Published: September 24, 2026 · 3:44 AM EDT
The “How You Remind Me” band earns its ninth Mainstream Rock Airplay chart-topper as the Mötley Crüe guitarist secures his first credited Billboard No. 1 ahead of Nickelback’s new album Everything Under the Sun
Nickelback have returned to the top of Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart for the first time in nearly 12 years as “Rattle the Cage,” featuring John 5 of Mötley Crüe, climbs from No. 2 to No. 1 on the ranking dated September 26, 2026. The achievement marks the Canadian rock band's ninth chart-topper at the format and its first since “Edge of a Revolution” reached No. 1 in October 2014.
Released July 14 through Nickelback II/Virgin Music, “Rattle the Cage” reached the summit following an 8% increase in U.S. mainstream rock radio plays during the September 11–17 tracking period, according to Luminate. The song debuted on the chart in August, becoming Nickelback's 32nd career entry on the ranking.
The single also gives John 5 his first Billboard No. 1 in a credited role. The guitarist, who has previously worked with Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie and David Lee Roth, joined Mötley Crüe as the band's touring guitarist in 2022.
The new chart-topper extends Nickelback's history on mainstream rock radio, which began with “Leader of Men” in March 2000. Among the band's previous No. 1 singles are “How You Remind Me,” “Too Bad,” “Never Again,” “Figured You Out,” “Photograph,” “Animals” and “Something in Your Mouth.”
Read: Nickelback Release New Single 'Leave Me Behind' From Everything Under the Sun
“Rattle the Cage” is the lead single from Nickelback's upcoming 11th studio album, Everything Under the Sun, arriving October 30, 2026, via Virgin Music Group. The 12-track collection will be the band's first studio release since Get Rollin' (2022) and also includes the previously released songs “Bones for the Crows” and “Leave Me Behind.”
The latest No. 1 also gives Virgin Music its third Mainstream Rock Airplay chart-topper of 2026, following “Dying to Love” by Bad Omens and “End of You” by Poppy, Amy Lee and Courtney LaPlante.
Watch Nickelback’s official “Rattle the Cage” music video, featuring John 5 on guitar, below:
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
IMAGE CREDIT: Lindsay Siu
