If you’ve taken a look at the Billboard Hot 100 chart lately (we know you have), you’ve probably noticed that Australian synth-pop duo Empire of the Sun are still rocking the chart at number 82.

Well, not still. That’s actually their debut entry. Though the band are firmly established in the US, playing sold-out shows at the Hollywood Bowl and embarking on successful tours, they’ve never cracked the Billboard 100.

Until now, that is. However, as SPIN notes, what’s most surprising is that they didn’t do it with a new single, but rather ‘Walking On A Dream’, the pair’s signature tune from their 2008 debut album.

So how did Empire of the Sun manage a Hot 100 position with an eight-year-old song? The answer will be obvious to any reader who’s been watching a lot of US television, lately, particularly the NFL playoffs.

A new commercial for the Honda Civic entitled ‘The Dreamer’ prominently features ‘Walking On A Dream’. The increased exposure to the track has led to an increase in digital sales – an increase of almost 30,000 units in one week.

“I’ve been getting phone calls, mums at my kids’ schools [talking about it],” Empire of the Sun co-founder Luke Steele told SPIN. “And then, [the label], they’re getting excited when Shazam is like, ‘[It’s the] number-five song…’”

“It’s amazing how many people haven’t heard that song, you know. We had another song, ‘We Are the People,’ that was used in a Vodafone ad in Germany, and it turned up a number one in Germany. You can never underestimate the power of pop culture.”

The timing couldn’t be better – the band are set to unveil their third album later this year. “The third record, we’ve been working on for about two years,” said Steele.

“The timing is, like, immaculate. We’re going to the studio next week to have a big band listening session… it’s pretty exciting. I think now that this has happened, it’s going to be probably, definitely September.”

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