# Why the Hate for Nickleback at Half-Time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 1, 2011, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666 "2011-12-01T03:58:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/41 "2011-12-04T23:36:08Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Is the “why all the nickelback hate” thread now a weekly tradition here at the SDMB?? 😕 That sounds like something a hipster would say. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/42 "2011-12-04T23:36:10Z")
The guy looks like Nick Cage with a bad wig, and so Nickelback gets suck by association. I can’t say I’ve heard or can name more than 1 or two of their songs, but that “yeah yeah yeah x ∞” part of the song is annoying. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/43 "2011-12-04T23:43:26Z")
The only Nickelback song I have knowingly heard was “Figured You Out” which I liked because it scratched a particular kink itch of mine. I like slightly dirty songs like that sometimes. It wasn’t my favorite song ever or anything, but I put it on a playlist or two in my day. For some reason, despite liking that song, I never sought out anything else by them, and then I started hearing lots of negative things about their stuff all sounding the same or whatever, which kind of made me less likely to seek them out… and so more by the driving force of apathy than anything else, I’ve avoided them. For those who say they’re really not that bad, what songs would you consider listening to? ---
**Author:** ![brocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/44 "2011-12-04T23:58:01Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > For those who say they’re really not that bad, what songs would you consider listening to? Try [this one](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s5xsn4G_1Y) — pretty good song, and the video would make a good Twilight Zone episode. In fact, I think there was an episode of “Medium” that had a very similar plot. ---
**Author:** ![brocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/45 "2011-12-05T00:06:53Z")
I’d like to know who it is that decides popular groups are not cool enough. I mean, if you don’t like them, don’t listen, but why disparage them, and especially their fans? I was reading one of the “Prey” novels, and the hero made some comment about how he could never respect anyone who had an “Air Supply” song on his IPOD. I just don’t get it. I’ve only heard their two or three songs that made the top ten, and I thought they were OK, but why bash them? Maybe they’ve had other songs that suck, but I can think of several Beatles songs that suck. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/46 "2011-12-05T00:33:20Z")
Did [this](http://deadspin.com/5864922/atlanta-braves-reliever-burns-nickelback-on-twitter-and-nickelback-fires-back) happen to inspire the latest question around Nickelback hate? It made me laugh at any rate! ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/47 "2011-12-05T00:50:19Z")
Speaking as somebody who hates Nickelback\*, it’s simply because their music feels aggressively, intentionally generic and wishy-washy. They’re sometimes maudlin and always faux-rocky. It feel like sanitized, corporate-approved, artless quasi-music. The fact that they’re seriously overexposed doesn’t help. It’s similar to my loathing for Creed, although I don’t find the Nickelback guy’s voice quite as grating. \*Unlike many Nickelback haters, I don’t actually wish ill on the guys in the band or anything. I assume they’re hard-working guys who’ve aimed at being rockstars and succeeded. I don’t begrudge them their success, I just can’t stand their output. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/48 "2011-12-05T01:44:11Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > It’s difficult to hate something you’ve never heard. > [@brocks](#): > > I mean, if you don’t like them, don’t listen, but why disparage them, and especially their fans? Having omnipresent music means that not only can you _not_ avoid hearing them, but it squeezes out other potentially better music. Now, I’m glad that I have only heard two Nickelback songs, but that was enough. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/49 "2011-12-05T02:11:41Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Having omnipresent music means that not only can you _not_ avoid hearing them, but it squeezes out other potentially better music. “better” by whose definition? > [@](#): > > Now, I’m glad that I have only heard two Nickelback songs, but that was enough. I for one am impressed. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/50 "2011-12-05T02:19:36Z")
I’m just resigning myself to the fact that, many years from now, Nickelback will probably be inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame, and we’ll still be waiting for Rush to get in. ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/51 "2011-12-05T02:41:44Z")
Nickelback’s music has no soul. And their name sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/52 "2011-12-05T02:45:49Z")
> [@antonio107](#): > > That sounds like something a hipster would say. 😉 Lmao! Say wha? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/53 "2011-12-05T02:55:38Z")
But what the hell _is_ that on Joey’s head? I actually dig their radio hits. They have a few gems on their albums too. It just that they rip themselves off so much, and their songs come in only two flavors, of which are complete and utter dichotomies [Warning, Linked to Nickelback Content]: [**You have to just love everybody and get along, man!**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6-dYRWovU4) _or_ [**I’m gonna kick your fucking teeth in because you looked at my girl, man!**](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkTlVD97p2k) It makes no sense… be a lover or a fighter, I don’t care, but pick one. Also, they do have some pretty polished production and great power-hooks. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/54 "2011-12-05T03:00:06Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > … Now, I’m glad that I have only heard two Nickelback songs, but that was enough. Actually, if you only have to listen to two Nickelback songs, then [this is the track for you.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs4tNeGyTyI) ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/55 "2011-12-05T03:51:30Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > “better” by whose definition? That’s really annoying. All discussions of popularity do not need to be prefaced with “in my opinion”, because that is always the case and so does not need to be made explicit (except for those who apparently refuse to recognize the convention.) Apparently “potentally better” is not even good enough for you. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/56 "2011-12-05T04:10:52Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > That’s really annoying. All discussions of popularity do not need to be prefaced with “in my opinion”, because that is always the case and so does not need to be made explicit (except for those who apparently refuse to recognize the convention.) > > Apparently “potentally better” is not even good enough for you. you know what else is annoying? people who have to go around making sure everyone knows what they hate, as though we’re supposed to be impressed. ---
**Author:** ![BTEzra04](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9f8e36/32.png) [@BTEzra04](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BTEzra04)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/57 "2011-12-05T04:14:36Z")
[This](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nieNQNUoS1o) has both hilarious and dirty lyrics. I know there’s a certain stigma about them, but I do like the songs that they have that are…uh, deviant from some of the sappy ones people roll their eyes at. ---
**Author:** ![SweetLucy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@SweetLucy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SweetLucy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/58 "2011-12-05T05:25:58Z")
Having survived the Black Eyed Peas’ (blech!) half time Superbowl show, Nickleback doesn’t seem bad at all 😃 ---
**Author:** ![brocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/59 "2011-12-05T06:14:16Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Having omnipresent music means that not only can you _not_ avoid hearing them, but it squeezes out other potentially better music. I guess that’s what “omnipresent” means, all right, but what does it have to do with Nickelback, or any other group? Unless you’re an elevator operator or something, who is forcing you to listen to something you don’t like? I have 100 music stations on my cable, and god knows how many hundred internet radio stations I can get on Itunes, let alone all the other net radio websites. If you can’t find a station that plays music you like, maybe it’s your problem. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2011, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666/60 "2011-12-05T13:24:55Z")
At least now everyone will be completely content, looking forward to the Superbowl half-time show, where sufficiently American Madonna (who doesn’t even live in the US anymore) will perform. And really, what doesn’t say hard-nosed, rough and tumble, go get 'em attitude like \*Material Girl \*and _Papa Don’t Preach_? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hate-for-nickleback-at-half-time/604666.md?page=4)