January 29,2021
“How You Remind Me”- Nickelback
Honestly, my initial reaction to this song was laughter. Over the past 10 years, Nickelback has remained relevant only as a source of niche memes. However, I can’t deny it. I know every word of this song and couldn’t help but bop my head along with the beat. Nickelback, specifically this song, reminds me of my childhood as the daughter of two working-class Americans.
Currently, Olivia Roderigo’s “Driver’s License” sits at the top of the charts. The large contrast between the two songs marks a noticeable difference between popular music over the past two decades. The influence of nineties grunge bled into the next decade in the form of alternative rock. It took shape in bands like Nickelback. However, the influence of hip hop, rap, and auto-tune greatly changed the sound of music. Current pop music has more electronic elements, and an increase of female artists is notable. The evolution from “How You Remind Me” to “Driver’s License” reflects changes in the music industry during my lifetime.
Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me” is timeless. Their sound is representative of 2000s alternative rock. Whether the song is played as a means to vent or jest, it remains relevant to my generation.
I like your analysis of the change between “How You Remind Me” to today’s “Driver’s License.” I believe highlighting that change is an essential breakdown of the difference between the time. I also love that you included the increase in female artists in today’s popular music. Again, I believe this reflects the times and themes that developed within the last decade. Lastly, I too find Nickelback to be a sort of laughing stock within today’s domain but we still must respect the effect they had at the time and notice that, even if they are a joke now, they most certainly were not a joke back then!