3 Classic Rock Flops That Became Mega Hits Years Later

A song needs to be in the right place at the right time to earn hit status. If anything is off about the release, they can easily fail to chart. That was the case for the three classic rock tracks on this list. Find out why these songs didn’t become hits until years after their initial release, below.

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“Creep” (Radiohead)

If anyone can’t stand “Creep”, it’s Radiohead themselves. While many of us might be suffering from “Creep” fatigue, it’s nothing compared to how omnipresent this song is in the band members’ lives. Nevertheless, they have a marked amount of their fame to thank this song for.

However, this song wasn’t quick to become a hit. Upon its release, radio play was few and far between. Programmers felt the public wasn’t ready for such a heartbreaking song. Despite this, it was re-released a year later, inspired by the success of this song overseas. It quickly rose up the charts, becoming Radiohead‘s most recognizable hit.

But I’m a creep
I’m a weirdo
What the hell am I doin’ here?
I don’t belong here

[RELATED: Anniversary Album: 30 Years of ‘The Bends,’ the Album Where Radiohead Briefly and Brilliantly Played the Classic Rock Game]

“Boys Don’t Cry” (The Cure)

Sometimes songs are ahead of their time, failing to connect with audiences of the day. That was the case for The Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry”. Upon its release, this song failed to become a hit. It eventually fell by the wayside.

Seven years later, the song was re-recorded and released. Something about that time frame was the perfect hiatus for this song. It quickly became a hit, cementing itself as one of the band’s calling cards.

I tried to laugh about it
Cover it all up with lies
I tried to laugh about it
Hiding the tears in my eyes
‘Cause boys don’t cry
Boys don’t cry

“Dream On” (Aerosmith)

Aerosmith’s “Dream On” has lived several lives. From a reissue to an Eminem sample, this classic rock hit has managed to continually resurrect.

Taking a look at the first time this song became a hit, we have to travel back to 1975. “Dream On” was reissued after failing to generate any buzz for the band several years prior. Steven Tyler felt this song was too slow and boring for Aerosmith’s live act. Without any setlist inclusions, the song didn’t connect with audiences. The 1975 reissue saw “Dream On” rise to its proper place in this band’s legacy.

Oh, sing with me, sing for the year
Sing for the laughter, and sing for the tear
Sing it with me, if it’s just for today
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away

(Photo by Rob Latour/Shutterstock)