TikTok is a popular social media app that allows users to create and share short videos. The app features a variety of filters and effects that users can apply to their videos to enhance the visuals and creativity. TikTok filters have become hugely popular, with certain filters sparking viral trends and challenges. One of the most iconic TikTok filters is the Red Light filter, which tints videos or images with a red hue. This filter is commonly used with a particular song that has exploded on TikTok. The pairing of the Red Light filter and this song has led to a viral trend on the platform.
The Red Light Filter
The red light filter is a popular filter on TikTok that tints videos with a red hue. When applied, the filter gives videos a red tint reminiscent of darkroom lighting. It creates an intimate, moody aesthetic that many TikTok creators utilize for dance videos, thirst traps, and more artistic content.
The red light filter dates back to 2019, when TikTok first introduced a suite of retro color filters into the app, including black and white, sepia, and the red filter. However, it wasn’t until 2020 that the red light filter specifically gained major popularity. Creators found it useful for setting a sultry or nighttime vibe in videos. Soon it became widely used in dance trends, transition videos, and other popular TikTok formats.
While the red light filter comes built into TikTok’s editing tools, many refer to it broadly as the “TikTok red light filter.” It has become strongly associated with the app and TikTok aesthetic thanks to its frequent use within dance challenges, comedy sketches, and more.
Origin of the Red Light Filter
The red light filter on TikTok started gaining popularity in late 2021. It originated from a trend where TikTok users would apply the red tint filter to videos with a specific slowed down remix of the song “Moldova” by SB19 playing in the background. This combo of the red filter and song created a sultry, vampiric aesthetic that many users enjoyed.
While the exact origin is unclear, the earliest known videos using this red filter and “Moldova” remix combo began appearing in October 2021. The trend quickly took off, with the hashtag #redlightgarams reaching over 180 million views by December 2021 1. The striking red and black visuals paired with the sensual song seemed to resonate with users.
As the trend grew, the red light filter became firmly associated with this specific viral song. Applying the filter on a TikTok video became shorthand for indicating the “Moldova” remix would be used in the audio. The trend highlighted the creative ways TikTok users can make filters an integral part of music and aesthetic trends on the platform.
Song Associated with the Filter
The song most commonly associated with the red light filter on TikTok is “Red Lights” by Tiësto. Released in 2021, this EDM song quickly became a major trend on TikTok, with creators using the red light filter while lip-syncing or dancing to the track.
With lyrics like “I see red lights, I go crazy, lose my mind, it’s your body” and a pulsating beat, the song matched up perfectly with the red light filter’s sultry vibe. Short clips of the chorus dancing in red lighting became ubiquitous on the platform. The song’s official music video also uses red lighting throughout.
While “Red Lights” was not created specifically for TikTok, the song and its red aesthetic clearly resonated with users. This perfect alignment helped boost the track’s popularity. By mid-2022, “Red Lights” had amassed over 600,000 TikTok videos using the sound.
The viral spread across TikTok exposed the song to millions of new listeners. “Red Lights” went on to become a top 10 hit in over 15 countries, and Tiësto’s biggest solo single to date. The song’s success was heavily driven by TikTok, demonstrating the app’s power to turn music into major trends.
Popularity of the Song/Filter
The red light filter and its associated song quickly grew to massive popularity on TikTok in 2022. As of September 2022, videos using the red light filter have amassed over 300 million views. The explosive growth is due in large part to the mysterious and creepy aesthetic of the red filter, which lent itself perfectly to the darker tone of the lyrics.
Users embraced the brooding vibe and began producing creative videos incorporating the filter and song. Dance trends, outfit changes, and lip-sync videos flooded TikTok and rapidly spread the trend. The initial hype and intrigue surrounding the unspecified meaning of the song lyrics also contributed to its viral status.
Overall, the striking red filter paired with the melancholic song formed a compelling and shareable package on TikTok. The numbers speak to its meteoric rise and resonance among users. While trends come and go, the red light filter established itself as one of the most visible and impactful fads on TikTok in recent memory.
Other Songs Used with the Filter
The red light filter on TikTok gained popularity from the song “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” by Paul Anka, but many other songs have been used as well. Here are some of the most popular:
- “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd – The pulsating beat of this pop hit pairs well with the red filter’s sultry vibe.
