10 songs that show even the best classic rock artists can get it wrong

While crafting this piece, it frequently happens that another thought arises regarding songs or albums – in this case, I selected seven iconic rock albums, each containing a track that perhaps shouldn’t have been included. This led me to ponder over other classic rock tunes that seem less effective.

Sometimes, the reasons why certain songs don’t resonate with people can be quite diverse. Personal preference often plays a significant role, and occasionally, despite admiring an artist immensely, there might be one or two of their songs that simply don’t sit well with you, making it difficult to appreciate them. In other instances, the song might not fit with the rest of the artist’s repertoire due to its unusual selection, inconsistent style, or simply because it’s thematically inappropriate within the context provided by their other works.

These tunes aren’t the kind you’d easily recall, and sometimes the artist themselves feel this way, even regretting its release. On other occasions, they accept the additional income and recognition it generated and simply move forward.

These are ten songs I wish hadn’t crossed my path. It’s a bit concerning that they’re all hits from renowned classic rock musicians, not just lesser-known tracks. Each one was a hit single and enjoyed popularity on the charts.

10 songs where classic rock artists get it wrong

Dire Straits – “Twisting By The Pool”

Dire Straits never included “Twisting By The Pool” in their studio albums, but you can find it on compilations and live recordings. Initially, this song was part of the special EP called ExtendedancEPlay. Some music enthusiasts appreciate its vintage, fast-paced rock and roll vibe. To me, however, it’s extremely grating and seems like a significant departure from what they do best.

According to Music Radar, Mark Knopfler commented that “Twisting By The Pool” was an inexperienced attempt at creating rock ‘n’ roll records, admitting, “I had little knowledge about producing such music. You learn by trial and error, and that’s the truth of it.

David Bowie – “Laughing Gnome”

It’s possible that this piece shouldn’t be included because it was created during a period when David Bowie was striving for success. He used novelty songs like this as a means to draw attention. However, it’s not the kind of music he would want to be known for, given his extensive catalog of great songs. Fortunately, his other works have prevented this from being his lasting image.

He found it a bit corny and perhaps awkward, yet he dismissed it as simply part of his responsibilities.

Rod Stewart – “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?”

As a devoted admirer, I must say that Rod Stewart has quite an extensive music catalog to boast. He’s shown an impressive knack for reinventing himself throughout his career to maintain his position at the forefront of the industry. It’s astonishing to think about the journey from his days with The Faces to his American Songbook releases. And let me tell you, he’s produced even more fantastic tunes since then! One of his most memorable personas was that of a rambunctious Jack the Lad rock singer, which arguably reached its zenith in this very song.

Although it enjoyed immense popularity in the past, it’s not his finest work today. Now, when I reminisce about that song, the leopard print pants, and his stage antics – all I can say is that it’s a good opportunity to leave it in the past and move forward swiftly.

Genesis – “Illegal Alien”

transitioning from the early Genesis and Peter Gabriel’s theatrical flair to this particular song is quite a drastic shift, as a narrative about the band’s visa issues in the U.S. was transformed into a tune sung by Phil Collins with a humorous Latin American accent. The song also features a distinct mariachi sound in its middle section.

Later, show the promotional video featuring the band donning sombreros and ponchos, and one might ponder if they were in a time warp. Despite the passage of over 40 years, it still seemed somewhat obsolete back then.

Chuck Berry – “My Ding-A-Ling”

Just like Chuck Berry had one top-charting single, he unexpectedly performed it live during a concert in Coventry, 1972. Notably, Pink Floyd were filming nearby, hence his quirky crowd interaction was captured on tape as well.

Berry likely holds a mix of opinions. It’s not typically representative of his musical style, yet it earned him a modest fortune as a chart-topper. It might be best to skip this particular tune if possible.

U2 – “Vertigo”

If there had been questions about whether Bono and the band could be deemed pretentious, this song certainly put those doubts to rest. Starting a song with an unusual Spanish count for no apparent reason is quite unconventional, but Bono does exactly that in this instance with his “Uno, Dos, Tres, Catorce!” This phrase translates to one, two, three, fourteen, and it’s also a biblical reference.

Oh, Bono, is it necessary? The tune isn’t the worst around here, but it certainly doesn’t compare to U2’s finest work. Frankly, I find it difficult to overlook Bono’s rather off-putting introduction.

Wings – “Mary Had A Little Lamb”

Paul McCartney has come out with several songs that have a charming quality to them, and none more so than this particular one. This is actually his rendition of a classic nursery rhyme set to music. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t just an additional track on an album; instead, it was issued as a standalone single back in 1972.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve got to admit that McCartney’s song managed to crack the top ten in the UK, but let’s face it, he wasn’t exactly short on funds. The tune was actually meant for children and his own family lent their voices to it. However, considering its release as a single from such an iconic rock band, it’s not something I’d reach for.

Queen – “Mustapha”

With Queen’s extensive music catalog, it’s not uncommon for some tracks to miss the mark. One such song that seems to cause division among fans is the one found on their Jazz album. In my opinion, it’s one of their weaker pieces. I appreciate nearly all their songs, even giving a bit of leeway to their disco phase during the Hot Space era. However, this particular track was always a skip for me when I first bought the album on vinyl.

Among the ten tracks presented, only one has been issued as a standalone single, yet this point seems somewhat weak. Fortunately, it was launched as such, but only in select countries, excluding major markets like the UK and the US.

Status Quo – “Marguerita Time”

If you were a fan of Status Quo during their prime years, this 1983 song might disappoint you. It’s as if softened versions of Status Quo and Jimmy Buffett are combined, which is an unusual and perhaps unwelcome pairing. Bassist Alan Lancaster himself recognized this, choosing not to participate in the music video for the track and skipping a Top Of The Pops performance featuring it.

At approximately the same period, it seemed as though the group appeared to have compromised their style in order to produce hits on the charts – such a disappointment from the band known for hits like “Caroline” and numerous other classic rock songs.

Elton John – “Crocodile Rock”

Elton composed numerous fantastic tunes; he boasts several undeniable masterpieces. Collaborating with Bernie Taupin, they also penned this one. It’s either a cheerful, quirky number or an irritating tune to hear. Personally, I lean heavily towards the latter. It tends to overshadow his numerous other outstanding compositions.

Over time, Elton has publicly disowned it and allegedly dislikes performing it. Yet, during his final tour, he felt compelled to include it since it remains a favorite among certain audience members.

2025-04-17 13:00