New York-born pianist and TikTok sensation Jordan Siwek — better known as Piano Jordan — dives deep into the themes of social media, connection, validation, and the search for genuine belonging with his upcoming single “Like Me (and Follow Me).” Blending soulful piano melodies with candid reflections on the fast pace and dopamine-fueled nature of online life, Piano Jordan shares how his journey as a creator and musician has influenced the song’s structure, mood, and message.
Did TikTok and your experience as a creator influence how you structured or paced your new song “Like Me (and Follow Me)”?
Yes, I would say all social media was a major influence in the writing of this song! I actually started writing the song before joining TikTok, which is wild. Some of my friends have told me that I “manifested” my 700k followers with the song. And I would say the pacing of the song was influenced by the fast pace of social media and limited attention spans.
How would you describe the mood or sonic atmosphere of the track in three words?
Happy, energetic, comical
Do you see this as a stand-alone message or the beginning of a new chapter in your artistic narrative?
There might be a sequel, another song about the darker side of social media. I’ve started another song called Sea of Serotonin.
How did the melody for “Like Me and Follow Me” come to you?
The lyrics came to me first, and the music came after. I wrote the first draft of the lyrics on the NYC subway and then sat down at my piano and created the song.
How long did it take from the first draft to the final version?
Good question! I would say probably two years! I wrote the bulk of it in about 40 minutes, but changed the song as I played it live, and also changed the bridge a lot about 6 months after I started writing it. After a conversation with a friend, I added the line about dopamine.
How do you balance your identity as a serious musician with your role as a joyful content creator?
I feel like those identities are connected at this point. That’s the only way it can work. I am a serious musician who sparks joy with music content on social media. And I’m inviting connection and collaboration, which I realized is kind of the point of social media.
Has going viral changed your goals as an artist?
A bit, yes! Since I started going viral for my piano karaoke cover videos, it has motivated me to make a lot more of that type of content. So I haven’t written as many new songs because of that. My advice is that it’s all about balance. At some point, I got too obsessed with what kind of content would go viral, and in a way, that’s what this song, “Like Me (and Follow Me),” is about.
What part of your musical journey do you think your fans don’t know enough about?
That I was in Les Misérables on Broadway playing Gavroche at the age of 10, in the 10th Anniversary production, and that when I first started writing songs, I did a lot of rapping. Also, I sang and did spoken word at Carnegie Hall back in 1999.
When did you first realize that music could be your full-time calling?
In college! I was a psychology major and music minor (specializing in jazz piano), and it was actually one of my psych classes, called Psych of Motivation, that led me to follow my goals and achieve them. When I graduated, I went through a mini breakdown and realized that I had to do music full-time. Music is what I do best and what I’m meant to do. It makes me feel fulfilled and makes other people happy.
What do you see as your role in today’s music landscape—entertainer, storyteller, or advocate?
I would say part entertainer, part storyteller, and part artist. I love to entertain and spark joy with my music, but I also use music to send a message and inspire people.
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