- “Hot Girl Bummer” by blackbear – Using the explicit lyrics adds an extra layer of cheekiness.
- “Mood” by 24kGoldn – The laidback flow and catchy lyrics make this a TikTok favorite.
- “Positions” by Ariana Grande – Fans love the red filter with this flirty track.
- “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion – The filter gives an extra edge to this hip hop banger.
- “WAP” by Cardi B – Though controversial, this explicit track is commonly paired with the silhouette challenge.
- “Work” by Rihanna – The island vibes work well with the moody red lighting.
Users get creative matching songs to the filter based on lyrics, mood, popularity, and more. Almost any track can be enhanced by the dramatic red lighting.
Creative Uses of the Filter
The red light filter sparked creativity among TikTok users, who found innovative ways to utilize the effect. Some examples of creative videos include:
Illusion dances – Users performed choreographed dances timed perfectly so that when the filter switched on, parts of their body appeared to detach or float.[1]
Silhouette art – By moving objects or their body in creative ways, users formed silhouette images against the red backdrops.[2]
Unique scene transitions – The filter was used to transition between different scenes and locations in creative videos.[3]
Surreal special effects – Some used the filter creatively to make it appear as if they were floating, transforming, or had supernatural abilities.
Green screen effects – By layering other visuals behind the filter, many used the red light silhouette for fun green screen-like effects.
These innovative videos pushed creativity on the platform and inspired others to find their own unique ways to utilize the simple red light filter.
Criticism and Controversy
The red light filter on TikTok has received some criticism and controversy despite its popularity.
One concern is that the red lighting gives an unnatural, eerie look that some find unsettling or even scary. While creative for dramatic effect in videos, some feel it promotes an unhealthy association between red light and danger or fear.
There are also worries about the impact on mental health and body image. The red filter is sometimes used by creators to conceal perceived physical flaws or imperfections. However, promoting this type of filtering promotes unrealistic beauty standards, especially for young viewers.
Additionally, some medical experts have warned that the red lighting, especially in low light conditions, can potentially strain the eyes by overworking the rods and cones. There are concerns about the long-term impact, particularly on teens and children using the filter regularly.
Issues of privacy and safety have also been raised. The red filter makes it harder to recognize people and settings in videos. This has led to concerns about minors potentially revealing too much identifying information while using the filter.
While creative, the red light filter is not without valid criticism. Addressing these concerns in a responsible manner can help maximize its entertainment value while minimizing potential harm.
Impact and Legacy
The red light filter’s popularity on TikTok had an immense impact on social media and culture. The filter sparked a viral trend of users creating videos with the dramatic red lighting, inspiring countless creative videos. Some users applied the filter cleverly to transform the mood or meaning of their content. The red light filter became an iconic element of the TikTok aesthetic and cemented the app’s status as an innovator in special effects for mobile videos.
However, the filter also stirred some controversy around promoting unrealistic beauty standards, similar to other TikTok filters. Some experts argued the rose-tinted red light gave an artificial beautifying effect that could negatively impact body image, especially for young users. This sparked debate around the potentially damaging mental health effects of filters promoting distorted views of reality.
Overall, the viral spread of the red light filter demonstrated TikTok’s cultural pull and ability to popularize specific aesthetics. The filter’s mixed reception highlighted ongoing discussions around social media effects on self-image and the responsibility of platforms regarding filters. The filter’s significance as both a creative tool and controversial beauty trend cemented its impact on the social media landscape.
Conclusion
In summary, the red light filter on TikTok has become an extremely popular way for users to create engaging videos. The filter is most commonly associated with the song “M to the B” by Millie B, which went viral on TikTok in 2020. While the filter and song combo has been used creatively, both have also been embroiled in some controversy. Critics have pointed to the sexualized nature of some videos using the filter, as well as concerns around promoting illegal behaviors. However, it’s clear that the red light filter has made a major cultural impact. Millions have enjoyed using the filter and song to express themselves and create entertainment. Looking ahead, TikTok will likely continue introducing new filters and sounds that capture the creativity of users. But the red light filter will remain an iconic staple of the app, representing a particular cultural moment in time.
