Numerous modern music artists have found continued appeal in songs that achieved success years ago. Factors contributing to this resurgence include Super Bowl performances, a resurgence in touring, and the influence of viral circulation and social media. In the case of one artist, their passing reignited interest in their most significant hit.
Rihanna has three songs featured on our list, which made a comeback on the Billboard Hot 100. Two of these songs are collaborations with Calvin Harris and Jay-Z, all of which originally secured the No. 1 spot. The renewed interest in these singles followed her halftime performance at the 2023 Super Bowl, marking her first live appearance since the 2019 Grammy Awards. Notably, these songs constitute three out of her impressive tally of 14 chart-toppers on the Hot 100.
The oldest track to reenter the Billboard Hot 100 was Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville,” celebrating the laid-back beach lifestyle. Following Buffett’s demise in September 2023, the song reached No. 38 for a week in the same year. It had initially peaked at No. 8 in 1977, marking Buffett’s sole top-10 hit. (These are the songs with the longest stays on the Hot 100 in 2023.)
To determine the old songs that came back in 2023, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on chart performance from Billboard magazine. Songs were ranked based on an inverse scoring system wherein a week at No. 1 on the Hot 100 is worth 100 points, a week at No. 2 worth 99 points, and so on, up to a week at No. 100 worth one point. Only songs that charted on the Hot 100 in 2020 or earlier, exited the charts, and returned to the charts in 2023 were considered. Chart data is current through December 2, 2023.
9. Miley Cyrus, “Party In The U.S.A.”
- First entered Hot 100: August 29, 2009
- Re-entered Hot 100: July 15, 2023
- Peak position on Hot 100 in 2023: No. 50 (for 1 week)
- Total time on Hot 100 in 2023: 1 week
8. Rihanna Featuring Calvin Harris, “We Found Love”
- First entered Hot 100: October 8, 2011
- Re-entered Hot 100: February 25, 2023
- Peak position on Hot 100 in 2023: No. 48 (for 1 week)
- Total time on Hot 100 in 2023: 1 week
7. Rihanna, “Diamonds”
- First entered Hot 100: October 13, 2012
- Re-entered Hot 100: February 25, 2023
- Peak position on Hot 100 in 2023: No. 44 (for 1 week)
- Total time on Hot 100 in 2023: 1 week
6. Jimmy Buffett, “Margaritaville”
- First entered Hot 100: April 2, 1977
- Re-entered Hot 100: September 16, 2023
- Peak position on Hot 100 in 2023: No. 38 (for 1 week)
- Total time on Hot 100 in 2023: 1 week
5. Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z, “Umbrella”
- First entered Hot 100: April 28, 2007
- Re-entered Hot 100: February 25, 2023
- Peak position on Hot 100 in 2023: No. 37 (for 1 week)
- Total time on Hot 100 in 2023: 1 week
4. Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”
- First entered Hot 100: November 15, 2014
- Re-entered Hot 100: August 19, 2023
- Peak position on Hot 100 in 2023: No. 46 (for 1 week)
- Total time on Hot 100 in 2023: 2 weeks
3. Lil Baby, “Low Down”
- First entered Hot 100: May 16, 2020
- Re-entered Hot 100: April 8, 2023
- Peak position on Hot 100 in 2023: No. 50 (for 1 week)
- Total time on Hot 100 in 2023: 12 weeks
2. Miguel, “Sure Thing”
- First entered Hot 100: March 26, 2011
- Re-entered Hot 100: January 21, 2023
- Peak position on Hot 100 in 2023: No. 11 (for 2 weeks)
- Total time on Hot 100 in 2023: 29 weeks
1. Taylor Swift, “Cruel Summer”
- First entered Hot 100: September 7, 2019
- Re-entered Hot 100: June 3, 2023
- Peak position on Hot 100 in 2023: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
- Total time on Hot 100 in 2023: 27 weeks