Success doesn’t always guarantee satisfaction, especially in music. For some rock legends, their most iconic hits became sources of regret, frustration, or outright disdain. It’s a reminder that even celebrated art can weigh heavily on its creator.
Creating a timeless track doesn’t mean the artist feels connected to it forever. Over time, these songs can become reminders of compromises, overexposure, or creative disagreements. What fans love, the artists themselves may come to loathe.
Let’s dive into a few stories of rock stars who have openly admitted their dislike for the very songs that helped define their careers. Their reasons might surprise you.
Kurt Cobain’s Disdain for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” catapulted Nirvana to global fame, but it didn’t sit well with Kurt Cobain for long. While fans embraced it as the ultimate grunge anthem, Cobain grew increasingly frustrated with its overwhelming popularity.
The track’s success came with constant requests to perform it live, which only deepened Cobain’s dislike. Eventually, he began removing it from setlists entirely, avoiding what had become an exhausting obligation.
In a Rolling Stone interview, Cobain didn’t hold back, saying, “I can barely, especially on a bad night like tonight, get through ‘Teen Spirit.’ I literally want to throw my guitar down and walk away.”
Slash’s Struggle with “Sweet Child O’ Mine”
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” became one of Guns N’ Roses’ biggest hits, but for a long time, Slash couldn’t stand it. Despite being the band’s only No. 1 single, the song didn’t sit well with the guitarist.
Slash’s frustration with the track was evident for years, but the song’s popularity made it unavoidable. No matter how much he disliked playing it, fans demanded it live.
Over time, Slash came to terms with the song’s legacy. “I hated it for years,” he admitted, “But it would cause such a reaction, so I’ve finally gotten to appreciate it.”
James Hetfield’s Regret Over “Escape”
James Hetfield wasn’t a fan of Metallica’s “Escape,” despite writing the lyrics. He admitted that the lyrics were rushed and didn’t reflect his best work.
Hetfield avoided playing the song for years. But in 2012, during Metallica’s Ride the Lightning full album performance at Orion Fest, he had no choice but to include it.
Performing “Escape” live again was difficult for Hetfield. It highlighted the tension between an artist’s own expectations and a song’s public reception.
Pete Townshend’s Dislike for “Pinball Wizard”
Pete Townshend has never held back in expressing dissatisfaction with his own work. One of his biggest complaints is The Who’s “Pinball Wizard,” despite it being a major hit.
He’s called the song “terrible” and referred to it as “the most clumsy piece of writing I’ve ever done.” For Townshend, it wasn’t a proud moment in his career.
The song’s popularity only made it harder for him to avoid. While fans loved it, Townshend has been open about wishing he could redo it, proving how even the most iconic hits can come with regret.