Top 10 Worst Nu Metal Songs of the 2000s according to Google Bard · 12:51am Jul 9th, 2023
A few months ago, I asked Bardy for the ten best and worst pop punk songs that came out in the 2000s, and got some very... interesting results to say the least (I still haven't gotten over Bardy mistaking a Beatles song for a Used song). So today, I'm gonna do the same thing, but with a different very popular sub-genre of the 2000s, nu metal. The query I gave Bardy is as follows: What are the top 10 worst nu metal songs of the 2000s? Give reasoning to support your answers.
Just as before, the answers are very sketchy, but I'll be giving my opinion of each song as I go through
#10
My Own Worst Enemy
Lit
This song is about the singer's self-destructive tendencies, but it comes across as incredibly cheesy and self-indulgent. The lyrics are full of empty platitudes and the music is just boring
Immediately, we start off with a head-scratcher. I'm beyond certain that this song is pop punk but with nu metal elements. As for the song itself, it's honestly fine. Bardy's reasoning that the lyrics are self-indulgent isn't wrong, but they come across as self-aware as well. I do admit that this isn't a great song by any means, but it's definitely not bad enough to belong on this list
#9
One Step Closer
Linkin Park
This song is one of Linkin Park's most popular songs, but it's also one of their most over-rated. The lyrics are about the singer's struggles with depression and anxiety, but they're delivered in such a melodramatic way that they're almost laughable
Okay then... Awful pick. Linkin Park's first single, and it has stood the test of time and remains a staple in their entire career for a reason. Bennington never sounds melodramatic, even at his worst, he always gives 110%. This isn't my favorite Linkin Park song by any means, but it is not one of the worst songs ever
#8
Blind
Korn
This song is one of Korn's most popular songs, but it's also one of their most simplistic and repetitive. The lyrics are about the singer's struggles with depression and addiction, but they're delivered in such a monotone way that they're almost impossible to relate to
I know I'm gonna get blasted for this, but I've never been a fan of Korn. I get their appeal, and I know that this is the song that put them on the map, but they're just not for me. As for the song, I'll admit that Jonathan Davis's "Are you ready?!" at the beginning is pretty cool, but that's about all I can say about it. I get the monotone delivery is his thing, and the guitar work is pretty hit or miss. The problem with this pick is that this song was released in 1994, not the 2000s
#7
It's Been Awhile
Staind
This song is one of Korn's most popular songs, but it's also one of their most simplistic and repetitive. The lyrics are about the singer's struggles with depression and addiction, but they're delivered in such a monotone way that they're almost impossible to relate to
While I don't disagree with Staind being on this list, I do disagree with the song pick. I feel like this is one of the few times where Aaron Lewis is putting in an effort in his delivery, but I do agree that the guitar work is nothing special. Not a bad pick, but definitely a questionable on
#6
Here I Go Again
Breaking Benjamin
This song is a cover of Whitesnake's classic song, but it's been stripped of all of its original power and replaced with nu metal's trademark angst and aggression. The result is a jarring and unpleasant listen
I looked as hard as I could, but I could not find any cover of this song from Breaking Benjamin. The closest thing I could find was a cover by Asking Alexandria, but they're metalcore, not nu metal, and that cover was released in 2014. That said, I can't comment at all on this pick aside from asking: How the hell did Bardy come up with this one?
#5
Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle)
Limp Bizkit
This song is another example of Limp Bizkit's formula for success: combine a catchy riff with some angry lyrics and you've got a hit. Unfortunately, the song is also incredibly repetitive and boring
It comes as no surprise that Limp Bizkit, or this song, is on this list. I still stand by that I think this is one of Limp Bizkit's best songs, but that is not a high bar to clear at all. At this point, I'm pretty sure I've made my opinion on Limp Bizkit, specifically Fred Durst, pretty clear, so there's no complaints from me
#4
Indestructible
Disturbed
[This song is about being strong and invincible, but it comes across as incredibly cheesy and self-aggrandizing. The lyrics are full of empty platitudes and the music is just boring
In all honesty, I'd never actually heard this song before this post, but upon first listen, I really enjoyed it. I'll take self-aggrandizing over self-loathing and angsty any day of the week. The delivery is great, and I think the music is solid. You could do a lot worse when it comes to nu metal
#3
Break Stuff
Limp Bizkit
This song is another example of nu metal's penchant for anger and aggression. It's also one of the most repetitive songs ever written, with the same riff being played over and over again
Yeah, Bardy's reasoning is completely correct here, aside from the comment about the riff. I know that there are a lot of negative opinions about this song, so it doesn't surprise me that this song is on this list. It encapsulates literally everything Limp Bizkit is: a great band headed by an awful singer and songwriter. But once again, the problem is that this song was released in 1999, not the 2000s
#2
Welcome To The Family
Puddle of Mudd
This song is all about being angry and angsty, but it's so over-the-top that it's just laughable. The lyrics are juvenile and the music is repetitive and boring
Barring that Puddle of Mudd isn't nu metal, they're post grunge, once again, I couldn't find any song by them called "Welcome To The Family." I'm sure Bardy's reasoning would be correct if such a song existed, but it doesn't
#1
Smooth Criminal
Alien Ant Farm
This song is a cover of Michael Jackson's iconic song, but it's been stripped of all of its soul and replaced with nu metal's trademark angst and aggression. The result is a jarring and unpleasant listen
Why do people hate this song so much? It takes the rhythm of the original and turns it into a solid guitar riff, and it also adds a ton of energy and speed that the original was missing. There's a lot of hate to this song, so it doesn't surprise me that it's on here, but #1? That's why I seriously question
Out of ten picks, there are two that are ineligible because of when they were released, two that I can't comment on because they don't exist, and three that I understand being on here. I have no idea where Bardy got most of this information, but just like last time, I'll do the same thing tomorrow, except I ask for the ten best songs in nu metal
Huh. I'm kinda surprised that there are only two Limp Bizkit songs listed here.
Also, totally agree with you about Alien Ant Farm's cover of Smooth Criminal being #1 on this list!