Sleeper Hits That Took Forever to Blow Up

[@artvjon]

I’m sorry if this episode felt a bit rushed, it was because of...well, I was in a rush due to being behind after going to Sonic Temple. Anyways, thanks for stopping by. Hit that like button for me 👍🏻

[@Simon-xt5tv]

It's ok, love your material!!!

[@yourchaoticadhdfriend3523]

420 likes lol.

[@1rhpsfan]

@@Thesportsmusicgod This will show my age, but I don't another example is I Never Been To Me.

[@quentinbringthenumetalchil5125]

You look like you would've been a member for a pop punk band back in 1999.

[@FabulousKilljoy]

😂

[@averagebritishguy7082]

He looks more like that one scene from There's Something About Mary.

[@ladonna1007]

He looks like the fifth Weezer member.

[@5196Tpffan]

2010-2012 was such a nostalgic time for music. The pop queens at the time released some of their best work, and after the club boom fizzled out, unique artists with interesting songs were able to break through (most of them coming from the UK). I remember hearing Lady Gaga's first hits and Somebody That I Used to Know before they became popular, and I had listened to another hit of Ellie Goulding's (Starry Eyed) before she blew up in the US.

[@quentinbringthenumetalchil5125]

I agree!

[@lamibonxd]

Chantasia Manuel honestly 2010-2012 is prob my favorite era of music.

[@idonthaveaname6472]

we are young, pumped up kicks and somebody that I used to know gotta be played back to back on my nostalgia trips

[@Tyler-on5se]

My favourite was frank oceans debut album

[@b.c.8511]

Glad "Pumped Up Kicks" had its moment of glory, even if it was short-lived. Also is "Sit Next To Me" by Foster the People a sleeper hit as well? I didn't hear it on the radio until maybe late 2018-early 2019, even when the album it was featured in was released in July 2017.

[@50l50l50Productions]

My thoughts exactly! I remember my friend showing me the new Foster of People album and it blew my mind to hear "Sit Next To Me" a couple months later on my local pop station.

[@perfectparadox6206]

Foster the people are super underratted

[@zeroprmscs]

"Sit Next To Me" was an ultimate Sleeper Hit Song. I've been following Foster since "Pumped Up Kicks" and even when they released cool songs and albums, I didn't expect that they would ever release another hit like PUK, but it happened. SNTM was EVERYWHERE, and even when it wasn't as succesful as PUK, it gave Foster their second time to have those unexpected hits

[@Ellthom]

That moment you are actually reminded it's a Sunday because of Seven On Sunday :P

[@lekseimgaming2780]

Someone probably mentioned this before me, but "Safe And Sound" by Capital Cities is a sleeper hit. It took 2 and a half years after it's release to make it's peak position in the Billboard Hot 100.

[@gracemagisana5503]

I have the same opinion on Somebody That I Used To Know, it's such a great song and the feeling I get every time I listen to it is transcendental. I really don't know why, but that says something about the production and Gotye and Kimbra's voices.

[@b.c.8511]

Damn Lights was really four years old when i first heard it??? Honestly quite surprised.

[@jadenthemusicfreak]

Ikr that was a shock to me

[@prettyfrog4176]

That make so much sense to me , I always thought that this song is way older than 2012

[@thevarietykid686]

B. C. it was recorded in 2008 but not released until 2010 so it was more like 2 years but still.

[@edwardchen9619]

ellie was the true slept on talented artist

[@micahalaizaaraojo-eusena7866]

I remember Some Nights or We Are Young (I'm leaning on the latter) by Fun. is a sleeper hit since one took 20 weeks before entering the charts

[@LiamAustraliaRocks]

Im shocked you didnt mention "Where is my mind?" By pixies. Was hardly known about in 1987, then it featured in Fight Club in 1999, and bang! An instant classic that climbed the billboard charts.

