Top 20 Songs That Were Surprisingly AWESOME

#20: “After the Lovin’” (1976)

Engelbert Humperdinck

Granted, this is largely a straightforward love ballad by this smooth-voiced British lounge singer, written by Ritchie Adams with lyrics by Alan Bernstein. Something about it made it resound with the U.S. mainstream, however, because it became a top ten hit on the “Billboard” Hot 100. The 61st biggest U.S. hit of 1977, it even won gold certification. Perhaps it was the classy but frank lyrics about the experience of lovemaking and its aftermath that resounded in the public so well, sung with poignancy and sincerity by Humperdinck. Either way, this was an unexpected hit, and we approve.

#19: “A Brown Bird Singing” (1958)

Peggy Lee

This iconic singer’s typical material was jazz, swing, and big band numbers, with archly sophisticated lyrics, even in animation. Lee began her career as a singer for Benny Goodman, using her sultry voice to her advantage by radically undersinging. “A Brown Bird Singing” is an unexpected departure for Lee and the music of the time, a slow-tempo ballad with short but poetically abstract lyrics. But it fits Lee’s soft voice to a T, and with only a harp as accompaniment, her lyrical expression is brought to the fore. Lee really should have sung more art songs.

#18: “The Power of Love” (1985)

Huey Lewis and the News

Now that’s the power of song. This head-banging number rocked the U.S. charts with the release of the sci-fi adventure film “Back to the Future.” It wasn’t the first time a song from a movie became popular, of course. But “The Power of Love” went on to become a monster hit indeed, reaching gold certification in several countries and platinum in the U.K. and New Zealand. Considering the film had Marty play “Earth Angel” and “Johnny B. Goode” as a whole musical showcase, “The Power of Love” becoming a hit instead with no real relevance to the film’s plot is a bit of a surprise. A good one, though.

#17: “Mr. Brightside” (2003)

The Killers

So let’s get this straight. This single had a good reception upon its release, particularly in the U.K. It is the third-biggest selling/streaming song of all time in the UK and the most streamed song from the 2000s on Spotify. To this day, the song has had a massive influence on pop culture. And yet, “Mr. Brightside” never topped the major pop charts in any country. Not only that, but the song is about the singer’s lover cheating on him, anger and bitterness included. Not usually the stuff hits are made of, but hey, whatever works.

#16: “War” (1970)

Edwin Starr “War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.” This track, written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, was both ahead of its time and deeply of its time, forged in the fires of fierce opposition to the Vietnam War. While the Temptations first recorded it, the big hit was Edwin Starr’s in a very ironic macho arrangement. Since then, it has been chiefly used in straightforwardly violent action films, 1998’s “Rush Hour” being the rare self-aware exception. Well, perhaps that isn’t so much of a surprise. But the song even becoming a mainstream hit is the most unexpected and ironic part of all.

#15: “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” (1997)

Backstreet Boys

Is this song original? Yeah. It isn’t often a track about the iconic boy band getting back together becomes a mainstream hit. It isn’t even often that the song’s oddly random music video about the Backstreet Boys taking refuge in a haunted mansion would snag an MTV Video Music Award. But the song’s contagious hook, ominous chords, and memorable chorus were enough to make this number an iconic track indeed. Also, the music video is well-choreographed. “Everybody” reached platinum in the U.S. and several countries, so whatever this song was doing, it did it right.

#14: “House of the Rising Sun” (1964)

The Animals

It’s not every day a folk ballad about visiting a brothel performed by a rock band becomes a mainstream hit. The song’s origins are obscure, but it may date back to an English broadside ballad, seeming to reference a real-life bawdy house of the same name. In the U.S., the lyrics have switched the setting to New Orleans and had both male and female narrators. Early versions by the likes of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan had been recorded, but the song first reached mainstream popularity with this soulful guitar version by The Animals, so popular it reached #1 in the U.S. What a trip to see this house rise.

