7 Instagram Reels Songs Dominating Summer 2025

Instagram Reels has transformed into a cultural soundboard where nostalgia, emotion, and algorithmic momentum collide.

While 85% of Facebook videos are watched without sound, Instagram Reels see approximately 50% muted viewing according to platform leadership.

However, captioned Reels drive 12–50% higher completion rates by ensuring accessibility and retention critical for algorithmic reach.

Here’s how seven songs, spanning synth-pop, Y2K classics, K-pop crossovers, and viral ballads are fuelling engagement for brands and creators.

1. “Fame Is a Gun” – Addison Rae

Stats:

23.3K+ Reels (Aug 2025)
Peak Chart Position: #23 UK Singles
Vibe: Dark, theatrical synth-pop exploring celebrity duality

Why It’s Viral:
Rae’s critique of fame’s seductive danger (“Fame is a gun and I point it blind”) resonates with Gen Z’s digital identity anxiety. Its “Grimes-meets-Gaga” production and surrealist music video fuel meme-worthy transitions.

Brand/Influencer Use Cases:

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Luxury Fashion: Gucci paired slow-motion accessory zooms with lyrics about “the glamorous life,” driving 33% higher engagement vs. generic audio.
Mental Health Advocacy: Influencers use it for “real vs. curated self” transitions.
Beauty Tutorials: Sephora creators sync beat drops with “gunshot” eyeliner flicks.

Pro Tip: Use #FameIsAGunChallenge for UGC campaigns – its lower saturation offers untapped virality.

2. “Oops!… I Did It Again” – Britney Spears

Stats:

252K+ Reels (Aug 2025)
Legacy: Diamond-certified, 1.3M+ first-week sales (2000)
Vibe: Playful Y2K dance-pop with iconic spoken bridge

Why It’s Viral:
Nostalgia drives 78% of Reels engagement for Gen X/Millennials. The 25th-anniversary remixes (2025) amplified its algorithmic appeal.

Brand/Influencer Use Cases:

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Retail Fashion: ASOS uses it for “2000s vs. 2025” outfit comparisons, tagging low-rise jeans (→ 42% higher CTR).
Food Brands: Dunkin’ created “oops” coffee-spill Reels + quick fixes, humanising the brand.
Dance Challenges: Influencers like (@justneto) recreate the red catsuit choreography.

Pro Tip: Post on Thursdays nostalgia content peaks pre-weekend.

3. “See You Again” – Tyler, The Creator ft. Kali Uchis

Stats:

289k + Reels (low saturation = high discovery)
Streams: 1B+ on Spotify
Vibe: Dreamy neo-soul about unfulfilled longing

Why It’s Viral:
Lyrics like “I don’t see you enough” suit travel/romance edits. Spotify’s algorithm pushes it to “Chill Vibes” playlists.

Brand/Influencer Use Cases:

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Travel Agencies: Airbnb overlays it on sunset montages (→ 29% more saves).
Wedding Planners: “First look” ceremony Reels tagged with floral designers.
Sustainable Fashion: Reformation pairs it with linen dress slow-pans for “dreamy” aesthetics.
Creative Education: Photography accounts like @jxframes leverage the song to teach composition (e.g., symmetry, negative space), proving its versatility beyond traditional industries.

Pro Tip: Add text overlays (“Wish you were here!”) to enhance mute viewing.

4. “Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter

Stats:

2.8M+ Reels
Chart Peak: Top 10 Billboard/Spotify (13 weeks)
Vibe: Upbeat, cheeky, meme-friendly pop

Why It’s Viral:
The hook (“That’s that me espresso”) and danceable tempo drive high retention rates, a key algorithmic ranking factor.

Brand/Influencer Use Cases:

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Fitness Brands: Gymshark pairs rapid workout transitions with beat drops (→ 58% engagement boost).
Food & Beverage Companies: The @mirrorglazeart example shows potential for bakeries/cafés to showcase morning prep routines.
Starbucks’ barista dances align with “morning routine Reels” trends.

Pro Tip: Use during 7-9 AM commute hours to match audience energy.

5. “Apt.” – Rosé & Bruno Mars

Stats:

7M+ Reels globally
Chart Peak: #1 Billboard Global 200 (13 weeks)
Vibe: Romantic K-pop/R&B fusion with dual-tempo production

Why It’s Viral:
Blends Rosé’s ethereal vocals and Bruno Mars’ soulful flow. Its slow-to-upbeat structure suits emotional buildup + high-energy payoffs.

