It’s a well-known fact in the entertainment world: achieving success is rarely instantaneous. This statement rings especially true in the music industry, where artists often spend years honing their craft before achieving a notable level of commercial success. While some songs and albums may quickly ascend to the top of the charts, others undergo a gradual rise to fame, taking time to resonate with audiences.

This phenomenon is commonly referred to as a sleeper hit—a track that initially appears unremarkable but gradually garners immense popularity over time. Many renowned rock ‘n’ roll classics have experienced this slow burn, sometimes taking decades before they are recognized for their brilliance.

In this curated gallery, we explore 19 remarkable examples of sleeper hit rock songs that have left an indelible mark on music history.

1. “Here I Go Again,” Whitesnake
From: Saints & Sinners (1982)

The video below highlights “Here I Go Again ’87,” a reimagined version of a song from Whitesnake’s 1982 album, Saints & Sinners. Initially, the track peaked at a modest No. 34 in the U.K. and No. 65 in the U.S. as a single, but it found new life when the band re-recorded it in 1987, following a push from their label head, David Geffen. This strategic decision proved to be transformative; the revamped version soared to No. 9 in the U.K. and topped the U.S. charts at No. 1. “I wasn’t impressed, but it worked out,” David Coverdale confessed in an interview with The Independent in 2021. “Geffen’s encouragement was pivotal, and I’m grateful for it because it certainly helps with the mortgage!”

2. “Layla,” Derek and the Dominos
From: Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970)

Before the dominance of streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube, radio was the primary medium for music discovery. However, back in the day, convincing radio stations to air a song longer than three minutes was a formidable hurdle. This was the case with Derek and the Dominos’ “Layla,” clocking in at approximately seven minutes, which necessitated a shortened version for its 1971 single release at only 2:43. This truncated version peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. Fortunately, a year later, the full-length version was released, and it climbed to No. 7 in the U.K. and No. 10 in the U.S. In 1982, the single was re-released again, achieving further success by reaching No. 4 in the U.K. It has since solidified its status as one of Derek and the Dominos’ most iconic tracks.

3. “Running Up That Hill,” Kate Bush
From: Hounds of Love (1985)

It’s never too late for a song to achieve hit status. A prime example is Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” which debuted as a single from her critically acclaimed 1985 album, Hounds of Love. At the time of its initial release, it reached a respectable No. 3 in the U.K. and No. 30 in the U.S., but its journey didn’t end there. Fast forward nearly four decades to 2022, and the song was featured prominently in the popular Netflix series Stranger Things, propelling it back to No. 3 in the U.S. the following year. Additionally, it reached an impressive milestone of one billion streams on Spotify. As Bush expressed on her website, “Running Up That Hill” was given “a whole new lease of life.”

4. “Tiny Dancer,” Elton John
From: Madman Across the Water (1971)

Similar to “Layla,” Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” faced challenges during its initial release due to its length. Released in February 1972, the song peaked at No. 41 in the U.S., failing to reach higher positions despite performing better in markets like Canada and Australia. Over time, however, “Tiny Dancer” evolved into one of John’s most beloved tracks, eventually becoming the eighth most-performed song of his illustrious career. Its inclusion in Cameron Crowe’s 2000 film Almost Famous further boosted its popularity, leading to multiple platinum certifications for the iconic track.

5. “Dream On,” Aerosmith
From: Aerosmith (1973)

Sometimes, the journey to success begins close to home. This was the case with Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” which gained significant traction in their hometown of Boston upon its release in June 1973, despite only reaching No. 59 on the Billboard Hot 100. Two years later, the single was reissued, starting at No. 81 on the same chart, and eventually climbing to a remarkable No. 6. This transformation is particularly notable considering that Steven Tyler initially regarded the song as “just this little sonnet,” never imagining it would enjoy such widespread acclaim.

6. “Sacrifice,” Elton John
From: Sleeping With the Past (1989)

The world of radio can play a dual role as both a hindrance for longer singles and as a powerful catalyst for success. Elton John’s “Sacrifice” initially struggled upon its October 1989 release, reaching a modest No. 55 in the U.K. and No. 18 in America. While these numbers were passable, they left significant room for improvement. However, the following year, English DJ Steve Wright began playing the track extensively on BBC Radio 1, which led to its re-release in June 1990. This time, “Sacrifice” soared to No. 1 in the U.K., marking Elton John’s first solo chart-topping single in Britain.

7. “What I Like About You,” The Romantics
From: The Romantics (1980)

By the time The Romantics released “What I Like About You” as a single in late 1979, the band had already performed it live multiple times, to the delight of their growing fanbase. However, its commercial performance was underwhelming, peaking at only No. 49 on the Billboard Hot 100. Nevertheless, the ’80s brought new opportunities for the song, as it was featured in various commercials and received a music video on MTV, which significantly increased its popularity. Co-writer Wally Palmar fondly recalled to The Washington Times in 2016, “When we first heard that song come through the speakers in the control room, we thought, ‘I don’t think we better mess with this too much. It sounded too damn good.’”

8. “The Whole of the Moon,” The Waterboys
From: This Is the Sea (1985)

We highly recommend exploring cover versions of The Waterboys’ “The Whole of the Moon,” with Fiona Apple delivering a passionate rendition and Prince offering a funky, sultry twist. The original was released in 1985 on the album This Is the Sea, but initially peaked at No. 26 in the U.K. Frontman Mike Scott revealed to Louder in 2024, “I recorded it without thinking of it as a single,” adding that while listening to the mix, he felt certain everyone would resonate with it. His intuition proved correct, as the song was re-released six years later and shot up to No. 3.

