Throwback Songs That Have Gotten a Second Life Thanks to Social Media

Social media is a powerful vehicle, especially when it comes to music. Songs that haven’t been popular for decades can enjoy a second life with one well-made video. Many songs have experienced this phenomenon. Find three throwback songs that have become hits again in the digital age, below.

Videos by American Songwriter

“Careless Whisper” (George Michael)

George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” has more than made the rounds on TikTok. The anthemic bridge has become the fascination of Gen-Z, thanks to some well placed needle drops.

It’s not hard to see why this throwback song has become so popular on social media. It’s insatiably catchy, with the bridge being delectably replay-able. Though it wasn’t written with social media in mind, obviously, it has the same snapshot appeal that many “made-for-tik-tok” songs boast.

Tonight, the music seems so loud
I wish that we could lose this crowd
Maybe it’s better this way
We’d hurt each other with the things we want to say
We could have been so good together
We could have lived this dance forever
But now, who’s gonna dance with me?
Please stay

[RELATED: Nearly 40 Years Ago, George Michael Began “Most Amicable Split in Pop History” From Wham! Bandmate]

“Say It Right” (Nelly Furtado)

Flashing forward a few decades, we have “Say It Right” by Nelly Furtado. This early ’00s throwback song has become a hit once again thanks to social media. The ’00s are “in” again in many aspects of our culture–from clothing to music. This song’s second life is indicative of that pervasive trend.

Furtado has several throwback songs that have made waves on TikTok, giving her entire career a boost. When you make hits this good, it’s only a matter of time before they come back around.

Oh, you don’t mean nothing at all to me
No, you don’t mean nothing at all to me
But you got what it takes to set me free
Oh, you could mean everything to me

“Dreams” (Fleetwood Mac)

“Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac has never really exited the public consciousness, but it has earned even more ears than usual thanks to a TikTok trend.

This throwback song has an ethereal quality to it that makes you want to spin around in an open field, reveling in the day. TikTok users have made that hypothetical a reality, using this Fleetwood Mac hit to their advantage.

Oh, thunder only happens when it’s rainin’
Players only love you when they’re playin’
Say women, they will come and they will go
When the rain washes you clean, you’ll know
You’ll know

(Photo by MPIRock/MediaPunch via Getty Images)