The origin of this eerie TikTok sound is even more unsettling than the trend itself.
That One Sound,
a column by internet culture reporter Charlotte Colombo, dives into the backstory of popular TikTok audio clips. While TikTok trends often entertain, some hit a darker, more haunting note, and occasionally, they’re downright disturbing. People, after all, are complex, and TikTok’s range reflects that. The most gripping content leaves viewers lingering on the implications long after watching.
The “Hey, wake up” trend embodies this intensity, capturing an unnerving resonance with its audience—enough that the sound has now been used over 279,300 times.
The Sound
Each video in the trend uses the same haunting piano track, both gentle and subtly foreboding, setting an uneasy tone. The videos, featuring users staring into the camera, often begin with “Hey, wake up” before revealing reasons why they’re “dead”—usually referencing real-life near-death experiences.
Some examples:
“Yo wake up, I died a year ago. Nobody believed me when I said I was getting stalked,” shared @hidden.in.the.sand.
“Wake up. This isn’t real. I died three years ago from an overdose, remember?” posted @watchout4audrey.
“Hey wake up, I’m dead, remember? I died 6 years ago after my appendix exploded and I didn’t tell my mom right away,” wrote @hearts4.blu.
Where’s it From?
Even without context, the music is eerie; understanding its origins makes it even more chilling. The track, titled “Old Doll,” is from the indie horror video game Mad Father. In the game, players control 11-year-old Aya, whose father harbors a dark secret: he performs taxidermy on children, turning them into dolls, with Aya next on his list. The backstory amplifies the ominous feel of the trend, adding layers of dread to an already unsettling theme.
Sound Off
This trend has sparked concern, with TikTok users debating its potential psychological effects. Many argue it could trigger derealization or psychotic episodes for people with specific mental health vulnerabilities.
