Grammys Face Question of How to Honor Older Songs With New Life
Goo Goo Dolls' 1998 ballad 'Iris' returned to prominence this year after social media users and celebrities, including Drew Barrymore and Kevin Bacon, used it in 1990s photo posts, and by late September it was in the top 10 of Spotify's Global 50. The song joins older tracks such as Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams' and the Killers' 'Mr. Brightside' in finding renewed success decades after release. The article asks whether the Recording Academy should create a way to recognize popular songs that become hits outside the usual eligibility cycle.
The Goo Goo Dolls’ 1998 song “Iris” found new attention this year when social media users and famous figures, from Drew Barrymore to Kevin Bacon, paired it with 1990s-era photos. By late September, it ranked inside Spotify’s Global 50 top 10, ahead of new releases from Ariana Grande and BTS.
It belongs to a broader pattern: Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” and the Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” also gained later popularity. With nearly half of Global 50 entries predating 2025, the Recording Academy faces debate over whether to recognize songs that become hits after their original eligibility window.
If the Recording Academy adjusts its rules or adds recognition for revived songs, it could reshape how older catalog music is valued, potentially benefiting veteran artists, labels, and streaming platforms. Younger listeners may discover past eras through viral moments, while awards bodies may face pressure to reflect current listening rather than release dates. Such a change could also raise questions about fairness to new releases, but it may simply acknowledge how social media now extends a song’s commercial and cultural life.