3 Rock Songs From the 1990s That Became Hits Against All Odds
- Pearl Jam resisted making “Black” a commercial single.
- Rage Against the Machine’s protest song reached mainstream listeners.
- Semisonic’s “Closing Time” succeeded despite executives’ doubts.
Three 1990s rock songs became hits despite resistance from their bands or doubts from music executives. Their success showed that tracks considered too emotionally raw, combative or unlikely to sell could still find a wide audience and endure as cultural touchstones. Pearl Jam resisted releasing “Black” as a…