"American Bad Ass" is a song by the American musician Kid Rock, released from his 2000 album The History of Rock. "American Bad Ass" samples Metallica's "Sad but True."

Music video

The music video for the single aired on MTV2 upon release, and reached number one on Canada's MuchMusic Countdown.^[2] The song was performed on Saturday Night Live.

At the beginning, Kid Rock watches TV and then after going to a rapping party, he goes to a concert on a cabriolet, surrounded by bikers. At the middle of the song, Kid Rock's car explodes and the thrash metal party starts to play. At the end of the video, Kid Rock with his band plays at a concert on the stage.

The video features a cameo appearance by Ron Jeremy.

This is the last music video to feature Joe C. before his death.

In popular culture

After the USS Cole bombing in October 2000, the song was played on the ship's PA system upon leaving the port of Yemen after the national anthem and other patriotic songs were played.^[3]
A version of the song was used as the entrance theme for WWF (now WWE) wrestler The Undertaker in 2000 for his "American Badass" persona.^[4] It was replaced by Limp Bizkit's "Rollin" in the same year.^[5]^[6] 23 years later, The Undertaker is reusing the song as his entrance theme for his post-retirement appearances in WWE, first at WWE Raw is XXX in January 2023^[7] and then on the October 10, 2023 episode of WWE NXT.^[8]

Track listing

"American Bad Ass" (clean album version)
"3 Sheets to the Wind" (live)
"Cowboy" (live)

Charts

Chart (2000–2001)	Peak position
Canada Rock (RPM)	06
Germany (Official German Charts)^[9]	26
Ireland (IRMA)	30
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[10]	81
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)	25
US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	20
US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks	33

References

^ Hill, Stephen (July 4, 2017). "The Top 40 nu-metal songs of all time". Metal Hammer. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
^ "MuchMusic Countdown - Fri, Jun 30, 2000". MuchMusic. Archived from the original on 2012-09-09. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
^ rollingstone.com "Kid Rock Show to Honor USS Cole"^{[dead link]}
^ "The Undertaker Returns To RAW & Destroys The McMahon–Helmsley Faction! 5/22/00", BrothersOfDestruction22, November 10, 2020
^ Joseph, Nithin (2020-11-20). "The Undertaker talks about the evolution of his theme songs". www.sportskeeda.com.
^ "The Undertaker vs Raven Hardcore Match (Limp Bizkit "Rollin'" Theme SmackDown Debut) 12/14/00", BrothersOfDestruction22, November 4, 2021
^ "Undertaker returns as the American Badass", WWE, January 27, 2023, retrieved 2023-10-11
^ "The Undertaker rides into NXT to Chokeslam Bron Breakker: NXT highlights, Oct. 10, 2023", WWE, October 11, 2023, retrieved 2023-10-11
^ "Kid Rock – American Bad Ass" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
^ "Kid Rock – American Bad Ass". Swiss Singles Chart.

v t e Kid Rock
Twisted Brown Trucker: Kenny Tudrick Jason Krause Jimmie Bones Stefanie Eulinberg Aaron Julison Paradime Uncle Kracker Bob Ebeling Kenny Olson Joe C. Mike Bradford Lonnie Moxley Bobby East Chris Labroux
Studio albums	Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast The Polyfuze Method Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp Devil Without a Cause Cocky Kid Rock Rock n Roll Jesus Born Free Rebel Soul First Kiss Sweet Southern Sugar Bad Reputation
Other releases	Fire It Up (EP) The History of Rock Live Trucker
Singles	"I Am the Bullgod" "Bawitdaba" "Cowboy" "Only God Knows Why" "American Bad Ass" "Forever" "You Never Met a Motherfucker Quite Like Me" "Lonely Road of Faith" "Picture" "Feel Like Makin' Love" "Cold and Empty" "Jackson, Mississippi" "I Am" "So Hott" "Amen" "All Summer Long" "Roll On" "Rock N Roll Jesus" "Born Free" "First Kiss" "Don't Tell Me How to Live"
Featured singles	"Rock Star" "Good to Be Me"
Concert Tours	Devil Without a Cause Tour Summer Sanitarium Tour History of Rock Tour Bad Reputation Tour
Related	Discography Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show