Tunes that became hits only long after they were first released - and why

The Tommy James & The Shondells version of "Hanky Panky" only became a hit over 2 years after release, after the band had already broken up due to their lack of success.

"When I'm With You" by Sheriff has a similar story, released in 1983 but didn't become a hit until 1989.

There is no actual reason either one caught on years after release, just a single DJ started playing them.

Whoops, "When I'm With You" was already mentioned above.

"At This Moment" by Billy Vera & The Beaters only was a hit 5 years after release, when it was in an episode of "Family Ties"

sonique - "it feels so good"

it was first released in the uk in late 1998 and reached #24.

import copies of the single found their way into the hands of club djs and radio programmers in the tampa area in early 1999. it became a local club hit and before long started getting played on the top 40 station, wflz -- first as part of mixshow programming, then as part of regular rotation as it quickly became the station's most requested song. meanwhile, sonique still did not have a record deal in the us -- stan priest, the guy at wflz who started playing it on his mixshows, helped her get in touch with a label that would release the single over there, and eventually republic/universal decided to put their muscle behind it. as the label machinery began kicking into gear for the song's nationwide american release (plus the release of sonique's album), it had already amassed regular play at stations elsewhere in florida + in texas and new york. it debuted on the hot 100 in january 2000 and peaked at #8 in april.

in may it got re-released in the uk w/ a new music video and everything. it went straight in at #1 and stayed there for an additional two weeks.

A subgenre of this is drastically different cover versions becoming smashes, a'la Buckley's "Hallelujah," or Gary Jules' version of "Mad World" becoming a Christmas Number One.

The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
Originally released in 1988, but didn't become a big hit in North America till 1993 when it was used in the opening credits of Benny & Joon.

I think it was in I Married an Axe Murderer in 93 too

Oh, that had "There she goes" by the Boo Radleys too.