For this list, we are looking at musical revivals from artists who had hit a dry spell either due to a commercial failure, personal struggles, or self-imposed hiatus.
10. Suspicious minds(1969) : Elvis Presley
Following massive success and two years of Military Service, Elvis transitioned to movies and soundtrack albums in the early to mid 60s. This period resulted in a steady decline in commercial returns and a personal dissatisfaction by the king with his music.
All that changed when he took the original version of this song written and first recorded by songwriter Mark James and put his signature spin on it, elevating it from relative obscurity to a huge hit. Detailing a yearn for an ex-lover, this groovy rock and roll track hit number one in the US, his first in seven years and revived a success on the billboard charts.
9. Womanizer(2008) : Britney Spears
If there ever was anyone who needed a comeback following a turbulent period, it was Britney after the events of 2007 and early 2008, from shaving her head to losing custody of her children, to being hospitalized, then getting placed under conservatorship, the princes of pop had quite a rough year or so.
She was somehow able to put all that aside to deliver this global smash hit. Topping the charts in the US and several other countries Womanizer was her first number one single in nearly a decade and showed a more fun and #free britney. The critically acclaimed track went on to secure a Grammy nomination in 2010.
8. Thunderstruck(1990) : AC/DC
Formed in 1973, Australian rock band AC/DC melted faces for years until the ultimate death of lead singer Bond Scott in the 1980 even then the musicians continued on with replacement Brian Johnson, immediately releasing the earth shattering “back in black”, but had a slight commercial difficulty through the decade but AC/DC once again shocked the world in 1990 with thrashing new album and energetic single called “Thunderstruck.”
The opening rifts are now unmistakable and have inspired some of the best guitar performances the world has ever seen, behold the power of Angus young.
7. STILL D.R.E. (1999) : Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg
This compton born Rapper released one of the definitive west coast rap albums with 1992’s The Chronic, but left everybody without a dope beat to step to for years after, but just after the dawn of a new Millennium, Dr Dre teamed up with his old pal Snoop Dog and released “Still D.R.E.”,the lead single of his sophomore effort. Dre took us on a ride with a relentless beat and he introduced himself as one of the surviving kings of hip-hop.
6. American Idiot (2004) : Green day
Writing on a high of three multi-platinum albums in the 1920s, these Punk Rock stars released their fourth Studio album warning to disappearing sales and a mixed reception. They however made a brash return to the music scene, four years later with this protest song about misinformation and media propaganda.
This song reintroduced Green Day to the younger generation and was instrumental in the number one debut of its parent album of the same title on the Billboard. Their first career number one album.
5. Maria(1999) : Blondie
In 1982, new wave hitmakers Blondie decided to call it quits after their sixth album underperformed around the same time guitarist Chris Stein was diagnosed with the life threatening illness.
Over the next 15 years, some of the band members including front women Debbie Harry would go on to establish solo careers with little success. After informing in 1997, Blondie released this poppy Rock song as their first material in 17 years. Written by keyboardist Jimmy Destree about his teenage desires. This track debuted at number one in the UK giving them their first chart topper in 19 years, and reached the top 20 in several other countries.
4. Smooth(1999) : Santana feat. Rob Thomas
In 1992, Santana’s album milagro peaked at 102 on the charts but seven years later they reached number one with this scorching collaboration with Matchbox 20’s Rob Thomas released one week into summer.
The opening lyrics set the stage for a complete conquest of radio airplay. Smooth ultimately spent 12 weeks at number 1 and gave Carlos Santana his biggest hit since black magic woman.
3. Tears in heaven(1992); Eric Clapton
As one of the most brilliant guitarist of all time, Eric Clapton enjoy a tremendous success early in his career but fell on hard times during the mid eighties after releasing the well received 1989 album journeyman, the musician had to cope with the tragic death of his young son as a result Clapton composed the heart breaking Tears in Heaven which allowed him to confront his pain in the best way he knew how.
The song won 3 Grammy Awards but Clapton later decided to close out the dark chapter in his life and remove “Tears in Heaven ” from Life performance setlists.
2. Hurt(2003) ; Johnny Cash
After almost 50 years in the music industry, Johnny Cash shocked the world by covering “nine inch nails” (1995) single Hertz with arguably the one of the most powerful music videos of all time.
Johnny Cash offered a stripped-down approach as clips of his extraordinary career accompanied the track. Just months after filming, both Johnny Cash and his wife would pass away. But this unforgettable comeback song reminded listeners all over the years.
1. What’s love got to do with it(1984) : Tina Turner
The king may have already made an appearance but no comeback list is complete without the queen of Rock and Roll herself. After leaving a rocky marriage plagued by years of pain, Tina Turner worked tirelessly to get her career back on track but struggled to achieve much success as a solo artist.
With the release of this Synth-driven pop track in 1984, she shot back into the spotlight, topping the Billboard hot 100 Grammys including song and record of the Year. At the age of 44, it made Turner the oldest female solo artist at the time to land a number one single in the US.