Here Are 11 Songs That Became VERY Popular Way After They Were First Released, And The Reasons Why Are Genuinely Fascinating

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It's official: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee has gone to No. 1...65 years after it was released.

Close-up of Brenda smiling in a flowing dress at a media event
Terry Wyatt / NBC via Getty Images

On Monday, Billboard announced the Hot 100 (dated Dec. 9), and Brenda's 1958 holiday classic was rockin' atop the list. She was joined by several other seasonal favorites in the Top 10, including Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and Bobby Helms's "Jingle Bell Rock." You can check out the full list below:

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"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" joins an impressive list of songs that reached their greatest success, at least on the charts, well after their initial release.

Close-up of a young Brenda smiling in front of a Christmas tree and holding a wrapped gift
GAB Archive/Redferns / Getty Images

In fact, some of these late-blooming hits have become signature tracks by some of the biggest singers. So here are 11 songs, including "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," that soared later than you might think:

1."Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee

Brenda singing into a microphone
Brenda Lee / YouTube / Via youtube.com

Initial release: 1963. Went to No. 1: 2023.

2."Cruel Summer" by Taylor Swift

Close-up of Taylor at a media event in a colorful print jacket
Aaron J. Thornton / Getty Images

Initial release: 2019. Went to No. 1: 2023.

3."Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush

Kate singing into a microphone and wearing a loose coat
ZIK Images/United Archives via Getty Images

Initial release: 1985. Went to No. 3: 2022.

4."Heat Waves" by Glass Animals

The four band members at a media event
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / FilmMagic

Initial release: 2020. Went to No. 1: 2022.

5."A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

An older man with a receding hairline, large goatee, and mustache playing guitar
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Initial release: 1964. Went to No. 4: 2020.

Close-up of a smiling older man wearing a Western-style hat

Why it had a resurgence: "A Holly Jolly Christmas" is another holiday classic that has seen its chart success only grow in the decades following its release, just like "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Speaking of...

Keystone / Getty Images

6."All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

Mariah onstage in a sparkly long-sleeved bodysuit, tights, and high-heeled platform sandals performing
Kevin Mazur / WireImage for MC

Initial release: 1994. Went to No. 1: 2019.

7."Truth Hurts" by Lizzo

Lizzo in a sleeveless, beaded dress
Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for the Met Museum/Vogue

Initial release: 2017. Went to No. 1: 2019.

8."Lights" by Ellie Goulding

Close-up of Ellie at a media event in an oversize suit jacket
Stephane Cardinale — Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Initial release: 2011. Went to No. 2: 2012.

9."I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by the Proclaimers

The band performing onstage
Margaret C. Norton / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Initial release: 1988. Went to No. 3: 1993.

10."Red Red Wine" by UB40 (a Cover of Neil Diamond's 1967 Song)

UB40 members sitting together on haystacks and holding wine glasses
PA Images via Getty Images

Initial release: 1983. Went to No. 1: 1988.

11."What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong

Close-up of Louis playing a trumpet
David Redfern / Redferns / Getty Images

Initial release: 1967. Went to No. 32: 1988.

Louis holding a trumpet and smiling