3 Unusual Avant-Garde Songs That Became Surprising Mainstream Hits
Three experimental songs by Kraftwerk, Laurie Anderson and Public Image Ltd. became unlikely chart successes despite avant-garde music generally sitting outside the mainstream. Their success mattered because it showed that unconventional electronic, minimalist and post-punk sounds could reach broad audiences.
– ‘Autobahn’ (1975) by Kraftwerk reached No. 25 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 11 in the UK.
– Laurie Anderson’s minimalist ‘O Superman’ (1981) peaked at No. 2 in the UK and later found a new audience on TikTok.
– Public Image Ltd.’s ‘Flowers Of Romance’ (1981) reached No. 24 in the UK and No. 19 in Ireland.
- Avant-garde music occasionally achieved major chart success.
- Kraftwerk’s ‘Autobahn’ became an international electronic music breakthrough.
- ‘O Superman’ and ‘Flowers Of Romance’ defied mainstream expectations.