The Bad Times AI trend is a 13 to 15-second video in which a person, couple, group or pet lip-syncs "Bad Times" as a dramatic argument with the camera: head in hands, a stop palm, a walk-in and a pointing finger. Bad Times Dance AI turns one photo into that video with the original sound. Make yours from one photo.
What is the Bad Times trend?
It is a lip-sync performance, not a step-by-step dance. The original is a close-up take where the performer clutches her head, brushes the bad times away, holds up a palm to the lens and then walks toward the camera to wag a finger at the viewer while mouthing the words. Our own review of the 15-second kitchen take splits it into six beats, from head in hands at 0 seconds to the finger in the lens from 11 to 15 seconds. The full sheet is on the prompt page.
The "AI" in the name comes from the remakes. People swap the performer for their own dog, cat, partner or friends using image-to-video tools, so the same six beats play out with a new face or a new pair of paws.
When did the Bad Times trend start?
Dates for the first clips come from third-party reports, not from the creator, so treat them as reported.
| When | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 30 March 2026 | The song "Bad Times" by Imael Angel is released on Imael Angel Records. | Songfacts |
| Late August 2026 | French TikTok creator BOUUH YACHAKA posts a close-up lip-sync to the song. | Reported by third parties |
| 9 September 2026 | A second take, filmed in a kitchen, is posted. This is the one most remakes copy. | Reported by third parties |
| 29 September 2026 | The song enters the UK Singles Chart at number 97. | Official Charts, Songfacts |
| October 2026 | The song reaches the US iTunes top 10. | AI Musicpreneur |
Why did the Bad Times trend spread?
Two things made it easy to copy. First, the performance is short and readable without sound: anyone can recognise the head grab and the finger point in the first seconds. Second, it is funny when the performer is a pet. Dogs and cats standing up on their hind legs and "arguing" with the camera were the first big wave of AI remakes, followed by couples and groups.
AI also lowered the bar. A creator no longer needs to film themselves; one still photo and an image-to-video model can produce the take. Bad Times Dance AI packages that into four steps, the dog and cat version has its own page, and the Bad Times AI filter page explains what a filter can and cannot do.
Which song is it?
The sound is "Bad Times" by Imael Angel, a deep house track. Many people also search for the "da da da" hook, which refers to the chorus of the same song. Who made it, and whether it is AI, is covered in Imael Angel and Bad Times.
What do AI versions look like?
These clips were made from single photos on Bad Times Dance AI. Tap the speaker to hear the sound.
There is no free tier: one video costs 10 credits on the Standard model at 720p, and the smallest pack is $6.99. See pricing or pick one of the 6 dances.