If one had to define “dad rock,” it would be rock music that appeals to middle-aged men. It’s music that brings back good memories from their glory days. At one time, this meant cranking bands like Van Halen or AC/DC. However, as time moves on and a new generation of men begins raising kids, the music changes.
Videos by American Songwriter
The list of songs below is aimed at the younger generation of dads. The bands on the list were pulled from a 2024 study conducted by Merchoid, in which they asked 3,000 Americans, “Which band truly epitomizes dad rock today?” The songs below come from the top 10 bands listed in the study’s results.
1. “How You Remind Me” by Nickelback
These days, you young whippersnappers think it’s cool to make fun of Nickelback. But, I tell you what, back in my day, we cranked up songs like “How You Remind Me” and “Photograph” every time they came on the radio. Today, your dad may not admit to liking the Canadian rockers, but he probably knows every word to this song. Just don’t make fun of him for digging it on Father’s Day. Let him relive the good old days until Monday, at least.
Nickelback is the No. 1 dad rock band in America, according to the study mentioned above. The band received 26% of the vote, more than the next two bands on the list combined.
2. “All the Small Things” by Blink-182
Sure, Dad should be relaxing on Father’s Day. That doesn’t mean the music needs to be boring. Even if Pops isn’t a big fan of Blink-182 today, there’s a good chance he’ll remember this fun hit from 1999. It introduced countless people, including millions of current fathers, to the catchy melodies of pop-punk at the turn of the century. If you’re feeling a little cheeky, you can even tell Dad you’re going to put on some music from the 1900s. Gen-X and Millennial dads love hearing that.
Blink-182 tied with Van Halen for No. 2 on the list of bands that epitomize dad rock. Both bands received 12% of the vote.
3. “Under the Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Everyone who could tune in to a rock station or MTV in the early 1990s probably knows this song by heart. “Under the Bridge” was the biggest hit the Red Hot Chili Peppers ever released, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was also in heavy rotation on MTV and rock and roll radio throughout the decade. More than 30 years later, it’s still the band’s most popular song. The deep lyrics and heartfelt vocal delivery make this one truly timeless.
Red Hot Chili Peppers were No. 3 on the list of the biggest dad rock bands in the nation. The band took a solid 10% of the vote.
4. “The Man Who Sold the World” by Nirvana
Nirvana was at the forefront of the grunge movement in the early 1990s. They were one of a handful of bands that made the Seattle Sound the soundtrack of a generation. They had hits like “Come As You Are,” “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” and “Heart-Shaped Box.” Any of those would have been solid picks for this list. However, their cover of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World” seems a little more fitting because it bridges the age gap between dads and granddads.
While it’s hard to think of these grunge heroes as a dad rock band, they came in at No. 4 on the list. Like RHCP, they garnered 10% of the vote. They likely lost the No. 3 spot by a fraction of a percent. However, the study’s results are only given in whole numbers.
Featured Image by Karl Schoendorfer/Shutterstock
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