Flop Songs From The '60s We Can't Help But Love
The musical landscape of the '60s is littered with songs that failed commercially, but we've got a soft spot for some of that era's lesser-known tunes.
Read MoreThe musical landscape of the '60s is littered with songs that failed commercially, but we've got a soft spot for some of that era's lesser-known tunes.
Read MoreIn the '70s, the classic rock of the '60s was all but gone, the transition to the '80s was well underway, and certain songs came to define rock history.
Read MoreFrom hateful words to a few stolen chords and even crashing a car with drugs and a gun, these '70s rock stars found that their reputation wasn't invulnerable.
Read MoreFrom experimental sets that failed spectacularly to upturned pianos and inebriated musicians, attendees of these 1980s concerts ought to have stayed at home.
Read MoreThese tracks of the 1980s have more than outlived their initial success, securing spots as timeless rock staples we love even more decades after their release.
Read MoreKnown for his powerful vocals, this singer found some success in the rock industry before he found his niche in soulful crooning, with a Disney feature to boot.
Read MoreFor kids who were in high school in the '80s, songs from Prince, Bon Jovi, Madonna, and Simple Minds are still reminiscent of those fun, formative years.
Read MoreThese tracks failed to hit the charts or were relegated to album deep cuts and never gained the radio play they deserved, but they are true, hidden gems.
Read MoreMany '80s songs have gone on to massive commercial success, but from Depeche Mode to Ozzy Osbourne, a few initially had a very slow start in the charts.
Read MoreAmong the '90s alt-rock musicians is a rogue's gallery of one-hit wonders who watched their star streak to the top of the charts before fizzling out.
Read MoreWith its trademark effect-laden guitars and muted vocals, shoegaze is one of the most dreamlike subgenres out there.
Read MoreLoyal classic rock fans who stick with one-hit wonders wind up enjoying deeper cuts that may not have one-hit wonder power, but instead have staying power.
Read MorePaul McCartney's biggest solo hit, co-written with Wings guitarist Denny Laine, was a personal and professional triumph, but it didn't resonate in America.
Read MorePlenty of classic rock luminaries have their quirks, but some were so abrasive, obtuse, or even non-existent to their fans that well-deserved fame was elusive.
Read MoreBoomer moms grew up witnessing the evolution of rock. Take a look at the classic rock songs that will take boomer moms back to the soundtrack of their youth.
Read MoreSome classic rock musicians are incredibly wealthy, while others in the same bands end up with far less. Heres' a look at why some aren't as rich as you think.
Read MoreTime may be a great healer, but after inflated egos, acrimonious splits, and financial backstabbing, these classic rock band members are still at odds.
Read MoreThere's always a place in our hearts and turntables for these rock oldies, from one of the earliest swamp rock hits to pre-psychedelic era guitar shredders.
Read MoreSteve Perry made music headlines when he quashed rumors about a reunion with Journey, but he's not the only legendary frontman to turn down a reunion tour.
Read MoreIn 1972 acts like Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, and Elton John released rock songs that became huge hits. We still love to blast those jams and sing along.
Read MoreWith millions of sales, numerous soundtrack credits, and colossal streaming numbers, these '60s hits from acts like the Beatles and Van Morrison made bank.
Read MoreHere is a treasure trove of lyrics we hope we've heard wrong — but were actually delivered with intent by established classic rock artists. Why?!
Read MoreSometimes, reviewers miss the mark, and some of the most successful rock singles of the '80s found themselves on the wrong side of the critical gun.
Read MoreOne person's corn may be another's caviar, but we think the lyrics and generally lackluster musical qualities of these '70s rock songs are universally cringe.
Read MoreYou may think that every chart hit by classic rock artists such as Stevie Nicks and Kenny Rogers made bank, but you'd be surprised by how little some made.
Read MoreOver the years, the popularity of some songs within The Beatles' discography has fluctuated, and some No. 1 hits are no longer topping streaming charts.
Read MoreOnce in a while, the musical explosiveness of the opening act is simply undeniable, and sometimes, that band eclipses the headliner in fame.
Read MoreDuring the classic rock era, there were some amazing 'mistakes' that, instead of detracting from a song, instead gave the tracks some astounding character.
