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Beloved Bands That Are Now Considered 'Dad Rock'

You know what to expect if you tune in to your classic rock station. You'll hear some '70s, '80s, and even '90s rock hits. Most of these fit comfortably under the label of "Dad Rock."

Without knowing the exact definition, one could safely assume what "Dad Rock" is: "Eye of the Tiger",  "We Will Rock You",  and "Livin' on a Prayer" have been in that category for most of our lives. There's no argument there.  They paved the way for "Dad Rock."

Here's where things might start to get—uncomfortable. Many of the ballads you grew up with are old enough to enter this category.

Your middle school anthem? Dad Rock.  The first concert you attended? "Dad Rock." The CDs you burned, the ringtones you collected, the posters you hung up on your wall...are all more than likely "Dad Rock." But..but..."Dad Rock" is old rock?!

As hard as it is to believe,  time has marched on, and your songs don't transcend time. They have all aged along with you. Here is a list of 15 songs that unfortunately fall under the umbrella of what society deems "Dad Rock."

"Kryptonite" | 3 Doors Down

"Kryptonite" | 3 Doors Down

If I go crazy, then will you still call me superman? Who can resist singing along this banger of a song? The song was released in 2000 from the album The Better Life and climbed the ranks, earning titles until hitting number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

3 Doors Down has had other large successes including “Here Without You”, "It's Not My Time", and “When I’m Gone”. The band formed in 1996 and is still active today but dropped their latest album in 2016. When I’m gone, just know I was a huge 3 Doors Down fan!

(Image via Republic/Universal)

"In The End" | Linkin Park

"In The End" | Linkin Park

One thing, I don't know why we ever forgot about this masterpiece. You were legit if you could sing every word. The song was released in 2001 and reached the top ten on multiple worldwide music charts. It even reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

 

Linkin Park got together in 1996 and was active up until 2017 when they went on hiatus. To name just a few from a large list of well known songs, "Crawling", "Bleed It Out", and "Numb" are all classics for the typical millennial. 

(Image via Warner Bros.)

"Hanging By A Moment"| Lifehouse

"Hanging By A Moment"| Lifehouse

Lifehouse entered the scene in 1995 but never reached any significant popularity until their first hit single “Hanging By A Moment” in 2001 from the No Name Face album. The song was released in September of 2000 and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Lifehouse made it to mainstream!

Lifehouse is known for other hits including "You And Me", "Whatever It Takes", and "Broken". You will be happy to know that the band is still active today. The last album they released was in 2015, so it has been a hot minute. I think we're due our next album!

(Image via DreamWorks)

"Lips Of An Angel" | Hinder

"Lips Of An Angel" | Hinder

With a devilish voice, Hinder blessed us with this hit back in 2005. Middle school boy bands leapt at their chance to cover this song at local talent shows. "Lips Of An Angel" was released in 2006 and made it within the top ten on multiple Billboard genre charts. It's also one of the most downloaded rock songs. 

 

With several other hits like "Better Than Me" and "Get Stoned", Hinder is a band of major nostalgia. The band formed in 2001 and is still active today. They released their most recent album The Reign in 2017 and are currently touring in the U.S. 

(Image via Universal Republic)

"It's Been A While" | Staind

"It's Been A While" | Staind

It's been a while since I've listened to this old favorite. "It's Been A While" is the band's best-known song, and was a number five hit on Billboard Hot 100 in 2001. This slow rock ballad along with "So Far Away" and "Right Here" create a backbone for early 2000s rock. 

Staind formed in 1995 and remains active today, though they were inactive off and on in recent years. Their last album dropped in 2011, so I think it's safe to say we might not see another one anytime soon. Definitely makes the cut as a "Dad Rock" band!

(Image via Flip/Elektra)

"Unwell" | Matchbox 20

"Unwell" | Matchbox 20

I'm a little unwell realizing how old this song is now. It was released in 2003 from the More Than You Think You Are album, hit number five on the Billboard Top 100 and was even nominated for a Grammy Award. And well deserved!

Matchbox 20 formed in 1995 and is still active today, with a couple of years' hiatus in 2005 and 2006. They released their latest album North in 2012. Other songs you might recognize—"3 AM", "If You're Gone", and "Bent". These songs were a must-know in middle school. 

(Image via Atlantic)

"Sorry" | Buckcherry

"Sorry" | Buckcherry

Sorry, not sorry—this song checks all the boxes of a millennial fav turning into "Dad Rock". The soulful ballad will not soon be forgotten by our generation. "Sorry" was released in 2007 and peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.

Buckcherry is also known for songs like "Crazy B" and "Everything". The band formed in 1995 and is still active today with a few breaks throughout the years. Their most recent album Hellbound was released in 2021 and they are currently on tour in the U.S. 

