Have you ever listened to a hit song and thought, “It’s so brilliant—there’s no way this song wouldn’t have been approved by their team”? Well, you’d be surprised how many songs don’t get approval. In fact, we have seven hit songs that were almost dismissed but instead received international praise. If you want to learn how to write hits like the artists/bands listed below, join Point Blank Music School through Clearing and check out our Vocal and Songwriting Courses. You get 1-2-1 sessions with your lecturers, collaborative opportunities with your peers, and the chance to analyse and learn to write like your favourite artists. Contact our team if you’re interested!
Back to the list, here are seven songs that almost didn’t get released:
“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
Queen’s iconic song faced resistance from the band’s record label, which thought the song was too long and unconventional for radio play. The song’s unique structure and operatic sections were deemed too risky for commercial success. However, the band persisted, and “Bohemian Rhapsody” went on to become one of the most famous rock songs of all time.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
Initially, Kurt Cobain and the band were hesitant about releasing “Smells Like Teen Spirit” as a single. They didn’t think it would become popular and were surprised by its massive success. The song ended up defining the grunge era and catapulted Nirvana to international fame.
“Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
Adele had a tough time finishing “Rolling in the Deep”. She was going through personal turmoil and found it difficult to focus on her music. The song, which was a collaboration with producer Paul Epworth, almost didn’t make it to the album “21”. It eventually became one of her biggest hits.
“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
Dolly Parton’s original version of “I Will Always Love You” was a country hit, but Whitney Houston’s rendition almost didn’t happen. The producers of “The Bodyguard” film had other songs in mind, and there were licensing issues to resolve. Houston’s powerful performance turned the song into a worldwide sensation.
“Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson had to fight to keep “Billie Jean” on his “Thriller” album. Producer Quincy Jones didn’t like the bass line and was concerned about the song’s length. Jackson insisted on including it, and it became one of his signature tracks.
“Creep” by Radiohead
Radiohead’s breakthrough single “Creep” was almost scrapped because the band’s record label considered it too depressing. Initially, it received little attention, but after it was re-released, it gained significant airplay and popularity, cementing Radiohead’s place in rock history.
“Purple Rain” by Prince
“Purple Rain” was initially much longer, and Prince had to cut it down significantly to make it suitable for radio. There were also concerns about the song’s length and genre-blending style. Prince’s persistence paid off, and “Purple Rain” became an iconic anthem and defining career track.
These songs highlight how artistic vision and persistence can overcome initial doubts and industry scepticism, ultimately leading to some of the most beloved tracks in music history.
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