Nickelback has returned to the top of the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, and it took over a decade for them to get there. The band’s “Rattle the Cage,” featuring John 5, rose to No. 1 on Billboard’s chart dated Sept. 26. It is the group’s ninth leader at the format and their first since 2014.
The song, released July 14 via Nickelback II/Virgin Music, gained 8% in plays at the format Sept. 11-17, according to Luminate. That move secured the band’s first No. 1 in more than 12 years.
The Long Road Back
Nickelback first appeared on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in March 2000 with “Leader of Men,” which reached No. 8. Their biggest early run came in 2001, when “How You Remind Me” spent 13 weeks at No. 1. At the time, it was one of only eight songs to have led for at least that long.
The band matched that run in 2004 with “Figured You Out,” which also spent 13 weeks on top. Since then, their chart history has been a mix of peaks and plateaus, with “Photograph,” “Never Again,” “Too Bad,” “Something in Your Mouth,” “Animals” and “Edge of a Revolution” all reaching No. 1 along the way.
“Rattle the Cage” arrived in August as the band’s 32nd career entry on the chart. It is now the first time since 2014 that Nickelback has sat atop the ranking.
John 5’s Big Moment
The guest guitarist on “Rattle the Cage” is John 5, a legendary figure in rock who has worked with some of the genre’s biggest names. He was a member of Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth and Rob Zombie, and he has been the touring guitarist for Mötley Crüe since 2022.
This is the first Billboard No. 1 for John 5 in a billed role. His presence on the track gives the song a distinct edge that fits its title, and the collaboration clearly resonated with radio programmers across the country.
“Rattle the Cage felt like the perfect way to kick the door open — it has the energy we’ve been feeding off every night on stage.”
That line comes from Chad Kroeger, the singer-guitarist of Nickelback, who spoke about the record in a statement. He framed the single as the ideal opener for an album that pulls together everything the band does.
“This album has every side of the band on it,” Kroeger said. “There are songs that hit as hard as anything we’ve ever done, songs that take chances and songs that remind us why we’ve been doing this together for so long.”
The Album Behind the Single
“Rattle the Cage” is the lead single from Nickelback’s 11th studio album, Everything Under the Sun, due Oct. 30. The record follows the band’s usual approach of mixing heavy hitters with something more adventurous, and Kroeger’s statement suggests the album covers both ends of that spectrum.
The single itself carries the weight of that promise. It is a track built for radio, with the kind of energy that defines the band’s live shows.
Virgin Music’s Strong Year
The No. 1 also marks a milestone for the label behind the record. Virgin Music earns its third Mainstream Rock Airplay No. 1 this year, among five this decade, matching Atlantic, Better Noise, BMG, Concord and RCA for the most of 2026.
Here is a quick look at the label’s leaders this decade:
- Nickelback feat. John 5, “Rattle the Cage,” Sept. 26, 2026
- Poppy, Amy Lee & Courtney LaPlante, “End of You,” Feb. 21, 2026
- Bad Omens, “Dying to Love,” Feb. 14, 2026
- Bad Omens, “Specter,” Oct. 18, 2025
- Bad Omens, “Just Pretend,” March 11, 2023
Virgin Music has become one of the most consistent labels on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart over the past decade, with a steady stream of leaders across multiple acts. Nickelback’s latest rise continues that pattern.
The Chart’s Long History With the Band
Nickelback’s chart history is extensive, and the band has been a fixture on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart for nearly three decades. Their first entry came in 2000, and they have appeared on the ranking dozens of times since then.
The chart measures plays at radio stations that program rock music, and “Rattle the Cage” earned its spot through strong performance data.
What This Means for the Band
For Nickelback, the return to No. 1 is a significant moment. It signals that the band remains relevant in a format that has changed dramatically over the years, with digital streaming reshaping how listeners discover new music.
The collaboration with John 5 also adds a fresh dimension to the band’s sound. His work with Manson, Roth and Zombie gives him a reputation for pushing boundaries, and that energy is clearly audible in the track.
Kroeger’s statement suggests the album is a full-circle moment for the band. The songs that “take chances” are the ones that remind the band why they started playing together in the first place.
The Road Ahead
“Rattle the Cage” is the lead single from Everything Under the Sun, due Oct. 30. The album arrives with a proven hit at its front end, and the band will likely use the momentum from the No. 1 to promote the full record.
The band’s history with the chart suggests they know how to play the game. They have spent years building a catalog that includes multiple No. 1s, and they have shown a willingness to experiment while staying true to their core sound.
The Final Word
Nickelback’s return to No. 1 is a welcome development for fans of the band and for the format as a whole. The song has the energy that defines the band’s live shows, and the collaboration with John 5 gives it a fresh edge.
The album arrives later this month, and the single’s success positions it as a strong starting point. The band has a proven track record of delivering hits, and this one looks like it is headed for a long run at the top.
The road back took more than a decade, but the climb was worth it.
Source material: “Nickelback Earns First Radio No. 1 in More Than a Decade With ‘Rattle the Cage’,” Billboard.
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