There are a lot of pop songs out there that have flopped, and even more that have gained immense popularity. Some of the ones that flop end up being cult classics, gaining traction on TikTok and Instagram and sending those songs back to the charts. Occasionally, another artist will do a remix of a long-forgotten pop flop, breathing new life into the track. Here are four relative flops that eventually became pop hits.
Pop Flops That Became Cult Classics
“Truth Hurts” — Lizzo
While “Truth Hurts” initially came out in 2017, it didn’t really blow up until 2019 when it was picked up by TikTok users. On the social media platform Lizzo found newly dedicated fans who championed “Truth Hurts” and sent it climbing the charts. It hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 in September 2019 after debuting at No. 50, becoming Lizzo’s first No. 1 hit.
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“Love You Like A Love Song” — Selena Gomez
In 2011, Selena Gomez dropped her third and final album, When the Sun Goes Down. Initially, “Love You Like A Love Song” didn’t make it out of the Top 40, even while the album itself peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Generally, this offering received mixed reviews, with many critics claiming Gomez was phoning it in. However, “Love You Like A Love Song” remains a fan favorite among Selena Gomez diehards.
“Stars Are Blind” — Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton’s music career was generally panned by critics when she released “Stars Are Blind” on her debut album Paris from 2006. However, she went on to become a pretty decent DJ and released another album, Infinite Icon, in 2024. It wasn’t until Hilton remixed “Stars Are Blind” with Kim Petras that the song gained momentum, earning it well-deserved cult status. Although, real fans knew about the song’s potential from the beginning.
“Break the Ice” — Britney Spears
While Britney Spears’ 2007 album Blackout featured hit songs like “Gimme More” and “Piece of Me,” it was “Break the Ice” that really deserved more love at the time. Now, it’s become a cult favorite for its catchy simplicity. It doesn’t over complicate itself and is, overall, a solid pop song. It also has a weird yet captivating anime music video that’s definitely worth checking out.
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