The Brief: TikTokers are using a clip from Christina Perri's song "Human" with the words "I can do it but I'm only human" to represent the experience of giving in to temptation.

Bluesquiggle
DEEP DIVE

The “I can do it” or #OnlyHuman trend on TikTok started as an anti-bullying message and has since evolved into a meme template about people trying to avoid doing something, but eventually giving into temptation.

Videos associated with the hashtag #OnlyHuman have been viewed over 320 million times on TikTok and the Christina Perri “Human” audio clip has been used in over 440,000 videos.

Anti-Bullying

In March and April 2020, the clip from “Human” was used in messages about the toll that bullying can have on people.

@itssissysheridan##pov they never saw what happened behind the screen♬ human – christina perri

@kofogtYour @ stands against bullying too ##kofogt ##makeuphacks ##normalpeople♬ human – christina perri

#OnlyHuman

In late April and early May 2020, the “I can do it” clip was more often used in videos where people act as if they’re trying not to do something, but ultimately give in and do it anyway. These memes are reminiscent of the “don’t say it” Twitter memes of 2019.

Jojo Siwa created a version of the meme where she tries not to do her signature hairstyle, but eventually does her high ponytail and bow ‘do.

@itsjojosiwaeveryday of my life hahahah♬ human – christina perri

@themermaidscaleWhy was I like this 😫 ##featureme ##fyp ##funny ##foryou♬ human – christina perri

@paolaaminetteit’s me i’m girls♬ human – christina perri

@tyshonlawrence@addisonre @charlidamelio and @avani are the CEO’s of doing this lol (read bio)♬ human – christina perri

@texasroadhouse1♬ human – christina perri

@veergidwani03##fyp ##viral ##foryoupage ##foryourpage ##trending ##xyzbca ##trending ##tiktokindia ##tiktok_india ##brown is this all our moms?♬ human – christina perri

@hortonhearsawhoooooi hope i’m not the only one who does this… ##fyp ##promplaylist ##MMMDrop ##snackbreak♬ human – christina perri

@kayleepurtellIykyk ##foryou ##fyp ##tiktokcovers♬ human – christina perri