TikTok is arguably the most influential music discovery tool today. Billboard even has a designated Top 50 chart tracking the platform’s most popular sounds. While many of its entries represent contemporary musical obsessions, there are the occasional outliers from decades past. Sometimes, an old record finds a new fandom thanks to a viral video. Alternatively, a TV show placement crosses over to social media and spreads like wildfire. Revived hits like Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” and Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” confirm that musical nostalgia is on the rise. Check out these classics that became hits for an entirely new generation.
Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush (1985)
Perhaps one of the most dramatic examples of the second-time-around hit is Kate Bush’s haunting, galloping “Running Up That Hill.” In her heyday, British singer-songwriter Kate Bush pioneered artistically ambitious pop music, which she performed in a theatrical, unconventional style. Bush produced much of her catalog, including “Running Up That Hill,” a track in which she sings about “making a deal with god.”
For the most part, Bush enjoys a secluded life in her native UK, with her husband and son, far from the spotlight. That changed when the Netflix series Stranger Things introduced “Running Up That Hill” to a whole new audience in 2022. Eventually, the song became unavoidable on social media. Many Gen Z listeners heard it on TikTok for the first time.
In 1985, “Running Up That Hill” peaked at number thirty on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US. In 2022, it reached as high as number three. Bush’s legacy transcends time, influencing everyone from Florence and the Machine to current acts like Rosalía and Aurora.
Fast Car by Tracy Chapman (1988)
“Fast Car” was Tracy Chapman’s breakthrough single back in 1989. Since then, many critics have recognized it as one of the finest songs ever. However, it didn’t reach its peak until it hit number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart just last year. This late-game success came via country music artist Luke Combs’ rendition. The combination of Chapman’s gorgeous songcraft and a reverent vocal by Combs took this “Fast Car” down new roads.
To celebrate the single’s success, Chapman joined Combs on the Grammy Awards stage. The writer, who lives in San Francisco and hasn’t performed since the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors, prefers a less public life. The pair’s emotional duet went viral, bringing viewers of all ages to tears. Weeks later, Chapman’s original recording of the song was still trending across digital platforms.
Murder on the Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor (2001)
London-born pop singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor is still active today. Yet, “Murder on the Dancefloor” is considered her defining hit. After an early phase fronting indie band Theaudience, she went solo. In the early 2000s, Ellis-Bextor enjoyed widespread commercial success with “Murder on the Dancefloor” in the UK, Australia, and Europe.
This year, “Murder on the Dancefloor” entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time, thanks to its appearance in the popular film Saltburn. The song accompanies a solo dance routine in the film’s final scene, reaching a fresh swath of music fans. Naturally, many TikTok users jumped at the chance to reenact it in their videos. The breezy disco feel of “Murder on the Dancefloor” proves that a great groove is always ripe for rediscovery.
Misty by Lesley Gore (1963)
It’s hard to pinpoint the moment when Lesley Gore’s rendition of the jazz standard “Misty” started to trend on TikTok. Within a matter of weeks, the record reached the top spot on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart. Some content creators lip-synced to the song’s iconic first line, “look at me,” to draw attention to their new style. Others simply used it as a backdrop for DIY projects. “Misty” also made history by becoming the oldest song to ever top the TikTok Billboard Top 50.
Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield (2004)
Only a select few artists get to enjoy worldwide recognition with their debut album. Natasha Bedingfield is one of the lucky ones to have experienced this kind of runaway success. UK-born Bedingfield cemented her legacy when “Unwritten” became the theme song for MTV’s reality show, The Hills.
Nearly two decades later, “Unwritten” inspired a dance challenge on TikTok. Capitalizing on the viral moment, Bedingfield met with TikToker @rony_boyy, who sparked the trend. Perhaps key to the track’s viral longevity was the artist’s willingness to re-promote the song. The appearance of “Unwritten” in the hit rom-com Anyone But You didn’t hurt either. The ferociously catchy song continues to trend today, leading a new generation of listeners to discover Bedingfield’s hook-laden discography.
Dreams by Fleetwood Mac (1977)
Legendary transatlantic rock band Fleetwood Mac left its mark with “Dreams” from the massively successful Rumours album in 1977. Among fans of the band, the hazy, melancholy song never lost its popularity. Thanks to TikTok influencer Nathan Apodaca, “Dreams” recently climbed back into cultural relevancy. Yearning lyrics like “thunder only happens when it’s rainin'” paired with an indelible melody make the song a cross-generational earworm.
Like Bedingfield, the members of Fleetwood Mac embraced their viral moment. Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood responded with their respective posts to Apodaca, giving the trend their stamps of approval. Four years later, “Dreams” continues to chart globally, solidifying Fleetwood Mac’s position as a legendary band.
All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey (1994)
At this point, as much an enigmatic anomaly as a pop hit, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” continues to attract new listeners yearly. Playlist editors on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music favor its bouncy yuletide groove for their curatorial collections. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” also serves as the soundtrack for countless viral videos on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Almost thirty years since its inception, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” still tops the charts around the holidays.
Now affectionately dubbed the “Queen of Christmas” by her fans, Carey delivers holiday-themed content annually to continue to maximize the success of her seemingly eternal hit. Even a few seconds of Carey cooing, “I don’t want a lot for Christmas,” is bound to inspire spontaneous boogieing into the noel night.
Sure Thing by Miguel (2010)
R&B artist Miguel’s “Sure Thing” made a significant commercial impact when it came out in 2010. It even boasted a video set in Honolulu directed by video auteur Hype Williams. Thirteen years later, a sped-up version of “Sure Thing” began circulating on TikTok. Soon, millions of videos popped up, rejuvenating sales and streaming numbers.
Miguel’s label acted quickly in response to the track’s unexpected resurgence. In addition to the sped-up version that went viral, new remixes, live, and slowed-down versions of the song are now available on all digital platforms. The percolating percussion and sultry singing on “Sure Thing” underscore a perfect example of a song that was waiting for a second chance to shine.
