Songs That Went Viral Again for Wild Reasons

From Viral Memes to Chart-Topping Hits: Songs Making Shocking Comebacks

Some songs just refuse to fade away. They might have been hits years ago, but thanks to the internet, they’re finding new life in the most unexpected ways. We’re talking about tunes that have become popular again, not because of a new album or a major tour, but because of memes, TikTok trends, or even family drama. Get ready to be surprised by these 10 songs that experienced a bizarre but brilliant comeback.

Victoria Beckham’s Chart Comeback Fueled by Family Feud

At number 10, we have Victoria Beckham’s 2001 single, “Not Such an Innocent Girl.” It didn’t make a huge splash when it first came out. But years later, after her son Brooklyn’s very public falling out with his parents, David and Victoria, something strange happened. Fans rallied together online to push the song back up the charts in several countries.

Brooklyn made some serious accusations, talking about emotional manipulation and embarrassing behavior. In response, a massive fan campaign aimed to give Victoria her very first solo number one hit in the UK. And guess what? They succeeded! This made her the last of the five Spice Girls to achieve a solo number one.

ABBA’s “Angel Eyes” Finds New Fame on TikTok

Next up at number 9 is ABBA’s “Angel Eyes.” It’s no shocker that a band as legendary as ABBA would eventually land on the meme scene. Many of their greatest hits are now known by a whole new generation thanks to online trends. “Angel Eyes” is a perfect example.

The song gained new popularity on TikTok through a trend that focused on a sadder part of its lyrics, often from the chorus leading into the dramatic hook. But as often happens online, the sincere use of the song slowly turned into something more ironic. Soon, the meme was all about making fun of exaggerated sadness or even just everyday things from the past, like old computer screensavers or cereal boxes.

The “Crazy Frog” Phenomenon: A Remix of “Axel F”

Coming in at number 8 is “Axel F” by Harold Faltermeyer. The original song from the movie *Beverly Hills Cop* was a classic 80s synth-pop track. However, during the early 2000s, when remixes were everywhere, the unforgettable Crazy Frog version hit the radio. It became one of the decade’s most surprising hits.

People either loved it or hated it, but it was a massive sensation. It even saw another boost in popularity years later with countless memes and video challenges. From being a popular ringtone to a TikTok trend, it makes you wonder where this song will pop up next.

“Take on Me” by a-ha: Still a Meme Gold Mine

At number 7, we have a-ha’s “Take on Me.” The unique sound of this song is likely to be loved for decades to come. Its powerful vocals, catchy synthesizers, and iconic music video made it perfect for all sorts of memes.

We’ve seen everything from funny dance routines to versions of the song slowed down or changed to a different key. It’s arguably just as relevant today as it ever was. In a world that sometimes feels a bit too serious, this song’s fun vibe makes it a dream for content creators.

Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” and the “Mom’s Spaghetti” Meme

Number 6 is Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” To this day, it’s one of the most culturally significant songs in Eminem’s vast collection. But with such huge popularity comes parody and jokes.

The most famous joke came from the line “His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy, there’s vomit on his sweater already… mom’s spaghetti.” People took that one line and ran with it, creating endless versions of the song where “mom’s spaghetti” became the main focus. Eminem even joined in, opening a restaurant in 2021 called “Mom’s Spaghetti” and serving the first few customers himself.

Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” Awakens Thanks to a Skater and Cranberry Juice

At number 5, Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” If you told Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks in 1977 that their song would have a second wave of popularity decades later, they probably wouldn’t have believed you. The comeback was sparked by a viral video of Nathan Apodaca skateboarding while drinking cranberry juice and lip-syncing to the song.

This happened during the COVID-19 pandemic and the video became a symbol of hope and finding joy in simple things. It was a reminder that it’s okay to take a moment for yourself and do what makes you happy. And that’s a pretty good reason for a song to get a boost.

Smash Mouth’s “All Star”: The Ultimate Shrek Meme Song

Coming in at number 4 is Smash Mouth’s “All Star.” The late 90s and early 2000s were a great time for upbeat and catchy music. “All Star” is a prime example of that era. The song got a big boost from being featured on the *Shrek* soundtrack.

Later, it was reborn in meme culture thanks to a series of strange fan edits, making it an easy target for jokes. Its super positive and motivational message now feels a bit like a throwback, clearly marking it as a song from a past time. But hey, “somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me…”

“Macarena” Gets a New Groove in Senior Aerobics

At number 3, we have “Macarena” by Los del Río. A song as catchy and well-known as “Macarena” was never going to disappear completely. You can still hear it at parties and clubs.

However, it got a significant popularity boost when it was used in a series of online senior aerobics classes. What better way to get a workout than to this 1993 classic? The song’s dance moves are easy to follow, much like old-school group exercise routines, making it a perfect fit. Plus, almost everyone knows the dance, making it a match made in heaven.

Nickelback’s “Photograph” Becomes a Meme Sensation

Number 2 on our list is Nickelback’s “Photograph.” Despite being often criticized for their predictable songwriting, Nickelback remains a popular band, with fans still packing their concerts. However, they haven’t escaped their reputation as one of the most-memed bands ever.

Take the “Photograph” meme, for example. The song’s overly dramatic lyrics and delivery made it ripe for ridicule. Once one fan edit went viral, many more quickly followed. The fact that Nickelback is such a polarizing band made the whole thing catch on like wildfire, bringing the song back into the public eye.

Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”: The Ultimate Rickroll

And at number 1, the king of unexpected comebacks: Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.” There might not be another song in history that had such a late explosion in cultural relevance. The fact that it became the center of a well-known internet prank, “Rickrolling,” just makes it even stranger.

Users would disguise links as something exciting, like movie trailers or big news, only for the link to take them to Astley’s music video. At first, the trend seemed to make fun of the video’s dated style. But over time, the song started to break free from its joke status and became genuinely loved by many. Astley himself even saw his career get a boost because of it.

What’s your favorite song that made a comeback for a surprising reason? Let us know in the comments!

Source: Top 10 Songs That Got Popular Again for Ridiculous Reasons (YouTube)