Have you ever eagerly anticipated hearing your favorite artist’s biggest hit at a concert, only to leave disappointed when they didn’t play it? You’re not alone. From creative differences to emotional burnout, the reasons behind these musical boycotts are as varied as the artists themselves.
Here are the 17 hit songs banished from the stage – and the compelling explanations from the artists themselves.
1. “Creep” by Radiohead
Radiohead’s breakout hit “Creep” may have put them on the map, but the band has had a complicated relationship with the song over the years. Guitarist Ed O’Brien admitted that while they occasionally play it live, they usually avoid it.
Lead singer Thom Yorke has expressed embarrassment over the track, saying he sometimes wants to walk off stage halfway through performing it. Despite the song’s massive success, Radiohead has struggled to connect with “Creep” as their sound and style have evolved.
The band’s discomfort with their early hit exemplifies the artistic growth and changing priorities musicians often face in their careers.
2. “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin
Widely regarded as one of the greatest rock songs ever, “Stairway to Heaven” is absent from Robert Plant’s solo concerts.
The Led Zeppelin frontman has been vocal about his aversion to performing the epic track, stating in a 1988 interview that he’d “break out in hives” if he had to sing it at every show. Plant’s reluctance stems from feeling disconnected from the song’s lyrics and significance decades after its release.
While “Stairway to Heaven” remains a staple of classic rock radio, Plant’s solo sets showcase his evolution as an artist and desire to explore new musical territory.
3. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
Nirvana’s groundbreaking single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” became an anthem for a generation, but performing it live proved challenging for lead singer Kurt Cobain. He once confessed that he could barely make it through the song on bad nights, wanting to throw down his guitar and walk away.
Cobain’s disillusionment with fame and the song’s overwhelming popularity made playing it an embarrassment.
The grunge icon’s struggle with “Smells Like Teen Spirit” highlights the pressure artists face when a song takes on a life of its own. Despite its cultural impact, performing the hit became a source of discomfort for Cobain, who grappled with the expectations and attention it brought.
4. “Shiny Happy People” by R.E.M.
R.E.M.’s upbeat pop hit “Shiny Happy People” may have been a chart success, but lead singer Michael Stipe has expressed disdain for it, calling it a “fruity pop song written for children.”
The band rarely performed it live and even refused to include it on their 2003 greatest hits album. Stipe’s dismissal of “Shiny Happy People” underscores the disconnect artists sometimes feel with their more commercial releases.
Despite its popularity, the song didn’t align with R.E.M.’s artistic vision, leading them to distance themselves from it in their live shows and retrospectives.
5. “Misery Business” by Paramore
Paramore’s breakout single “Misery Business” has been a source of controversy due to its lyrics, which singer Hayley Williams has deemed sexist and anti-feminist.
In 2018, the band announced they would no longer perform the song live, with Williams expressing that she no longer relates to the perspective she had when writing it at age. Retiring “Misery Business” from their setlist demonstrates Paramore’s growth and willingness to reevaluate their past work.
As artists mature and their values evolve, they may distance themselves from songs that no longer represent their identity.
6. “Speed of Sound” by Coldplay
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is known for his dedication to delivering authentic performances. In an interview with Howard Stern, Martin revealed his reluctance to perform “Speed of Sound” live, stating, “An audience can pick up real fast if you’re not convinced by something.”
The singer’s dissatisfaction with the song’s studio recording left him feeling disconnected from it on stage. Martin’s commitment to genuine artistry highlights the challenges musicians face when their creative vision doesn’t align with commercial success.
By prioritizing his connection to the music over playing a hit song, Martin demonstrates the integrity that has made Coldplay one of the most respected bands in the industry.
7. “The Conjuring” by Megadeth
Megadeth’s “The Conjuring” has faced controversy due to its lyrics describing a Satanic ritual. In 2001, frontman Dave Mustaine, who has since become a born-again Christian, decided to stop performing the song live.
However, Mustaine’s stance on the matter has softened over time, and he has expressed openness to playing it “as long as it doesn’t hurt anybody.”
The evolution of Mustaine’s relationship with “The Conjuring” reflects the personal growth and changing values artists may experience throughout their careers.
While the song’s subject matter once conflicted with his beliefs, Mustaine’s willingness to revisit it demonstrates a nuanced approach to navigating his past work in light of his present convictions.
8. “High and Dry” by Radiohead
Radiohead’s early hit “High and Dry” has been notably absent from the band’s setlists since 1998. Lead singer Thom Yorke’s disdain for the song is no secret; he once described it as not just “bad” but “very bad.”
Yorke felt the track sounded too much like a Rod Stewart song, leading the band to distance themselves from it in their live performances. The omission of “High and Dry” from Radiohead’s concerts exemplifies the artistic integrity that has defined the band’s career.
By prioritizing their creative satisfaction over playing a crowd-pleaser, Radiohead has maintained a reputation for uncompromising artistry, even if it means disappointing some fans.
9. “Escape” by Metallica
Metallica’s “Escape” has a complicated history with the band. Frontman James Hetfield has expressed his dislike for the song, revealing that he wrote it to appease the record label’s demand for a radio-friendly track.
