The Most Popular Nu Metal Song, Ranked

Choose the song you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:45
Nu Metal has carved its unique niche in the music industry, blending aggressive rock with elements of other genres, creating a sound that resonates with a diverse audience. Its rise during the late 1990s brought forth a new wave of musical creativity and intense, emotive lyrics. The debate over which song best defines this genre continues to engage fans and critics alike. By participating in the voting process for the most popular Nu Metal song, fans contribute to a dynamic tally that reflects the collective opinion of a global community. This ranking not only sparks discussions and maybe even friendly debates, but also helps new listeners understand the impactful songs of this genre. Each vote plays a crucial role in shaping a list that is continually updated, providing a current snapshot of fan favorites.

What Is the Most Popular Nu Metal Song?

  1. 1
    78
    votes

    "Numb" by Linkin Park

    Linkin Park
    This song is considered one of the most iconic nu metal songs of all time, with its blend of heavy guitar riffs and rap vocals.
    Numb is a popular Nu Metal song by the American rock band Linkin Park. It was released as the third single from their second studio album, Meteora, in 2003. The song features a blend of heavy guitar riffs, electronic elements, and powerful vocals that characterize the Nu Metal genre. Numb explores themes of inner struggles, frustration, and the desire to break free.
    • Release Year: 2003
    • Genre: Nu Metal
    • Album: Meteora
    • Length: 3 minutes and 7 seconds
    • Lead Vocals: Chester Bennington
  2. 2
    34
    votes
    Another classic nu metal song, "Freak on a Leash" features Jonathan Davis' distinctive vocal style and a memorable guitar riff.
    Freak on a Leash is a popular Nu Metal song by the American band Korn. It was released as a single in 1999 and became one of their signature songs. The song features a combination of heavy guitar riffs, catchy melodies, and aggressive vocals, characteristic of the Nu Metal genre. The lyrics touch upon themes of frustration, anger, and self-reflection. Freak on a Leash incorporates elements of alternative metal, industrial rock, and hip hop, showcasing Korn's diverse musical influences.
    • Release Date: 1999
    • Genre: Nu Metal
    • Length: 4:15
    • Album: Follow the Leader
    • Record Label: Epic
  3. 3
    27
    votes
    This song showcases System of a Down's unique blend of heavy metal, punk, and Middle Eastern influences. Its catchy chorus and politically charged lyrics have made it a fan favorite.
    Chop Suey! is a song by the American nu metal band System of a Down. It was released as the lead single from their second studio album, Toxicity, in 2001. The song gained immense popularity and is considered one of the most iconic tracks of the nu metal genre. Chop Suey! showcases System of a Down's signature style, combining aggressive guitar riffs, rapid-fire vocals, and political lyrics.
    • Release Date: August 13, 2001
    • Album: Toxicity
    • Genre: Nu Metal
    • Length: 3:30
    • Label: Columbia
  4. 4
    14
    votes
    This song's angsty lyrics and infectious chorus made it a hit in the early 2000s. It's become a staple of nu metal playlists.
  5. 5
    16
    votes
    Known for its memorable opening scream and heavy guitar riffs, "Bodies" is a quintessential nu metal song.
  6. 6
    12
    votes
    This song's aggressive vocals and heavy instrumentation have made it a fan favorite. Its iconic "ooh-ahh" chant has become a staple of live shows.
  7. 7
    2
    votes
    This song helped put Slipknot on the map, with its blend of heavy metal, punk, and industrial influences. Its catchy chorus and energetic drumming have made it a fan favorite.
    Wait and Bleed is a popular Nu Metal song by Slipknot. It was released as the lead single from their self-titled debut album in 1999. The song combines aggressive elements of heavy metal with melodic hooks and intense vocals, showcasing Slipknot's signature sound. Wait and Bleed gained significant mainstream attention and became one of the band's most well-known tracks.
    • Release Date: October 27, 1999
    • Album: Slipknot (1999)
    • Genre: Nu Metal
    • Length: 2:27
    • Label: Roadrunner
  8. 8
    8
    votes
    This song's heavy guitar riffs and Jonathan Davis' unique vocal style helped define nu metal in the late 90s. Its raw energy and intense lyrics have made it a classic.
  9. 9
    7
    votes
    This song's blend of heavy guitar riffs, atmospheric vocals, and electronic elements helped define Deftones' sound. Its infectious chorus and memorable riff have made it a fan favorite.
  10. 10
    4
    votes
    This song's emotional lyrics and powerful vocals helped it become a hit in the early 2000s. Its blend of heavy guitars and electronic elements helped define Linkin Park's sound.

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Ranking factors for popular song

  1. Chart performance
    The position of the song on music charts, such as the Billboard Hot 100, can be a good measure of its popularity. A song that has enjoyed time at the top of the charts can be considered a popular hit.
  2. Sales
    The number of copies sold, including digital downloads and physical albums, can also be used to evaluate the popularity of a song.
  3. Streaming numbers
    In the digital era, streaming numbers on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube are essential in determining the popularity of a song. Tracks with a significant number of streams can be considered more popular than others with lesser streams.
  4. Radio airplay
    Frequent radio plays can indicate the popularity of a song, as radio stations often play tracks that are in demand by listeners. Monitoring airplay numbers can help in ranking the popularity of Nu Metal songs.
  5. Awards and recognition
    The number of awards and nominations a song has received can also contribute to its popularity. A critically acclaimed song is often a popular one as well.
  6. Cultural impact
    Some songs may not have the highest sales or chart performance but have a lasting impact on music and popular culture. These songs can be considered popular in the larger context of Nu Metal history.
  7. Concert performances and fan reactions
    Songs that are frequently played at concerts and elicit massive fan reactions can be considered popular among the Nu Metal audience.
  8. Timelessness
    The staying power of a song and its enduring relevance in a constantly-evolving music scene can be considered a marker of popularity.
  9. Online presence
    The online presence of a song through social media, blogs, and forums can indicate its popularity. A song with a dedicated fan following and frequent mentions online can be considered popular in the Nu Metal genre.
  10. Critical reception
    Positive reviews from music critics and high ratings on review websites such as Metacritic can contribute to a song's popularity. A well-received song is generally considered to be popular among fans and casual listeners alike.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Nu Metal song. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or song is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1901 views
  • 200 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each song once every 24 hours. The rank of each song is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most popular nu metal song

Nu Metal is a genre of music that emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s, combining elements of heavy metal, hip hop, and alternative rock. Known for its heavy, distorted guitar riffs, aggressive vocals, and use of electronic samples, Nu Metal quickly gained popularity among younger audiences in the United States and beyond. Some of the most popular Nu Metal bands include Korn, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, and System of a Down, each bringing their own unique style and sound to the genre. As Nu Metal continued to evolve and expand, many new artists emerged, bringing fresh energy and innovation to the genre. With so many iconic Nu Metal songs to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is truly the most popular. However, through the power of StrawPoll, music fans from all over the world can come together to share their opinions and vote on their favorite Nu Metal tracks. So, which song will come out on top? Only time will tell!

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