What 8 months of search data reveals about your creative brain.
Since launching Sounds Like Search in October 2024, we’ve watched you drop everything from chart-toppers to film scores into our search bar, hoping to find that perfect track (that you can use without being sued).
In case you’ve been sleeping in the back of the class, Sound Like search is basically what it says on the tin — have a specific sound or track in mind? Simply paste the URL of the Spotify or YouTube link into our music search bar, and we’ll find you something that Sounds Like it. Get it? Wonderful.
So, with a massive summer of music in the northern hemisphere — from festival season to huge album releases — we figured it was time to expose your musical obsessions. According to our data, these 10 tracks have been searched more than any others, and honestly, the results are both surprising and a reflection of your impeccable taste…
From Bruno Mars appearing twice (see, impeccable!) to Hans Zimmer making everyone feel feelings, here’s what you clearly can’t get enough of.
1. Bruno Mars & ROSÉ – “APT”
Bruno Mars and ROSÉ take the crown, which makes perfect sense because this track is criminally catchy. You know a song is good when you find yourself humming it basically 24/7 (apparently you should “refrain” from “humming” during a dental checkup — okay fun police!).
No wonder creators are hunting for similar vibes. It’s the perfect soundtrack for anything that needs to feel effortlessly cool, from lifestyle content to brand campaigns that want to seem like they’re not trying too hard (while trying very hard indeed).
2. Hans Zimmer – Interstellar Main Theme
Ahhh Interstellar, the movie that gave us so much. From classic memes to endless insufferable film bro conversations, it’s the perfect film!
And for anyone who has ever had to score anything ever, it’s a nightmare. See, everyone wants their thing to “sound like Interstellar”, and for good reason, Hans Zimmer really cooked here. He channeled something divine and bottled it into the perfect movie soundtrack — and nothing encapsulates the soundtrack better than the main theme.
So, it’s only natural that creators everywhere are trying to capture that same sense of wonder for everything from travel vlogs to tech demos. I can’t blame them—why wouldn’t you want some of that Hans magic?
Explore tracks that sound like Interstellar. And if you’re curious about what makes the film score so unforgettable, check out our deep dive into the Interstellar soundtrack and why it resonates so strongly with creators.
3. Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
Kendrick’s legendary dunk on Drake broke free from being a mere diss track and instead instantly catapulted into mass consciousness. Absolutely iconic savagery.
Sucks if your name is Drake, but for the rest of us? We get to enjoy one of the hardest beats of the year and watch creators try to capture that same confident energy and cultural bite. No pressure, but when your reference track is already perfect, the bar is pretty high. Good thing you have Sounds Like search, aye?
4. Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”
The definition of catchy. Espresso brings that perfect pop confection energy — sweet, addictive, and impossible to ignore (or forget!). Creators searching for this track are usually after something that feels fun without being juvenile, sophisticated without being stuffy.
It’s the kind of reference that works for lifestyle brands, summer campaigns, and any content that needs to feel fun, joyful, and not too serious. Carpenter’s knack for hooks that burrow deep into your cerebellum makes this a natural choice for creators chasing that elusive “instantly catchy” quality.
5. Hans Zimmer – “Time” (from Inception)
Zimmer strikes again, this time with Time — the track that taught an entire generation of creators what emotional buildup sounds like. Starting quiet and contemplative before exploding into something that you feel thumping deep into the very core of your soul and psyche, it’s become the blueprint for profound moment incoming.
This gets searched whenever someone needs their content to Hit Differently. Documentary about climate change? Time. Product launch for a meditation app? Time. Video about literally anything that needs to feel weighty and important? Time it the hell up! Zimmer basically wrote the handbook for making people feel feelings through music. All we can do is stan (and paste his tracks into Sounds Like search).
6. Pharrell Williams – “Happy”
Nearly a decade after its release, Happy remains the gold standard for pure, uncomplicated joy in music. Creators reference this track when they need something that makes people smile instantly — no cynicism, no complications, just pure good vibes.
It’s especially popular for formats like lyric videos, where simplicity and joy go a long way in delivering the message.
