The trend
The I Love The Smiths trend, explained
The trend starts with a 2009 film scene and ends with a two-photo AI template. In between, TikTok turned one line into a reusable sound, a meme format, and a casting call for couples.
The origin
In (500) Days of Summer, Tom is listening to The Smiths in an elevator. Summer recognizes the song and says, “I love the Smiths.” The exchange is the first real connection between them, which is why it became a template for “we have the same taste” moments.
The sound
The scene audio, synced to “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,” became a reusable TikTok sound. Creators reshot the scene, quoted the line, and swapped the band for whatever they and their crush had in common.
The 2026 AI wave
In late 2026, two-photo AI templates made the scene castable. You upload the headphone wearer and the speaker, and the model puts both of you into the elevator. The format spread through tutorials, celebrity couple edits, and template links.
Why it works
The scene is short, recognizable, and emotionally legible. It needs two people, one line, and no explanation. That is also why it works as a couple video, a friendship post, or a reaction to the person who shares your playlist.
FAQ
When did the trend start?
The film scene is from 2009. The two-photo AI video wave is from late 2026.
What song is in the scene?
“There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths, from The Queen Is Dead (1986).
Is it the same as the elevator AI photo trend?
No. The 2025 elevator photo trend made still images. This trend makes a short video with the line and the original sound.
Keep reading
- What does “I love the Smiths” mean?The meaning behind “I love the Smiths”: the film line, why it became a TikTok joke, and what people mean when they use it as a couple trend.
- The I Love The Smiths elevator sceneA line-by-line breakdown of the I Love The Smiths elevator scene: the setup, the dialogue, the song, and why it became a video trend.
- I Love The Smiths on TikTokHow the I Love The Smiths trend spread on TikTok, which hashtags and sounds matter, and how to post an AI version without getting flagged.