Read MoreIf your life has been accompanied by classic rock songs, you can count on your favorite artists, such as Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, to memorialize you.
Read MoreThese immortal riffs from the Doors, Led Zeppelin, Queen, and other legendary rock artists still haunt us in the best possible way.
Read MoreTake a trip down memory lane with these legendary '70s tunes straight from your high school days, including tracks from Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon.
Read MoreWhich female rocker almost fronted Van Halen? Which guitarist is on the Woodstock poster but didn't play the show? Read on to elevate your rock trivia game.
Read MoreBoth legendary classic rock acts and more forgotten bands managed to snag the No. 1 spot on Billboard for a week with songs that rock fans will remember.
Read MoreEach year has produced songs that have charted the course of rock history, and this is especially true of 1974, thanks to artists from David Bowie to Kiss.
Read MorePractically every music genre has its fair share of love songs, but how does Southern rock stack up? Here are five love songs in this style that still resonate.
Read MoreA huge TV star made this tune about a cavalier ladies' man who meets his match the first Billboard Hot 100 chart topper, but its songwriter might surprise you.
Read MoreRock's power ballads aren't wallflowers and never belong in the shadows — they're bombastic declarations of our most primal emotions, good or bad.
Read MoreWhile the '70s may be long gone, the music lives on, and is still making money for artists today. Can you name these five popular all-time money-making hits?
Read MoreYou might not be familiar with "Outlaw" and these other Eagles tunes that slipped through the cracks, but they're among the group's best songs.
Read MoreThe massively popular English band Oasis broke out in the U.S. in 1996 with "Wonderwall," and the song's title is a reference to an obscure album.
Read MoreThese five tracks from 1980—by artists including Talking Heads, the Clash, and Bob Seger—have only grown cooler, sharper, and more relevant with time.
Read MoreYou can definitely have too much of a good thing, and this classic tune by Journey is proof. Here's how pop culture ruined one of our favorite songs.
Read More1971 produced enduring rock songs really encapsulated the turbulent era. These 5 classic rock songs, including "Imagine" by John Lennon, will never grow old.
Read MoreThere are plenty of classic rock tunes we can hum along to, but legendary bands such as Queen and Black Sabbath can add instant recognition of an opening line.
Read MoreThese '60s rock songs by Van Morrison, the Velvet Underground, the Moody Blues, the Doors, and even the Beatles were hits, but here's why they're overrated.
Read MoreFrom Elton John's sluggish "Slow Rivers" to a not-so-epic fantasy track from Kiss, here are the flop songs that classic rock legends probably wish you’d forget.
Read MoreBarry Manilow is no stranger to sappy ballads that get stuck in your head, but this 1977 hit is so weepy, you'll want a box of tissues nearby just to listen.
Read More"Dreams," one of the most popular songs on Fleetwood Mac's album, "Rumors," almost wasn't meant to be. Here's how the song was created in the midst of chaos.
Read MoreCountless 1970s bands have reunited many years after their initial climb, but it's rare for an artist to hit a new echelon during their comeback.
Read MoreWhat would rock 'n' roll be without those killer guitar solos? Skynrd, Zeppelin, and even Dire Straights have surely burned these epic solos into your brain.
Read MoreThe 2026 Grammys did right by metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne, as a supergroup blasted the iconic protest song "War Pigs" in an incredible "In Memoriam" segment.
Read MoreWith driving guitars, powerful vocals, and lyrics that nod to rebellion and discontent, these '60s songs are what we mean when we talk about classic rock.
Read MoreThe Rolling Stones released "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" in 1965, effectively putting the group on the map. But Devo's 1977 version tops it.
Read MoreLed Zeppelin rarely wrote love songs, but the ones they did write were unforgettable. These tracks reveal the band’s softer side without losing the bite.
Read MoreWhen a reunion tour goes right, it's a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and there are some '70s classic rock groups that many fans are hoping get back together.
Read MoreThe sophomore slump has cursed plenty of musicians, from one-hit wonders to acts that went on to become established hitmakers after recovering from the stumble.
Read MoreOne bad song can change an artist's career overnight. Let's looks at four infamous flops from Bryan Adams, Chubby Checker, Billy Idol, and Billy Squier.
