Here’s Why The Reading Rainbow Theme Song Is All Over TikTok

The Reading Rainbow theme song (“Just take a look / It's in a book”) is making a comeback. TikTokers are pairing the 1983 song with an out-of-this-world filter as a backdrop to ask difficult (and ironic) questions.

Here’s what the Reading Rainbow TikTok trend is all about.

Per Know Your Meme, the trend began on March 10, 2022, when TikToker @homewithshelby made a video using the Reading Rainbow theme song’s lyrics with a filter called “Space.”

In the video, the creator's face floats through space as they try to understand the rules to a board game.

How To Do Reading Rainbow TikTok Trend:

To join in on the intergalactic fun, open TikTok and navigate to the Discover tab on the bottom of the screen. Then, type “Reading Rainbow filter” into the search bar.

Note: The effect won’t appear if you search “Space filter.”

Find Reading Rainbow TikTok Filter:

Tap any video with the filter, then tap the “Space” effect icon above the user’s handle.

On the effect page, tap “Try this effect” to open the camera. Once the camera finds your face, the effect will start to move your face all over the screen.

Find Reading Rainbow Theme Song:

The Reading Rainbow theme song should be the default sound, but if it’s not, here’s what you can do.

At the top of the screen, tap “Add sound,” then search “Reading Rainbow theme song” in the search bar.

The first song that comes up should be called “Reading Rainbow Theme Song” (you’ll know you found the right one because it’ll say “popular” next to the name). Tap the sound, then select the red check mark to use it as the backdrop to your existential question of choice.

Record Reading Rainbow TikTok:

After that, you’re ready to start exploring outer space with your galaxy-brain thoughts and questions — just like JoJo Siwa did in this TikTok.

Lizzo also tried her hand at the trend with this video poking fun at the new TikTok Stories feature (and honestly, can you blame her?).

Even Lil Jon hopped on to the trend by remixing the song with some of his most iconic ad-libs. “OK!”

The trend is already so popular that even dogs are joining in.

As of March 21, the Reading Rainbow theme song sound has been used in over 311,000 videos, while the Space effect has been featured in over 253,000 TikToks, so you might want to jump on it before it’s too late.