“Mr Brightside” and “Dreams” Have Cracked the Australian Top 50 on Spotify, But Why?

‘Cos they’re timeless bops, duh.

If you haven’t noticed, nostalgia has been a massive theme in 2020. Considering the chaotic state of the world, it’s completely understandable that we’d want to reminisce about simpler times.

Well, it appears that our intense craving for the good ol’ days has translated into the music we’ve been listening to, because a couple of songs from way back have entered the Australia Top 50 chart on Spotify.

We’re talking about “Dreams (2004 Remaster)” by Fleetwood Mac, and The Killers’ “Mr Brightside”.

There is simply no denying that both of the tunes are absolute bangers (don’t trust anyone who tells you otherwise), and they’re entirely appropriate to sing at the top of your lungs wherever you deem fit.

Except, why have they shown up in Spotify’s Aussie Top 50 chart in 2020? After all, “Dreams” was first released in 1977, and “Mr Brightside” dropped in 2003.

Let’s put our investigative caps on and figure it out together. 

“Dreams (2004) Remaster” by Fleetwood Mac

We’ll start off with the easy one.

While Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” dropped in the 70s, the band’s Rumours album was remastered and reissued with the addition of “Silver Springs” in 2004. Since then, fans have quietly continued to enjoy the track, which is undoubtedly the best on the record (don’t @ me “Go Your Own Way” stans).

Except, “Dreams” experienced a surge of popularity this year thanks to—you guessed it—TikTok.

It all started when Idaho Falls resident Nathan Apodaca posted a video of himself riding a skateboard on the app, as he drinks from a bottle of Ocean Spray Cran-Raspberry juice and sings along with Steve Nicks’ lead vocal.

In fact, the video became so popular that the band’s own Mick Fleetwood recreated the clip.

Earlier this month, Billboard reported that the hit had garnered 8.47 million on-demand streams in the United States in the week ending 1 October, which was a 125 per cent increase compared to the previous week.

At the moment, it’s also sitting at No.5 on the ARIA singles chart, which sees the group secure their first Top Five Aussie single since “Tusk” in 1979. Plus, as of writing this article, the song is No.10 on Spotify’s Australia Top 50 chart.

Ironically, the lyrics of “Dreams” perfectly sum up the entire vibe of #isolife: “In the stillness of remembering what you had/ And what you lost/ And what you had.”

“Mr Brightside” by The Killers

That brings us to “Mr Brightside”, the song that just never seems to go away. We’re not complaining though, because it remains one of the greatest singalong tracks of all time.

With its catchy riff and Brandon Flowers’ powerful vocals, it’s not hard to understand why people love it so damn much.

Listening to Mr. Brightside at 7am on a Tuesday is chaotic as hell and I love it.

— Penny Rose Shir (@PSimheretostay) October 20, 2020

What is a little weird, however, is the fact that it is No.48 on Spotify’s Australia Top 50 chart.

This isn’t the first time that the tune has appeared in official charts. In 2018, it was reported that “Mr Brightside” had clocked 200 weeks in the United Kingdom charts. The Official Charts Company stated that the song had been streamed 45 million times in the previous year and had averaged 878,000 plays per week in 2018.

Basically, it has been doing just fine since 2003 (it was re-released in 2004). 

As for why it has made an appearance in the Aussie Spotify charts, our theory is that it had something to do with the AFL Grand Final.

If you cast your mind back to the 2017 Grand Final, you may recall Richmond player Jack Riewoldt taking the stage at the premiership party to sing the entirety of “Mr Brightside” with Flowers.

The moment remains iconic, so it’s entirely possible that many Aussie listeners streamed the song over the weekend, especially considering Richmond’s victory over Geelong.

Now that we’ve broken that down, there’s really only one thing left to do…

me when mr brightside comes on: pic.twitter.com/ipMpUIHeDU

— risa 🕸👻🎃 (@kenjiownsme) October 16, 2020

Header Image: YouTube (The Killers) & TikTok (420doggface208)