Back in Time Today
In the music world, it’s not uncommon for artists to have a complicated relationship with their most famous songs.
Whether due to overexposure, artistic evolution, or personal reasons, some of the biggest hits have been met with disdain by the very people who created them.
Here’s a look at 15 musicians who, despite their songs’ massive popularity, have expressed dislike, frustration, or outright hatred for their biggest hits.
1. Radiohead – “Creep”
Radiohead’s “Creep,” released in 1992, is a song that lead singer Thom Yorke has called “crap” on stage. The band felt disconnected from this early hit as their music evolved into more experimental sounds. Yorke’s feelings towards the song were so strong that Radiohead refused to perform it for several years.
Despite its undeniable catchiness and global appeal, “Creep” represented a style and image that the band felt didn’t align with their true artistic vision. The song’s melancholic lyrics and grunge-inspired sound were not reflective of the direction Radiohead wanted to pursue.
2. Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
When Nirvana released “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” it became an anthem for a generation. However, Kurt Cobain expressed frustration with the song’s polished feel and the overwhelming attention it received. Cobain found the commercial success burdensome, feeling it overshadowed the rest of the band’s work.
The track’s catchy riff and rebellious spirit became synonymous with Nirvana’s identity, but Cobain often felt it didn’t represent their true essence. Over time, the song’s constant airplay led Cobain to become jaded, and he frequently expressed his ambivalence towards its popularity.
3. Led Zeppelin – “Stairway to Heaven”
Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” is celebrated as one of the greatest rock songs of all time. Despite its legendary status, the band grew weary of its mythic reputation and the constant demand for live performances. Robert Plant, in particular, found the song’s mystique tiresome.
Although the track is an epic musical journey, the band members felt it sometimes overshadowed their other work. Plant has often expressed his desire to move beyond “Stairway,” indicating that its grandiosity was both a blessing and a curse for Led Zeppelin.
4. Beastie Boys – “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)”
The Beastie Boys’ anthem “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)” was intended as a parody, highlighting the absurdity of party culture. However, fans took it literally, much to the band’s dismay. The track became a defining hit, but the band felt it misrepresented their identity.
The comedic tone and rebellious lyrics struck a chord with audiences, but the Beastie Boys were keen to distance themselves from the song’s frat-boy image. They sought to evolve their sound and message, leaving this early hit behind in their creative journey.
5. Madonna – “Like a Virgin”
Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” was a groundbreaking hit that cemented her status as a pop icon. Despite its success, Madonna has expressed fatigue from performing it over the years. As her music and persona evolved, she struggled to connect with the song’s initial message.
The catchy tune and provocative lyrics captured the public’s imagination, but Madonna found herself at odds with its enduring image. She has spoken about feeling detached from the song, as it no longer resonated with her personal growth and artistic development.
6. James Blunt – “You’re Beautiful”
James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful” catapulted him to fame, yet he has openly described it as “annoying.” The song became overexposed, and Blunt has been candid about his mixed feelings towards its success. He often jokes about the burden it placed on his career.
While the heartfelt lyrics and gentle melody won fans worldwide, Blunt struggled with being pigeonholed by this one song. He wished to showcase a broader range of his music, finding “You’re Beautiful” to be both a blessing and a source of creative frustration.
7. Frank Sinatra – “Strangers in the Night”
Frank Sinatra, the legendary crooner, reportedly called “Strangers in the Night” a “piece of s**t,” despite its massive popularity. Sinatra’s disdain stemmed from the song’s unexpected success, which overshadowed other works he considered superior.
The smooth melody and romantic lyrics became synonymous with Sinatra’s voice, but he felt it didn’t align with his personal musical preferences. His ambivalence towards the song reveals a tension between commercial appeal and artistic satisfaction that many artists face in their careers.
8. Lorde – “Royals”
Lorde’s breakout hit “Royals” took the music world by storm, yet she has since described it as “cringey.” As she matured, Lorde found the song’s themes and sound no longer resonated with her evolving artistic identity. Despite its success, she sought to move beyond its teenage perspective.
The song’s minimalist production and catchy chorus made it a global sensation, but Lorde felt confined by its youthful image. Her journey to redefine her musical style reflects an artist’s struggle with early success and the desire for growth.
9. REM – “Shiny Happy People”
REM’s “Shiny Happy People” is often remembered for its upbeat, poppy sound. However, the band felt it didn’t represent their true tone. Michael Stipe, the lead vocalist, expressed discomfort with the song’s overly cheerful vibe.
Though it became a hit, the band’s alternative rock ethos seemed at odds with the song’s mainstream appeal. The juxtaposition of REM’s typical style and this track’s sunny disposition created a disconnect that Stipe and the band were eager to leave behind.
10. Oasis – “Wonderwall”
Oasis’s “Wonderwall” is one of the most iconic songs of the 90s, yet Liam Gallagher has called it “a pain to sing.” He often skips performing it live, feeling that its massive popularity does not reflect his personal preferences.
The song’s anthemic quality and memorable lyrics have made it a fixture in music history, but Gallagher’s reluctance to embrace it underscores a common challenge for artists. The clash between public demand and personal artistic satisfaction is a recurring theme in Gallagher’s relationship with “Wonderwall.”
11. Lady Gaga – “Telephone” (feat. Beyoncé)
Lady Gaga’s collaboration with Beyoncé on “Telephone” was a chart-topper, yet she expressed dissatisfaction with its creative process. Gaga disliked the music video and found the experience stressful. The song, while a commercial success, didn’t align with her artistic vision.
The high-energy track and visually striking video captured fans’ attention, but Gaga’s mixed feelings highlight the pressures of maintaining public expectations. The tension between creative desires and industry demands is evident in Gaga’s relationship with “Telephone.”
12. Eminem – “Cleanin’ Out My Closet”
Eminem’s “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” is a raw, personal track, yet he later apologized for its harsh tone. The song, which delves into his troubled family history, became emotionally taxing for the rapper to perform.
Its confessional style and intense lyrics resonated with many, but Eminem’s evolving perspective led him to distance himself from the track. This shift underscores the complexity of personal expression in music and the changing relationship artists have with their work over time.
13. Miley Cyrus – “Party in the U.S.A.”
Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the U.S.A.” was a carefree anthem, but she distanced herself from it after her musical direction changed. The song’s pop sensibility clashed with her desire to explore more mature themes.
While its upbeat rhythm and catchy lyrics made it a favorite, Cyrus’s transformation into a more edgy artist led her to view “Party in the U.S.A.” as a relic of her past. Her journey illustrates the evolving nature of personal and artistic identity in the music industry.
14. Simple Plan – “I’m Just a Kid”
Simple Plan’s “I’m Just a Kid” became an anthem for youthful angst, but the band grew tired of being defined by this early hit. As their music matured, they sought to expand beyond the confines of its adolescent themes.
The song’s catchy hooks and relatable lyrics resonated with young audiences, yet Simple Plan felt it limited their artistic potential. Their desire to evolve creatively highlights the challenge artists face when early success becomes both a launching pad and a constraint.
15. Vanilla Ice – “Ice Ice Baby”
Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” was a groundbreaking hit in the early 90s, but he later called it “a joke.” The song’s commercial success overshadowed his career, turning him into a one-hit wonder.
Its catchy beat and memorable lyrics made it a staple of the era, yet Vanilla Ice’s frustration with its dominance reveals a common struggle for artists. The balance between enjoying success and being typecast by a single track is a dilemma many face in the industry.