and nostalgic slow-motion montages to ironic memes and aesthetic edits, Gen Z is breathing new digital life into the Fab Four’s legendary discography.
Spotify, too, is witnessing an uptick in Beatles streaming stats—particularly among users aged 16 to 24. The band’s monthly listeners have crossed the 30 million mark, with Gen Z listeners accounting for an unexpectedly high percentage of new additions to playlists such as “Chill Vibes,” “Study Mode,” and even “Breakup Therapy.” Tracks like “Blackbird” and “Across the Universe” are now being hailed as emotional anthems by a younger audience seeking lyrical depth and sonic warmth in an era dominated by hyper-pop and drill beats.
Industry experts suggest that the Beatles’ timeless appeal lies in their versatility and emotional accessibility. “They wrote about love, alienation, imagination—universal themes that still hit home,” said Lucy Feldman, a music culture researcher at NYU. “What we’re seeing now isn’t just retro appreciation—it’s a full-fledged recontextualization.” Feldman also noted that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr’s openness to new media, especially their collaborations and commentary on AI, NFTs, and streaming culture, helps bridge generational gaps.
The Beatles’ resurgence has also reignited interest in physical media. Vinyl sales of classic Beatles albums like Revolver, Rubber Soul, and Abbey Road have soared in recent months. Independent record stores are reporting a noticeable uptick in Gen Z customers hunting for vintage pressings or purchasing newly reissued LPs. Meanwhile, online Beatles fandom has blossomed on Reddit, Tumblr, and Discord, where teens debate the merits of Sgt. Pepper over The White Album and share AI-generated Beatles mashups and fan art.
With documentaries like Get Back and archival projects making headlines again, and with Paul McCartney himself chiming in on TikTok trends, it’s clear that the Beatles are not just living in the past—they’re actively thriving in the present. As one TikTok user captioned under a dreamy edit of John Lennon: “Timeless music for a timeless mind. Lennon lives rent-free in 2025.” Whether it’s for irony, aesthetics, or authentic admiration, one thing is certain—Gen Z’s love for the Beatles is more than just a phase. It’s a revolution, re-streamed.
