Top 10 Musicians That Hate The Song That Made Them Famous

#10: Zayn MalikOne Directions Discography

Back in the early 2010s, One Direction was the worlds biggest boy band. One of their most famous members was Zayn Malik, who became the first to leave in 2015. Following his withdrawal, he started slandering their music in interviews, calling it extremely generic. Malik even said he wouldnt ever listen to their music. Apparently, he never even wanted to be in the band. Thats a huge claim considering theyre the best-selling boy band in history. Now, hes taken a step back from the spotlight. He still makes music, but its not his sole focus. Maliks a prominent activist and fascinatingly also plays Yu-Gi-Oh!.

#9: Gary NumanCars (1979)

The most successful song from Numans career is Cars by an overwhelming margin. It was the first track from his solo career, and overshadowed everything that followed. While hes proud of it, hes said in interviews hed prefer to play his newer stuff. This caused his distaste for the track to grow over time, since it was all anyone associated him with, especially in the States. After becoming friends with Nine Inch Nails singer Trent Reznor, he had a change of heart. Reznor deeply respected his music, telling Numan it was a major influence on him, Cars included. This motivated Numan to reconcile with Cars, and he learned to love it once again.

#8: Simple MindsDont You (Forget About Me) (1985)

During the 80s, Glasgow rock band Simple Minds released a whole bunch of politically charged rock anthems. Their album Street Fighting Years didnt shy away from sensitive topics, like the troubles and Nelson Mandelas imprisonment. Unfortunately, theyre barely remembered for their bold political statements. Instead, its the song Dont You Forget About Me that everyone associates them with. They didnt even want to record that song, turning it down at first, and didnt even write it themselves. It was recorded for The Breakfast Club, with the hopes itd make them big in America. It ended up outshining the rest of their work, causing them to despise the song, with the singer saying it makes him want to vomit at times.

#7: Arctic MonkeysI Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor (2005)

The Sheffield bands early career made a huge splash in the music scene. They were one of the first bands to blow up through online buzz, especially on MySpace. Their debut sold huge volumes, putting British indie rock back in the global spotlight. It spurred a wave of UK indie acts like The Kooks, The Wombats, et cetera. Nowadays, the Monkeys are quite fatigued of their early music, which has been played and copied countless times. Alex Turners least favourite song from the era is I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor. Turner was even critical of it in 2005, once saying in an interview, The words are rubbish. I scraped the bottom of the barrel.

#6: QueenDont Stop Me Now (1979)

Queen frontman Freddie Mercury was known for his self-indulgent lifestyle. No song channels that energy like Dont Stop Me Now, a quintessential party anthem. Queens guitarist Brian May didnt share Mercurys party lifestyle, which made him highly critical of the 1979 hit single. Initially, May considered it to celebrate Mercurys hedonistic lifestyle, which he worried glorified his reckless behaviour. This hardcore party lifestyle later took a toll on Mercurys health. Over the years, hes learned to appreciate the song. After realising how much joy it brings fans, May has started finding it a blast to play.

#5: The WhoPinball Wizard (1969)

The Who are hardly one-hit wonders, being widely regarded as one of the 20th centurys most important rock bands. One of their most famous albums was the rock opera Tommy, about a blind guy who is amazing at pinball, then becomes a cult leader. Its most famous track, Pinball Wizard, is hated by guitarist Pete Townshend. The songs a huge source of embarrassment for him, who wishes he could undo it entirely. Turns out, it was written as a shameless attempt to appease a pinball-loving music critic. Townshend once even called it the most clumsy piece of writing Ive ever done.

#4: Elton JohnCrocodile Rock (1972)

Since Johns debut album in 1969, hes become one of the most influential musicians in the industry. One of his most famous songs is Crocodile Rock, which was ironically written as a joke. As such, hes never been too fond of the track, even if it was his first American number-one single. Thankfully for its fans, he always plays it live because of how much it cheers people up. After he finishes touring, he has no intention of ever playing it again. Hes so excited about putting it to rest, he intends to throw a party to celebrate never singing it again.

#3: Led ZeppelinStairway to Heaven (1971)

Even the most casual music fans will know some of Led Zeppelins songs, like one of Hollywoods favorite trailer tracks, Immigrant Song. Alongside this, Stairway to Heaven is hugely popular, often voted one of the best songs of all time in polls. Turns out frontman Robert Plant isnt too fond of their biggest track. Interviews from as early as 1988 reveal his distaste, with Plant calling it pompous. In 2002, Plant paid a radio station $10,000 to remove it from their lineup. At least they kept playing it live, unlike the songs Jimmy Page hates, such as Livin Loving Maid (Shes Just a Woman).

#2: OasisWonderwall (1995)

The Manchester bands biggest single has become a staple for novice guitarists to show off their four-chord repertoire. For this reason and a few others, Wonderwall has become hated by frontmen Liam & Noel Gallagher. Loads of fans have opposite feelings, coming to shows literally just for Wonderwall and leaving right after. This hatred was felt ever since Liam first heard it, who by 2008 felt like he wanted to gag every time he played it. Even Noel doesnt like it, since outside the UK people frequently call them both Mr Wonderwall. Its still considered half-written by them, alongside the whole album, which they never made demos for.

#1: RadioheadCreep

A lot of Radiohead fans will jokingly say Pablo Honey was their favorite Radiohead album between 1993 and 1995. Fans consider it a rough album among a near-impeccable discography. Despite this, it was super popular at release, particularly because of its hit single Creep. Its their most famous track by an overwhelming margin. As such, theyre so tired of it that they went years without playing it live. Eventually, in 2016, they brought it back semi-jokingly, but Thom Yorke still thinks its crap. The rest of their discography is wildly experimental in comparison, explaining why theyre a bit upset when showgoers repeatedly scream play Creep.

Do you still love any of these songs, and which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!