10 Rock Stars Who Can’t Stand Their Own Hit Songs

Famous musicians sometimes don’t like their own hit songs, which is like a parent not liking their own kids. Below, we’ll tell you about some well-known rock and metal songs and the songwriters who regretted them.

Why do some artists dislike their most popular songs? It could be because they attract the wrong type of fans, or because playing the same song over and over again becomes a chore. As artists grow older, they may not relate to the lyrics or music they wrote anymore.

Below is a list of 10 musicians who didn’t like their own hit songs, and why these tracks fell out of favor with them.

Nirvana – ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’

Kurt Cobain, the frontman of Nirvana, initially wrote and performed “Smells Like Teen Spirit” as a rebellious anthem. However, as the song gained immense popularity and became a generational anthem, Cobain grew tired of it. He felt that the commercial success and mainstream recognition of the song went against his original intentions as a songwriter. Cobain expressed his frustration, saying, “I can barely get through ‘Teen Spirit.’ I literally want to throw my guitar down and walk away.”

Guns N’ Roses – ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’

Slash, the iconic guitarist of Guns N’ Roses, has a complicated relationship with the band’s hit song, “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” Despite the song’s massive success and being the only No. 1 single of the band’s career in the U.S., Slash initially disliked his now-iconic lead guitar riff. Over time, however, he grew to appreciate it due to the strong reaction it elicited from fans.

Led Zeppelin – ‘Stairway to Heaven’

“Stairway to Heaven” is undeniably one of the most iconic rock songs of all time. Despite its status as a rock classic, Robert Plant, the vocalist of Led Zeppelin, developed a dislike for the song. Plant specifically found it difficult to connect with the abstract lyrics of “Stairway to Heaven.” He even went as far as saying that performing the song in every show would make him break out in hives.

Metallica – ‘Escape’

James Hetfield, the frontman of Metallica, has openly expressed his lack of enthusiasm for the lyrics he wrote for the song “Escape.” Despite being featured on the critically acclaimed album “Ride the Lightning,” Hetfield avoided playing this song for many years. It wasn’t until Tallica jammed the entire “Ride the Lightning” album at Orion Fest that Hetfield reluctantly performed it, calling it one of his worst nightmares.

The Who – ‘Pinball Wizard’

“Pinball Wizard” is a widely praised and beloved classic by The Who. However, Pete Townshend, the band’s guitarist and primary songwriter, has publicly expressed his dislike for the song. Townshend referred to it as “awful” and “the most clumsy piece of writing” he had ever done. Despite his personal opinion, “Pinball Wizard” has remained a staple in The Who’s live performances.

Dio – ‘Rainbow in the Dark”

Ronnie James Dio, renowned for his powerful vocals and contributions to heavy metal, initially disliked one of his most unique songs, “Rainbow in the Dark.” With its anthemic keyboard part and uplifting lyrics, Dio found it too pop-oriented and almost destroyed the master tapes. Dio later admitted that he hated the song in the context of what he was trying to achieve with the entire album, “Holy Diver.”

Queen – ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’

“Don’t Stop Me Now” is often hailed as one of Queen’s most uplifting and joyous songs. However, Brian May, the guitarist of Queen, initially didn’t like the song. May felt that the track celebrated Freddie Mercury’s risky and hedonistic lifestyle, which conflicted with his own sensibilities. Eventually, May warmed up to the song, describing it as a piece of “unfettered joy.”

Run DMC & Aerosmith – ‘Walk This Way’

When producer Rick Rubin suggested that Run-DMC remake Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” as a hip-hop anthem, Rev. Run and DMC were initially resistant to the idea. They considered the original song as “hillbilly gibberish.” However, Jam Master Jay saw potential in the collaboration and pushed for it. Eventually, they agreed, and their version of “Walk This Way” made history by blending rock and rap, introducing both genres to a wider audience.

Heart – ‘All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You’

Heart’s “All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You” became one of their biggest hits, but Ann Wilson, the lead vocalist, considers it a low point in the band’s career. Wilson explained that the song represented everything they wanted to move away from, and they faced pressure to record it. She even described the song’s message as “hideous” during an interview.

R.E.M. – ‘Shiny Happy People’

Although “Shiny Happy People” achieved commercial success and became a well-known song, Michael Stipe, the lead singer of R.E.M., has expressed his disdain for it. Stipe has criticized the song’s lack of depth, referring to it as a “fruity pop song written for children.” R.E.M. even refused to include “Shiny Happy People” on their 2003 greatest hits album, indicating their discontent with it.