Recently, when the lists of the most successful songs of 2024 across charts, streaming platforms, and social media were unveiled, they featured anticipated chart-toppers alongside timeless classics. Interestingly, interspersed among them were a different breed of hit songs.
Several tracks that initially failed to make a significant impact upon their release, mostly originating from the 2010s, have since gained popularity and earned a special place in listeners' hearts.
Describing the surge of these slow-burning sleeper hits in recent times, Stuart Dredge, the head of insight at Music Ally, noted that it is "one of the most fascinating trends right now."
This article presents a compilation of the standout sleeper hits from the 2010s.
For instance, "I Wanna Be Yours" from the hit AM album peaked at 99 in the UK as a single. However, last year it garnered more Spotify plays than any other song over a decade old. The song's melodramatic chorus has been embraced by TikTok users as the soundtrack for their romantic proclamations.
Similarly, the brooding yet exquisite cover of the Simon and Garfunkel classic by the hard rock band Disturbed has resided in the UK top 60 for eight months in the past year, aided by a dance remix and a TikTok shuffle dance trend.
Moreover, "See You Again," despite not charting upon release, gained momentum on TikTok, eventually reaching number 21 in the UK in 2023. It emerged as the 19th most-streamed song on Spotify in the US in 2024.
While various songs from different eras have resurfaced over the years, the focus predominantly remains on the underrated gems of the 2010s.
Sarah Kloboves from music data analysts Chartmetric attributes this resurgence to individuals who grew up during this period, introducing their favorite tracks to a broader audience.
Dredge underscores this observation, highlighting how influencers on platforms like TikTok, who are a bit older, often feature songs from the 2010s that resonated with their teenage years.
Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer" is a notable example of a sleeper hit that climbed to number one in 2023 after not being released as an official single, securing the fifth spot among the biggest songs of 2024 on Apple Music.
Furthermore, many of these sleeper hits are characterized by their restrained and atmospheric musicality, serving as emotive soundtrack pieces rather than energetic anthems.
Additionally, Toyin Mustapha, the UK head of music partnerships for TikTok, believes that tracks that resonate with listeners emotionally tend to thrive on the platform, with fans actively choosing songs to accompany poignant moments in their lives.
In conclusion, the success of these sleeper hits often unfolds organically, driven by fan engagement rather than deliberate marketing efforts. As Dredge notes, "A brilliant song can connect with people, no matter how long ago it was made."