Why These Ten Songs (Too Bad or Too Good) Almost Ruined Their Artists' Careers

1'Hotel California ', by The Eagles (1976) “I have always explained the breakup of the Eagles with two words:' Hotel California ', confessed guitarist and singer Glenn Frey to' The Independent 'in 1992.“ Now, more than ten years later, it is easy to analyze it in depth, but it keeps coming down to the same thing ”. Yes: a sublime song can also precipitate the end of a group. 'Hotel California' was a perfect ballad, complex, with mysterious lyrics and one of the best guitar solos ever recorded. 32 million copies of the album of the same title have been sold. But as Frey himself (who died in 2016) explained, the success of the song changed the internal dynamics of the band. Mistrust between members,the phobia of going back to the studio and the challenge of composing another song - at least - equally as good delayed the creation of the next album for three years (even 'Hotel California' had delivered one per year on time). And that they had surrendered to the masses since before that unforgettable piece. 'The long run' (1979) would be their swan song and, shortly after, a ridiculous political dispute (one of its members greeted a senator with contempt) and the subsequent sour concert (in which they threatened to kill each other while playing songs of love) led them to irremediable dissolution. Getty Images(1979) would be their swan song and, shortly after, a ridiculous political dispute (one of its members greeted a senator with contempt) and the subsequent sour concert (in which they threatened to kill each other while playing love songs) led them to irremediable dissolution. Getty Images(1979) would be their swan song and, shortly after, a ridiculous political dispute (one of its members greeted a senator with contempt) and the subsequent sour concert (in which they threatened to die while playing love songs) led them to irremediable dissolution. Getty Images

2'This side of love ', by Terence Trent D'Arby (1989) Those who had the use of reason in the eighties will remember that, with just one album, Terence Trent D'Arby came to be compared to Prince. So exciting were the wickers of that 'Introducing the hardline ...' which was nine weeks number one in sales in the United Kingdom in 1987. A seasoned singer and songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and with a good plant, he had to put it badly so that the next album wouldn't take advantage of, at least, the slipstream of the first. 'Neither fish nor flesh' was, instead, his epitaph. 'This side of love', the only single, sounded too Prince. And Prince already had one. Also, the general atmosphere was dark, dull, and somewhat dated. And so,This New Yorker who had started singing as a soldier in Germany and emerged professionally in England went completely to nothing from one album to another. He published two albums in the nineties, cordially ignored by the public, and in 2001 he changed his name to Sananda Maitreya, under which he currently publishes himself from Milan. Getty Images

3'Not myself tonight ', by Christina Aguilera (2010) What to expect with Christina Aguilera? Nobody knows exactly. As soon as she sings in English as well as in Spanish, she makes a fuss at you, regurgitates a disco theme, appears turned into a dominátrix, a hard and sexualized girl or a great lady of light song. Sometimes it seems that she wants to be Madonna; others, Celine Dion. Only the very staunch will argue that his commercial decline and that it began with his album 'Bionic', so futuristic that at the time few applauded. The single 'Not myself tonight' sounded too cold and far away, and it was accompanied by a video full of whips, chains, latex and lesbian sex, already hackneyed elements that caused boredom rather than excitement.Aguilera ignored the suggestions of her record company and recruited on her own a heterogeneous team of composers, producers and arrangers that she liked but had little to do with her music. 'Not myself tonight' did not go beyond the 23rd place in the US sales chart, a minor thing for those who had achieved five number one and eleven singles in the top 10. The album burned right away: there was no tour, and only five months later had another album for sale, the soundtrack to 'Burlesque'. That same 2010, Christina got divorced. His figures, for now, have not raised their heads. Getty ImagesMinority for someone who had achieved five number one singles and eleven top-10 singles. The album quickly burned: there was no tour, and only five months later he had another album for sale, the soundtrack to 'Burlesque'. That same 2010, Christina got divorced. His figures, for now, have not raised their heads. Getty ImagesMinority for someone who had achieved five number one singles and eleven top-10 singles. The album quickly burned: there was no tour, and only five months later he had another album for sale, the soundtrack to 'Burlesque'. That same 2010, Christina got divorced. His figures, for now, have not raised their heads. Getty Images

