Justin Bieber’s "Mistletoe," a festive track released over a decade ago in 2011, has experienced a resurgence in popularity, making its debut on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart dated January 4, 2025. This marks the song’s first appearance on the chart, which measures the most popular songs on TikTok based on usage and audience reach. While this achievement highlights the enduring appeal of Bieber’s holiday classic, it also underscores the power of TikTok in reviving older songs and introducing them to new audiences. The song’s entry onto the chart, albeit at a relatively low position of No. 32, demonstrates how social media trends can significantly impact music consumption and revitalize an artist’s catalog. The timing of "Mistletoe’s" chart debut, right after the holiday season, further emphasizes the cyclical nature of festive music and its predictable resurgence in popularity around Christmas.
The success of "Mistletoe" on TikTok follows the recent chart performance of another Bieber track, "Life Is Worth Living." This earlier entry peaked at No. 12 on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 and remained on the chart for five weeks. This suggests a growing trend of Bieber’s older music finding renewed life on the platform. While "Mistletoe" holds the distinction of being Bieber’s lowest-ranking entry on the TikTok chart, it’s important to note that he has only had two songs appear on this specific ranking, minimizing the comparative context. The fact that both songs gained traction on TikTok within a relatively short timeframe, with "Life Is Worth Living" appearing in October 2024 and "Mistletoe" following just a few months later, indicates a potential shift in Bieber’s fanbase towards the platform or perhaps a concerted effort to promote his older material on TikTok.
"Mistletoe," originally released as the lead single from Bieber’s 2011 Christmas album, Under the Mistletoe, experienced considerable success upon its initial release, peaking at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. This near-top 10 hit further solidifies the song’s enduring popularity and its resonance with listeners. The song’s resurgence on TikTok, years after its original release, highlights its timeless quality and its ability to transcend generational boundaries. While many Christmas songs experience a temporary boost in popularity during the holiday season, "Mistletoe’s" appearance on the TikTok chart in early January suggests a more sustained level of engagement and a continued interest beyond the typical holiday timeframe. This could be attributed to the song’s catchy melody, relatable lyrics, or the nostalgic appeal it holds for those who grew up listening to it.
The delayed arrival of "Mistletoe" on the TikTok Billboard Top 50, despite its popularity during the holiday season, is likely due to the chart’s methodology and the time it takes to collect and process data. While the song likely experienced a surge in usage on TikTok throughout December, its appearance on the chart dated January 4, 2025, reflects the cumulative data from the preceding period. This lag time is common in chart reporting and explains why the song’s chart debut occurred slightly after its peak popularity during the holidays. Furthermore, the expected rapid decline of "Mistletoe" on the chart, along with other Christmas-themed songs, reflects the seasonal nature of such music and the predictable shift in listener preferences towards non-holiday music after the festive period.
The resurgence of "Mistletoe" on TikTok comes at a time when Bieber fans are eagerly anticipating new music, rumored for a 2025 release. While no official announcement has been made, the renewed interest in his older material, fueled by TikTok trends, could serve as a strategic reminder of Bieber’s musical legacy and build anticipation for his upcoming projects. This organic resurgence allows Bieber to maintain a presence in the public consciousness and keep his fanbase engaged while they await new releases. Furthermore, the success of "Mistletoe" and "Life Is Worth Living" on TikTok demonstrates the platform’s potential as a powerful promotional tool for artists, even for established stars like Bieber, to connect with new audiences and revive interest in their older catalog.
The story of "Mistletoe’s" unexpected chart success on TikTok underscores several key takeaways about the current music landscape. It highlights the power of social media platforms like TikTok in shaping music consumption trends and reviving older songs. It demonstrates the enduring appeal of holiday music and its predictable resurgence in popularity each year. It reveals the potential for older songs to find new audiences and gain renewed relevance through social media trends. And finally, it suggests a possible strategic use of TikTok by artists to maintain a connection with their fanbase and build anticipation for upcoming releases. The success of "Mistletoe" serves as a case study for how artists can leverage social media platforms to maintain a strong presence in the public eye and capitalize on the cyclical nature of music consumption.
