MomSkoop
Every music superstar has that one special song that changed everything. Before the sold-out stadiums and chart-topping albums, these artists were just hopefuls waiting for their big break.
Their breakout hits didn’t just climb the charts—they launched entire careers and turned unknown names into household legends. Here are fifteen unforgettable songs that made stars out of dreamers.
1. Billie Eilish – Ocean Eyes
A bedroom recording uploaded to SoundCloud in 2015 turned a 13-year-old girl into a global phenomenon.
Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas never expected “Ocean Eyes” to explode the way it did.
The haunting melody and whisper-soft vocals caught fire online, racking up millions of plays almost overnight.
Record labels came knocking, and suddenly the world knew her name.
What started as a simple track for a dance class became the foundation of one of music’s most unique careers.
Her dreamy sound and honest lyrics connected with millions of young listeners everywhere.
Today, she’s won multiple Grammys and changed pop music forever.
2. Ed Sheeran – The A Team
Back in 2011, a ginger-haired busker from England released a song about homelessness that would change his life completely.
“The A Team” showcased Ed Sheeran’s gift for storytelling through simple, powerful lyrics.
His acoustic guitar and raw vocal delivery felt refreshingly honest in a world of overproduced pop.
The song climbed to number three on UK charts and introduced America to his talent.
Radio stations couldn’t stop playing it, and suddenly everyone wanted to know who this guy was.
His loop pedal performances became legendary, proving one person could fill an entire stage.
From playing small pubs to headlining Wembley Stadium—that’s the power of one breakthrough song.
3. Lorde – Royals
Picture a teenager from New Zealand writing lyrics about rejecting mainstream luxury and excess.
That’s exactly what Ella Yelich-O’Connor did when she created “Royals” at just 16 years old.
The minimalist production and anti-materialistic message struck a chord with listeners tired of typical pop bragging.
Her deep, mature voice sounded nothing like other artists her age.
“Royals” topped charts in over ten countries and made Lorde the youngest solo artist to reach number one in the US since 1987.
Critics praised her fresh perspective and intelligent songwriting.
She proved teenagers had something meaningful to say about modern culture and consumerism.
4. Post Malone – White Iverson
A college dropout recorded a track in his friend’s home studio that basketball legend Allen Iverson would eventually hear and love.
“White Iverson” blended hip-hop with melodic singing in a way that felt completely fresh.
Post Malone uploaded it to SoundCloud in 2015, and within a month it had a million plays.
His unique voice and genre-mixing style caught the attention of major producers and labels.
The song’s success proved you didn’t need traditional industry connections to make it big anymore.
Soon he was collaborating with the biggest names in music.
His laid-back delivery and honest lyrics about ambition resonated with millions of young fans worldwide.
5. Adele – Rolling in the Deep
Heartbreak has launched countless careers, but few songs capture raw emotion quite like this powerhouse anthem.
Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” transformed personal pain into universal poetry that everyone could feel.
Her voice—powerful, soulful, and dripping with genuine emotion—commanded attention from the very first note.
The song dominated radio worldwide in 2011, spending weeks at number one.
It won three Grammy Awards and sold over 8.5 million copies in the United States alone.
Critics and fans alike recognized they were witnessing something special.
This wasn’t just another breakup song; it was a declaration of strength that made Adele a global icon overnight.
6. Sam Smith – Stay With Me
Sometimes vulnerability becomes your greatest strength, as Sam Smith discovered with this gospel-tinged ballad.
“Stay With Me” laid bare the loneliness of one-night stands with heartbreaking honesty.
Smith’s soaring vocals and the song’s church-like backing vocals created something deeply moving.
The track reached the top ten in over twenty countries during 2014.
It earned Smith four Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
Their willingness to express emotional fragility connected with listeners on a profound level.
The song proved that authentic emotion would always find an audience, regardless of current musical trends.
Smith went from unknown to superstar almost instantly.
7. Khalid – Location
High school senior Khalid Robinson uploaded a song about young love and teenage experiences that perfectly captured Generation Z’s voice.
“Location” felt like a text conversation turned into music—casual, relatable, and effortlessly cool.
His smooth vocals and the track’s mellow production created the perfect soundtrack for late-night drives.
The song went viral on streaming platforms, eventually reaching quadruple platinum status.
What made it special was how naturally it spoke to young people’s actual experiences.
No exaggeration, no pretense—just honest feelings about wanting to connect with someone.
Major artists soon wanted to collaborate with him.
Khalid proved you didn’t need to be loud to be heard.
8. Meghan Trainor – All About That Bass
Body positivity got a catchy doo-wop anthem when Meghan Trainor released this confidence-boosting track in 2014.
“All About That Bass” challenged beauty standards with a playful, retro sound that felt instantly familiar.
The song’s message about self-acceptance resonated with millions who felt excluded by mainstream media.