[@loadedpainted7040]

or violent femmes bilster in the sun. that album came out in 83 and didn't blow up til the 90s. first thing that came to mind when i saw the title.

[@Simon-xt5tv]

Love the bird-esque hair

[@billyfenney9366]

Lights is a banger tbf

[@jeffm9770]

Good list. Another one is I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by the Proclaimers. Released in 1988, it hit number 3 in the US in 1993.

[@ZyraLt]

somebody that I used to know makes me sad about a breakup I've never had

[@dakotacook1777]

Do you think Chlorine could possibly become a sleeper hit? It reached the top of Alternative and Rock charts but hasn't hit the Hot 100 yet. It even has over 110 million views on KZbin and almost 100 million streams on Spotify. I'm baffled by how big it's gotten already, but do you think it could get bigger?

[@jadenthemusicfreak]

I hope so

[@xx_donnie_in_transit_xx9688]

Hasn't hit the hot 100? That's strange considering that the radio station that was on at my old job played it at least 10 times a day

[@JessWest118]

Lights is such a great song, simple but just pop perfect. I’m glad it got some recognition, even if it deserved to be number one. 😊

[@LakeFX]

"Walking on a Dream" by Empire of the Sun comes to my mind... it was recorded a few years before it was used in a commercial, and it blew up.

[@quentinbringthenumetalchil5125]

If this was an album version, "Songs About Jane" would've been a contender since that album came out in 2002, but didn't gain mainstream traction until two years later.

[@hailiesbong2734]

True

[@MrMike855]

The early 2010s were definitely the glory years for sleeper hits. "Too Close" by Alex Clare, "Ho Hey" by the Lumineers, "Some Nights" by fun and probably the biggest of them all, "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men. Little Talks was first played on an Alternative station in August 2011, released as a singles in December 2011, first charted in 2012, took 30 weeks to reach the top 40 and eventually peaked in February 2013. Don't remind me that Lights was blocked from hitting number 1 by Whistle, it still annoys me to this date.

[@bro-rm5xo]

I L O V E Radiohead and I'm glad Creep gave them the spotlight that let them continue their careers and make all the other albums I love from them but I'm not a huge fan of Creep.

[@ashleedawn456]

I love Radiohead too. And as much as Creep is not representative of them at all, I can still have some humor about and appreciate it.

[@i_dont_know_who_i_am69]

It's funny, Creep was the thing that introduced me to them, for months it was the only song from them i play, but these days i very rarely listen to it anymore.

[@KayleeCee]

I got into Radiohead in 1998 when my cousin went into the Navy and left all of her CDs with me. She had a copy of OK Computer and I was like "oh, cool. This is the band that did that Creep song that I sort of liked". OK Computer sounded almost nothing like Creep, but it was so fabulous that I got hooked on it.

[@ChrisS-rr6nw]

Boo’d Up took a whole YEAR to go mainstream. Now talk about a steady climb.

[@StFrancis1128]

Lights is still Ellie's best song for me

[@hannahkaylene7617]

omg i remembered listening to the new pop radio on itunes and i was listening to the new song at the time “here” by alessia cara. it didn’t blow up until about a little more than half a year. i felt so proud of myself lol.

[@youngpop8696]

Cheerleader by omi is another one. Also great video man!

[@casertanick]

I was thinking about Ride by Twenty One Pilots. It was released in May 2015 and didn't hit its peak of #2 on the charts until September 2016

[@misternoodle13]

I heard Feel it Still in like March of the year it was released and then in late summer it started getting a massive amount of radio play all of a sudden

[@Regent192]

John Legends "all of me" was an old song that blew up a couple years ago

[@soulexchangemusic]

Not going to make the video but i would like to mention some sleeper hits from Japan "Dominator" By aldious (did not peak for about 11 months, which was at number 9 on the oricon chart) Oricon is Japans hot 100 basically "Senko Strings" by Cynthia (peaked at number 13 after 7 months) "duex" by the Gazette (don't remember position, it did not peak until a year and a half later, nearly 2 years in 2017) "Cockroach" and "relia" by the gazette, both songs came out in 2005, and both did not peak intil 2016 with "relia" peaking at 26 and "Cockroach" at number 19 respectively

[@lisandroxiii5031]

That's why I saw videos of 2000's hits were people putted Poker Face as a hit of 2009 and I was like: "Wait isn't this song from 2008?"

