The article lists five celebrated rock songs whose commercial success became a burden because their creators disliked them or grew tired of performing them. It argues that major hits can trap artists in an unwanted public identity, forcing them either to keep playing songs they resent or disappoint audiences.

– Radiohead – ‘Creep’: Thom Yorke criticised its lyrics, and the band’s longstanding dislike of the song became widely known.
– Led Zeppelin – ‘Stairway to Heaven’: Robert Plant called it “sanctimonious” and reportedly tired of performing it over decades.
– The Pretenders – ‘Brass in Pocket’: Chrissie Hynde initially opposed its release and was embarrassed when it reached number one.
– Metallica – ‘Escape’: James Hetfield has repeatedly dismissed the track, including in a 2023 response from the band’s TikTok account.
– The Who – ‘Pinball Wizard’: Pete Townshend described the song as “awful”, though it remained a regular live fixture.