bbc.com
2010s 'Sleeper Hits' Find Success Through Social Media
Multiple 2010s songs, initially unsuccessful, achieved unexpected popularity in 2024, largely via TikTok and other social media platforms; examples include Lord Huron's "The Night We Met" and The Neighbourhood's "Sweater Weather", highlighting a shift in music consumption.
- How does the current trend of 'sleeper hits' differ from past patterns of music popularity?
- The resurgence of these 'sleeper hits' reflects a shift in music consumption. Unlike previous decades, songs are now chosen and reinterpreted by fans via social media, creating new contexts and emotional connections. This active participation, as opposed to passive listening, fuels the popularity of songs that resonate emotionally.
- What factors contributed to the unexpected success of several 2010s songs that initially underperformed?
- Numerous 2010s songs initially unsuccessful have become popular due to social media, particularly TikTok. Examples include Lord Huron's "The Night We Met" (No. 60 in 2024 Official Charts) and The Neighbourhood's "Sweater Weather" (seventh most-streamed on Spotify). This trend is driven by older Gen Z users sharing songs from their teenage years.
- What are the long-term implications of social media's influence on music discovery and the lifespan of songs?
- This trend signals the evolving power of social media in shaping music popularity. The organic virality on platforms like TikTok demonstrates that great songs can transcend initial commercial failure, finding new audiences and longevity through emotional resonance and user-driven content creation. Expect this trend to continue.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article is framed positively towards the resurgence of these songs, emphasizing their emotional resonance and the organic nature of their success. The headline itself highlights the 'lost classics,' creating a narrative of rediscovery and underscoring their appeal. This positive framing might overlook the possibility that some songs might benefit from algorithm manipulation or other factors that are not mentioned.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, avoiding overtly loaded or biased terms. Words like "firm favorites," "slow-burning," and "rediscovery" are used, creating a positive connotation, but they are not so strong as to constitute bias.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses on a specific set of songs that have gained popularity recently, but it does not discuss other songs that might have followed similar trajectories. There is no mention of potential biases in the selection of these songs. While this might be due to space constraints, a brief acknowledgement of this limitation would improve the article.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic view of the reasons for these songs' delayed success. While social media is highlighted as a major factor, other contributing elements (radio play, critical acclaim, etc.) are not explored in depth. This might lead to a misinterpretation of the complexity of the music industry.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights how songs that initially failed to gain traction later achieved significant success, suggesting that even seemingly unsuccessful ventures can find an audience and generate revenue over time. This aligns with the concept of sustainable economic growth that can uplift individuals and reduce poverty.