Read MoreRadio hits like "You're So Vain" and "Cat's in the Cradle" shaped an entire generation, so it's no wonder boomers want to share them with their grandkids.
Read MoreWhat happens if your biggest hit is a song you hate? Surprisingly, it happens far more often than you might think, as Radiohead and Nirvana can attest to.
Read MoreOccasionally, the symbolism concealed within beloved rock classics tends toward the grim, and the '70s had plenty of songs that fit this bill.
Read MoreKid Rock is controversial, to say the least, but not all of his songs are bad, right? Well, some of them are. Okay, lots of them are — here are the worst.
Read MoreIn some cases, musicians who took pot shots at organized religion in their music had to deal with some setbacks, even if only temporarily.
Read MorePearl Jam's lyrics are often understated, which makes it hard to connect this song to Vedder's troubled family history.
Read More"Cool" was a big middle finger wrapped in flannel that sneered in the face of dull establishment goons, judgmental peers, and petty powers that be.
Read MoreThere were countless '90s rock releases, but some inevitably rose to the top, be it from critical acclaim, their enduring popularity, or sheer nostalgia.
Read MoreIf you look closely at events throughout rock history, you'll find that some key moments share an uncanny thread that leads to some pretty weird coincidences.
Read MoreIn effort to create make "Sweet Child o' Mine" a heartfelt love song, hard-rockers Guns N' Roses took inspiration from an iconic '70s Southern rock band.
Read MoreThese five songs from the likes of Stevie Wonder and George Harrison were overshadowed by other, more popular tracks, but we think they're worth revisiting.
Read MoreWhen rock stars leave their successful bands to go solo, it's risky. For every Stevie Nicks success story, there is a Dee Dee Ramone flop fiasco.
Read MoreBefore he was a star, Manilow made a living writing jingles for countless brands. You probably didn't know he did this one, but you totally know the song.
Read MoreWhen bands break up, the finger-pointing starts, and culprits like Yoko Ono become unfairly blamed. Turns out the truth can be more mundane, or even worse.
Read MoreEven though rock 'n' roll had hit the airwaves by 1960, an instrumental love song written for a film managed to hold the No. 1 spot for nine weeks that year.
Read MoreLet's take a trip back into a few hit songs that fans at the time seemed to love (or at least buy) that critics didn't feel the same about.
Read MoreYou can thank Dexter Holland's Ph.D. in molecular biology for "Come Out and Play" and Keith Richards' soggy gardener for "Jumpin' Jack Flash."
Read MoreBarry Manilow, purveyor of smooth rock and master of ad jingles, had three No. 1 hits in his career, although one odd stat takes some of the sheen off them.
Read MoreIn 1983, Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" went to No. 1. More than four decades later, the hit song has proven its staying power with this milestone.
Read MoreFrom a Green Day sleeper to a classic country duet, these five short, unexpected karaoke picks fire up the crowd without needing superstar vocals.
Read MoreBefore the streaming age, albums were meant to be listened in track order, and artists from the Beatles to Jimi Hendrix ensured you were hooked from the opener.
Read MoreNeil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" was a perfectly good song, but now it's just irritating thanks to its ubiquitousness at weddings, sporting events, and karaoke.
Read MoreRock fans might tolerate, like, or even love certain non-rock or pop tracks. Others, though? They're on the hate list, especially love songs.
Read MoreHere are five classic '80s tracks from the likes of David Bowie and The Who that redeemed the otherwise forgettable albums they appeared on.
Read MoreThe 1970s had no shortage of timeless and iconic hits, but there's a long list of songs that didn't have the same staying power, and still made a big impact.
Read MoreThere are certain rock stars who made a couple of bad decisions and blew everything for themselves. They got in their own way, or rather, their egos did.
Read MoreBy now, you've probably been Rickrolled, but there was a time when Rick Astley's 1988 No. 1 hit was perfection -- until the internet oversaturated the song.
Read MoreBefore many were even a twinkle in our parents' eyes, our esteemed elders were dancing to these rock, blues, and swing hits from the mid-20th century.
Read MoreSome songs are so catchy they become earworms, like or not. Others are just so fun that we can't get enough. These addictive songs from 1970 are the latter.
