I just finished (this morning in fact) compiling a list of every song that ever charted in the Top 40 in the 80’s. I knew that some of the songs would be listed in 2 different years because of December to January carry-over, but there are a few songs that charted twice at completely separate times.
Into the Night by Benny Mardones in 1980 and 1989
In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel in 1986 and 1989
Send Me An Angel by Real Life in 1984 and 1989
Don’t Stand So Close To Me by The Police in 1981 and 1986
Red Red Wine by UB40 in 1984 and 1988
I’ve only compiled the 80’s so far, and will be doing the 70’s and 90’s at some point, but I wondered if there were a lot of songs like these that enjoyed fame at two or more different times.
I had to check to be sure, but White Christmas. 1942, 1946 and 1947 (for Crosby’s version) It is noted in Wikipedia as being the only song to chart at three different times.
White Christmas again, as done by the Drifters. Billboard R&B chart in 1954 and then again in 1955. Then on the Hot 100 list in 1960 and 1962.
By different artists it appears that it has charted at least 7 distinct times.
The interesting thing about that one is that he charted with 2 different versions of the song. The 1962 version was upbeat, and the 1975 version was a ballad.
Across the water, Slade’s Merry Xmas Everybody has made the top 40 no less than six times - 1973, 1981, 1983, 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Additionally, the single has reached the top 100 in at least six other years - 1980, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1998. The song’s Top 100 performance statistics for 1999-2005 are currently unavailable to me.