10 Singers Who HATE Their Own Songs
8. Michael Stipe - Shiny, Happy People
While a commercial success, Shiny, Happy People is generally considered a blot on R.E.M.'s otherwise exceptional discography, and the band's members are more than inclined to agree with that assessment.
Lead singer Michael Stipe appeared in an episode of Space Ghost Coast to Coast in 1995, where he said "I hate that song, Space Ghost" in reply to the eponymous character's request to sing it.
Stipe dialed back on the word "hate" in a 2016 interview, but maintained a dislike for the song.
'Hate' is a very strong word, but it's a fruity pop song written for children. I mean, it just is what it is. If there was one song that was sent into outer space to represent R.E.M. for the rest of time, I would not want it to be Shiny, Happy People.
The rest of the band isn't too fond of the tune either, and they unanimously agreed to exclude it from their greatest hits album in 2003.