Nickelback are one of rock’s most enduring acts – musically, they’ve captured the imagination of lovers of riffs, gruff vocals and huge choruses for decades. Lyrically, the band have also delved deep into the crux of the human condition as well, navigating the trajectory of topics such as love and loss.
With the Canadian legends heading to Australia next February, we enlisted the help of a Nickelback Superfan to help decode a few of their most relatable lyrical moments to get you riled up and ready for a night of pure rock n roll.
Here’s what our faithful Nickelfan had to say:
Alright, everyone, I have a confession to make: the first ever CD I bought was by Nickelback. And you know, I’m not necessarily embarrassed by this fact. Nickelback’s lyrics have transcended their Canadian shackles to provide memes and meaning to millions.
Watch: Nickelback’s ‘Feed The Machine’
‘Is it now really time?’ – Curb (1996)
That’s right kids, we’re starting with a deep cut. And speaking of kids, do you remember being one? Do you remember playing video games at a friends house and then your Dad would come to pick you up? How you would respond? That’s right, with Nickelback lyrics.
‘No, we’re never gonna quit. Ain’t nothing wrong with it. Just acting like we’re animals.’ – Animals (2005)
Look, I know that this song is originally about having penetrative sex in the back of a car. But these lyrics relate to some much more than that. They’re about you eating pineapple pizza with a fork. They’re about you wearing your socks with sandals. The list goes on.
‘I can’t stand up at all, can’t see anything at all. In ten minutes I’ll be laying out flat on the floor.’ – Flat On the Floor (2003)
This is me every time on a treadmill.
‘Hurry, I’m fallin’, I’m fallin’. – Savin’ Me (2005)
Did you know that 100% of babies fall over when learning to walk? These lyrics relate to the baby that’s in all of us.
‘I don’t have wings to fly’. – I Don’t Have (1996)
One of Nickelback’s more obvious truths.
‘Who wins. Well who cares. It always ends up the same.’ – Breathe (1998)
Monopoly against siblings. Mario Kart against anybody. Creating one of Canada’s most commercially successful rock bands only to still feel inadequate. Yes, even Chad Kroeger has once felt this.
‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, no.’ – This How You Remind Me (2001)
This is exactly you if your parents asked for help moving into a new apartment.
Watch: Nickelback’s ‘How You Remind Me’
‘You can’t give up. When you’re lookin’ for a diamond in the rough.’ – Gotta Be Somebody (2008)
This is a classical illusion to the Disney character Jafar. And who doesn’t feel like a mustachee twirling, gene obsessed, sorcerer at the best of times.
‘The only thing I wish that one of us had known. That it was Sunday and the god damn bank was closed.’ – Get ‘Em Up (2014)
That’s right Chad! Why don’t the banks open on Sunday? I dedicate this point to the disorganized Mums, bank robbers, and Chads everywhere.
‘My misses still eats McDonald’s tastes delicious.’ – Got me Runnin’ Around (2014)
Plot twist! It’s a Flo Rida feature! And he also makes an excellent point. To misquote the great Jane Austin, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife, that wants McDonaldland Cookies.”
‘I am not a leader of men. Since I prefer to follow.’ – Leader of Men (1998)
This is all of us completing a group assignment.
‘It’s not the human walk. It’s the human race.’ – The Afternoon (2008)
Like many literal classics, this song was exclusively released at Wal-Mart. And Chad is also linguistically correct. Nobody should refer to the human race as the human walk. That would be ridiculous. Therefore, these Nickelback lyrics are relevant for everyone.
‘Trying not to love you. Only makes me love you more.’ – Trying Not to Love You (2011)
These words are about your ex-boyfriend, your girlfriend, your Tim Tam addiction, and your relationship with pimple popping videos.
‘I’d even cut my hair, And change my name.’ – Rockstar (2005)
This was me when a cashier thanked me for shopping and I responded by saying, “You too!”
Watch: Nickelback’s ‘Rockstar’
‘S is for the simple need. E is for the ecstasy. X is just to mark the spot’ – S.E.X (2008)
This song features some of Chad’s most ambiguous lyrics. Is it about people who enjoy coitus or is it about pirates? Either way, I believe that everybody falls into one of these two categories.
‘I write lines down, then rip them up. Describing love can’t be this tough.’ – Song on Fire (2017)
Nickelback is here to personally attack everyone that wrote insecure poetry in year eight. Therefore, Nickelback is attacking everyone.
Nickelback 2019 ‘Feed The Machine’ Australian Tour
Supported by Bad Wolves
Pre-sale begins 10am Wednesday, 10th October
Tickets on sale to general public 9am Thursday, 11th October
Wednesday, 13th February
Entertainment Centre, Brisbane (All Ages)
Tickets: Live Nation
Friday, 15th February
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney (All Ages)
Tickets: Live Nation
Saturday, 16th February
Rod Laver Area, Melbourne (All Ages)
Tickets: Live Nation
