The music industry loves to focus on new releases, but some songs take a much longer route to success. A track can sit quietly for decades before a film, television show, social media trend or viral video introduces it to a completely new audience. In some cases, the second wave of popularity ends up being even bigger than the original release.
Here are four songs that became unlikely viral sensations years after they first hit the airwaves.
Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush
When Kate Bush released Running Up That Hill in 1985, it was already a successful single. Few people expected it to return nearly four decades later and become one of the biggest songs in the world. Everything changed when the track featured prominently in the fourth season of Stranger Things. The emotional scene connected with viewers and sent the song back into the charts, introducing Bush’s music to millions of younger listeners. The resurgence was so dramatic that the song reached new chart milestones long after its original release.
Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
Dreams first appeared on Fleetwood Mac’s legendary Rumours album in 1977. It remained a classic rock staple for decades, but it experienced an unexpected revival in 2020 thanks to a short TikTok video. Nathan Apodaca, better known online as Doggface, filmed himself skateboarding while drinking cranberry juice and listening to the song. The clip spread across social media and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Suddenly, a song released more than 40 years earlier was climbing streaming charts around the world. If you do intend to watch clips like these on public Wi-Fi, a free VPN download can help protect your sensitive data.
Murder on the Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Released in 2001, Murder on the Dancefloor was already familiar to pop fans, especially in the UK. Its profile changed dramatically after appearing in the final scene of the 2023 film Saltburn. Viewers left cinemas searching for the song, and streaming numbers exploded. A generation that was too young to remember its original success embraced it as though it were a brand-new release. The revival demonstrated how a well-placed soundtrack moment can completely reshape the fortunes of an older track.
Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill
Meek Mill’s Dreams and Nightmares arrived in 2012, but its famous intro gradually grew into an anthem far beyond hip-hop. The track became a fixture at sporting events, championship celebrations and viral social media videos. Its popularity continued to build year after year rather than peaking during its initial release. Few songs have enjoyed such a long and steady climb in popularity.
The modern internet has changed the lifespan of music. A song is never truly old when a streaming platform, television series or viral trend can put it back in front of millions of people.
