This article highlights three well-known songs that stand out as unusual departures from their artists' typical musical styles. It celebrates moments when established musicians stepped outside their signature sound to experiment with different genres, showing creative range beyond the styles that made them famous.

The examples include U2's "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me", recorded for the 1995 film Batman Forever, which embraces a glam metal sound far removed from the band's usual style. Annie Lennox's "Walking on Broken Glass" is cited for its theatrical, baroque-pop influences, distinct from her more familiar pop material. Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al", from his 1986 album Graceland, draws on South African musical influences, marking a sharp contrast with his traditional folk roots.