"Ceilings" became McAlpine's breakthrough song after becoming popular on TikTok, where a trend of young women running through the rain and snow to the plot twist in the song's final verse soundtracked hundreds of thousands of videos.
[3][4] A music video starring Michael Hanano, McAlpine's boyfriend at the time, was released on February 14, 2023.
[2] She performed the song during her Tiny Desk Concert for NPR Music in November 2022 and on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in March 2023.
[2][6] Dork's Neive McCarthy praised "Ceilings" as "a particular standout" from the songs on Five Seconds Flat.
[9] On April 18, 2023, Niall Horan performed a cover of the song whilst appearing on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.