[@bipolaryx]

Same.

[@clintsmith794]

Love Seven on Sunday content. Keep it up jon 👍🏻

[@lilsaam]

you always have such great video ideas ?? i'm amazed you've been at this for years and still manage to come up with interesting topics every single time

[@artvjon]

Truly appreciate that. They just come to me over time, and sometimes viewers suggest something cool.

[@aspenleaves]

Happy to see awolnation on this list. Great band, and they're still doing good, their newest album is really good.

[@sonaldj182]

Sweet idea for a list

[@charcoalcoloredmind5409]

i remember watching the rise of “dog days are over”... i was very young when i heard it only a few months before it blew up. a legendary track

[@cjsgraphics8027]

Idk what is with FTP's songs blowing up a year after they release them lol. same happened with sit next to me

[@ashleedawn456]

I've become a big fan of Radiohead and as much as Creep is not representative of them at all, I can still have some humor about and appreciate it.

[@marcels_wine9602]

Yea both Poker Face and Bad Romance were songs I played a lot in Just Dance

[@brycekamin]

What about take me to church by hozier?

[@ryanwolfe3562]

jon really out here looking like mark hoppus with that hair

[@charliehicks9260]

A budgie*

[@canndbeans8888]

YEEESSS FLORENCE!!!! She is my absolute queen.💖💖

[@cheyennebailey5149]

I love how all these songs are on my radar and I remember when they made it to radio.

[@mmdpod]

Thanks for being you 🤘😊👍

[@musicman6555]

Those MGMT songs were rerecorded and then got famous if that counts

[@beebajazz]

Bulletproof by La Roux didn't break top 10 until a year after its release. I remember getting it free on itunes and never thinking it would catch on despite it being catchy, then months later it was everywhere all of a sudden

[@zofuiaisntyourhomie4839]

I'm so glad that you mention AWOLNATION

[@Thebratzbaby]

I like this list. You should do more of these

[@StFrancis1128]

I think Nicki Minaj's Roman Holiday is about to blow up after years from being released because of these twitter memes

[@stanconnorstan4266]

Honestly, it still is/are her best album(s)

[@cerebralaudio5587]

The ultimate "sleeper" hit: Nights In White Satin by The Moody Blues. Originally released in Nov. 1968, and only made it to #103 in the US. However, the song was re-released in 1972, and found it's way to #9 in the US.

[@christophermorrow6747]

here is one interesting one the sheriff song when im with you originally peaked at 61 on the hot 100 but was re entered when radio stations began playing it from a song that was originally from 1983 became a number 1 single in 1989.

[@happy_fecker]

Yeah. By time it climbed the charts in 1989, the band Sheriff had been long gone, splitting up in 1985.

[@phillinsogood]

I remember when I first heard “Lights” in late 2011 and I thought it was so good and stood out from a lot of other tracks at the time.

[@episodicanalysis]

Nice list, I would have put Harder To Breathe by Maroon 5 in mine as it came out in the summer of 2002 and wasn’t a hit until early 2004.

[@haleyrosemoore9157]

McGeeK02 Same with She will be loved and This love

[@iliketrains3495]

That would be just another excuse for Jon to go on his "maroon 5 used to be so good" tirade. But good example

[@haleyrosemoore9157]

Yeah you’re right

[@Guilldude]

This guy is the funniest looking American I have ever seen! Love your videos bro.

