I Kinda Like Nickelback

[Verse 1] It came up like a normal question No weight behind it, no big deal Someone said, “What’ve you been listening to?” I just said the thing I feel Didn’t pause, didn’t think it through Didn’t frame it as a joke I said, “Sometimes when I’m driving home Yeah… I put Nickelback on.” (half-beat) That’s when the room went quiet. [Pre-Chorus] I thought maybe I said it wrong Maybe missed a word or two But nobody laughed it off They just stared like I knew what I’d do. [Chorus] I didn’t say they changed my life Didn’t say they saved my soul I didn’t say they’re all I need I said I like ‘em when I’m on the road I didn’t know this was a problem Didn’t know this crossed a line I didn’t know a harmless sentence Would cost me peace of mind I kinda like Nickelback Yeah, I kinda like Nickelback [Verse 2] My wife says, “Hey, I get it” But she says it way too calm Leaves her laptop open late at night Tabs she didn’t mean to leave on She says, “We can talk about it later” Says, “Everyone’s allowed their taste” But she’s choosing every word real careful Like she’s scared of what I’ll say. [Pre-Chorus 2] She says, “You’re still who I married” But I hear the question mark Like she’s trying to love around it Without turning on the dark. [Chorus] I didn’t say they’re poetry Didn’t say they’re deep and true I didn’t say turn it up real loud I keep it low — just something to get me through I didn’t know this was a problem Didn’t know it meant a thing I didn’t know liking something simple Would change the way they look at me I kinda like Nickelback That’s all I meant [Verse 3] The guys at work still talk to me But not the way they used to do Friday plans get made without me Group chat’s quieter too Someone says, “It’s not a judgment” But they don’t look me in the eye They say, “You’re still cool, it’s just…” Then they laugh like I should know why. [Bridge] I know it’s a punchline I’ve heard the jokes before But I didn’t know the price of honesty Was walking through that door If taste is something you defend Then maybe I’m not built that way I didn’t think I’d need a reason For the things I play. [Final Chorus] I didn’t say they’re everything Didn’t say they’re all I need I didn’t say don’t question me I said, “They’re fine. They work for me.” I didn’t know this was a problem Didn’t know this was a crime I didn’t know being honest for a second Would put me on the other side I kinda like Nickelback Yeah, I kinda like Nickelback …that’s it. [Outro] So I listen when I’m driving Hands steady on the wheel Windows up, volume just enough To feel like something’s real.