Side Of A Bullet by Nickelback

Album: All The Right Reasons (2005)

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Songfacts®:

This song is about the murder of former Pantera and Damageplan guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. Abbott was murdered during a Damageplan show by a man named Nathan Gale on December 8, 2004. Gale was killed by police. Disturbed lead singer David Draiman called Dimebag's murder "The 9-11 of music."
The line, "His brother watched you do it" is referring to former Pantera and Damageplan drummer and Dimebag's older brother Vincent "Vinnie Paul" Abbott. Vinnie Paul witnessed his brother's murder, as he was on stage playing drums with Damageplan. Vinnie Paul's drum technician was also murdered. >>
Suggestion credit:
Chris - Andover, MN, for above 2
The solo in the song is actually Dimebag playing. Nickelback called Vinnie Paul and told him they were doing a song for Dimebag. Vinnie sent them some uncut guitar from Pantera's Far Beyond Driven era that Dimebag had been working on, and Nickelback pieced it together to create a new Dimebag solo. >>
Suggestion credit:
Ken - Fort Frances, Canada
At first Nickelback wanted to have Vinnie Paul playing on the track, but he refused by stating that Nickelback's drummer Daniel Adair performed as well as he could. >>
Suggestion credit:
Nate - Amherst, Canada
The lyric, "Uncle Sam taught him to shoot maybe a little to well," refers to Nathan Gale's training in the US marine corp. >>
Suggestion credit:
Kody - Dubuque, IA
Kroeger told musicomh.com that the riffs were actually "bits and pieces that didn't get used" on a recording Chad did of Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" with Kid Rock and Dimebag. "And as it should happen, I had this guitar riff and it was very, very aggressive. We started to piece together a solo and we simply didn't have enough material."

Kroeger guessed that Pantera may have leftover material they could use. "I called Vinny, Darrell's brother, the drummer from Pantera, and he sent us tons of material. We went over all these great signature Dimebag Darrell guitar solos and pieced together this guitar solo that we're very, very proud of."
The Nickelback frontman then played Vinny Paul the song. He loved it but told Kroeger, without realizing that it actually a song for Darrell, "You know what I really want you to do, Chad? I want you to write a song for my brother."

Comments: 18

Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganI love all of Nickelback's songs, but this one is definitely my favorite. Dimebag is my idol, and I can't help getting emotional when I hear this tune. I even have a signature Dimebag Dean guitar that I use as my main guitar, that's how much I love the guy. Much respect to Dime and the boys in Nickelback.
Zero from Nowhere, NjDan From New York, I'm not sure, I've never seen Nickleback live before, but I wouldn't be surprised if Chad played it himself. He's actually a pretty good guitar player (Listen to Darkhorse or Here and Now albums). He's not as good as Dime, obviously, but...maybe he could pull it off...
Bob from York, MtR.I.P Dimebag
Becky from Waukesha, WiI love this song. I love how they put a Dimebag solo in the song!R.I.P. Dimebag
Niki from Martinsburg, Wvi love this song.
the first time i heard it,
i had to replay it.
and i immediatly thought of dimebag <3 (R.I.P)

i dont beleive anyone deserves to die, especially someone with the heart of dimebag darrell abbott.
but Nathanial M. Gale deserved what he got.

"its not goodbye, its see you later"
youll be in our hearts forever.
Leslie from Hartsville, Tni went to their concert in tn and i cried they had a vid of dimebag and i named my dog bullet after thissong for dimebag
Jim from Rossville, IlI seriously,thought it was about the assaniation of abe lincoln
Joe from Eastampton, NjThe line Uncle Sam taught him to shoot, is because the guy who shot him was in the armed forces
Mike from Spring Grove, Pathat entire cd is killer man Nickelback rules
Mike Spring Grove Pa
Mike from Petersham, MaIs it just me or is this song a little more heavier than most nickleback songs?
Kody from Dubuque, IaThe lyric "Uncle Sam tought him to shoot maybe a little to well," refers to Nathen Gale, he was an ex-marine.
Chauncey from Omha, Nehey Dan,

vinnie declined saying that Daniel Adair was just as good.

very good song
-_-richard-_- from Yorkton, CanadaThe solo is from the fay beyond driven area
Dan from New York, NyVinnie Paul actually asked to do the drums for this track, but since they had a new drummer the opted to leave his recording on the track. Thats when Vinnie came up with the idea of using the uncut Dime recordings. The outcome was amazing. How do thay do it live? Do they dub in Dime, or do they attempt to play his solo?
Sarahl from Aspermont, TxI luv this song it's just nice to know that dimebag will be remembered
Adam from Poplar Bluff, MoVinnie Paul's drum tech John "Katt" Brooks did not die, he did get shot though that night. The solo from this song is supposedly between the "Cowboys From Hell" - "Vulgar Display of Power" era of Pantera albums. Good song.
Pinkie from Surrey, CanadaI love this song and I liked how at the concert they had a video of Dimebag before they performed the song.
Stew from Franklinton, NcThis is the best song 2 me because it happened 2 me!

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