I would have thought it would be Black but that is because I am not a big Pearl Jam fan and I know that one 
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” is far lighter, “poppier” and more simplistic than Tears For Fears’ usual fare.
Also, a third vote for “Creep”. I despise that song, as pretty much the entirety of Pablo Honey.
“Cat Scratch Fever” is what some people think of when you mention Ted Nugent, but he has much better songs. Hell, I like pretty much every other song on that album except “CSF”.
“The Boys are Back in Town”, “Jailbreak” and “Cowboy Song” by Thin Lizzy. A lot of people seem to think these are about all the songs they ever did. Again, I like “Emerald” or “Fight or Fall” off that album better than the well known songs. I don’t think I’ve ever heard either on the radio.
“Love Hurts” or "Hair of the Dog"by Nazareth. They have so many songs that never made the radio that are so much better.
Just a few, right off hand.
Space Oddity and Ziggy Stardust are probably David Bowie’s most famous songs, but by far not his best.
Melanie, “Brand New Key”
Most casual listeners know XTC for “Dear God.” A good song, to be sure, but unusually blunt and strident for Andy Partridge. (That’s probably why he doesn’t like it very much.)
Pet Shop Boys. Everyone’s heard “West End Girls,” and yes, it’s a good song, but it’s so far from being their best that I’m at a loss to describe it. “I’m Not Scared,” “Being Boring,” “I wouldn’t normally do this kind of thing,” “Liberation,” “To Step Aside,” “King’s Cross,” “Young Offender,” “Metamorphosis,” “A Red-Letter Day,” “Shameless,” “Closer to Heaven,” “Bet She’s Not Your Girlfriend,” and of course my all-time favourite, “Miracles,” blow it completely out of the water.
The first one I thought of was Losing My Religion by REM. Not even close to their best song or album, but it’s probably the most popular (unfortunately)
You know, I think this is a trend that will be true for the majoity of artists* that have careers longer than two records. The singles on the radio will be the most accessible, pop-friendly pieces, while the rest of the album will be more daring, and appeal to a more discerning consumer. So many examples came to mind when I saw the topic that I think this must be true.
*By artist, I meaning someone who is creating music, as opposed to someone who is singing, playing, wearing, and endorsing what they’re told. Your definition may vary.
The weird thing to me with the Boys is that they have got just metric fucktons of wonderful, bouncy, dancy tunes with fabulous lyrics that would sound great on the radio or the dance floor but that you will never, ever hear in either place. Don’t ask me what that’s about.
The one that pops into my mind is Burning Down the House by the Talking Heads. It may be their worst song.
King Crimson is probably best known for 21st Century Schizoid Man, which is from their first album in 1969. Second would probably be another piece from the same album, The Court Of The Crimson King. However, these are not the best tracks by any incarnation of King Crimson. They are certainly very good, but there isn’t one song representative of the group. You would have to select pieces from each period of the band, with its changing members. They’re still together, and have released a fairly staggering amount of music. Each of their phases is different from the last, to the point where sometimes there is no comparison possible. You will find astounding music on any of their albums. The most accessible of these is the 1981 issue “Discipline”, which introduced Adrian Belew into the band. It’s nothing like early period Crimson, although Bill Bruford had rejoined the band for this phase of its career.
Wha? I love Talking Heads, and “Burning Down the House” isn’t my favorite of their songs, but it’s pretty good and not all that atypical for them. My favorite would be either “Naive Melody” or “Once in a Lifetime,” the latter of which might also be a candidate for their most popular song.
(“Atypical” is the sense I’m really going for – JSexton’s right that most bands with several albums have produced better songs than their #1 hit. Radiohead’s “Creep” is a good example, because it really doesn’t sound much like the rest of their catalog. “My Ding-A-Ling” is another great example.)
Ramblin’ Man is representative of part of the Allman Brothers sound from 1973 to 1976, but only a part. So if you’ve only heard that you really don’t have a clue what they sound like in their most famous incarnation ('69 - '71) or in general. Same goes if you’ve only heard Melissa.
Crowded House, “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” has been played to death on the radio, so much so that I can hardly bear to hear it any more, good song though it may be. Fortunately, I can always pop “Temple of Low Men” or “Together Alone” into the player and get an earful of the really great stuff.
Deep Purple’s “Smoke On The Water” is their most famous, but unfairly casts them as bludgeoning journeymen riffaholics. A catchy song, but “Child In Time” is much more sophisticated musically, showing everyone’s technique {Ian Gillan’s singing on the live version off Made In Japan is astounding - Blackmore plays a guitar phrase and Gillan mimics it, and you can’t tell which is which}, and “Burn” has the fiddliest riff ever, and peerless musical showing off with Blackmore and Lord’s duelling guitar and organ solos.
This was my first choice and I agree.
I have a few more: Hotel California, Sledgehammer, and a 2nd for Smoke on the Water.
Oh gosh, there are just loads.
George Thorogood’s well-known for Bad to the Bone, and it IS pretty representative of his style, but he has so many much better songs. Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville (A Pirate Looks at 40 is better), Jethro Tulls’s Aqualung (EVERYTHING is better), Alice Cooper’s School’s Out doesn’t hold a candle to Generation Landslide, J. Geils’ Love Stinks is cute and catchy but not even close to their best, Elton John’s horrible Candle In The Wind or Crocodile Rock (compare to High Flying Bird or All The Young Girls Love Alice), The Band’s The Weight is not as good as Chest Fever… I could probably go on.
One of my favorite pop bands is “Was (Not Was)”. They produced several albums of catchy pop tunes, and most folks know them for their worst song, the annoying novelty song “Walk the Dinosaur”. Every time I hear it even I cringe.
Mr Jones - Counting Crows. Unfortunately all their music now sounds like this.