4'Stinkin'thinkin ', from the Happy Mondays (1992) To be honest: all the songs on' ... Yes please! ', Not only this one, were an absolute delusion. But as a presentation single, 'Stinkin'thinkin' was the first news the world received of the disaster perpetrated by this British band, emblematic of the Manchester Sound of the late eighties and early nineties. A whole book could be written about the surreal vicissitudes surrounding the sessions and the album's release, but to sum it up, we will say that the group was sent to record it in Barbados to ward off the restless Ryder brothers (Shaun and Paul, singer and bassist ) of heroin. And that, not finding it, they went to crack. And what, when they ran out of drug money,They sold the furniture from Eddy Grant's home-study. And that they returned to England without recorded voices or written lyrics. And that Shaun extorted his record company in exchange for the master's degree (he ended up shelling out 50 pounds to get it). And that an already semi-ruined Factory Records, which spent what it did not have on the transatlantic journey and needed the album to be a hit to pay for it, went bankrupt by becoming a resounding fiasco (instead of rock, psychedelia and tinges of acid house, hallmarks of the combo, had hyper-produced and clean pop with Caribbean airs). And the following year, Happy Mondays too. Getty ImagesAnd that an already semi-ruined Factory Records, which spent what it did not have on the transatlantic journey and needed the album to be a hit to pay for it, went bankrupt by becoming a resounding fiasco (instead of rock, psychedelia and tinges of acid house, hallmarks of the combo, had hyper-produced and clean pop with Caribbean airs). And the following year, Happy Mondays too. Getty ImagesAnd that an already semi-ruined Factory Records, which spent what it did not have on the transatlantic journey and needed the album to be a hit to pay for it, went bankrupt by becoming a resounding fiasco (instead of rock, psychedelia and tinges of acid house, hallmarks of the combo, had hyper-produced and clean pop with Caribbean airs). And the following year, Happy Mondays too. Getty Images

5'In the army now ', by Status Quo (1986) Undoubtedly, the decline in popularity of Status Quo in the eighties was mainly due to the fact that there was no place for an old-fashioned rock and roll group in the sparkling decade of shoulder pads and 'synthpop'. But surely the decision to record 'In the army now' accelerated his downfall. What did Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt, leaders of the band, think to want to do a version of such a bland and tempered song (yes, on top of that, it's a cover, original by the Dutch duo Bolland & Bolland!) And with inexplicable military theme? Nobody knows. They might feel that a ballad would be more in tune with the finicky sensibilities of the moment. It was signed by Status Quo as anyone could have signed it: the British group's label (their 'boogie'bouncy and bouncy) was nowhere to be seen. The good news is that it was a success ... But from then on they headed downhill, despite the historical fervor of their countrymen returning them to the sales list from time to time. Getty Images

6'Take my beath away ', by Berlin (1986) Imagine that you are a second row' new wave 'group and you are given the opportunity to record a superb song composed by Giorgio Moroder for the soundtrack of a Tom Cruise film ('Top Gun'). Inevitably you think your luck has changed. Berlin's changed, but for the worse. When one of the film's producers commissioned the Italian disco musician and producer to provide a slow theme for the film's romantic scenes, Moroder pulled this unsurpassed progression of synthesized bass notes out of his sleeve. Offered first to The Motels, Moroder himself insisted that it be recorded by Berlin, whom he knew because he had produced another song before. And the version of these, with the honeyed voice of Terri Nunn in the foreground,It was the one that remained for posterity, the one that won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for best song and the one that was included on the film's album, for five weeks the best-selling in the United States (on the contrary, the album of Berlin that contained it, 'Count three and pray', was a complete failure). Difficult to digest for some members of Berlin, who would have preferred to obtain that success with a song composed by them. Others, on the other hand, like the singer Nunn, were delighted. The differences were irreconcilable and a year later the only Berlin that remained was that of the Wall (and for a short time). Getty Imagesthe Berlin album that contained it, 'Count three and pray', was a complete failure). Difficult to digest for some members of Berlin, who would have preferred to obtain that success with a song composed by them. Others, on the other hand, like the singer Nunn, were delighted. The differences were irreconcilable and a year later the only Berlin that remained was that of the Wall (and for a short time). Getty Imagesthe Berlin album that contained it, 'Count three and pray', was a complete failure). Difficult to digest for some members of Berlin, who would have preferred to obtain that success with a song composed by them. Others, on the other hand, like the singer Nunn, were delighted. The differences were irreconcilable and a year later the only Berlin that remained was that of the Wall (and for a short time). Getty Images

