Songs don’t always age well. Artists try their best to write songs that will work for now, it’s hard to picture how a track will be viewed decades later. A lack of foresight has moved several artists to apologize for their songwriting. Check out three artists who have apologized for songs they have released, below.
Videos by American Songwriter
“We Didn’t Start the Fire” – Billy Joel
“We Didn’t Start the Fire” isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, this Billy Joel hit is one of the most divisive rock songs in history. A large part of that divisiveness is due to the unique lyrical style. Joel delivers an onslaught of lyrics that take a journey throughout pop culture from 1949 to 1989. It’s certainly a feat–one that Joel pulled off effectively. However, it can be a little grating after listening to a second verse of a two-note melody.
Even Joel has trouble listening to this track on occasion. He once said the melody of this song reminded him of a “mosquito buzzing around your head.” That doesn’t exactly scream reverence for one of his biggest hits.
We didn’t start the fire
It was always burning, since the world’s been turning
We didn’t start the fire
No, we didn’t light it, but we tried to fight it
“Bip Bop” – Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney has been criticized for his “cutesy” lyricism. John Lennon gave McCartney-penned songs the unflattering banner of “granny music.” While McCartney fans love many of those songs, there is one that might have taken things too far, even for their standards: “Bip Bop.”
McCartney once spoke about he regretted releasing this track, saying, “It just goes nowhere. I still cringe every time I hear it.” There are many that likely agree with McCartney’s opinion on this matter, but as McCartney said elsewhere, “You can’t get it right all the time.”
Wip wop, women want
Wip wop women wear
Wip wop, women want
Wip wop women wear
“Misery Business” – Paramore
While the other two songs on this list were regretful because of their sound, Paramore has apologized for “Misery Business” because of the song’s content. There is one line in particular that has been called into question by the band: Once a whore, you’re nothing more / I’m sorry, that’ll never change. It was controversial enough for the band to retire the song for many years.
Lucky for Paramore fans, the band has brought the song out of retirement. It seems the fan fervor for this track has superseded any uncomfortability surrounding this lyric.
But God, does it feel so good
‘Cause I got him where I want him now
And if you could, then you know you would
‘Cause God it just feels so
It just feels so good
(photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.