The 'Stranger Things' Effect
Perhaps the most dramatic example of this phenomenon is Kate Bush’s 1985 masterpiece, “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God).” The song was a hit when it was first released, but its use in the fourth season of Netflix's 'Stranger Things' in 2022 catapulted
it to a new stratosphere of fame. Featured as a talisman for the character Max Mayfield, the song resonated deeply with viewers, old and new. The impact was immediate and staggering. It shot to Number 1 on the UK charts, 37 years after its initial release, and became Bush's first-ever Top 10 hit in the United States. Bush herself expressed her shock and delight at the song's resurgence, noting that a whole new audience was discovering her work. This wasn't just a fleeting viral moment; it was a cultural event that demonstrated the power of a perfect 'sync' — the placement of a song in visual media.
Dancing Through 'Saltburn'
More recently, the internet was captivated by Sophie Ellis-Bextor's 2001 disco-pop anthem, “Murder on the Dancefloor.” The catalyst was its unforgettable placement in the final scene of the divisive film 'Saltburn.' Following the movie's release, the song went viral on platforms like TikTok, where users recreated the film's final, flamboyant dance sequence. The track re-entered the UK Top 10 for the first time in 22 years and even made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. Global streams on Spotify surged, with New Year's Eve 2023 marking its best day ever on the platform with 1.5 million streams. Ellis-Bextor fully embraced the revival, even posting her own take on the dance, showing how artists can engage with these organic resurgences.
A Rom-Com Anthem Reborn
Sometimes a song becomes a character in itself. Natasha Bedingfield's 2004 optimistic anthem, “Unwritten,” became a central plot point in the 2023 romantic comedy 'Anyone But You.' In the film, it’s the main character’s “serenity song,” used to calm his fear of flying. This repeated use throughout the movie ingrained it in the audience's mind, and soon, the cast singing along in the credits became a viral trend. This wasn’t the song’s first brush with screen fame—it was the theme for the MTV series 'The Hills'—but its role in 'Anyone But You' gave it a fresh, joyful context. The renewed popularity proves that a feel-good track with an uplifting message is timeless, and a clever film placement can give audiences permission to fall in love with it all over again.
The Original TikTok Revival
Before TV and film syncs became the dominant force, there was the pure, chaotic energy of a TikTok trend. In 2020, Fleetwood Mac's 1977 classic “Dreams” found itself back in the spotlight thanks to a video by Nathan Apodaca. The clip, which showed him longboarding while drinking cranberry juice and lip-syncing to the song, was the definition of a 'vibe.' It went massively viral, prompting millions of recreations, including from band members Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks themselves. The result? “Dreams” re-entered the Billboard charts more than four decades after its release, proving that a single, relatable moment captured on video can reintroduce a classic to millions of young listeners who otherwise might never have heard it.