Its enduring popularity in searches proves that sometimes the most straightforward approach wins. When you need happy music, you need music that sounds like Happy.
7. Coldplay – “Viva la Vida”
Coldplay, the ultimate brand safe kings. No shade either, they’re sick, and so is Viva la Vida. The orchestral pop masterpiece continues to inspire creators looking for that perfect blend of grandeur and accessibility. The track’s triumphant energy and sing-along quality make it ideal reference material for campaigns that need to feel both grand and epic but also human.
Viva la Vida works equally well in a stadium or through earbuds — a rare quality that explains its persistent popularity among creators (and supermarket playlists).
8. Imagine Dragons – “Believer”
Believer brings that arena-rock energy that translates perfectly to advertising and motivational content. Its driving rhythm and anthemic quality make it go-to reference material for projects that need to inspire action.
From fitness campaigns to corporate presentations, this track represents music that makes people want to get up and do something — a powerful tool in any creator’s arsenal. Just please, stop playing it at barbecues. Please.
9. Mariah Carey – “All I Want for Christmas Is You”
Think of Christmas without thinking of this track. Go on, impossible right? You’ll have better luck teaching a rat to waltz. But even outside of December, Mariah’s Christmas classic shows up in searches from creators planning seasonal content or just needing that specific brand of festive joy.
The song’s ability to instantly trigger holiday emotions has made it a year-round reference point. Its presence in our top 10 proves that great seasonal music transcends its original context — it becomes a feeling you can reference whenever you need it. Plus, who doesn’t want to think of Christmas every now and then. You’re thinking of it right now aren’t you? Nice, isn’t it?
10. Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
Well well well now isn’t this a nice neat conclusion to our top 10. Real full circle moment. Anyway, Bruno Mars secures his second spot in our top 10 with this funk masterpiece, and honestly he deserves it.
Uptown Funk gets searched when creators need that perfect retro-modern sound — something that feels both nostalgic and completely current. The track’s infectious groove and polished production make it ideal reference material for projects that need
to feel celebratory without being cheesy.
What this reveals about your musical souls
Turns out you’re hunting for very specific emotional experiences. Bruno Mars shows up twice because apparently we all just want to feel that good about life. Hans Zimmer appears because sometimes you need your audience to have an existential moment about a software update.
But there’s something deeper happening here. As our social media expert Henry Clarke puts it: “These tracks have become the backbone of TikTok’s most popular formats. Hans Zimmer’s orchestral drama transforms basic photo dumps into cinematic masterpieces, while Kendrick’s harder beats have become the universal signal that you’re about to air someone out or start some digital beef. Meanwhile, APT‘s addictive “apateu apateu” chant and Espresso‘s bubbly pop energy have locked down the GRWM space, with Espresso also spawning countless awkward-but-endearing dance performances that somehow always go viral.”
He’s onto something. These songs hit the exact emotional frequencies that make content stick, whether that’s on TikTok or anywhere else. The mix is all over the place — pop bangers next to film scores, Christmas classics next to hip-hop — which proves that when it comes to creative inspiration, genre is just a suggestion. What matters is whether a track can make someone feel something.
After all, isn’t that why we’re all here?
Try Sounds Like search for yourself
Ready to find your perfect track? Our Sounds Like search feature lets you drop any song URL into our search bar and discover similar tracks that you can actually license. Whether you’re chasing Bruno Mars’ energy or Hans Zimmer’s drama, we’ll help you find the legally cleared equivalent.
And here’s the best part: Sounds Like search is just one part of our extensive music offering. Along with AI-powered originals from MusicGen, copyright protection through Claim Clear, and access to over 300,000 tracks including PremiumBeat’s premium catalog, you’ve got everything you need to find (or create) your perfect track.
Not sure where to start? Use AI music prompts to generate sound ideas based on mood, vibe, or genre. And if you’re still wondering whether a music subscription is right for you, here’s a quick guide to how it works..
The right track is so much more than background music — it’s the difference between content that works and content that works magic.
Feature image: Bruno Mars & ROSÉ – “APT”.