#13: “drivers license” (2021)Olivia Rodrigo

This was the pop ballad that launched Rodrigo’s career indeed, and it’s all about…a teen reminiscing about getting her driver’s license. And also getting through a tough breakup. This song topped the U.S. charts and was certified platinum no less than six times. It also broke records for the most single-day streams for a non-holiday song on Spotify. And yet, in many ways, “Drivers License” is a very unconventional hit. It’s an atmospheric melody with little rhythmic beat and moody lyrics, not the kind that would catch the fickle mainstream audience’s attention. We really should never underestimate the power of heartbreak in song.

#12: “Dominique” (1963)

The Singing Nun

A song about a Spanish priest topping the international charts, sung by a Belgian singer known as The Singing Nun? Talk about a surprise twist…or maybe not. “Dominique” is a veritable earworm of a song, and once you hear it, you can never not remember it. Also, it has excellent voice blending and harmony. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel or Other Religious Recording, and it was even nominated for Record of the Year. To this day, it is one of the rare foreign-language hits in the U.S. to top the charts.

#11: “All Star” (1999)

Smash Mouth

Hey, now, this song was unexpected. American rock band Smash Mouth’s most famous track was well-received in its time, ranking high on the “Billboard” Hot 100. But its effect on pop culture was seismic, beyond just chart topping. While the song was featured in the 1999 superhero film “Mystery Men,” its most memorable inclusion was in the opening of the iconic animated film, “Shrek.” A rock anthem, pop song, internet meme, even climate change song… “All Star” is all these things, and more. It’s both mainstream and very weird, and it’s all “All Star.”

#10: “Gangnam Style” (2012)

Psy

Does this song really need an introduction? The smashing success of “KPop Demon Hunters” once again brought South Korean culture to the forefront. But this South Korean singer conquered the world years earlier with this earworm. The song topped the music charts in dozens of countries and inspired a dance craze not seen since “Macarena.” The music video has over 5 billion views on YouTube as of this writing. What is “Gangnam Style” about, you may ask? A satire of low-class people trying to ape the habits and lifestyle of the nouveau riche of Gangnam region of Seoul. We wish we were joking. The closest we’ll ever achieve to world peace and sealing the honmoon, and it’s about mocking posers. Absolutely wonderful.

#9: “Old Town Road” (2018)

Lil Nas X

An emerging rapper releasing a less-than-two-minute-country song and collaborating with a country artist for its remix? And it became a huge hit? Stranger things have occurred, but for his debut single, Lil Nas X chose a musical genre mix that is truly rare: Country rap. The music video cannily leans into this strange juxtaposition, with Lil Nas X riding a horse down a suburban street, singing “Can’t nobody tell me nothing” to incredulous stares. Yeah, no, it works. “Old Town Road” was certified diamond in many countries and rode its horse to the top of the “Billboard” Hot 100. It honestly tracks.

#8: “Ringo” (1964)

Lorne Greene

But for a truly unconventional musical success, look no further than…spoken word poetry. Not even rap, mind you. This song, written by Don Robertson and Hal Blair and performed by this Canadian-born actor with a sung chorus, really came out of nowhere. Is this country? Easy listening? It isn’t easy listening to the haunting tale of a man’s unexpected friendship with outlaw and gunslinger Ringo, who faces his tragic end. But that's the Wild West for you. This song launched a thousand covers in different languages. It even had several parodies, including a hilarious one by Allan Sherman about Ringo Starr. In any case, this song goes down harder than Ringo on the desert sand.

#7: “She’s Like the Wind” (1987)

Patrick Swayze

This powerful powerhouse ballad comes from the iconic film “Dirty Dancing.” What a shocker. A bit more unexpected, however, is the fact Patrick Swayze himself sang it, a rare instance of an actor having a top 10 hit, and in several countries, at that. Not only that, but Swayze actually co-wrote the song with Stacy Widelitz in 1984 and even tried to get it included in the 1986 film, “Youngblood,” to no avail. Swayze was at last vindicated, as the song was finally used in “Dirty Dancing” and reached platinum in the U.K. It also received a hip-hop cover by Lumidee. This song really came in like the wind to our tree branches.

