90s Rock Singer Achieves Chart Success for the First Time, 30 Years After Passing
has made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking the first time the track has appeared on the ranking of the 100 most popular songs in America. The song, featured on Buckley’s only studio album “Grace,” which was released before his untimely death in May 1997, secured the 97th spot on the chart.
Billboard reports that “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” accumulated 3.8 million streams in the U.S. during the week of Jan. 16-22. The surge in streaming can be attributed to viral videos on TikTok, where users shared snippets of the song for poignant and reflective content creation. Despite never being released as a single, the track began gaining traction in 2025 following the release of the documentary “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley.”
The documentary shed light on Buckley’s life and work, sparking renewed interest in his music. As a result, “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” briefly graced the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart earlier in the year, making intermittent appearances and ultimately climbing to No. 12. This newfound popularity also led to “Grace” reentering the Billboard 200 chart, reaching No. 82 in December and No. 156 recently. The album, which included the memorable title track and a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” hit its original peak at No. 149 in 1995.
Critically acclaimed, “Grace” was recognized as one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone in 2021 and remained on an updated version of the list in 2024. Buckley, who penned the lyrics to “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over,” drew inspiration from a personal experience, capturing emotions as he bid farewell to his girlfriend at the airport. Meanwhile, Syracuse native Gary Lucas contributed to the song’s composition, crafting a distinctive guitar line that left a lasting impact on listeners.
Reflecting on his collaboration with Buckley, Lucas reminisced about a harmonious period where they were creatively in sync. Lucas, a Nottingham High School graduate, shared insights about their work on songs like “Mojo Pin,” highlighting a musical connection that transcended mere lyrical content. Recalling their partnership, Lucas pointed out that while most people are drawn to song lyrics, it was the music itself that resonated with him on a deeper level.
The duo’s musical journey began in 1991 at a tribute concert for Jeff’s father, Tim Buckley, a respected folk-jazz artist. Jeff, a talented singer-songwriter, launched his debut album in 1994 before tragically passing away due to accidental drowning in 1997, at the young age of 30. The impact of Buckley’s music and legacy lives on, as evidenced by the significant resurgence in interest sparked by the documentary “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley,” directed by Amy Berg. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, the documentary captivated audiences with its portrayal of Buckley’s artistry and influence, solidifying his lasting impact on the music industry.