Never Again (Nickelback song)

"Never Again" is the title of a song recorded by Canadian rock band Nickelback. It was released in July 2002 as the first track of their third album Silver Side Up. It became a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, making it the band's third straight number one on this chart. It was released in the Nickelback Pack 01 for Rock Band on June 29, 2010, along with several other songs spanning their career.

Lyrical analysis

"Never Again" deals with the issue of Chad's mother's abuse. The events depicted in the song are seen through the eyes of Chad, who regularly watches his mother being brutally beaten by her violent husband. Chad's age is evidenced by the lines

"I hear her scream
from down the hall...
She cries to me,
Go back to bed"

By the second verse, Chad's mother's injuries have brought her to the hospital, where she lies to the nurse about their source (claiming to have "slipped and fallen"). The nurse, however, is not convinced that her injuries are sustained by a simple fall, and suspects that she is the victim of domestic violence, hence the lines

"She looks at you
She wants the truth"

Chad's father's violent actions towards Chad's mother causes Chad to develop a deep hatred for his father. This is evidenced in the bridge to the third verse:

"Father's a name you haven't earned yet
You're just a child with a temper"

The lyrics also suggest that he plans to beat his father in retribution:

"Kickin' your ass would be a pleasure"

By the third verse, Chad's mother is about to face this brutal torment yet again; only this time, she grabs the gun and shoots Chad's father in self-defense.

Track listing

1. Never Again

2. Breathe (Live)

3. Old Enough (Live)

Music video

Chad originally had a music video made for the song, but the video was scrapped due to its violent nature. Instead, footage from Live at Home was shown as an alternative.

Charts

References