3 Amazing Rock Songs That Became Famous Only After the Artists Died

Sometimes, musicians only get their flowers after they’ve passed on. It’s an unfortunate thing that happens in the music industry far too often. Thankfully, though, most of the greats of rock music have gotten the success they deserved while they were alive. But even then, some of their songs only blew up posthumously. Let’s look at just a few genuinely amazing rock songs that got famous only after the artists who recorded them died.

“About A Girl” by Nirvana

Nirvana had plenty of hits while Kurt Cobain was still alive, but “About A Girl” didn’t really blow up until after his untimely passing in 1994. It makes sense, in a way. Even Cobain himself said he thought the ballad wouldn’t resonate with Nirvana’s broad grunge fanbase at the time of its release. In fact, I’d be bold enough to say that Nirvana’s debut album, Bleach, didn’t get the recognition it deserved until Nirvana was no more.

“About A Girl” is one of Cobain’s strongest compositions from his early career. And that MTV Unplugged version? It’s like a religious experience. This one’s really timeless, too, and remains a fan favorite today.

“Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division

Joy Division received recognition while they were together, but so much of this post-punk outfit’s discography didn’t blow up until after the sudden and tragic death of their frontman, Ian Curtis, which also marked the end of the band. 

“Love Will Tear Us Apart” was released in 1980, just one month after Curtis took his own life. And quite quickly, it became a No. 1 hit in a number of countries, including the band’s native UK.

“Grace” by Jeff Buckley

Jeff Buckley is one of those artists from the 90s who passed away far too young, leaving fans to wonder what could have been. Sadly, he’s also another example of rock artists whose songs didn’t get much recognition until after they died. 

“Grace”, the title track of Buckley’s only album, was released just a few years before his accidental death. The whole of that album, including the title track, didn’t gain substantial praise until after Buckley died. In the wake of his death, the album was praised by critics along with Buckley’s contemporaries like Jimmy Page and David Bowie.

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