It topped charts in 58 countries and became one of the best-selling singles ever.
Trainor’s bubbly personality and throwback style offered something refreshingly different from typical pop.
Critics debated its message, but fans loved its celebratory vibe.
The track launched her from songwriter-for-hire to full-fledged pop star.
She proved that feel-good music still had massive commercial appeal.
9. Hozier – Take Me to Church
An Irish musician recorded a powerful protest song in his parents’ attic that would spark worldwide conversation.
“Take Me to Church” tackled themes of sexuality, religion, and human rights with poetic intensity.
Hozier’s soulful, bluesy voice gave the song an almost spiritual quality despite its critical message.
The accompanying music video’s stark imagery amplified the song’s impact and meaning.
It reached number two on Billboard’s Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination.
The track proved that thoughtful, socially conscious music could achieve mainstream success.
Radio embraced it despite its challenging subject matter.
Hozier became an overnight sensation, showing that substance and commercial appeal weren’t mutually exclusive.
10. Lizzo – Truth Hurts
Released in 2017 but exploding in 2019, this self-love anthem proved good music always finds its moment.
“Truth Hurts” combined hip-hop swagger with pop catchiness and Lizzo’s signature flute playing.
The opening line became one of the most quoted lyrics on social media that year.
Her message about moving on and loving yourself struck a chord with listeners everywhere.
The song finally hit number one two years after its initial release—a rare achievement.
Lizzo’s charisma, body positivity, and musical talent made her impossible to ignore.
She brought joy, confidence, and classical music training to mainstream pop.
The track’s delayed success story inspired independent artists everywhere.
11. Bruno Mars – Just the Way You Are
Sometimes the simplest message—you’re perfect as you are—becomes the most powerful when delivered with genuine warmth.
Bruno Mars crafted a love song so sweet and sincere it melted hearts worldwide in 2010.
His smooth vocals and the song’s classic pop structure felt timeless rather than trendy.
“Just the Way You Are” topped charts in multiple countries and won a Grammy Award.
Mars had worked behind the scenes for years before this song made him a household name.
The track showcased his ability to blend old-school charm with contemporary production.
Radio couldn’t get enough of its feel-good energy and romantic message.
It launched him into superstardom and proved traditional love songs still worked.
12. Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe
A Canadian singer-songwriter created the catchiest song of 2012—a bubblegum pop earworm that conquered the planet.
“Call Me Maybe” captured the nervous excitement of crushing on someone with infectious enthusiasm.
Justin Bieber tweeted about it, and suddenly everyone from celebrities to regular fans was sharing it.
The song reached number one in 19 countries and became a cultural phenomenon.
Its simple, relatable lyrics and irresistible melody made it impossible not to sing along.
Jepsen went from relative unknown to international sensation practically overnight.
The track dominated summer playlists and spawned countless parody videos.
It reminded everyone that pure, joyful pop music never goes out of style.
13. Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved
A Scottish singer with self-deprecating humor and a voice that could break hearts released a ballad about loss and longing.
“Someone You Loved” spent seven weeks at number one in the UK during 2019.
Lewis Capaldi’s raw, emotional delivery made listeners feel every word of heartbreak he sang.
The piano-driven track stripped away production tricks to focus purely on vocal performance and emotion.
It became a global hit, topping charts across Europe and reaching number one in the United States.
His relatable personality and genuine talent made him instantly likable to fans worldwide.
The song proved that powerful vocals and honest songwriting still mattered most.
Capaldi went from pub gigs to arena tours remarkably quickly.
14. Shawn Mendes – Stitches
A teenager who started by posting six-second Vine videos proved social media could launch serious musical careers.
Shawn Mendes released “Stitches” in 2015, and its emotional intensity surprised everyone who knew him from comedy sketches.
The song’s metaphor about heartbreak needing medical attention resonated with young listeners experiencing their first breakups.
His voice had matured beyond his years, carrying real pain and passion.
“Stitches” reached the top five in multiple countries and went multi-platinum.
It established him as more than just an internet personality—he was a legitimate artist.
The track’s success opened doors to collaborations with major producers and songwriters.
Mendes became proof that talent discovered online could translate into lasting mainstream success.
15. Dua Lipa – New Rules
Fed up with dating the same wrong person repeatedly, Dua Lipa wrote an instruction manual set to an irresistible dance beat.
“New Rules” became an anthem for anyone trying to break toxic relationship patterns.
The song’s memorable choreography in its music video became iconic, with fans recreating it everywhere.
Her rich, distinctive voice and the track’s disco-influenced production felt fresh yet familiar.
It became her first number one in the UK and broke her into the American market.
The empowering message about self-respect connected deeply with listeners tired of settling for less.
Lipa went from model to music superstar with this confidence-boosting track.
She proved modern pop could be both commercially successful and genuinely empowering.