Brand/Influencer Use Cases:

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Beauty: Sephora’s GRWM Reels sync “glow-up” reveals to the chorus (→ 27% more shares).
Fashion Styling: @helen.thomson.styling uses the track for client “alter ego” reveals, pairing the romantic vibe with dramatic style transformations.
Couples Content: Tandem dances (#AptDuet) drive 40K+ UGC recreations.

Pro Tip: Cross-promote on TikTok – 65% of sounds migrate to Reels within 2 weeks.

6. “Die With a Smile” – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars

Stats:

2.9M+ Reels
Chart Peak: #1 Billboard Global 200 (10 weeks)
Vibe: Cinematic ballad with emotional crescendo

Why It’s Viral:
Dramatic piano intro encourages full Reel plays – Instagram’s algorithm prioritises retention. Perfect for storytelling formats.

Brand/Influencer Use Cases:

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High Fashion: @couturenotebook uses the song’s crescendo to showcase Tony Ward Couture’s gradient embroidery dress, syncing the fabric movement with the swelling orchestration.
History/Education: @InsideHistory pairs the ballad with nostalgic archival footage, like Princess Diana laughing at Mr. Bean’s comedy, using the emotional tone to enhance historical storytelling .
Influencers: “Then vs. Now” growth stories using the bridge for transitions.

Pro Tip: Post on Sundays, engagement with reflective content peaks.

7. “Diet Pepsi” – Addison Rae

Stats:

250K+ Reels
Critical Praise: “Lana Del Rey meets hyperpop” (Hypebae)
Vibe: Sultry retro-pop with Gen Z irony

Why It’s Viral:
Lyrics like “losing all my innocence in the backseat” tap into Y2K nostalgia and coming-of-age themes. PepsiCo’s organic integration fueled UGC.

Brand/Influencer Use Cases:

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TV Fashion Inspiration: @forevor_and_always uses the track to showcase “The Summer I Turned Pretty” character Belly’s outfits, syncing outfit transitions with the song’s retro beats.
Beauty Tutorials: @pinkhoneyuk pairs the song’s dreamy vibe with their signature pink undereye makeup routine, creating an aesthetic mood that matches the track’s nostalgic feel.
Contemporary Dance: @lucyisabelturner choreographs a sensual contemporary routine to the song, proving its versatility beyond typical pop uses.

Pro Tip: Leverage early adoption, Rae’s album Addison (August 2025) will spike interest.

Comparative Snapshot: Key Metrics

Song	Artist	Reels Usage	Ideal Industries	Avg. Engagement Lift
Fame Is a Gun	Addison Rae	23.3K+ Reels	Luxury, Mental Health	33%
Oops!…	Britney Spears	252K+ Reels	Retail, Food	42%
See You Again	Tyler, The Creator ft. Kali Uchis	289K+ Reels	Travel, Weddings	29%
Espresso	Sabrina Carpenter	2.7M+ Reels	Fitness, F&B	58%
Apt.	Rosé & Bruno Mars	7M+ Reels	Beauty, Couples	27%
Die With a Smile	Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars	2.9M+ Reels	Nonprofit, Automotive	63%
Diet Pepsi	Addison Rae	250K+ Reels	Beverage, Vintage Fashion	38%

5 Data-Backed Strategies for Brands (2025)

Early Adoption = Algorithm Advantage:
Songs with <500K uses (e.g., “See You Again”) get 3.5× more Explore visibility. Post within 48 hours of trend emergence.
Sync Visual “Moments” to Audio Peaks:
Align product zooms, transitions, or text reveals with musical drops (e.g., coffee cup spin on “Espresso’s” beat).
Leverage Nostalgia-Novelty Hybrids:
Blend old and new (e.g., Spears’ “Oops!” with 2025 fashion) to satisfy Instagram’s “comfort vs. discovery” algorithm.
Prioritise Licensed Audio:
Avoid sounds tagged “Not licensed for commercial use.” Use Instagram’s library or original tracks for EEAT compliance.
Repurpose Top UGC:
Karol G’s team reused fan Reels for “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” driving 57M+ views.