#6: “This Guy’s in Love with You” (1968)

Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass

Well, of course this song was successful. It’s beautiful, poignant, understated yet unforgettable, and…wait, is that Herb Alpert? The “Tijuana Taxi,” “Spanish Flea” guy? Singing a Burt Bacharach and Hal David song? And the song was arranged by Bacharach, with Alpert’s signature anemic trumpet solo?! Needless to say, this was an out-of-pocket choice for Herb Alpert, whose prior material was catchy and quirky Latin instrumentals with brassy but thin-sounding trumpets. But the song did fit Alpert’s modest vocal talents very well, and his version did top the “Billboard” Hot 100 and remained there for four weeks.

#5: “Georgia On My Mind” (1960)

Ray Charles

Speaking of poignant and melodically lyrical songs, we always have this Georgia on our minds. Written in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael of “Stardust” fame, with lyrics by Stuart Gorrell, Carmichael even sang it as a typical jazz ballad, now a standard. But the song was unexpectedly lifted to new heights when Georgia native Ray Charles came along, giving the song new life with a full-bodied orchestral arrangement and a lovely, soulful lyrical delivery. It was a successful rearrangement, inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The state of Georgia even approved, designating Charles’ version as the official state song. Now that’s greatness.

#4: “MacArthur Park” (1968)

Richard Harris

We’re calling it now: This is the best song about leaving a cake out in the rain ever to be sung by Albus Dumbledore. The lyrics to this song by Jimmy Webb about a breakup can get wrought in its metaphors. Richard Harris’ smooth vocals also can’t quite reach the dynamism and emotional desperation the song demands. But somehow none of it matters. “MacArthur Park” is a modern day cantata, grand and epic with several melodies. It went on to be covered by hundreds of artists, including a disco version by Donna Summer that also became a massive hit. And that cake left out in the rain? Turns out Webb actually saw it while walking down the titular park. Heartbreak is no metaphor.

#3: “Oh, Happy Day” (1968)

Edwin Hawkins Singers

Of course, a 1755 hymn by English clergyman Philip Doddridge would make for the perfect modern hit. The text has had at least two melodies throughout the years. One of them by Edward F. Rimbault became the basis for this version by Edwin Hawkins, given a gospel arrangement, answering chorus, and a Sergio Mendes-inspired piano intro. The results were stunning: this version became an international hit, selling 7 million copies and hitting number one in several countries. “Sister Act 2” showcased it to great effect in 1993. It is now the second best-selling gospel song of all time. Now that’s unexpected.

#2: “My Sweet Lord” (1970)

George Harrison

Speaking of “Oh, Happy Day,” here is another sweet hymn Harrison claimed was inspired from it. The Beatles aren’t what one would call a particularly religious rock group, although they did dabble in Hindu spirituality. George Harrison’s solo career, however, went off in an esoteric direction with this release. Not only is the spiritual theme unusual, but its dynamic structure, prominent “Hare Krishna” chorus, and continuing crescendo, was also a departure. But it definitely works, especially those iconic guitar chords, becoming U.K.’s biggest-selling single of 1971 and covered by countless artists ever since. Similarities to “He’s So Fine” aside, it’s a great song.

#1: “99 Luftballons” (1984)

Nena

They’re going to sing you a song about 99 air balloons. This West Germany rock band’s only hit in the U.S. is unusual indeed. The song tells the story about 99 air balloons being mistaken for UFOs. This prompts a military investigation and even a full-out war between nations, ending in a catastrophe with no victors. We’ve seen sharp anti-war songs becoming hits before. What was truly unexpected, however, was the American public preferring the German version over the English one. It was the German version that topped the charts in several countries, and even reached number two on the “Billboard” Hot 100. Color us surprised.

Which other unusual songs are you shocked ever made it big? Let us know in the comments down below!