[@FloatingQuaker]

7. Ah, I remember when that song came out. So weird seeing that music video on my phone now when I was watching it on a large computer in my grandparents' cottage back in the day. 6. Oh, Creep. How we've all sung your lyrics at some point. Admittedly, while it's not the best Radiohead song, I do sympathize with its message a bit. 5. Heard this song a lot while wandering the streets of Toronto with my family when I was a kid. Got to see them live too, which was super cool. 4. It's a shame Gotye hasn't released any new music since 2011. Making Mirrors took awhile to grow on me, but now I love this song, State of the Art, and especially Save Me. Thanks Adam Rosner for highlighting this band. 3. Honestly, I know I need to check this band out more, but the fact that the radio killed this single for me is very demotivating. I dunno. 2. The only songs I've heard from this band are this song on occasion, and their track Jailbreak. Heard it during a driving montage in EverymanHYBRID, and thought it sounded really cool. 1. Man, I can't believe how long Ellie Goulding has been around. Still a great songwriter, and she's awesome live. And Lights is still incredibly dope after all these years.

[@kingadam233]

I can't i keep starring at ur hair whats happening 😱 love ur channel though 😍

[@briana_patrick]

I cant stop looking at it 😂

[@Draber2b]

It took FOREVER to stop looking at his hair xd

[@thatoneboyaiden]

Hey, for the next Seven on Sunday, I would love to hear your top 7 comedy musicians/groups. Thought it'd be interesting.

[@MusicCch]

I see Gaga, i click, Love the research man.

[@artvjon]

Thank you!

[@L33tSkE3t]

The Bassnectar remix of Lights is so much better.

[@alexanderamaya6977]

Not all great songs peak at number one, just ask Kelly Clarkson's Since U Been Gone or Christina Aguilera's Beautiful, but they always be awesome songs

[@darthuncle]

I want to say Jewel's first single took over a year to get big. I remember owning her album way before she became a household name.

[@_MissLoLo]

I love AWOL, megalythic symphony is a whole slept on album

[@krissymarklewis1793]

Goyte and foster the people are 2 of the staples of my indie set when I'm DJing.

[@tarotfiend]

I finally have time to watch this!

[@davet2459]

Mr. Brightside by the Killers should definitely be listed here. It was actually written way back in 2001 and first released as a song in mid 2003 but it never took off on first release. It took a re-release and new music video before finally exploding into the Billboards for the first time in February 2005.

[@petermaffay8312]

In fact, if you search for Sail by Awolnation on KZbin, you first find the cool unofficial selfmade video my Nanalew having more views than the lame original official music video. Great show btw!

[@yourchaoticadhdfriend3523]

Well thanks for reminding me what day it is Jon.

[@JackieME1824]

Habits (stay high) by Tove Lo was also a sleeper hit

[@gannonkilleen955]

DID ANYONE ELSE CATCH THE JOKE JON MADE?? AT THE SUMMIT, ELLIE GOULDING WITH LIGHTS, SHE HAS A SONG CALLED SUMMIT WITH SKRILLEX ❤❤

[@artvjon]

SOMEONE FINALLY GOT IT

[@jd_2324]

Are you going to review the Amazons' new album Future Dust?

[@timemerson4162]

Go back to the mid 70's Styx 1st single Lady originally released in 1973 didn't chart until 1975.

[@mrflibble1259]

That quiff is nothing short of gravity defying

[@jennyhart7588]

This is such a good list ❤

[@harrypotteravenclaw]

Feel It Still is another one, a lot of guitar driven songs that take a while to cross over

[@iliketrains3495]

Guitar driven? That song doesn't even have a guitar in it

[@samblackmore1570]

Mo Bamba lol. Was released in late 2017 became a hit in late 2018 early 2019

[@sebishuezo3511]

5:45 and Truth Hurts reached #1 in september!! OMG

[@Yourlittleoodle]

I think the bassnectar remix of lights of what exploded it in popularity in 2012

[@cle19xx89]

Notification gang 🤘

[@SteMail926]

Skinny Love by Bon Iver is a clear example to me. Song is huge now and took a long ass time to get there

[@laceyb2693]

I didn’t even hear Dog Days are Over until late 2014 and I heard it on the radio. I thought that’s when it was released.

