American Songwriter argues that three well-known rock and pop-rock songs might have been stronger if their original writers had recorded or retained them. The opinion piece highlights how songs can become more successful through another artist’s interpretation, while suggesting these particular writers had styles especially suited to their own material.

It names Chris Cornell’s “Pushin’ Forward Back”, released by Temple of the Dog in 1991, as a song that might have worked better as a Soundgarden track. It also argues Prince should have released “Manic Monday” himself rather than giving it to the Bangles in 1985, citing his posthumously released 2019 demo; finally, it notes that Sammy Hagar’s 1978 original of “I’ve Done Everything For You” was eclipsed by Rick Springfield’s 1981 version, which reached number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100.