From Radiohead to Nirvana: 10 songs that went viral years after release
After Radiohead's non-single Let Down became a US hit almost three decades after its release, here's some other songs that have been revived thanks to TikTok.
In an era where TikTok can turn a bedroom demo into a Billboard smash, it’s equally capable of resurrecting forgotten gems and deep cuts from decades past. From haunting ballads to funky throwbacks, these tracks found new life thanks to Gen Z edits, cinematic montages, and viral dance challenges. Here are 10 songs that defied time - and algorithms - to become TikTok sensations long after their original release.
1. Radiohead – Let Down (1997)
Originally a non-single from OK Computer, Let Down became Radiohead’s fourth-ever Billboard Hot 100 hit in 2025 - 28 years after its release. TikTok users paired its melancholic beauty with emotional edits, choir covers, and cinematic montages, proving that existential dread never goes out of style.
2. Fleetwood Mac – Dreams (1977)
Nathan Apodaca’s viral skateboarding video—cranberry juice in hand, Dreams in the background—catapulted this soft rock classic back into the charts in 2020. The clip sparked a wave of nostalgia and introduced Fleetwood Mac to a whole new generation.
3. Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill (1985)
Thanks to Stranger Things Season 4, Bush’s ethereal anthem became the soundtrack to emotional TikToks everywhere. The song surged to the top of global charts nearly 40 years after its release, proving that synth-pop and supernatural drama are a match made in heaven.
4. The Cramps – Goo Goo Muck (1981)
Jenna Ortega’s gothic dance in Wednesday turned this punk track into a TikTok staple. Users recreated the choreography or added their own spooky flair, making Goo Goo Muck a Halloween favourite decades after its debut.
5. Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)
Chapman’s original version saw a resurgence in 2023 after Luke Combs’ country cover went viral. TikTok users rediscovered the emotional storytelling of the original, using it in heartfelt montages and road trip edits.
6. Nirvana – Something in the Way (1991)
Featured in The Batman trailers, this haunting grunge ballad became a TikTok mood-setter. Users paired it with brooding visuals and introspective captions, giving it a second life in the streaming era.
7. Lizzo – Truth Hurts (2017)
Initially overlooked, Truth Hurts exploded two years later thanks to TikTok and Netflix’s Someone Great. The “100 per cent that bitch” lyric became worked wonders for streams of the catchy earworm.
8. Redbone – Come and Get Your Love (1974)
After its use in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, this funky anthem became a TikTok favourite. Users embraced its feel-good vibe for dance challenges and retro-themed edits.
9. Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (1975)
Wayne’s World gave it a boost in the ’90s, but TikTok brought it back again with lip-syncs, dramatic transitions, and operatic flair. The song’s theatrical structure made it perfect for creative storytelling.
10. Connie Francis – Pretty Little Baby (1958)
This flirty doo-wop track went viral in 2025 after being used in nostalgic TikToks featuring vintage aesthetics and celebrity edits. It even broke into Spotify’s charts for the first time, proving that TikTok can revive even the most obscure gems.