Read MoreFrom cereal to plumbers and skin care products, we think these classic jingles stand the test of time, and you may be surprised by the artists who made them.
Read MoreThe best rock music of 1987 had something for everyone, and some songs seem sealed in a time capsule, sounding even cooler today than they did back then.
Read MoreNeil Young once wrote a love song that was inspired by meeting his wife. Some 30 years later, Manchester Orchestra turned it into something even more stunning.
Read MoreIn 1960, pop music was marketed to teenagers, with many love songs affirming the agony and thrill of young love. These songs still remind us of those feelings.
Read MoreFrom Travis Tritt to Prince to Courtney Love, all types of musicians have turned to their craft to unleash cold-blooded lyrics toward those who scorned them.
Read MoreFrom a sports stadium favorite to a scathing indictment of the music industry's seedy underbelly, these rock songs from 1977 left a long-lasting legacy.
Read MoreWith decades of hindsight, it's obvious that these five songs were integral in ushering out '80s rock, whose flash and lack of substance no longer resonated.
Read MoreYacht rock is hard to define, and it certainly wasn't called that when it emerged in the '70s, but we think these smooth, mellow tunes are its finest examples.
Read MoreEven rock juggernauts like Duran Duran and the Beach Boys are capable of releasing a song so bad that their careers hit a wall, and sometimes permanently so.
Read MoreThe Brandon Lee movie "The Crow" is forever tied to his tragic death during filming, but the compilation of songs in the film make the soundtrack the best ever.
Read MoreBefore joining AC/DC, Brian Johnson sang the hardest-rocking jingle you will likely ever hear. The timing of job also helped him meet his future bandmates.
Read MoreSouthern Rock emerged in the 1970s, and the '80s put their own stamp on it with bands like ZZ Top and 38 Special. These songs helped define 80s Southern rock.
Read More"Golden Brown" started doing the rounds on Instagram in 2025, and while The Stranglers' whimsical tune was a hit in the U.K in 1982, the U.S. barely noticed.
Read MoreFrom Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" to Dolly Parton's "9 to 5," these tracks capture the frustrations and pressures of working life in the 1980s.
Read MoreHit songs aren't made by vocals alone, in fact, '80s songs by Gary Numan, Bananarama, the Human League, Biz Markie, and GN'R did well despite subpar singing.
Read MoreYou might think a No. 1 hit on Valentine's Day would be all roses and hearts, but in 1976, Paul Simon's hit single spoke to a different side of relationships.
Read MoreTeenaged rebellion is something all generations have in common, and these hits from the '70s will take boomers back to their door-slamming high school days.
Read MoreThere is no shortage of love songs from the '80s, but these selections from The Smiths and Sade (and others) are sure to create the perfect mood.
Read MoreWe've selected 5 David Bowie tunes that will be sure to show up on your playlists from here on out — because they just grow cooler with time.
Read MoreThe '50s was the decade teens became important as a cohort, and early rock catered to them. For a fun history lesson, Millennials should check out these hits.
Read MoreBefore they were big, the Rolling Stones performed a few popular brand jingles to pay the bills. Here's one so good you'll want to dance along with it today.
Read MoreEven though these songs weren't at the top of the charts during their heyday, we think they made their mark on the '90s music scene regardless.
Read MoreFrom Hozier's "Like Real People Do" to Maria McKee's "Breathe," these five underrated gems capture love in all its messy, magical, weird glory.
Read MoreThere are great Christmas songs, and then there are those that feel like barbed wire fed through your ears, and we think this '58 song is one of the latter.
Read MoreIn 2000, 3 Doors Down hit the airwaves with their most successful song, "Kryptonite," and the song, written when frontman Brad Arnold was 15, went platinum.
Read MoreThe '80s had no shortage of songs that now make many of us cringe. There are a few rock songs, though, that are so corny they give us secondhand embarrassment.
Read MoreIt's a natural thing for artists to be influenced by other artists, but in the cases of these hit songs, accusations of theft led to lawsuits or settlements.
Read MoreFrom haunting orchestral pieces to Lovecraftian metal, we think these iconic songs from each decade over the last 100 years slap even more to modern ears.
Read MoreSeason 3 of "The Sopranos" began with musical foreshadowing that still sounds incredible, mashing a Police song with the theme from a '50s detective series.
