Before their hit "Higher"" "Torn," "What's This Life For" and "One," selling over five million copies. Creed scored again with their 1999 follow-up album Human Clay, which doubled their previous record sales and debuted at number one. Human Clay included the blockbuster hit "Higher" as well as the singles "What If" and "With Arms Wide Open," which earned Creed a Grammy for Best Rock Song.

Controversy rocked Creed when bassist Brian Marshall criticized Pearl Jam in a radio interview; despite an apology from Marshall, frontman Stapp released a statement condemning Marshall's remarks on Creed's website and later replaced him with Brett Hestla of Virgos Merlot. Creed gained media attention again when Stapp and Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst engaged in a war of words. The band continued to focus on their music and as the media feud died down Creed released Weatherhead in 2001; with hit single "My Sacrifice" in tow, the album sold five million copies. After nearly a decade-long commercial rock career, the band's label announced their break-up in June of 2004.