Late Rock Icon Achieves First Billboard Hot 100 Chart Success
Jeff Buckley, the legendary rock singer from the ‘90s, has made an unprecedented return to the Billboard Hot 100 nearly three decades after his untimely passing. His poignant song, “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over,” reached No. 97 on the chart for the week of January 31, 2025. This marks a remarkable milestone in Buckley’s legacy.
Chart Success and Streaming Phenomenon
This revival of Buckley’s music can be attributed, in part, to its impact on social media platforms like TikTok. Between January 16 and 22, 2025, the track garnered an impressive 3.8 million streams in the U.S. Users have embraced the song for their emotional and introspective content, reigniting interest in Buckley’s work.
Historical Context
“Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” was included in Buckley’s acclaimed album, “Grace,” released in 1994, prior to his death in May 1997. Although it was never officially released as a single, its resurgence in 2025 is partly due to the documentary “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley.” This film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2025, has played a significant role in reviving Buckley’s music career.
- “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” peaked at No. 12 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.
- “Grace” returned to the Billboard 200, reaching No. 82 in December 2024 and No. 156 this week.
Legacy of “Grace” and “Hallelujah”
“Grace” features other iconic tracks, including a celebrated cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” This cover has earned critical acclaim, even being named one of the 500 greatest songs of all time by Rolling Stone. The album itself is recognized among the 500 greatest albums in history.
Though “Grace” was Buckley’s only complete studio album before his death, he was in the process of recording a second album when he tragically drowned in the Wolf River in 1997. Posthumously, his unfinished work was compiled and released as “Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk.”
Recognition and Continuing Popularity
Jeff Buckley’s contributions to music have not gone unnoticed. In 2014, his interpretation of “Hallelujah” was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the American Library of Congress. The recent success of “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” underscores Buckley’s enduring influence in the music industry and highlights how new generations continue to discover his artistry.