Read MoreIn 1986 songs from bands like Fishbone, R.E.M, and Siouxsie and the Banshees brought fresh, creative sounds to audiences. Today the songs are even cooler.
Read MoreThis iconic hit and concert staple by Barry Manilow may heavily imply that it was all his own work, but he had more than a helping hand from a Beach Boy.
Read MoreThese singers, including David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Frank Zappa, had some pretty unflattering opinions about Elton John, the Beatles, and other iconic acts.
Read MoreSometimes, great songs don't chart well. In fact, there are plenty that sank without a trace when released as a single in 1975, but we still love them.
Read MoreBarry Manilow only took three songs to No. 1 in the 1970s. Here's why "It's a Miracle," "Can't Smile Without You," and other Manilow classics deserved better.
Read MoreBilly Joel released hit after hit during the 1980s, but other showcases of Joel's witty lyricism and furious piano-playing from the decade flew under the radar.
Read MoreKISS had a fair amount of hits, and has a legion of fans, but plenty of their songs are overrated for different reasons. Here are five examples.
Read MoreFrom formulaic movie tie-ins to a butchered cover of a '60s classic, we think these are the worst examples of the '90s music industry forcing slop to No. 1.
Read More"Livin' on a Prayer" may be Bon Jovi's most famous song, but the band has put out some lesser-known yet excellent genre-mixing and inspirational tunes.
Read MoreFour Beatles biopics are in the works, each focusing on an individual Beatle. The actors will play and sing, and we hope they do these iconic songs justice.
Read MorePlenty of banger songs have ridiculous storylines, but it doesn't seem to matter when it comes to a song's popularity. These examples prove it.
Read MoreAs boomers went through high school, popular music was largely geared toward their sensibilities, hitting a nerve, and these '60s hits still conjure emotion.
Read MoreIn 1993, Stephen Hawking narrated a British Telecom commercial so moving it inspired Pink Floyd's David Gilmour to write two songs.
Read MoreThe record labels had no faith in these now-classic songs by Gloria Gaynor, the Doobie Brothers, Bill Withers and more. DJs and music fans proved them wrong.
Read MoreThis hit song by the Monkees captures the surprise and joy of new love. It hit No. 1 in the last week of 1966 before staying there for six more weeks in 1967.
Read MoreIn 1985, MTV was in more and more homes, so the brass in charge of the budget for a-ha's "Take On Me" hit music video handed over a massive bag of cash.
Read MoreJimi Hendrix, Alice Cooper, and other artists on this list turned forgettable originals by the likes of Bob Dylan and Judy Collins into hard-rocking classics.
Read MoreFor anyone who was in high school in the '90s, certain songs stick in your memory, taking you back to a time before cell phones, social media, and skinny jeans.
Read MoreYou have to admire artists who take a song beloved by fans and remake it, and some covers of '70s songs ended up even better than the original tracks.
Read MoreThe world has much changed since 1985, but some rock songs from that year resonate with the current zeitgeist even more now, either reassuringly or not.
Read MoreSome high school hits that were considered totally groovy in the 1970s just don't hold up today, whether they're cheesy, embarrassing, or just plain offensive.
Read MoreThe iconic "Sanford and Son" theme song is not only quirky and remarkable, but it was written by one of the most legendary music producers in the business.
Read MoreWhether caused by record label mismanagement, band tensions, or tragic deaths, these '70s bands fell apart before they could bask in future superstardom.
Read MoreSongs like "Sliver," "Drain You," and "You Know You're Right" are solid Nirvana songs that haven't been overplayed the same way "Smells Like Teen Spirit" has.
Read MoreRock music in the '90s put its best foot forward with these timeless songs, inspired by events and challenges that anyone can identify with 30 years later.
Read MoreChart success isn't always enough for rock bands. These hits were turned into ads for cars, stores, beer, and whatever else bags of advertising money bought.
Read MoreThe Beach Boys were riding high on the success of "Pet Sounds" when Brian Wilson tried to top it with the ambitious "Smile." Here's why the album fell apart.
Read MoreWhile Morrisey landed in the upper reaches of the charts many, many times over the decades, there have been a few flops along the way.
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