From VHS to Viral: The 80s Songs That Refused to Die
Rewind to Replay: How 80s Hits Got a Wild Second Life in the 21st Century
The 80s gave us so much: wild fashion, awesome new gadgets (remember the Walkman?!), and a killer soundtrack packed with synths, power ballads, and tunes you just couldn’t get out of your head. But while tons of hits from that decade just kinda faded away, some truly special ones have made astonishing comebacks, grabbing huge new fanbases decades later. All thanks to movies, TV shows, commercials, and even internet memes, these 80s anthems aren’t just oldies anymore; they’re bona fide 21st-century smash hits!
Let’s dive into some of the most jaw-dropping musical revivals:
The Stranger Things Effect: Kate Bush – “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”
Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill”
Talk about a comeback! When it comes to this phenomenon, no song does it better than Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.” This dreamy synth-pop gem came out in 1985 and was a cool hit back then. But fast forward to 2022, and its huge role in Stranger Things Season 4 sent it absolutely soaring to the top of charts worldwide – nearly 40 years after its debut! Millions of new listeners discovered Kate Bush’s magic, proving a great song can totally cross generations with the right spotlight.
And hey, Stranger Things didn’t just stop with Kate Bush. The show has been a huge force in bringing back tons of other 80s tunes. Songs like The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go,” and Limahl’s “The NeverEnding Story” all got a fresh burst of popularity after being featured. The show’s obvious love for the era’s music basically turned entire playlists into time machines for Gen Z and millennials alike.
From Mob Bosses to Show Choirs: Journey – “Don’t Stop Believin’”
Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” (1981)
was already a rock anthem, but it really took off again in the 21st century. That famous, ambiguous final scene in The Sopranos finale in 2007 got everyone talking about it again. Then, just two years later, Glee practically made it their theme song, performing it over and over throughout the show. That shot “Don’t Stop Believin'” right back into pop culture, turning it into a beloved singalong for a whole new generation.
Viral Vectors & Cult Classics: Toto & Dead or Alive
The internet and dedicated fan communities have been awesome tools for bringing songs back from the past. Toto’s “Africa” (1982) made a huge resurgence in the late 2010s, thanks to countless internet memes and that super popular fan-requested Weezer cover in 2018. While it had a brief cameo in Stranger Things, it was really the whole online buzz that made “Africa” everywhere again.
In a similar vibe, Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” (1984) got a wild second life. After a cult following boost from American Psycho in 2000, it absolutely blew up on TikTok in the 2020s. Viral dance challenges and funny content introduced the catchy tune to millions of young users, proving its infectious beat still gets people moving!
Big Screen Comebacks: Iconic Movie Revivals
Movies have this incredible power to re-launch songs with a bang, making them unforgettable for new generations:
a-ha – “Take On Me” (1985):
This song, with its mind-blowing animated music video, always stayed pretty well-known. But its big feature in Steven Spielberg’s 2018 blockbuster Ready Player One, plus tons of commercial spots, gave it a huge new boost decades later.
Phil Collins – “In the Air Tonight” (1981):
That legendary drum break in this track found a whole new audience thanks to its unforgettable (and hilarious) scene in The Hangover (2009). The movie’s popularity introduced the song’s dramatic build and epic moment to a whole new crowd.
Bonnie Tyler – “Holding Out for a Hero” (1984):
This powerful anthem made a truly massive comeback thanks to Shrek 2 (2004). The animated film’s elaborate and much-loved scene featuring the song introduced it to a massive global audience, especially kids and families, two decades after it first came out, making it an iconic, empowering anthem for ages.
Kenny Loggins – “Danger Zone” (1986):
The original Top Gun made this song the ultimate anthem for fighter pilots and high-octane action. But the massive success of its 2022 sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, blasted “Danger Zone” right back into the mainstream, thrilling fans old and new and reminding everyone it’s still the ultimate aviation jam.
Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975):
Okay, so it’s technically from the 70s, but its timeless vibe and that unforgettable car singalong scene in Wayne’s World (1992) gave this operatic rock masterpiece a monumental, fresh cultural moment. It basically re-introduced it to a generation who might’ve missed its first runs.
Cyndi Lauper – “Time After Time” (1983):
This sweet ballad found a wonderfully quirky new life in Napoleon Dynamite (2004). Its use in the film’s climactic dance sequence made it a cult classic moment and really resonated with a new, younger audience.
Pixies – “Where Is My Mind?” (1988):
This one wasn’t a chart-topper in the 80s, but its perfectly moody and iconic placement in the final scene of David Fincher’s Fight Club (1999) totally transformed it into a cult favorite. That exposure sent the song skyrocketing to fame way beyond its original indie release.
Chris Isaak – “Wicked Game” (1989):
This haunting and atmospheric song found its defining cinematic moment in David Lynch’s 1990 film Wild at Heart. Its iconic music video also became a staple, and the song’s presence in the film solidified its status as a timeless, seductive classic, consistently used in media decades later to set a mood of longing or mystery.
Small Screen Superstars: TV Series & Commercial Boosts
TV shows, from serious dramas to our favorite sitcoms, have also played a huge role in bringing 80s hits back into the spotlight:
Depeche Mode – “Never Let Me Down Again” (1987):
Already a dark synth-pop classic, this track gained a deep emotional punch and a huge surge in popularity thanks to its poignant and powerful use in the hit HBO series The Last of Us (2023). Its inclusion really connected with both existing fans and new viewers discovering the show.
Belinda Carlisle – “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” (1987):
This feel-good anthem made a huge comeback thanks to its central role in Black Mirror: San Junipero (2016). That beloved episode, set in a nostalgic virtual reality, gave the song a touching new meaning that endeared it to a vast audience and got everyone rediscovering it.
Nena – “99 Luftballons” (1983):
This German new wave hit got a significant boost when it was prominently featured in the awesome HBO series Watchmen (2019). Its quirky but dark vibe perfectly matched the show’s alternate history story, bringing it back to a modern audience in a powerful new way.
The Proclaimers – “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” (1988):
While pretty well-known, this catchy tune became super famous again through its running gag on the hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother (2007-2014). Marshall Eriksen’s long-running road trip tradition made it a feel-good classic that stuck around for a massive TV audience.
Fleetwood Mac – “Seven Wonders” (1987):
Always a cherished track, its unexpected but totally perfect use in American Horror Story: Coven (2013), especially with Stevie Nicks herself in the scenes, sparked a big rediscovery among the show’s huge fanbase.
Madonna – “Material Girl” (1984):
This iconic Madonna track got a fresh, classical makeover for Bridgerton Season 2 (2022). That orchestral arrangement introduced the song to a new, diverse audience who might not have known the original, really showing off its timeless melody.
Lipps Inc. – “Funkytown” (1980):
This disco-era banger, with its irresistible groove, got a fresh lease on life thanks to its memorable use in the beloved sitcom Friends in the episode “The One Where the Stripper Cries” (2004). Its infectious energy, especially during that flashback dance scene, made it a perfect fit for the show’s funny moments, cementing its place in pop culture for a new generation of viewers.
The Ultimate Internet Surprise: Rick Astley – “Never Gonna Give You Up”
And finally, we absolutely can’t talk about 80s revivals without mentioning Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” (1987). This pop hit got the most unexpected second life as the heart of the “Rickrolling” phenomenon, which kicked off around 2007. This internet prank, where folks were tricked into clicking a link that led straight to the song’s music video, made Astley’s tune arguably more famous than it ever was when it first came out, going way beyond just being a song and becoming a truly global cultural moment.
These examples just go to show that a truly great song is always timeless. With the right nudge from today’s media, even tracks from decades ago can find a whole new generation of fans, proving that the best music never really dies – it just waits for its next big moment.
What other 80s songs do you think are due for a massive comeback?