Songs They Wish They Could Un-Release
We all have regrets—but when you're a global superstar, those regrets sometimes come with millions of streams. These songs were chart-toppers, viral hits, or fan favorites… but the artists behind them wish they'd never seen the light of day.
Whether it was bad lyrics, questionable collaborators, or personal cringe, here are the tracks musicians would gladly take back.
“Love Song” (AC/DC)
Angus Young disowned this early ballad completely, asking “who in their right mind would release this?” Enough said.
“Let Him Run Wild” (The Beach Boys)
Though beloved by some fans, Brian Wilson has always been uncomfortable with this track. He felt his vocal performance was too soft and that the overall production sounded unfinished. In later interviews, he said he regretted putting the song on the album in that state—saying it simply wasn’t ready to be heard.
Capitol Records, Wikimedia Commons
“Heart of Gold” (Neil Young)
Neil Young said the song became too big, too fast—and “bored” him. It fell off his live sets for a reason. Pretty sure fans miss it though.
“Blurred Lines” (Robin Thicke / Pharrell)
With legal battles and backlash, both artists have distanced themselves. It's one of pop's most regretted chart-toppers—no matter how catchy it still is.
Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines ft. T.I., Pharrell, Robin Thicke
“Picture to Burn” (Taylor Swift)
Taylor revised lyrics she later called immature ("that you're gay," changed to "that you're really really over me"). Looking back, she’s not proud of the message—or the original line.
Taylor Swift - Picture To Burn, Taylor Swift
“Telephone” (Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé)
While fans love the Gaga and Beyoncé collab, Lady Gaga later admitted she disliked how the song turned out. She felt overwhelmed during production and said she had “a lot of anxiety” around it. Despite Beyoncé’s involvement and the song’s success, Gaga said it was difficult to listen to due to its stressful history.
Lady Gaga - Telephone ft. Beyoncé (Official Music Video), Lady Gaga
“Don’t Stop Me Now” (Queen)
Brian May didn’t like the flippant tone of this fan-favorite during a serious time in their lives. Though it's loved today, it once caused major tension.
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now (Official Video), Queen Official
“Royals” (Lorde)
In a self-roast for the ages, Lorde said the song sounded like “a 2006 Nokia ringtone.” Catchy? Yes. Cringe to her? Also yes.
Lorde - Royals (US Version), Lorde
“Beauty and a Beat” (Justin Bieber ft. Nicki Minaj)
Justin admitted he “wasn’t a huge fan” of the track. Despite Nicki’s feature, he felt it wasn’t his best work. Do you agree?
Justin Bieber - Beauty And A Beat (Official Music Video) ft. Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber
“Don’t Let Me Get Me” (P!nk)
P!nk has been blunt: She hates this song. It’s one of her early hits, but she’s said she wishes she could burn it. She regrets the self-loathing tone and feels it negatively shaped her early career image. Despite the chart success, she rarely performs it live anymore—and that says it all.
P!NK - Don't Let Me Get Me (Video), P!NK
“The Lazy Song” (Bruno Mars)
Bruno Mars posted a deadpan emoji in response to fans praising the song. No shade needed—he’s clearly over it.
Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song (Official Music Video), Bruno Mars
“You’re Beautiful” (James Blunt)
Blunt called it “force-fed” and said even he finds it annoying now. Millions agree—and that includes him.
James Blunt - You're Beautiful (Official Music Video) [4K], James Blunt
“Break the Rules” (Charli XCX)
Charli XCX has called this her one true regret. The rebellious message wasn’t something she actually stood behind—it was a label-pushed single she never fully embraced. She admitted the song didn’t reflect her personality or artistry and has said outright, “I never loved that song.” It’s since been retired from her sets.
Charli XCX - Break The Rules [Official Video], Charli xcx
“I Was Wrong” (Social Distortion)
This track was intended as a confessional, but Mike Ness of Social Distortion later admitted it was too self-indulgent. While fans embraced the vulnerability, Ness said the lyrics felt over-the-top and insincere in hindsight. His regret comes from how it captured a moment he no longer relates to, emotionally or artistically.
