Riding waves: How 'Symphony' dolphin meme revitalized Zara Larsson's career

Social media has always been known for its unpredictable trends, but every once in a while, one pops up that's so delightfully absurd that it leaves everyone wondering how it got here. Enter the rainbow dolphin meme on TikTok, the most recent uproar that pairs the upbeat vibes of Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson's 2017 hit "Symphony" with colorful dolphin images and deeply relatable, sometimes silly, text overlays. 

One of the pioneers of the trend was TikTok user @heiratet, who posted a simple yet striking video that left a permanent impression on viewers: an image of a dolphin in the ocean, rainbows in the background and the words "I'm depressed" displayed across the screen.

The post, set to the catchy tune of "Symphony," particularly the chorus, "I just wanna be part of your symphony," struck a chord with TikTok users, quickly blowing up into a massive trend.

As the video's popularity soared, others jumped on board, creating their own versions with equally ridiculous, relatable and oddly extreme statements like "Life when that one person shuts the hell up" and "I know where you live." These rainbow dolphins, coupled with Larsson's infectiously happy vocals, have since garnered millions of likes, proving that sometimes the most unexpected combinations make for the most compelling content. 

What makes the trend particularly interesting is the stark contrast between the song's original meaning and its current meme status. "Symphony" is a love song at its core, with Larsson romantically declaring how a special person brought beauty and harmony into her previously silent life.

It's a sweet sentiment that has now been repurposed into a backdrop for confessions that range from humorous to peculiar. The buoyant melody and addicting electronic beat create the perfect soundtrack for these quirky inner monologues that people are eager to share with the world. 

For instance, one user simply posted "I'm a lesbian" over the dolphin image, and the video took off. It wasn't a groundbreaking revelation, but it was funny and relatable in its simplicity — a hallmark of why this trend works so well.

As with any viral sensation, brands and companies quickly jumped on the bandwagon. Olive Garden, for example, tapped into the trend with a video announcing, "Never-ending pasta bowl is back," featuring the iconic dolphins and rainbows. It's a testament to the trend's universal appeal that even corporate entities are finding ways to join in the fun.

But, of course, the trend didn't come full circle until it reached Larsson herself. In a now-viral response, Larsson made an Instagram post with the text "What the f*** is happening," reacting to her 7-year-old song's unexpected resurgence.

She jokingly remarked that her biggest digital footprint might now be a dolphin meme, but she's taking it all in stride and with gratitude. Her playful attitude toward the trend and her willingness to embrace it have only endeared her more to fans. She even incorporated the rainbow dolphins into her concert visuals, further engraving the trend's place into her legacy. 

The members of the group Clean Bandit also acknowledged the meme, adding their own twist by sharing a video of drummer Luke Patterson swimming with real dolphins, captioned, "When you meme so hard it becomes a reality." It was another full-circle moment, showcasing how social media can revive older songs and create unique connections between artists and fans.

Larsson's presence on TikTok has become a blast from the past for many, reminding fans of her other hits like "Lush Life." It's clear that this trend has reignited interest in and proper recognition of her music, with "Symphony" even climbing to the No. 1 spot on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart, seven years after its original release.

While it's hard to pinpoint exactly why certain trends take off, there's something about the rainbow dolphin meme that resonates with people on a deep and funky level. It's a strange, beautiful collision of music, imagery and humor that hits the sweet spot of the collective audience in a way.

In an era where digital content is dominating, this trend serves as a reminder that sometimes the most successful ideas are the ones that don't make sense — until they do. With the magic of the internet at work, here's to being a part of Larsson's "Symphony" for all it's worth.