7'Me fell in love ', by Shakira (2017) This declaration of love to a footballer (his partner, Gerard Piqué), ended up being an own goal. The followers of the Colombian were already used to her surprising lurching: they adored the young rocker from Barranquilla when they were amazed at her transformation into a Latin belly dance diva, a metamorphosis culminated with success, it must be said, in 'Hips don't lie ', his duet with Wyclef Jean, number one in sales in the United States in 2006. In 2017,' I fell in love 'caused several blushes: on the one hand there was its cover, in which it appeared perched on the trunk of a tree and which generated a barrage of sarcastic memes that exceeded the original design in artistic value. Besides, there was the lyrics, in which, without any shame,Shakira alternated verses loaded with diminutives to prop up the rhyme ("Look what a pretty thing, what a round mouth, I like that little beard" or the no less memorable one: "A mojito, two mojitos, look at what pretty eyes, I'll stay another little while" ) with declarations of love that leave you speechless ("With you I would have ten children"). The devastating effect was capable of crushing any reputation. More recently he has collaborated with The Black Eyed Peas and sung with Jennifer Lopez at the Super Bowl, and he has just released a 90s English single ('Don't wait up') which is the best he has done in 15 years. Despite everything, and at least in Spain, from that song to a large part of his followers it is difficult for them to take it seriously again. Getty ImagesI like that little beard ”or the no less memorable one:“ A mojito, two mojitos, look what pretty eyes, I'll stay another little while ”) with declarations of love that leave you speechless (“ With you I would have ten children ”). The devastating effect was capable of crushing any reputation. More recently he has collaborated with The Black Eyed Peas and sung with Jennifer Lopez at the Super Bowl, and he has just released a 90s English single ('Don't wait up') which is the best he has done in 15 years. Despite everything, and at least in Spain, from that song to a large part of his followers it is difficult for them to take it seriously again. Getty ImagesI like that little beard ”or the no less memorable one:“ A mojito, two mojitos, look what pretty eyes, I'll stay another little while ”) with declarations of love that leave you speechless (“ With you I would have ten children ”). The devastating effect was capable of shredding any reputation. More recently he has collaborated with The Black Eyed Peas and sung with Jennifer Lopez at the Super Bowl, and he has just released a 90s English single ('Don't wait up') which is the best he has done in 15 years. Despite everything, and at least in Spain, from that song to a large part of his followers it is difficult for them to take it seriously again. Getty ImagesThe devastating effect was capable of crushing any reputation. More recently he has collaborated with The Black Eyed Peas and sung with Jennifer Lopez at the Super Bowl, and he has just released a 90s English single ('Don't wait up') which is the best he has done in 15 years. Despite everything, and at least in Spain, from that song to a large part of his followers it is difficult for them to take it seriously again. Getty ImagesThe devastating effect was capable of crushing any reputation. More recently he has collaborated with The Black Eyed Peas and sung with Jennifer Lopez at the Super Bowl, and he has just released a 90s English single ('Don't wait up') which is the best he has done in 15 years. Despite everything, and at least in Spain, from that song to a large part of his followers it is difficult for them to take it seriously again. Getty Images

8'Blurred lines', by Robin Thicke (2013) With a marked funk rhythm, this song spent 12 weeks at number one in the United States. Few songs were more successful that year. How, then, did you foil the trajectory of this Los Angeles singer called to be the new god of r & b? On March 28, 2013, the uncensored version of the video was released on YouTube. In it, interacting with Thicke (and his collaborators Pharrell Williams and rapper TI) appeared several unreasonably naked models. The clip did nothing but emphasize the lyrics, which included verses such as: “He tried to tame you, but you are an animal, baby, it's in your nature, just let me set you free. (…) You are the hottest bitch in the place ”. 'The Guardian' called it "the most controversial song of the decade."Thicke's performance with Miley Cyrus at the MTV Video Music Awards, far from cooling the controversy, fueled it: during the number Thicke and Cyrus simulated intercourse on stage. It was the last straw for Thicke in 2013, fertile in feminist demands. Since then he has not raised his head. A year later, his wife, the actress Paula Patton - with whom he was married for 20 years - asked for a divorce. He tried to save the relationship by all means and fully dedicated his album 'Paula' to her in 2014, which was not only a commercial failure but was received more as a harassment than as a tribute. He has not had an album on sale again until 2021. And nobody has found out. Getty Imagesduring the number Thicke and Cyrus were simulating intercourse on stage. It was the last straw for Thicke in 2013, fertile in feminist demands. Since then he has not raised his head. A year later, his wife, the actress Paula Patton - with whom he was married for 20 years - asked for a divorce. He tried to save the relationship by all means and in 2014 fully dedicated his album 'Paula', which was not only a commercial failure but was received more as a harassment than as a tribute. He has not had an album on sale again until 2021. And nobody has found out. Getty Imagesduring the number Thicke and Cyrus were simulating intercourse on stage. It was the last straw for Thicke in 2013, fertile in feminist demands. Since then he has not raised his head. A year later, his wife, the actress Paula Patton - with whom he was married for 20 years - asked for a divorce. He tried to save the relationship by all means and fully dedicated his album 'Paula' to her in 2014, which was not only a commercial failure but was received more as a harassment than as a tribute. He has not had an album on sale again until 2021. And nobody has found out. Getty ImagesHe tried to save the relationship by all means and fully dedicated his album 'Paula' to her in 2014, which was not only a commercial failure but was received more as a harassment than as a tribute. He has not had an album on sale again until 2021. And nobody has found out. Getty ImagesHe tried to save the relationship by all means and fully dedicated his album 'Paula' to her in 2014, which was not only a commercial failure but was received more as a harassment than as a tribute. He has not had an album on sale again until 2021. And nobody has found out. Getty Images