The band has only performed “Escape” once, during a 2012 festival where they played the entire “Ride the Lightning” album. The story behind “Escape” highlights the pressure artists face to create commercially viable music, sometimes at the expense of their creative vision.
Metallica’s resistance to performing the song live demonstrates their commitment to artistic integrity and willingness to resist industry demands.
10. “Daddy” by Korn
Korn’s “Daddy” deals with the harrowing subject matter of childhood sexual abuse, making it a deeply personal and emotionally charged song for lead singer Jonathan Davis. Until 2015, Davis refused to perform the track live due to its disturbing content.
The decision to keep “Daddy” off the setlist for many years underscores the emotional toll that certain songs can take on the artists who create them. Davis’s eventual choice to reintroduce “Daddy” into Korn’s live shows demonstrates the healing power of music and the courage it takes for artists to confront their most painful experiences on stage.
By sharing his story through this powerful song, Davis has undoubtedly helped countless fans feel less alone in their struggles.
11. “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinéad O’Connor
In 2015, Sinéad O’Connor made a shocking announcement on Facebook, revealing that she would no longer perform her biggest hit, “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
The Irish singer-songwriter explained that she could no longer emotionally connect with the song and that performing it would be dishonest. “If I were to sing it just to please people, I wouldn’t be doing my job right because my job is to be emotionally available,” she wrote. “I’d be lying.“
O’Connor’s decision to prioritize her emotional authenticity over fan expectations highlights artists’ complex relationship with their music. While “Nothing Compares 2 U” remains a beloved classic, O’Connor’s refusal to perform it as a mere crowd-pleaser demonstrates her commitment to genuine artistry, even if it means disappointing some fans along the way.
12. “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” by Panic! at the Disco
Before Panic! at the Disco’s disbandment in 2023, frontman Brendon Urie had grown weary of performing the band’s breakout hit, “I Write Sins Not Tragedies.” Fans noticed Urie’s disinterest in the song during live shows, often holding the microphone out for the crowd to sing the lyrics instead.
However, in a 2016 interview with Billboard, Urie laughed off claims that he hated the track, insisting he was merely playing a character on stage.
Urie’s ambivalence towards “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” underscores artists’ pressure to continually engage with their early successes.
While the song launched Panic! at the Disco to stardom, Urie’s playful resistance to performing it verbatim suggests a desire to evolve as an artist and not be defined by a single hit.
13. “Wonderwall” by Oasis
Oasis’ “Wonderwall” is an undeniable classic, but lead singer Liam Gallagher has made no secret of his disdain for the song.
Gallagher has admitted that performing “Wonderwall” makes him physically ill, though he recognizes its immense popularity, particularly in the United States. As a result, Oasis would occasionally play the hit live but often opted to leave it out of their setlists.
His aversion to “Wonderwall” highlights the toll that massive success can take on an artist’s relationship with their music. Despite the song’s cultural impact and enduring appeal, the pressure to constantly recreate that magic on stage can lead to burnout and resentment, even for one of the most iconic bands of the ’90s.
14. “Starships” by Nicki Minaj
During a New Year’s Eve performance in Miami, Nicki Minaj shocked fans by announcing that she would not perform her hit single “Starships.” The rapper had apparently grown tired of the song, which is one of her most recognizable tracks.
Minaj’s decision to omit “Starships” from her setlist demonstrates her willingness to prioritize her artistic satisfaction over crowd expectations. As artists evolve and their musical tastes change, they may be disconnected from their earlier works.
Her choice to retire “Starships” from her live shows reflects the challenges of maintaining a fresh and engaging performance while staying true to one’s current creative vision.
15. “Believe” by Cher
Cher’s “Believe” is an undeniable pop classic, but the iconic singer has never been a fan of the song. Despite her initial reluctance, Cher has recently incorporated “Believe” into her live performances. However, she has clarified that she is not thrilled about the song’s enduring popularity or its association with her legacy.
Cher’s complicated relationship with “Believe” underscores the disconnect artists sometimes feel with their most commercially successful works.
While fans may embrace a particular song as a defining moment in an artist’s career, the artists themselves may struggle to reconcile that success with their own creative vision and personal growth.
16. “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” by AC/DC
AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” became an iconic song associated with the band over the years, despite only being performed live for four years after its 1975 debut.
Former bassist Mark Evans noted, “In time, it became iconic and associated with the band, but oddly enough, the band doesn’t play it.”
The song’s absence from setlists is somber. Following the death of original lead singer Bon Scott in 1980, his replacement, Brian Johnson, chose not to perform “It’s a Long Way to the Top” out of respect for his predecessor. This decision has held firm for over four decades.
17. “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You” by Heart
Heart’s 1990 cover of “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You” stirred controversy with its provocative lyrics about a woman seducing a hitchhiker to get pregnant. As the years passed, the song’s content became increasingly problematic.
Lead singer Ann Wilson expressed her distaste, saying, “Like, you’re a hitchhiker, I don’t know you, so let’s get in the car and exchange fluids, and now, get out. I mean, that’s hideous“.
Heart has retired “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You” from their live performances. The band’s evolving values and the song’s questionable message don’t align anymore. It’s a stark reminder that even massive hits can eventually become more trouble than they’re worth for the artists who made them famous.
Read Next:
Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
