The TikTok Song Taking Over Music Festivals This Summer: “I Have One Daughter”

UNITED STATES — This summer, one of the most talked-about songs echoing across U.S. music festivals doesn’t come from a traditional chart-topping superstar. Instead, it’s a humorous, offbeat track born on TikTok — “I Have One Daughter” by Luke Holloway — that has gone from a comedic internet moment to a full-fledged streaming and festival phenomenon.

What began as a tongue-in-cheek parody from Holloway’s Turning Terrible Tinder Conversations into Songs series has evolved into what some fans are calling the “accidental summer anthem” of 2025, with DJs, live performers, and festival organizers weaving it into setlists nationwide.

From Viral Skit to Full-Length Festival Hit

Luke Holloway, a Nashville-based creator and musician, first uploaded the snippet to TikTok as part of his comedic series aimed at turning awkward or absurd dating app exchanges into short, catchy songs. The clip about having “one daughter” struck a nerve with users, amassing millions of views and sparking thousands of duet, remix, and lip-sync videos within days.

In an interview with People, Holloway admitted he never planned for the joke to leave TikTok’s short-form format. “I thought it would be a 30-second laugh,” he said, “but people kept asking where they could stream it.”

By popular demand, Holloway recorded a full version and released it on streaming services in early summer. Almost immediately, it began popping up on festival stages — from small-town gatherings to high-profile multi-day events.

Why Festivals Can’t Get Enough

Several factors explain why “I Have One Daughter” has thrived in the festival circuit:

1. Instant Recognition – Thanks to its viral success, festival crowds already know the hook, which makes it an easy singalong moment.
2. Humor + Energy – Festivals thrive on high-energy, shared experiences. The song’s playful tone provides a lighthearted break between more intense performances.
3. Cross-Genre Appeal – As Billboard has noted, TikTok-driven hits often defy genre boundaries, making them versatile additions to diverse festival lineups.

TikTok’s Influence on Festival Playlists

The rise of “I Have One Daughter” is a textbook example of TikTok’s growing influence on live music. In recent years, viral clips have not only driven chart placements but also reshaped how festival organizers build their setlists.

A programming director for a Midwest summer festival told Variety that his team now monitors TikTok’s trending sounds daily. “If a track is blowing up online, chances are the crowd will expect to hear it live,” he explained.

In this case, Holloway’s song gained such a foothold that even artists outside his genre began referencing or sampling it in their festival sets — a trend similar to what happened with viral dance tracks like Renegade or Savage Love.

The Artist Behind the Meme

While Holloway is enjoying the spotlight, he’s also careful not to be pigeonholed. Known locally for blending folk, indie pop, and comedic storytelling, he sees this viral moment as an entry point for listeners to discover his broader discography.

According to People, Holloway has already booked a small headline tour for late 2025, where he plans to play the hit alongside more serious original material. “It’s fun, but it’s just one part of who I am as an artist,” he noted.

Fan Reactions at Festivals

Social media has been flooded with clips of the song being played live — whether by Holloway himself, a DJ, or even a surprise cameo during another artist’s set. On Instagram and TikTok, fans post videos of massive festival crowds shouting the chorus in unison, creating a surreal full-circle moment for a track that started as a dating joke.

One viral post from Lollapalooza showed a sea of glow sticks bouncing in rhythm as a DJ dropped the “I Have One Daughter” hook, drawing over 3 million views in 48 hours. “It’s like the unofficial handshake of the summer,” one commenter wrote.

A Lesson for Artists and Organizers

The runaway success of “I Have One Daughter” highlights several takeaways for the modern music industry:

• For Artists: Short-form platforms like TikTok can turn niche humor into mainstream hits — and open doors for live bookings.
• For Festivals: Curating for internet-savvy audiences can deepen crowd engagement and make for more memorable moments.
• For Fans: The lines between online culture and real-world events are increasingly blurred, meaning a viral joke today could be your favorite festival anthem tomorrow.

As Rolling Stone observed in a recent feature, the trend signals a shift in how live music responds to digital virality, making space for unconventional songs that resonate emotionally — even when they start as comedy.

What’s Next for the Viral Anthem?

With the summer festival season still in full swing, it’s likely “I Have One Daughter” will continue its run well into early fall events. Holloway hinted at possible collaborations and remixes, telling People he’s been approached by several DJs interested in producing high-energy dance versions tailored for festival crowds.

He also teased that the follow-up track in his Tinder-inspired series is already in production — proof that sometimes lightning can strike twice.

Have you heard “I Have One Daughter” live this summer? Share your favorite festival memory featuring the song in the comments on ChicagoMusicGuide.com.