Jess Glynne’s “Hold My Hand” Tops TikTok UK Song of the Year in a Viral Revival
In an era where music trends are driven as much by social media as by radio play, few songs have experienced a resurgence quite like Hold My Hand by Jess Glynne.
Originally released in 2015, the track has found a completely new audience a decade later, thanks to the viral “nothing beats a Jet2holiday” trend on TikTok. What began as a simple advertising jingle association evolved into one of the most recognizable and widely used sounds on the platform, ultimately earning the title of TikTok’s UK Song of the Year 2025.
From Chart-Topping Hit to Cultural Meme Phenomenon
When “Hold My Hand” first dropped, it quickly became a defining moment in Jess Glynne’s career, spending three weeks at number one in the UK charts. It was her first solo chart-topper, following earlier successes such as her collaboration on Rather Be and My Love.
However, its 2025 resurgence is a story of digital culture at work.
The song became closely tied to a well-known travel advertisement for Jet2, which features the iconic phrase: “nothing beats a Jet2holiday.” TikTok users took this audio and transformed it into a format for humorous storytelling.
Rather than simply celebrating ideal vacations, creators flipped the narrative—using the track to highlight travel mishaps, chaotic journeys, and awkward holiday moments. The contrast between the upbeat song and the often disastrous clips created a comedic effect that resonated globally.
The result was explosive:
- The sound was used in millions of videos
- It became synonymous with relatable travel humor
- It reintroduced the track to a younger generation who may not have heard it before
In total, the audio has been featured in over 6.6 million videos and viewed more than 80 billion times, according to TikTok.
Jess Glynne’s Reaction: “A New Lease of Life”
For Jess Glynne, the unexpected revival of her decade-old hit has been both surreal and deeply rewarding.
Speaking about the moment, she described feeling “blessed” and reflected on how the song continues to shape her career years after its release. What stands out most is how the track has evolved beyond its original meaning.
Rather than fading into nostalgia, the song has gained a “new lease of life”, becoming a recurring soundtrack for millions of creators. This kind of organic resurgence is increasingly common in the streaming era, where platforms like TikTok can redefine the lifespan of music.
Glynne has embraced the trend with enthusiasm. She has even experienced the viral phenomenon firsthand—once hearing her own song playing during a Jet2 flight while traveling with her family.
Her personal connection to the trend highlights an important shift in the music industry:
- Songs are no longer limited to their release cycle
- Social media can reignite interest years later
- Artists can reconnect with new audiences through viral content
Interestingly, her favorite TikTok variations of the trend are the more humorous ones—particularly videos where families involve children repeating the iconic voiceover line. She also enjoys unexpected or exaggerated scenarios, such as comedic hotel room reveals that play into the contrast between expectation and reality.
