25 bands that publicly hate their hit songs

Did you know that Radiohead actually disliked their infamous hit “Creep”? Many fans speculate that they found the song to be overly radio-friendly, overshadowing their other work. However, frontman Thom Yorke also apparently once stated that he wrote the song about himself and his awkwardness toward women, which made him feel like a “creep.”

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” is one of the most popular songs of the ‘90s. However, the lead singer of Nirvana, Kurt Cobain, began to resent and despise the song due to its overexposure. Countless other incredible tracks by Nirvana deserved the same recognition. 

Oasis is well-known for a few of their popular tracks, from “Champagne Supernova” to “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” However, “Wonderwall” is by far their top hit. Despite how well-received it was by fans, however, Noel Gallagher apparently admitted to not liking the song, especially when compared to the band’s other tracks. 

Michael Stipe of R.E.M. once expressed his dissatisfaction with the band’s hit “Shiny Happy People." While he specified that he didn’t exactly “hate it,” he did admit to not wanting to sing it. He also once labeled it “a fruity pop song written for children.”

Not only did Simple Minds strongly dislike their hit song “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” but they almost didn’t even record it. A few other artists, such as Billy Idol and Bryan Ferry, also initially declined to record the song. However, despite not writing it themselves, Simple Minds eventually agreed to record it for the movie The Breakfast Club.

Originally, Cyndi Lauper expressed disinterest in her hit single, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” She initially didn’t want to record the track because a man (Robert Hazard) wrote it, and she felt that a female-centric anthem should be written from a woman’s perspective. However, she eventually warmed up to the song and its message.

“Sweet Child o’ Mine” is one of Guns N’ Roses’ most popular hits. However, allegedly, lead guitarist Slash did not initially like the track. He also seemed to feel like the song didn’t match the rest of the band’s work, as it was too much of a sappy ballad. Additionally, singer Axl Rose once told Rolling Stone that he disliked the radio edit, which cut Slash’s solo.

One of Slipknot’s most beloved songs is “Wait and Bleed,” but according to the band itself, it’s highly overrated. Lead singer Corey Taylor even publicly admitted to not liking playing the song.

Lead singer of Heart, Ann Wilson, admitted to never liking their hit song, “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You.” In fact, she felt it was far too different from the band’s other content. Additionally, she highly disliked the lyrics, feeling they portrayed a “hideous” and “creepy” narrative that devalued the man in the story.

“Sex on Fire” is a major hit by Kings of Leon. However, while fans adore the track, the band itself isn’t super keen on it. Lead singer Caleb Followill apparently admitted to thinking the song was a joke initially. Not to mention, the band didn’t even want it on the album, as they thought it might “dumb it down.”

“Stairway to Heaven” is Led Zeppelin's most popular song. However, lead singer and lyricist Robert Plant once confessed that he didn’t have the same taste for it as he had when he originally wrote it. In 1988, he told the Los Angeles Times he would “break out in hives” if he had to play it every show.

“Beauty and a Beat” was a major hit when first released, but Justin Bieber later noted that he wasn’t a huge fan of the track. He knew it would resonate with his audience, but he didn’t exactly adore the song. He merely understood that it would perform well.

While James Blunt didn’t hate his most popular track, so to speak, he certainly had a ton of negative things to say about it. In fact, he believed it was overplayed and negatively defined him as an artist. While it definitely benefited him as a singer/songwriter, he admitted to understanding why fans grew tired of it.

P!nk has publicly admitted to hating her hit song, “Don’t Let Me Get Me.” The track is about her internal struggles when it comes to music and her record label. In fact, she even once went as far as to say she wished she could “burn that song and never sing it again.” 

Unfortunately, Miley Cyrus doesn’t like my teenage anthem of “Party in the U.S.A.” This track was a major hit during its time, but the singer feels it’s not her signature style. She even allegedly told her fans, “I hate it, but for some reason, the people love it.”

Madonna has openly stated that she dislikes her famous hit song “Like a Virgin.” Specifically, she said it was one of her top songs that she hated hearing played in public. In fact, at one point, she even joked that she would need tens of millions of dollars to perform it again.

David Bowie previously admitted to hating his song “The Laughing Gnome.” The song initially failed upon its release, but its re-release eventually gained major traction. Still, Bowie found it to be quite terrible.

Initially, Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones did not approve of the track "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction.” He didn’t believe it was “single material.” However, other band members saw potential in it — thankfully, as it was one of their greatest hits.

Charli XCX has publicly confessed that she hates her 2014 song “Break the Rules.” In fact, she once told Q magazine it was “so bad” and that “whoever sings this song is an idiot.” 

Robert Smith of The Cure seems to have a complex relationship with the hit song “Friday I’m in Love.” It’s certainly one of their happier, poppier songs, especially in comparison to their darker tracks. In fact, he even stated that fans who prefer that track “aren’t actually fans of The Cure.”

Lady Gaga has publicly admitted to despising the process of recording her hit track “Telephone. She explicitly stated to PopJustice.com, "I hate 'Telephone.’ Is that terrible to say? It's the song I have the most difficult time listening to.”

Eminem previously admitted to “cringing” at his hit song, “Cleanin’ Out My Closet.” The track heavily criticizes his own mother, which he has since apologized for in the lyrics of his other songs. 

“Strangers in the Night” was a popular hit by the infamous Frank Sinatra. However, he would introduce the song at concerts by saying, "Here's a song that I cannot stand." Can’t get any more straightforward than that.

Chrissie Hynde, the lead singer and songwriter of The Pretenders, has publicly admitted to hating their hit song “Brass in Pocket.” 

Ariana Grande released her debut single, “Put Your Hearts Up,” back in 2011. However, she has since come out admitting she despises the track, stating it sounds like something her character Cat from Victorious would produce. What’s more? She actually hated the music video so much that she had her team hide it from Vevo.