10 Songs Artists Regret Creating
Big songs don’t always age the way their creators hope. A track can take off instantly, then years later make the artist wince. Regret can appear for different reasons, such as the image no longer fitting or the artist simply evolving. These stories highlight how unpredictable a hit’s afterlife can be when viewed in hindsight.
“Put Your Hearts Up” by Ariana Grande
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The sugary pop world introduced Ariana in a way that didn’t fit her at all. She later joked to Rolling Stone that the whole project felt like she was playing dress-up. Viewers still treat the video like a charming relic, but Ariana talks about it the way people talk about old school photos they never planned to share.
“D.R.U.G.S.” by Iggy Azalea
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The controversy over a specific lyric pushed Iggy to speak directly to fans. She posted a note explaining that the phrase she used carried more weight than she understood at the time, and that she regretted choosing it. She later said the track represents a moment she wishes she could rewrite with far more awareness.
“Big Pimpin’” by Jay Z
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Looking back on Big Pimpin’ years later, Jay Z admitted the track makes him pause. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he said some of the lyrics land differently now that he has more lived experience behind him. The song still holds its place in hip hop history, but he hears it through the perspective of someone who has outgrown the bravado that defined his early career.
“Weston Road Flows” by Drake
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One casual conversation changed how Drake heard this song forever. Someone mentioned in the lyrics approached him about it, and the encounter made the track feel far more personal than he intended. He explained on A Moody Conversation that it taught him to be careful when real people end up in his storytelling.
“Break the Rules” by Charli XCX
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This track wasn’t originally written with Charli XCX in mind. It began as a loose, high-energy idea at a writing camp, something she expected would land with another artist. Instead, the song gathered momentum and ended up on her own album. She still brings it out onstage when the crowd wants something loud, even though she has said it never fully matched the style she naturally gravitates toward.
“Married Men” by Bette Midler
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Every long career has a few songs that feel like mysteries even to the artist, and this one fits that category for Bette Midler. She told Parade that label pressure nudged her toward recording it, even though she didn’t feel connected to the material. The track fizzled out, and Bette now treats it as a harmless relic.
“We’ve Got Scurvy” by Pink
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Pink once recorded this playful SpongeBob track as a lighthearted one-off, but it’s the song she now says she’d gladly remove from her catalog. In an interview with the LA Times, she admitted it has nothing to do with the kind of music she sees as her real work. Fans still treat it as a funny bit of trivia, and Pink usually responds with a laugh and a wince whenever it pops back into conversation.
“Do What U Want” by Lady Gaga
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A huge shift happened after survivors spoke out in Surviving R. Kelly. Lady Gaga publicly apologized for the collaboration and asked for the song’s removal from streaming platforms. She explained that she recorded it during a difficult point in her life, and fans supported her decision, understanding that sometimes artists have to reclaim their own narratives.
“I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry
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When this single took off, the cultural conversation around it shifted almost overnight. Looking back, Katy Perry told Glamour that parts of the song relied on ideas she wouldn’t choose now. She credits it with helping launch her career, yet she’s been candid about wishing the lyrics had been written with more sensitivity.
“Love Song” by Angus Young
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Angus Young once told Vulture he had no idea why releasing this track seemed reasonable to anyone involved. Radio stations were equally confused since it didn’t sound like AC/DC at all. Angus said the band never stood behind it and called it their biggest misstep. Ironically, DJs ended up flipping the single, turning the B-side into the real success.