[@cobrafangss]

I’m a simple man, I see Aaron Bruno, I click.

[@sourpatchkid394]

The Torches album was one of those albums I listend to the whole thing all the way through. I don’t have alot or those

[@BecauseIWannaComment]

Cheerleader by OMI was out for a bit before someone made the Remix that made it famous

[@iliketrains3495]

Chandra that doesn’t count I don’t think

[@iliketrains3495]

Also, fuck that song

[@BecauseIWannaComment]

@@iliketrains3495 why not?

[@LuckyLuke7895]

Was expecting Stressed Out by TØP, but I do like most of these songs.

[@danielreads3951]

Delicate by Taylor Swift was a sleeper hit in 2018, it’s such an amazing song and my favorite of all time

[@orionmyllespowell2078]

I'm really glad my sisters showed me new music way before it was cool

[@coshawott3620]

Thank you kanye very cool

[@StFrancis1128]

Would anyone consider Mariah's All I Want For Christmas Is You? It peaked last year despite being released on 1994

[@iliketrains3495]

In the UK that would be 90% of Xmas songs

[@whatthehellisthis]

true but it had been popular for two decades by that point

[@lottielcl8262]

jingle bell rock was released in the 50s and it still charts on winter seasons, that doesnt make it a sleeper hit lmao

[@rachelt101]

Poker Face was a big hit in NZ in 2008. We're a bit quicker here 😂

[@artificialgummies7416]

Poker Face is SIGNIFICANTLY better than Just Dance imo. Creep is a great song but off their worst record I really hated Sail until I listened to the song with the full record, which I did like. I’d always change channels whenever it popped up since it was so “out there”. I wish more hits like this would pop out now

[@yungmateezy]

John looks like a beautiful anteater

[@GremlinBones]

Nice Hoppus hair Jon lol

[@bencwiklinski4012]

Nice hair

[@angelinajennilia2690]

I'm waiting for my songs to be recognised, maybe I'm not that good now but I really wanna get recognised whenever people like my music

[@erinschneider3212]

Umm, the #3 track I swear i'd never heard until last year on my local radio. Weird.

[@Regent192]

whatever happened to gotye? I havent heard from the guy in years

[@art2daG2002]

I remember hearing "Lights" for the first time in 2011; I was at a Schlotzsky's sandwich place when the song was played there. Then, finally hit US radio sometime in 2012. I'd like to share my Honorable Mentions going to "Walking On A Dream" by Empire Of The Sun: released in 2007-2008 in Australia, then, because of the song used in a 2016 Honda commercial, it finally chart in the U.S., only on the Alternative Songs and not Hot 100 for what's beyond me. And "99 Red Balloons (a.k.a. 99 Luftbalons)" by German band, Nena: released in 1983, then an English-language version is made in 1984 and it peaked at #2 on the Hot 100; still a one-hit wonder.

[@alemirez]

Funny how all of these songs are actually pretty listenable even today ;)

[@timlucasentertainment]

How about "I'm Gonna Be" (500 Miles) I think that song sat there for years before it was a hit in the US

[@bipolaryx]

Tik tok blocked Bad Romance from going #1 :(

[@skyu5176]

Cauz Tik Tok is great

[@lottielcl8262]

poker face was 1 for only a week due to the black eyed peas 👀

[@madeleinep.828]

I think another one of these could be Latch by Disclosure and Sam Smith. I was surprised when I learned it came out in 2012 because I remembered hearing it a lot between 2014 to 2016.

[@rachelt101]

I heard the Bassnectar remix of Lights before I heard the original back in 2011. Prefer the remix tbh.