Social Distortion - I Was Wrong, Social Distortion
“Lucy” (Skillet)
John Cooper, frontman of Skillet, has expressed that “Lucy” was far too personal to ever be released. It was written from a place of deep pain, and while the song resonated with fans, Cooper later said he regretted making something so intimate public. Some things, even for rock stars, are better kept private.
Skillet - Lucy Music Video - Fan Made, Good Times
“Party in the U.S.A.” (Miley Cyrus)
Miley may have made it a pop anthem, but she’s been honest: “I hate it.” She felt no connection to the song’s lyrics or upbeat image and said it didn’t reflect who she was. Though it became a massive hit, she’s long distanced herself from its bubblegum vibe and overly patriotic branding.
Miley Cyrus - Party In The U.S.A. (Official Video) by HollywoodRecordsVEVO
“Put Your Hearts Up” (Ariana Grande)
Early in her career, Ariana was trying to find her voice—but this wasn’t it. She’s called this track “straight out of hell” and said it didn’t represent her at all. It was a sugary, kid-friendly anthem she outgrew quickly. She even admitted she was pretending to like it when it came out.
[4K] Ariana Grande - Put Your Hearts Up (Music Video), MVIDEO4K
“Half of Plastic Hearts” (Miley Cyrus)
Miley called her Plastic Hearts era a “trauma response” and said parts of the album—including this song—felt inauthentic and misaligned with her vision.
“Wonderwall” (Oasis)
One of the most iconic tracks of the ’90s—and one Liam Gallagher can’t stand. He’s famously said it makes him gag, and he doesn’t enjoy performing it live. The song’s overexposure and misinterpretation by fans contributed to his sour attitude. He’s even joked that “every guy with a guitar ruins it.
Oasis - Wonderwall (Official Video), Oasis
“Do What U Want” (Lady Gaga ft. R. Kelly)
Originally a hit, this song became a source of deep regret for Gaga after abuse allegations against R. Kelly resurfaced. She pulled the song from streaming and issued a heartfelt apology. Gaga later released a remix version with Christina Aguilera instead, publicly distancing herself from the original and saying it no longer aligns with her values.
Lady Gaga - Do What U Want ft. R. Kelly (VEVO Presents), Abner Ucan ♪
“Misery Business” (Paramore)
Hayley Williams retired the song for years, saying the lyrics no longer reflect her values. A teen anthem that aged poorly for its own creator.
Paramore: Misery Business [OFFICIAL VIDEO], Paramore
“The Man” (Ed Sheeran)
Ed admitted he felt “super uncomfortable” releasing this too-personal track. He considered leaving it off the album entirely.
“Material Girl” (Madonna)
Madonna said the persona created by this song haunted her career. She’s long regretted how much it defined her image.
Madonna - Material Girl (Official Video) [HD], Madonna
“True Love” (P!nk)
P!nk described this track as “mean,” and said she wasn’t proud of it. Another notch in her ‘wish-I-didn’t’ catalog.
P!nk - True Love (Official Video) ft. Lily Allen, P!NK
“Come & Get It” (Selena Gomez)
Selena called it a “Rihanna reject” that never felt authentic to her. Even she thought it didn’t sound like a Selena song.
Selena Gomez - Come & Get It, Selena Gomez
“Ultraviolence” (Lana Del Rey)
Lana distanced herself from the controversial lyrics and stopped performing it live. She’s since acknowledged how troubling it sounds.
Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence (Album Trailer), Lana Del Rey
“So Scary (We've Got Scurvy)” (P!nk)
P!nk called her SpongeBob theme song a “real mistake.” Her kids (and many other youngsters) may like it a lot—but she doesn’t.
“Weston Road Flows” (Drake)
Drake admitted regret over calling out real-life exes in lyrics like this one. He’s since said he could’ve done without the drama.
The Come Up Show, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
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