Trending Instagram Reels Songs 2025 | Complete Guide for Beginners
Instagram Reels remains the leading platform for creative content, and music plays a significant role in its viral impact. In 2025, certain tracks have emerged as the soundtrack of trends spanning festive themes, high-energy fashion reels, aesthetic storytelling, and viral meme/POV sounds. Using the right music can elevate your content, increase engagement, and make clips stand out on the platform. Understanding the top trending songs, their genres, best use cases, and reasons for popularity provides creators with a strategic advantage.
Top Festive & Holiday Tracks
During the holiday season, Instagram creators focus on songs that evoke nostalgia, joy, and festive energy. These tracks are ideal for decorations, gift guides, unboxing videos, and cozy photo montages.
| Song Title | Artist | Best Use in Reels | Popularity Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| All I Want for Christmas Is You | Mariah Carey | Holiday decor, gift guides, festive transitions | Evergreen classic, instant recognizability |
| Last Christmas (Pudding Mix / Remastered) | Wham! | Nostalgic photo dumps, December recap montages | Sentimental, widely shared |
| Santa, Can’t You Hear Me? | Kelly Clarkson | High-energy transitions, unboxing videos | Fun, upbeat energy |
| Jingle Bells (Retro Jazz Rendition) | Traditional / Jazz Version | Behind-the-scenes prep, small businesses, bakeries | Nostalgic, charming vibe |
These songs dominate Reels in December because they instantly signal festive content and help creators connect emotionally with viewers.
High-Energy & Transition Tracks
High-energy audio is ideal for fashion edits, dance challenges, GRWM (Get Ready With Me) content, and fast-paced videos. Syncing video transitions to musical beats keeps viewers engaged.
| Song Title | Artist | Best Use in Reels | Popularity Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chanel | Trending Audio | Outfit transitions, slow-motion luxury edits | Sleek, rhythmic, versatile |
| Apt. | Rosé & Bruno Mars | Fast-paced cuts, synchronized movements | Global hit, energetic |
| Breakin’ Dishes | Rihanna | “Boss energy” clips, sassy transformations | Empowering, viral potential |
| Gas Pedal (Remix) | Sage The Gemini feat. Justin Bieber | Fitness, automotive, high-impact content | Catchy, attention-grabbing |
High-energy songs are most effective when paired with sharp edits or transformations, making them ideal for viral content.
Aesthetic & Storytelling Tracks
For reflective, “day-in-the-life,” or cozy content, these sounds provide a calming or emotional backdrop. They work well for vlogs, morning routines, and cinematic clips.
| Song Title | Artist | Best Use in Reels | Popularity Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addicted to You (Aesthetic Edit) | Custom / Viral Edit | Year-end reflection, couple reels | Dramatic, emotional |
| Daisies | Justin Bieber | Morning routines, cozy winter vlogs | Calm, relatable, mellow |
| Iris | Goo Goo Dolls | POV reels, relatable moments | Nostalgic, storytelling-friendly |
| Birds of a Feather | Billie Eilish | Cinematic travel, “main character” edits | Trendy, visual appeal |
Using aesthetic tracks adds depth to storytelling, helping Reels feel more personal and cinematic.
Viral Meme & POV Sounds
Meme-worthy audios and POV trends continue to thrive, allowing creators to insert humor, irony, or relatable commentary into short videos.
| Song / Sound | Artist / Source | Best Use in Reels | Popularity Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chill Guy | Hinoki Wood – Gia Margaret | Relaxed reactions to chaotic moments | Lighthearted, highly sharable |
| Come on Superman, Say Your Stupid Line | Movie/Clip Audio | Humble brags, ironic situations | Funny, dramatic hook |
| Hidden Message Trend | “Please” / “Love Letters” | Spell out secret wishes via text overlay | Creative, interactive, viral potential |
Viral meme sounds rely on timing and relatability. Combining them with text or POV storytelling encourages shares and repeat views.
Why These Songs Trend
- Cultural Relevance: Tracks blend global genres—pop, K-pop, Latin, jazz, and indie, allowing creators to appeal to broad audiences.
- Emotional Resonance: Songs like “Iris” or Mariah Carey’s classic instantly evoke feelings, increasing engagement.
- Algorithmic Boost: Trending audio is prioritized in Instagram’s Explore feed, helping early adopters go viral.
- Versatility: Songs work across multiple content types, from festive and fun to reflective and aesthetic.
Tips for Creators
- Sync to Beats: Align transitions and visuals with key beats for smoother, professional-looking Reels.
- Use Emotional Peaks: Highlight dramatic or funny moments during choruses or tempo shifts.
- Blend Original Audio: Subtle background music with dialogue keeps narrative integrity while leveraging trending sounds.
- Stay Updated: Instagram trends change weekly. Check Explore or Trending Audio for fresh ideas.
- Be Creative: Combine multiple trend categories, holiday, aesthetic, and meme sounds to stand out.
Conclusion
In 2025, Instagram Reels are defined by the songs that accompany them. From festive classics to viral meme sounds and high-energy fashion tracks, music has become the soul of content creation. Using trending tracks strategically allows creators to enhance storytelling, evoke emotion, and increase engagement. Combining rhythm, aesthetic appeal, and trend awareness ensures your Reels are visually compelling and highly shareable, resonating with audiences worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the top trending Instagram Reels songs in 2025?
The top Instagram Reels songs in 2025 include festive tracks like All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey, high-energy tracks like Apt. by Rosé & Bruno Mars, aesthetic storytelling songs like Iris by Goo Goo Dolls, and viral meme/POV sounds like Chill Guy by Hinoki Wood.
Which songs are trending in December 2025 on Instagram Reels?
For December 2025, the most used tracks are:
1. All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
2. Last Christmas (Pudding Mix / Remastered) – Wham!
3. Santa, Can’t You Hear Me? – Kelly Clarkson
4. Jingle Bells (Retro Jazz Rendition) – Traditional / Jazz Version
What are the top viral memes or POV sounds on Instagram Reels?
Trending viral and POV audios include:
1. Chill Guy – Hinoki Wood
2. Come on Superman, Say Your Stupid Line – Clip Audio
3. Hidden Message Trend – “Please” / “Love Letters”
Which high-energy songs should I use for Instagram Reels?
High-energy and transition tracks include:
1. Chanel – Trending Audio
2. Apt. – Rosé & Bruno Mars
3. Breakin’ Dishes – Rihanna
4. Gas Pedal (Remix) – Sage The Gemini feat. Justin Bieber
What aesthetic or storytelling songs are best for Reels?
Popular aesthetic and storytelling songs are:
1. Addicted to You (Aesthetic Edit) – Viral Edit
2. Daisies – Justin Bieber
3. Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
4. Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish
