Drum and bass remix of Glass Animals’ “Heat Waves” that became a distinct TikTok phenomenon separate from the original song, showcasing how fan remixes can achieve viral success rivaling official releases.
Original Song Context
Glass Animals’ “Heat Waves” was released June 2020 from their album Dreamland. The synth-pop track became a slow-burn hit, eventually topping Billboard Hot 100 in March 2022 after 59 weeks on the chart — one of the longest climbs to #1 in history.
Remix Creation
In mid-2021, producers created sped-up drum and bass remixes of “Heat Waves,” transforming the dreamy original into high-energy DnB. The most popular remix by Lucid Dreams gained traction independently on TikTok.
The fast-paced, bass-heavy version created a different emotional context than the melancholic original.
TikTok Usage
The DnB remix was used for:
- High-energy montages
- Gaming highlight reels
- Workout/running videos
- Fast-cut edits
- “Main character” walk sequences
- Aesthetic night drive footage
The remix audience skewed toward different demographics than the original — more male, more gaming/sports-focused.
Dual Success
The unusual phenomenon saw both the original “Heat Waves” AND its DnB remix trending simultaneously on TikTok for different use cases, demonstrating platform users’ sophisticated audio selection based on content needs.
Glass Animals acknowledged and appreciated the remixes, though they didn’t officially release them.
Streaming Impact
While the remix lived primarily on TikTok and SoundCloud, it drove massive streams to the original “Heat Waves,” contributing to its record-breaking chart run and eventual #1 peak.
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