9'Leader of the pack ', Twisted Sister (1985) In a Netflix documentary, the daubed Twisted Sister recounted how it took them an entire decade to go from playing in hovels and low-key tabernacles in and around New York to having a first record in the market, which happened in 1982. With his debut, not much happened. Not even with his second. But the third, 'Stay hungry' (1984) convinced the metal hordes and thanks to singles like 'We're not gonna take it' (which in their concerts in Spanish-speaking countries they translate as "eggs with oil") or ' I wanna rock ', became a classic of eighties glam rock. Can all that be thrown away because of a poorly chosen single? The answer is yes. It is not understood how Dee Snider, the leader of the band, decided to recreate 'Leader of the pack,'from The Shangri-Las, one of the many girl groups that the pop industry was chain-producing in the early 1960s. And here are the fierce rockers, spree apostles and beer choirs, adapting this teenage drama in which a young girl falls in love with the bad boy of the gang, with an epilogue of a deadly motorcycle accident. These were not the Twisted Sister that the 'heavies' had bought. They released yet one more album in the eighties, and did not resume their recording career until the 2000s, on independent labels and with nostalgic tours. Getty Imagesadapting this teenage drama in which a young girl falls in love with the bad boy of the gang, with a deadly motorcycle accident epilogue. These were not the Twisted Sister that the 'heavies' had bought. They released yet one more album in the eighties, and did not resume their recording career until the 2000s, on independent labels and with nostalgic tours. Getty Imagesadapting this teenage drama in which a young girl falls in love with the bad boy of the gang, with a deadly motorcycle accident epilogue. These were not the Twisted Sister that the 'heavies' had bought. They released yet one more album in the eighties, and did not resume their recording career until the 2000s, on independent labels and with nostalgic tours. Getty Images

10'Rock me tonite ', by Billy Squier (1984) The golden decade of Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Prince and Michael Jackson was also a golden decade for many rock musicians who, renewed with flowery keyboards, lacquer enough to pierce the ozone layer and pompous videos, they made a preferential niche in the programming of MTV. Squier, who after many tumbles by different bands had made his solo debut in 1980, ticked all the boxes. 'Rock me tonite' was not a bad song; not brilliant either, despite the production of the famous Jim Steinman (close associate of Meat Loaf). With more synthesizers than guitars, it could appeal to a massive and undemanding audience. The problem came with the video. Entrusted his direction to Kenny Ortega, famous years later for 'High School Musical',the clip was a cheesy fantasy featuring the musician dancing in a room dressed in pink and white as if he were teaching an aerobics class. The book 'I want my MTV' devotes a whole chapter to the folly, which he describes as "the worst video of all time." The shock in the audience was instantaneous and the musician's popularity immediately collapsed. His next albums, of waning repercussion (and that in the next one, 'Enough is enough', Freddie Mercury participated), were spaced in time, until in 1998 he said goodbye to the recording studios with his last album to date , 'Happy blue'. Getty Imagesdevotes an entire chapter to folly, which he describes as "the worst video of all time." The shock in the audience was instantaneous and the musician's popularity immediately collapsed. His next albums, of waning repercussion (and that in the next one, 'Enough is enough', Freddie Mercury participated), were spaced in time, until in 1998 he said goodbye to the recording studios with his last album to date , 'Happy blue'. Getty Imagesdevotes an entire chapter to folly, which he describes as "the worst video of all time." The shock in the audience was instantaneous and the musician's popularity immediately collapsed. His next albums, of waning repercussion (and that in the next one, 'Enough is enough', Freddie Mercury participated), were spaced in time, until in 1998 he said goodbye to the recording studios with his last album to date , 'Happy blue'. Getty Imagesuntil in 1998 he said goodbye to the recording studios with his last album to date, 'Happy blue'. Getty Imagesuntil in 1998 he said goodbye to the recording studios with his last album to date, 'Happy blue'. Getty Images