Netflix’s Wednesday series, starring Jenna Ortega as the iconic Wednesday Addams, has taken the internet by storm. Surpassing expectations, the show quickly amassed over 341 million viewing hours in its debut week, becoming a cultural phenomenon that has spawned countless memes and, most notably, a viral dance craze on TikTok. This dance, performed by Ortega in the series, has resonated deeply with audiences, turning into a global trend primarily fueled by two distinct songs.
The now-famous Wednesday dance is featured in the fourth episode of the series. In this scene, Wednesday unleashes a uniquely quirky and uninhibited dance, showcasing her distinctive personality. While in the show, this scene is set to the energetic tune of “Goo Goo Muck” by The Cramps, TikTok creators initially gravitated towards a different musical backdrop: Lady Gaga’s “Bloody Mary.”
Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams dancing in Netflix's Wednesday series
“Bloody Mary,” though not originally part of the Wednesday soundtrack, unexpectedly became the de facto anthem for the dance trend. This shift in musical preference saw TikTok users overlaying Gaga’s track onto clips of the Wednesday dance, even editing it into the original Netflix scene, effectively replacing “Goo Goo Muck.” The catchy and somewhat eerie vibe of “Bloody Mary” seemed to perfectly capture the essence of Wednesday’s gothic charm and awkward yet confident movements, propelling the song back into the spotlight.
Despite the dominance of “Bloody Mary” in the TikToksphere, the original song choice, “Goo Goo Muck,” did not entirely fade away. While “Bloody Mary” became the more prevalent sound for the Wednesday dance trend, some TikTokers continued to create content using The Cramps’ track, honoring the series’ original musical selection. However, there’s no denying that “Bloody Mary” became overwhelmingly associated with the Wednesday dance in the online zeitgeist.
In an interview with NME, Jenna Ortega revealed the surprising level of creative input she had in crafting the dance. “I choreographed that myself,” she stated, emphasizing her non-dancer background. She further explained that she received “Goo Goo Muck” just a week prior to filming and drew inspiration from various sources. Interestingly, Ortega also shared that she filmed the scene on her first day with COVID and, despite feeling unwell, delivered a performance that has now become iconic.
Lady Gaga herself acknowledged the resurgence of her 2011 track “Bloody Mary” thanks to the Wednesday dance phenomenon. Expressing her enthusiasm for the series, Gaga tweeted her support, welcoming Wednesday to Haus of Gaga, further cementing the unlikely but powerful connection between her song and the Netflix series.
Wednesday series promotional image
The influence of TikTok in shaping musical trends is undeniable, and the Wednesday Dance Song phenomenon serves as a prime example. Spotify even integrated this trend, linking “Bloody Mary” with the Wednesday dance scene in the song’s visualizer on the platform. What was initially intended as a viral moment for “Goo Goo Muck” ultimately paved the way for “Bloody Mary” to dominate the Wednesday dance trend, showcasing the unpredictable and dynamic nature of online virality and its impact on music discovery and revival.
