5 Sleeper Hits That Took The World By Surprise

A sleeper hit in the music world is a track that initially receives little notice, but later on, it manages to catch the public's imagination, climbing the charts after some time — months, years or even several decades post-release. Several factors contribute to such a phenomenon, which includes when a song gets a re-release, gets featured in movies or TV shows, becomes a sensation on social media, or more such occurrences that ignite a song’s popularity. Let's explore five songs that rose to fame well after their initial introduction.

1. “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush

The haunting melody of Kate Bush's “Running Up That Hill” only reached a peak of popularity when it was featured in the hit series Stranger Things. Although originally released in 1985, where it enjoyed moderate success, it wasn't until its inclusion in the 2022 Netflix show that it ramped up to number one charts globally, demonstrating Bush’s once-underrated gem’s timeless appeal.

2. “We Have All the Time in the World” by Louis Armstrong

Posthumously for Louis Armstrong, “We Have All the Time in the World” from 1969's On Her Majesty’s Secret Service soundtrack found its audience in the 1990s after being covered for a commercial. Despite zero chart impact at its initial release, Armstrong’s smooth rendition would go on to become a cherished classic, particularly favored for romantic occasions in the U.K. and Ireland.

3. “Dream On” by Aerosmith

Aerosmith didn't quite make waves with “Dream On” until a couple of years after its 1973 debut. The second wind came as they re-released the track with more emphasis on Steven Tyler's now-signature vocal style. The iconic rock anthem enjoyed renewed interest and carved its place in the music annals, not only due to its standalone appeal but also because of rapper Eminem's sample in his track “Sing for the Moment,” which led to a fresh surge of popularity in 2022.

4. “Layla” by Derek & the Dominos

One cannot talk about sleeper hits without paying homage to “Layla” by Eric Clapton’s Derek & the Dominos. Met with a lukewarm response upon its 1970 release, the full seven-minute version dropped two years later to widespread acclaim. “Layla” has since been immortalized as both a rock classic and a quintessential guitar masterwork.

5. “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo

Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” initially flew under the radar until it featured in the film Someone Great and sparked a viral TikTok challenge in 2019. The bump in popularity turned the once overlooked 2017 track into a global hit and cemented Lizzo’s status as a music industry powerhouse.

hit, music, fame