9 classic songs and albums that made an incredible chart comeback
What tunes!
Last updated 27th Jun 2022
With the popularity of Kate Bush's fantastic 'Running Up That Hill' rising thanks to the hit TV show Stranger Things, we thought we'd take a look at some classic songs and albums, that made an incredible chart comeback.
Some of these fantastic songs were first released back in the 70s or 80s, but it wasn't until recent years that they've enjoyed time at the top of the charts.
From Whitney Houston's covers such as 'Higher Love' and 'I Will Always Love You' to Wham! and Mariah Carey's Christmas classics finally getting to Number 1.
Take a look at classic songs that made an incredible chart comeback:
1985: Kate Bush - 'Running Up That Hill'
Back in 1985, Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' reached Number 3 in the UK. The song was written and produced by Kate and featured on her fifth studio album, 'Hounds of Love'.
2022: Kate Bush - 'Running Up That Hill'
Kate Bush's 1985 hit was used prominently in Stranger Things season 4 volume 1. 'Running Up That Hill' was one of the main character's favourite songs. When Max Mayfield found herself in the Upside Down, it was listening to this song that saved her.
Now, 37 years after the song was originally released it reached Number 1 in the UK, breaking several records on its way, including the record for the oldest female to have a UK Number 1, along with the longest time taken for a track to reach Number 1, and the longest gap between Number 1 singles.
1984: Wham! - 'Last Christmas'
In 1984, Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' was kept off the top spot by Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'. When it was released it was at Number 2 for five weeks and even re-entered the chart a year later as a Top 10 hit.
2021: Wham! - 'Last Christmas'
After a massive 36 years, and a few re-entries to the chart, Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' finally got to Number 1 in early 2021. Speaking about the song's success Andrew Ridgeley said: "(I am) delighted, somewhat amazed and profoundly pleased." He also paid tribute to his late bandmate George Michael saying: "It is a fitting tribute to George's song-writing genius … he would have been immensely proud and utterly thrilled."
1994: Mariah Carey - 'All I Want For Christmas'
Mariah Carey's Christmas hit 'All I Want For Christmas' was kept off the top spot when it was released in 1994 by East 17's 'Stay Another Day'. Despite this, the song has become synonymous with Christmas and continues to played every year!
2020: Mariah Carey - 'All I Want For Christmas'
In 2020, Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas' finally got to Number 1 in the UK, 26 years after its initial release. Speaking at the time, Mariah said: "Happy Christmas UK!! We finally made it!!! We are keeping the Christmas spirit alive together despite how dismal the year's been. Love you always! Joy to the world!"
1992: Whitney Houston - 'I Will Always Love You'
Whitney Houston's version of 'I Will Always Love You' was featured on the film The Bodyguard, which she starred in alongside Kevin Costner.
At the time, the song was a huge hit, giving Whitney one of the best-selling singles of all time, it also became the best-selling single by a woman.
2012: Whitney Houston - 'I Will Always Love You'
It was then in 2012, after the sad passing of Whitney Houston, that the singer's huge hit re-entered the charts, reaching Number 10 in the UK.
1990: Whitney Houston - 'Higher Love'
Originally released by Steve Winwood, Whitney Houston's version of 'Higher Love' was released in 1990, when it reached Number 13 in the UK.
2019: Kygo and Whitney Houston - 'Higher Love'
In 2019, Swedish DJ and producer Kygo reworked Whitney's version of the song as a tropical house cover. This version was very successful in the UK, giving Whitney her 18th song to peak within the Top 10 and also her first posthumous Top 10 track.
1998: Proclaimers - 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)'
The Proclaimers' 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)' was a hit back in 1998 when it was released, getting to Number 13. The song has become the duo's most popular song worldwide and is regularly played at their concerts.
2007 - Comic Relief - 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)'
In 2007, The Proclaimers' classic song was re-recorded by Peter Kay and Matt Lucas, as Brian Potter from Phoenix Nights and Andy Pipkin from Little Britain, for Comic Relief.
The song was a huge hit reaching Number 1 and remaining there for three weeks.
1977-79: Meat Loaf - 'Bat Out of Hell' (album)
Meat Loaf first released his 'Bat Out of Hell' album back in 1977, but it didn't do very well, and it wasn't until 1979 that is saw chart success after being featured on The Old Grey Whistle Test. It then got to Number 9 in the UK.
2013/2022: Meat Loaf - 'Bat Out of Hell' (album)
Since the album's initial success in 1979, the album has appeared a couple of times in the chart. In 2013 it re-entered, once again reaching Number 9.
Meat Loaf's albums also re-entered the chart after his death in early 2022. His compilation album 'Hits Out Of Hell' reached the Top 5 and his 1993 album 'Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell' reached the Top 30.
1986: 'Top Gun' (soundtrack)
Back in 1986, with the success of Top Gun (the film), the movie soundtrack also rose high up the charts, with iconic songs such as 'Danger Zone', 'Take My Breath Away' and of course 'Top Gun Anthem'.
The soundtrack album reached Number 4 in the album charts.
2022: 'Top Gun: Maverick' (soundtrack)
With the release of the eagerly anticipated sequel to Top Gun, came Top Gun: Maverick, and with it a new soundtrack. Despite having a number of new songs, the soundtrack also features many of the classic songs from the first film. The soundtrack album has now reached the Number 1 spot in the compilation chart.
70s/80s Elton John - 'Rocket Man’, ‘Sacrifice’, ‘Kiss the Bride’, and ‘Where’s the Shoorah?’
In the 70s and 80s, Elton John released several popular songs 'Rocket Man', 'Sacrifice', and 'Kiss the Bride', as well as his album track 'Where's the Shoorah?', which was used in the film Blue Moves.
2021: Elton John and Dua Lipa - 'Cold Heart' (Pnau remix)
OK, so it's not exactly the same song, but in 2021, Elton John teamed up with Dua Lipa on 'Cold Heart' which Australian trio Pnau produced. The song mashes up Elton's songs 'Rocket Man', 'Sacrifice', 'Kiss the Bride', and 'Where's the Shoorah?', resulting in a worldwide Number 1.
You can hear many of these songs on Magic.
Now read:
Classic films that made an epic comeback
'Running Up That Hill' could get Kate Bush another week at Number 1
Whitney Houston: From pop icon to movie star