Nothing quite has the power to catapult a song to the top of the charts like a hot TV show or a blockbuster hit. It also seems that music has the power to connect generations. So, we put together a list of 10 songs repopularized by movies and TV shows over the years.
10 Songs Repopularized by Movies and TV Shows
“Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush
One of the most talked-about shows right now, Stranger Things, recently aired its fourth season. The rise of this popular show propelled Kate Bush’s classic hit titled, “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. In contrast, in 1985 it only peaked at #30. Stranger Things has created some nostalgia for the older audiences and now younger fans of the show are loving this song.
“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
“I Will Always Love You” was covered by Whitney Houston in 1992 for the film, The Bodyguard. Houston earned enormous success, giving this song a second life after the initial song by Dolly Parton was released in 1974. Parton’s original did become a #1 hit on the country charts. However, it was nowhere near as universally successful as Whitney Houston’s version.
“Old Time Rock and Roll” by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
“Old Time Rock and Roll” by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band was used in the 1983 film, Risky Business. It was initially released in 1979, peaking at #28 on Billboard Hot 100, but the film gave the song a resurgence in popularity. After the movie’s release, the song reached #48 because many rock stations were playing the song.
“Girl You’ll Wanna Be a Woman Soon” by Urge Overkill
The next song on the list “Girl, You’ll Wanna Be a Woman Soon” was covered by Urge Overkill in 1992. Later, after being used in 1994 for the film Pulp Fiction, the song charted at #59 on the Billboard Hot 100. But did you know that the original song from 1967 is by Neil Diamond? It originally peaked at #10 on the pop singles charts on Billboard. Clearly, covers of classic songs can make a difference in the revival of a song.
“Truth Hurts” by Lizzo
Now, “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo was released pretty recently in 2017. However, we must mention that this #1 hit was in the Netflix film, Someone Great, before it became mainstream in 2019. But, this song had the fortune of a trifecta impact: social media buzz, BET Award Show performance, and the film, all of which made this song blow up everywhere. Without Netflix, this sleeper hit wouldn’t have gotten to where it did in 2019.
“Crazy in Love (Remix)” by Beyonce
“Crazy in Love” by Beyonce was remade and featured on the trailer for 50 shades of Grey, which received over 37 million views in its first week. When it was announced that it would be an album exclusive, the movie got even more attention, and the album went platinum. Initially it was not put on streaming platforms or digital sales, so the new version did not make it to Billboard, where it the original had peaked at #1. However, it did gain a lot of hype, and according to Billboard charts was the most successful soundtrack of 2015.
“Twist and Shout” by The Beatles
The 1961 hit, “Twist and Shout” by the Top Notes did not chart originally until the Isely Brothers covered the hit in 1962 and it hit #17. The Beatles, who covered it in 1964, gave it some more life and their version peaked at #2. The song was repopularized in 1986 when two iconic movies, Ferris Bueller Day Off and Back to School, included it in their films and it started trending again, this time charting at #23.
“Stand by Me” by Ben E. King
“Stand by Me” by Ben E. King originally released in 1961 hit #4 on the Billboard charts. In 1986, a film by the same title, Stand By Me, was released which featured the song, front and center, in its theatrical trailer. The song once again hit the top ten of the charts a quarter of a century later.
“Do You Love Me” by The Contours
The Contours’ hit “Do You Love Me,” released in 1962 peaked at #3 back in the day. It got a second chance at life because of the 1987 movie Dirty Dancing. At that point, it reached the #11 spot on Billboard. Today, it’s still one of the biggest songs of all time, being certified diamond by the RIAA.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
The next song on the list needs no introduction, but I’ll give it one anyway. The iconic, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” by Queen is one of the most beloved songs of the 20th century, but it did not initially peak as high as many people think. It reached #9 on Billboard in 1976. The first time it was repopularized was in 1992, when it peaked at #2 because of the film, Wayne’s World. In 2018, the film, Queen, renewed its popularity, yet again, and it hit #33 on the Billboard Hot 100’s.
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