TYF Column: Why the Nickelback Hate Is Justified

We all have heard of the band, Nickelback. You either hate them, or you love them. There is no in-between. It is not like my imaginary relationship with Joseph Gordon Levitt (which is on and off, it gets complicated… Zooey Deschannel keeps getting in the way with her quirkiness). Before I go on, I want to let everyone know that I truly respect everyone’s music taste. I understand that people are entitled to their own opinion, but if you enjoy reading how awesome Nickelback is, this is not the article for you. And I encourage you to go on, and find some other articles throughout this site. I suggest before getting deeper into the article, you exit the screen if you enjoy Nickelback. But for the readers who do not enjoy Nickelback, please read ahead.

Nickelback is one of those bands that I just don’t understand. Personally, I cannot understand what they are saying. I can’t seem to comprehend why he has to sound like he is going to the bathroom all of the time. I tried listening to them, I don’t not like certain music because of a reputation it gets, I like to stay true to my own opinions about certain bands. But in this case, I follow the consensus and do not like Nickelback. And I don’t understand why people listen to them.

Their lyrics are not meaningful, nor creative. I feel like they just go in “Rhyme Zone” and make stuff up based off of the results one word gives them. The voice of Chad Kroger is utterly awful. I feel as if Kroger is trying to be Eddie Vedder (the lead singer of Pearl Jam), and it is just not working out for him. It is like me trying to cook; it doesn’t ever work out. I feel as if the band records right after they had some Taco Bell. The fact that America is okay with this being a good choice in music is sad. They use the same chord progression throughout every song; the lyrics aren’t memorable, nor profound. If I had to punish a kid, I would make him listen to Nickelback.

They are from Canada, I like Canadian artists… I don’t even mind Justin Bieber – he’s from Canada. Nickelback is a prime example of why our art is in a state of stale darkness, and the true artists are forced to remain on the underground. Nickelback isn’t playing the blues, and they’re not putting their souls into their music. They are just making noise. They’re a commercial band, who just wants money. Chad Kroger has been arrested for drunk driving, and this just makes the band even worse. The lack of artistic integrity or musical diversity is utterly pathetic. They are so painfully generic because all of their songs sound the same.

Another reason why I cannot stand them is because the amount of talent that they bring to the listeners ears is so inversely proportional to their success as a band. I want to give you an example of their lyrics so you can understand where I am coming from… Not just as a music journalist, but as a musician and songwriter. These lyrics are from the song, “Falls Back On” from the album, “Curb.”

No, I don’t guess I don’t sacrifice
And I know
I don’t realize
Just how much
I can idolize … and I know
And then I find it falls back on
On to me, to see, believe
And down onto you, We do, it’s true
And I won’t beg to stay, to leave, or to believe
A word you say, and then I guessIt all falls back on youTo find out (find out)
What’s the deal
And I guess you don’t
SimplifyIt’s just, you had toHad to take, and I know

There’s a fine line between right and wrong

And I know we knew all along

Just how much I can half belong … and I know

And then I find out it all falls back on you

Cause I’m really up on this

I am sorry, but that made no sense. They contradicted themselves around five times. These lyrics make me more confused than the math test I took on Friday. I am not going to lie; these lyrics aren’t as awful as Carly Ray Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe,” which is a very catchy song I might add, but in that song she also contradicts herself by saying:

 Before you came into my life

I missed you so bad

And you should know that

I missed you so, so bad.

Besides the fact that you cannot “miss” anyone before theycame into your life, both of these artists topped the Billboard charts with their awful noise that they put into world. Jepsen’s lyrics don’t make any sense, as do Nickelback’s. The creativity of these bands are lacking, I understand that writing music is a difficult thing to do, because I personally find it very difficult, so I understand – but making lyrics make sense is a key thing in the musical process.

Nickelback is the second best selling international act in the U.S. behind The Beatles. Let me repeat that, they are the second best selling international act in the U.S. behind THE BEATLES. This artistry does not deserve this much success. If they were like some random band that you know of, but they aren’t topping charts, I wouldn’t mind them as much as I do. Since they are topping the charts with the awful sounds that they produce, I cannot bear the thought of them; I cannot understand how there are so many artists who make sense, sound amazing and produce their music in their bedrooms and yet do not make more money than this band…

I have become aware that creativity is lacking throughout our society, but I do not understand why. We have so much technology to produce amazing music, but many artists are conforming to what society wants them to be. I understand the money aspect of everything, I get it; the music industry is tough, and the record companies are always busting at the artist to make the most money they can make to benefit themselves. I get it, all understandable. I just can’t help but extremely concerned society’s lack of creativity and under-appreciation of it. I do wish him the best with his fiancée, Avril Lavigne, also known as singer of “Sk8er Boy,” which now I guess is Mr. Chad Kroger.

So what do you think readers? Do you like Nickelback? Do you agree? What are some bands that you cannot stand? Let me know by either commenting below or emailing me: caroline@theyoungfolks.com

I am always up for some conversation and constructive (not diminutive) criticism. As I said before, I love the fact that people can be different, and I love how our culture is so diverse, I understand that people are entitled to their own opinion, I respect yours, and you respect mine. If you don’t, please don’t waste either of our time.