Imogen Heap Makes Billboard History with “Headlock”

Imogen Heap, a prominent name in the music industry for nearly 30 years, has officially made her mark on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This week, her song “Headlock,” released back in 2005, has debuted at No. 100, driven predominantly by a remarkable surge in its streaming numbers – totaling a staggering 5.9 million official streams in the U.S. between January 10 and 16, according to Luminate.

The resurgence of “Headlock” can be attributed to a viral trend on social media, particularly TikTok, where users are creatively incorporating the song into compilations of gameplay footage from the psychological horror thriller game, Mouthwashing. This trend has propelled the track to new heights, resulting in over 135,000 clips using the song to date. Just think – a 2005 gem suddenly becoming the soundtrack to a whole new generation's gaming moments!

The Impact of “Speak for Yourself”

Heap’s sophomore album, “Speak for Yourself,” which features “Headlock,” marked a significant turning point in her career. The album also boasts her iconic hit “Hide and Seek,” which gained additional fame from its pivotal role in a dramatic moment on the television show The O.C. Many might remember the scene where Marissa Cooper makes a fateful decision, ultimately embedding Heap’s work into pop culture. The song also reached meme status, thanks to a hilarious parody by The Lonely Island on Saturday Night Live, further extending its reach back in 2007.

“Hide and Seek” contains the instantly recognizable line “mmm, whatcha say,” which not only captivated fans but also caught the attention of Jason Derulo, who sampled it for his 2009 hit “Whatcha Say,” a song that topped the Hot 100 for a week. Heap’s talent as a songwriter is further highlighted as she shares credit as a co-writer on Derulo's chart-topping track.

Collaborations and Recent Successes

While “Headlock” marks Heap’s first appearance on the Hot 100 as a recording artist, she has also made her mark as a collaborator. Her contribution as a co-writer and co-producer on Taylor Swift’s “Clean (Taylor’s Version)” from the re-recorded 1989 album pushed the song to No. 30 on the charts in November 2023. The original version of “Clean,” which she also co-wrote, missed the Hot 100 during its initial release in 2014.

The album “Speak for Yourself” made its initial splash on the Billboard 200, debuting at No. 182 in November 2005, and climbed to No. 145 in the following months, largely fueled by the success of her aforementioned tracks. Additionally, the track “Just for Now” gained recognition when it was sampled in A$AP Rocky's 2018 song “I Smoked Away My Brain (I’m Gods x Demons Mashup),” showcasing the album's lasting influence.

Imogen Heap's Musical Journey

Imogen Heap has charted two other albums on the Billboard 200: “Ellipse” peaked at No. 5 in 2009, and “Sparks” reached No. 21 in 2014. Moreover, her instrumental cast recording, “The Music of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child: Parts One and Two,” hit No. 2 on the Classical Albums chart in 2018, highlighting her versatility and talent across genres.

Interestingly, Heap isn't stopping with “Headlock.” She is also riding the charts with her electronic duo Frou Frou, alongside Guy Sigsworth, and their track “A New Kind of Love,” which recently nabbed the No. 35 position on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs.

Final Thoughts

With “Headlock” now getting the recognition it deserves, fans can’t help but wonder: what other hidden treasures from the past are waiting for their moment in the spotlight? Stay tuned as Imogen Heap continues to make waves in the music industry!