Top 10 Songs That Had a Big Resurgence Years Later

#10: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (1958)

Brenda Lee

Rockabilly singer Brenda Lee was just 13 when she recorded the holiday classic Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. Penned by prolific Christmas songwriter Johnny Marks, the tune didnt make a big splash initially, but it gained popularity over time, as Lees fame grew. Its first major resurgence came in 1990, after it appeared in the holiday film Home Alone. However, its most impressive comeback occurred in December 2023. To celebrate its 65th anniversary, Lee released the songs first music video, featuring cameos from country stars Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. This propelled the track to the top of the charts, even surpassing Mariah Careys All I Want for Christmas Is You. With this achievement, Lee became the oldest artist ever to top the Hot 100.

#9: Do You Love Me (1962)

The Contours

Motown Records boss Berry Gordy Jr. initially wrote Do You Love Me for The Temptations. However, when he couldnt locate the group to record it, the song was instead given to The Contours. A rock n roll tune that sparked a dance craze in the early 60s, Do You Love Me became an instant hit, climbing up the Hot 100, where it peaked at number three for three weeks. Like most other hits, it eventually fell off the charts, until it received a second life 25 years later after its inclusion in a scene from 1987s Dirty Dancing. The movies success introduced the track to a new generation, propelling it back onto the Hot 100, this time reaching a new peak of number 11.

#8: I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) (1988)

The Proclaimers

When it first came out in 1988, I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by Scottish duo The Proclaimers wasnt even officially released in North America. The song enjoyed modest success in the UK, and topped the charts in Australia, Iceland and New Zealand. It finally made waves in the U.S. in 1993 due to its inclusion in the comedy film Benny & Joon. Thanks to this exposure, Im Gonna Be was released as a single in North America, after which it soared to number three on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2007, the song saw a resurgence in the UK when the Proclaimers re-recorded it with comedians Peter Kay and Matt Lucas for charity. This new version outperformed the original, reaching number one on the charts.

#7: Dreams (1977)

Fleetwood Mac

Although they are one of the worlds best-selling bands, Fleetwood Macs peak occurred long before the advent of social media. Their most iconic album remains 1977s Rumours, which produced the single Dreams, their only number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. While the song has seen occasional revivals over the years, its most significant resurgence came in late 2020, thanks to a viral TikTok clip. In the video, a man named Nathan Apodaca rides a skateboard to work while lipsyncing to the song. The laid-back vibe struck a chord with millions, sparking a wave of recreations from numerous users on TikTok and a renewed love for the track. This led to Dreams re-entering the Hot 100 at number 21, Fleetwood Macs highest peak since 1988.

#6: Twist and Shout (1963)

The Beatles

In 1964, the Beatles scored a number-two hit with their cover of Twist and Shout by R&B group The Top Notes. Their version was hailed as arguably the most stunning rock and roll vocal and instrumental performance of all time, and became a highlight of their live shows. Fast forward to 1986 and the song appeared in not one, but two popular comedy films. In Ferris Bueller's Day Off, it was featured in the iconic parade scene, with Ferris lip-syncing to it. It also appeared in the Rodney Dangerfield film Back to School, which was released just two days later. Being featured in two successful films helped breathe new life into Twist and Shout, propelling it to number 23 on the Hot 100.

#5: Cruel Summer (2019)

Taylor Swift

Co-written with Jack Antonoff and St. Vincent, Cruel Summer is the second track on Taylor Swifts seventh album Lover. Although it debuted in the top 30 and quickly became a fan favorite, it was not initially promoted as a single. Whether intentional or not, this delayed approach seemed to pay off as the song went viral four years later after being performed during the Eras Tour. This surge in interest led to its official release as a single in June 2023, following which the track reached number one on the charts. Although Swift initially planned to release Cruel Summer as a single in 2020, she changed her mind due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the end, the wait seemed to work in the songs favor.

#4: Murder on the Dancefloor (2001)

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

2023s Saltburn rekindled our love for vintage aesthetics and gave a new, disturbing meaning to bathtubs. But the true gem it unearthed was Murder on the Dancefloor. Originally released in 2001, this disco pop classic was the second single from English singer Sophie Ellis-Bextors debut solo album. It became a massive success across Europe, peaking at number three in the UK and reaching the top 10 in several other countries. After eventually fading away, the song made a resounding return to the dancefloor in 2023 when it was featured in the provocative final scene of Saltburn. Not only did this revival make the song chart in the U.S. for the first time, it also resulted in a major career renaissance for Ellis-Bextor.

#3: Fast Car (1988)

Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapmans debut single, Fast Car, is a poignant, folk anthem about escaping hardship and chasing a better life. Ironically, it also ensured a better life for Chapman, as it became one of the biggest hits of her career. When it was first released, Fast Car was a monumental success, reaching the top ten in the U.S., UK and a host of other countries. Then, in 2023, it was given a country spin by American singer Luke Combs, which introduced the song to a new generation of listeners. Combs version reached number two on the Hot 100 and won Chapman the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year, making her the first black artist to do so.

#2: Bohemian Rhapsody (1975)

Queen

Queens Bohemian Rhapsody is a genre-defying epic that broke all the rules, and made that rebellion its trademark. The track confused record executives but captivated the world, topping the UK charts for nine consecutive weeks and reaching the top 10 in the U.S. But its journey didnt end there. In 1992, it roared back into the spotlight, thanks to a headbanging scene in Waynes World. The exposure from that movie sent the song to a new peak of number two on the Hot 100. Still, Bohemian Rhapsody received another victory lap due to the release of the 2018 biopic of the same name. This renewed interest pushed the track back onto the charts, making it the most streamed song from the 20th century.

#1: Running Up That Hill (1985)

Kate Bush

Set in the 1980s, Stranger Things weaves in numerous cultural references from that decade, introducing them to young audiences unfamiliar with the era. It was in this vein that Running Up That Hill found a new audience. Originally released in 1985, the Kate Bush classic wasted no time in running up the charts. It hit number three in the UK and was a top 30 hit in the U.S. and Canada. Decades later, it re-entered the spotlight after appearing in a pivotal scene in the fourth season of Stranger Things. For many young viewers, it was a first encounter; for longtime fans, a nostalgic revival. This time around, it topped the UK charts and reached the top three in the U.S.

What other songs from the past would you like to see make a deserving comeback? Spell them out in the comments below. You never know, there might be a music genie hanging around.