(Image via Eleven Seven/Atlantic)

"The Reason" | Hoobastank

"The Reason" | Hoobastank

The reason this song made the list is because of sheer nostalgia. "The Reason" was released in 2004 on the album The Reason. The week it was released, it became the "Hot Shot Debut" and it ended up peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. That's what makes this song Hoobastank's most commercially successful single. 

Hoobastank entered the music scene in 1994 and is still going today. They released their latest album Push Pull in 2018 which gives me hope we may be seeing another one soon.  "The Reason"  went viral on TikTok back in 2021 due to a trending challenge, which made the band contemplate new music. Seems promising!

(Image via Island/Mercury)

"I Hate Everything About You" | 3 Days Grace

"I Hate Everything About You" | 3 Days Grace

I hate everything about the fact that this song is an oldie! This was a great one to let out your teenage angst to. Although it only reached 55th on the Billboard Top 100, this song is the band's longest-running song on the Modern Rock Chart at 45 weeks. 

3 Days Grace formed in 1997 and is still active today. In fact, they dropped their most recent album Explosions in May—which had extremely high ratings. Other notable hits include "Just Like You", "Animal I Have Become," and "Never Too Late". It's never too late to become a 3 Days Grace fan.

(Image via Jive)

"Cold" | Crossfade

"Cold" | Crossfade

What I really meant to say is I'm sorry this is not on my recently listened to! This song was without a doubt on everyone's Razr phone at some point. "Cold" was released in 2004. Though it ranked low on the Billboard Top 100, it reached number three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks and number two on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks. 

Crossfade formed in 1993 and is still active today. They released their most recent album Carousel in 2019, so we may get to continue enjoying new music for some time. Some other major hits from this band include "So Far Away" and "Colors". 

(Image via Columbia)

"Rockstar" | Nickelback

"Rockstar" | Nickelback

It wouldn't be a "Dad Rock" list if Nickelback wasn't included. Nickelback is the epitome of new "Dad Rock" and this song specifically solidifies their legacy. "Rockstar" was released in 2006, reached number two in the UK, and became certified platinum. Also—4.5 million copies sold in the US!

Nickelback has a large number of well-known songs, whether people like to admit it or not, like "How You Remind Me", "Burn It To The Ground", and "Someday". The band formed in 1995 and is still rocking today—the latest from them is Feed the Machine which was released in 2017.

(Image via Roadrunner)

"Dirty Little Secret" | The All American Rejects

"Dirty Little Secret" | The All American Rejects

It's no secret that this song was loved by all when it came out. Lipsyncing in front of a camera with your best friend shouting "WHO HAS TO KNOW?" was primetime footage. "Dirty Little Secret" was released in 2005 and reached number nine on Billboard Hot 100. It also claimed the top spot of Billboard's Hot Digital Songs. 

The All American Rejects had other hits like "Gives You Hell", "Move Along", and "It Ends Tonight". The band formed in 1999 and is still active today.  Their latest album Kids in the Street was released in 2012, so we're hoping they hit us with some new music soon!

(Image via Doghouse/Interscope)

"Remedy" | Seether

"Remedy" | Seether

And so we go back to the Remedy. This song has more than likely been buried in millennials' subconscious but here is the glorious reminder of its existence. "Remedy" was released in 2005 and hit number one on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. 

Seether has many other hits, including songs like "Fake It" and "Broken". The band formed in 1999 and are still active. They released their most recent album Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum in 2020. That makes eight albums released by Seether—so far!

(Image via Wind-up)

"21 Guns" | Green Day

"21 Guns" | Green Day

Give up the fight—"21 Guns" has been selected for the "Dad Rock" category. We were raised on Green Day and will continue to support this aging band. The song was released in 2009 and peaked on the Billboard Top 100 at number 22. It was later nominated for a Grammy.

Green Day is also known for "Wake Me Up When September Ends", "American Idiot", and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams". This list could go on and on. The band formed in 1987 and is still active today. They released their most recent album in 2020 and are currently touring in Europe. 

(Image via Reprise)

"Second Chance" - Shinedown

"Second Chance" - Shinedown

Everybody deserves a second chance to listen to this classic. This song is more recent than the others but still makes the cut as "Dad Rock". "Second Chance" was released in 2008 and peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. It also did well on several other charts and is Shinedown's biggest hit today. 

Shinedown has other hits like "45", "Sound of Madness", and "Save Me". The band formed in 2001 and still rock today. They will release the album Planet Zero in July this year and will be doing a European tour this fall. Rocking today, tomorrow, forever!

(Image via Atlantic)