With Creed reuniting for the first time in a decade, we can’t help but explore a certain controversial subgenre: Butt Rock.
The origins and definition of Butt Rock are murky, at best. One listing on Urban Dictionary defines the subgenre as, “A style of hard rock & heavy metal music that is watered down both musically and lyrically to garner maximum radio play and mainstream acceptance.” Typically, Butt Rock bands cropped up in the late ’90s and throughout the aughts. However, other Urban Dictionary definitions classify ’80s hair metal as Butt Rock, too.
Perhaps, Butt Rock is truly in the ear of the beholder. It might just be a derogatory term rock fans use on bands they don’t like. For the sake of this list, we’re classifying Butt Rock in relation to music released in the late ’90s and throughout the aughts.
Without further ado, here are 11 Butt Rock songs that actually rule.