Sometimes when you experience a work of art in a new light, it can change. Sometimes a song you’ve heard 1,000 times can seem totally different when it’s connected with a television show or movie. And that’s just what we wanted to explore below.
We wanted to dive into three songs that enjoyed a new life in the world after they were put into new mediums of entertainment. Indeed, these are three hit rock songs that had a resurgence years later thanks to pop culture.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush from ‘Hounds Of Love’ (1985)
The Netflix television show Stranger Things has helped a number of songs achieve new heights years after their original release. But while tracks like “Master of Puppets” by Metallica and “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash enjoyed resurgences, none quite had the second apex like “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush. Featured in season 4, the 1985 song raced up the charts just a few years ago and hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen from ‘A Night At The Opera’ (1975)
While this song was a popular one in the 1970s after it was released, fans got reintroduced to the operatic Queen offering in the early 1990s when it was made a big part of the music comedy Wayne’s World. Actor and writer Mike Myers insisted that “Bohemian Rhapsody” be used in the scene where he and his friends lip sync to classic rock while driving through a Chicago suburb. And it worked. Originally, the song peaked at No. 9 on the Hot 100 in 1976. But after Wayne’s World, it hit No. 2 in 1992. Party on!
“Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac from ‘Rumours’ (1977)
The Fleetwood Mac song “Dreams” has had many lives, many peaks. When it was released in 1977, the tune hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. But even No. 1 songs get lost to time. Later, in 2018, a viral tweet had the song rise again. It hit No. 14 on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart. But then, in 2020, thanks to a viral TikTok video by Nathan Apodaca, “Dreams” made it to No. 12 on the Hot 100 again. Remarkable stuff!
Photo by Ross Marino/Getty Images
Most Viewed
-
Paul Revere & The Raiders Perform American pop group Paul Revere & the Raiders perform in matching outfits, probably on a television studio set, mid 1960s. The band includes Mark Lindsay (third left) as the vocalist and Paul Revere (right) on keyboards. (Photo by Authenticated News/Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES – MARCH 10: Singer and band leader Brian Wilson of the rock and roll group 'The Beach Boys' goofs around during a portrait session at Pacific Ocean Park on March 10, 1966 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Reba McEntire performs at San Jose Arena on November 23, 1994 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images) -
Mick Jagger performing with The Rolling Stones during a secret gig live at the 100 Club in London's Oxford Street. They were billed as 'Diz And The Doormen'. May 31 1982. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 13 : Members of Poison: (L to R) C.C. Deville, Brett Michaels, Bobby Dall and Rikki Rockett backstage at the Mtv Awards Show, September 13, 1987 in Los Angeles,California. (Photo by Getty Images/Bob Riha, Jr.) -
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1978: Photo of CW McCall Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images -
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO — Episode 1599 — Pictured: (l-r) Emily Robison, Natalie Maines, and Martie Maguire of musical guest "Dixie Chicks" performs on May 05, 1999 — (Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