9. “American Girl,” Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
From: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1976)

In a technical sense, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “American Girl” has never topped the charts—neither upon its initial release as a single in February 1977 nor at any point in its history. However, its absence from the charts does not diminish its legacy, as it has transformed from a modest No. 40 hit in the U.K. and virtually unknown in the U.S. at the time of release to one of the band’s most celebrated anthems. By the conclusion of their 2017 tour, “American Girl” had become the single most performed song in their entire catalog.

10. “Space Oddity,” David Bowie
From: David Bowie (1969)

“Space Oddity” was hastily released as a single on July 11, 1969, just five days before the historic Apollo 11 mission that landed humans on the moon. This timing was intended to capitalize on the song’s potential success, but it didn’t quite pan out as planned. Initially, “Space Oddity” only reached No. 48 in the U.K. and No. 124 in the U.S. However, following several television performances later that year, it gradually climbed to No. 5 in the U.K. It wasn’t until the single was re-released in North America in 1972 that it finally achieved widespread acclaim, reaching No. 15.

11. “The Sound of Silence,” Simon & Garfunkel
From: Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. (1964)

A key takeaway from this article is the importance of persistence; if your single doesn’t succeed initially, consider re-releasing it. Simon & Garfunkel first included “The Sound of Silence” on their 1964 folk album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., and it went largely unnoticed. However, the following year, the song began to gain traction on radio, prompting the original producer, Tom Wilson, to remix the track by overlaying electronic instruments. This version, released in September 1965, achieved remarkable success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1966, a development that surprised Paul Simon. Reflecting on his early career, he confessed to Rolling Stone in 1972, “I was utterly amazed that ‘The Sound of Silence’ was a big hit.”

12. “Lust for Life,” Iggy Pop
From: Lust for Life (1977)

Never underestimate the impact of a song’s placement in film. Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life” didn’t make significant waves upon its 1977 release, aside from being a minor hit in the Netherlands. Almost two decades later, the song found a new audience when it was featured in the 1996 British film Trainspotting, subsequently reaching No. 26 in the U.K. Its popularity was further solidified with its inclusion in the 2017 sequel, T2 Trainspotting.

13. “Heroes,” David Bowie
From: “Heroes” (1977)

David Bowie’s “Heroes” only peaked at No. 24 in the U.K. upon its 1977 release and failed to chart in the U.S. Despite this, it grew to be a beloved staple of Bowie’s live performances, ranking as his fourth most-played song with over 600 live renditions. Following Bowie’s passing in 2016, “Heroes” experienced a resurgence, climbing to No. 12 in the U.K.

14. “Nights in White Satin,” The Moody Blues
From: Days of Future Passed (1967)

“Nights in White Satin” was technically a hit upon its 1967 release, but only in the U.K., where it reached No. 19. In the U.S., it struggled significantly, stalling at No. 103. However, when it was re-released five years later, it dramatically improved its standing, climbing to No. 9 in the U.K. and No. 2 in the U.S., even charting again in Britain in 1979 and 2010. Justin Hayward, the song’s writer, expressed confusion over its enduring appeal, stating in a 2023 interview with Classic Rock, “There’s a strange power to the song. It gave us a style that suddenly seemed to work for us. I think it identified the Moodies’ sound.”

15. “Hallelujah,” Leonard Cohen
From: Various Positions (1984)

Today, “Hallelujah” is recognized as Leonard Cohen’s signature song, but at one point, it was outright rejected by his record label. Eventually, Cohen released it on his album Various Positions through an independent label, but it took several more years for the song to gain significant traction. Notably, John Cale of the Velvet Underground recorded a version in 1991, which inspired Jeff Buckley to cover it for his 1994 album Grace. In 2001, a rendition by Rufus Wainwright featured in the film Shrek, which propelled “Hallelujah” into the charts, landing at No. 59 in the U.S. and No. 36 in the U.K.

16. “Time of the Season,” The Zombies
From: Odessey and Oracle (1968)

The Zombies owe a debt of gratitude to Al Kooper for the success of “Time of the Season.” In addition to his music career, Kooper served as an A&R representative for Columbia Records in the late ’60s, convincing Clive Davis to release The Zombies’ Odessey and Oracle album. “Clive listened, but the wrong single was put out,” Kooper recounted in a 2024 interview with Classic Rock. “I had to complain again before ‘Time of the Season’ became huge.” It took over a year after its initial release for the song to reach No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

17. “Red Red Wine,” UB40
From: Labour of Love (1983)

While UB40 did not write “Red Red Wine”—that credit goes to Neil Diamond—they turned it into a chart-topping hit, albeit over several years. Their version was first released in 1983, achieving No. 1 in the U.K. and No. 34 in the U.S. Not resting on their laurels, the single was reissued in 1988, finally reaching the coveted No. 1 spot in the U.S. “We love the song and we don’t mind singing it a million times,” founding member Terence Wilson, known as Astro, shared with Billboard in 2018. “We loved it before we even recorded it—and we love it even more when we see people dancing and singing along.”

18. “She’s Gone,” Hall & Oates
From: Abandoned Luncheonette (1973)

John Oates and Daryl Hall recognized the potential of “She’s Gone” almost immediately after crafting it, as it became a single from their 1973 album, Abandoned Luncheonette. “We knew it was a good song,” Oates recounted to American Songwriter in 2021. Despite their confidence, it only reached No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, three years later, the duo signed with a new label, RCA Records, which led to a reissue of the single, propelling it to No. 7.

19. “Master of Puppets,” Metallica
From: Master of Puppets (1986)

Much like Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” also saw a remarkable resurgence in 2022 when it was featured in Netflix’s Stranger Things. According to reports by Billboard, streams of “Master of Puppets” surged by an astonishing 400%. This is remarkable for a song that initially only reached No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 1986.