Hey Man Nice Shot

"Hey Man, Nice Shot"
Single by Filter
from the album Short Bus
Released	July 18th, 1995
Format	CD
Genre	Alternative metal Industrial rock
Length	5:16
Label	Reprise
Writer(s)	Richard Patrick
Filter singles chronology
"Hey Man, Nice Shot" (1995) "Dose" (1995)

"Hey Man, Nice Shot" was the first song from 1990s industrial rock band Filter to garner airplay and fame.

Lyrics and music

The song, at first, was thought to be about Kurt Cobain who committed suicide in April 1994 but was later revealed to have been written about the January 22, 1987, public suicide of Pennsylvania state treasurer R. Budd Dwyer. Dwyer had been convicted on bribery charges in December 1986, and was expected to receive a massive sentence from U.S. District Court judge Malcolm Muir. Professing his innocence and decrying the legal system, Dwyer shot himself during a press conference with a .357 Magnum. A May 1996 interview with Filter in Addicted to Noise magazine and an official statement by the band confirmed this interpretation. Filter later gave the following statement:

The song 'Hey Man, Nice Shot' is a reaction to a well-documented public suicide, where the guy CLEARLY planted the gun in a manila envelope. Totally planned it. It is not a celebration or glorification of taking one's own life. The phrase 'hey man, nice shot' is a reference to the final act itself; which, was a damn good shot and an expression of guts and determination of a person standing up for what they believe is right, i.e. self-murder, public-style. We are extremely sensitive and respectful to the family and friends of Mr. Dwyer. We have both lost friends to suicide and felt nothing but sympathy and loss for the victims, and those involved in such a tragedy.

Music video

There are at least three versions of the music video for "Hey Man, Nice Shot". The first version uses the album mix of the song; a second uses the promo-only remix later heard in The Cable Guy; a third version uses the "Sober Mix". All three of these versions feature footage filmed in December 1994—color effects were added in post-production of the video.

In popular culture

Film

• A scene from the film The Cable Guy uses a rare promo-only remix of "Hey Man, Nice Shot".
• Used as the introduction song for Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight.
• Used as the introduction song and the final shootout for 3000 Miles to Graceland.
• Appears in trailers for the films Behind Enemy Lines, Red Eye, Into the Blue, Stay, and Iron Man.

Television

• In one episode of Beavis and Butt-head
• The Crossing Jordan episode "There's No Place Like Home."
• The X-Files episode "D.P.O."
• Extreme Championship Wrestling often featured the song during some of the merchandise commercials during its television broadcasts.
• The Cold Case (TV series) episode "Rampage."
• The La Femme Nikita episode "Love."
• In one episode of Nitro Circus, an MTV series.
• The Supernatural episode "Skin"
• An episode from Season 2 of Future Weapons.
• An episode from Season 3 of of Regular Show.

• In the video game Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction.
• Included as a playable song in Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band 3.
• Big Mac mix appears in the game Burnout Dominator.
• Used in the trailer promoting the Bulletstorm videogame.

Sport

• Used as the theme song for 2009 National Hockey League (NHL) Playoff broadcast
• Used in Australia's National Rugby League (NRL)
• Used as the theme song for Sky Sports coverage of Rugby League's Super League between 2003 and 2004

Other

• After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the song was placed on the list of post-9/11 inappropriate titles distributed by Clear Channel.

Cover versions

• The rock band Three Days Grace plays the chorus "Hey Man, Nice Shot" in the middle of their song "Home" when they play it live in concert. Stone Temple Pilots covered the song with Richard Patrick as a guest on stage once in 2001.
• There is also another version of the song, the "Nickel Bag" remix, which has guitar and trumpet sections. The guitar section is played over the verse and the trumpets are played before the chorus.
• During the 2009 Dark Horse North America Tour, Shaun Morgan of Seether, along with Nickelback, covered the song live.
• Italian gothic rock band Lunacy Box recorded a version on their debut album in 2009, with female vocals by Lunacy Box singer, Ms Larsen.

Track listing

Hey Man, Nice Shot (U.S. promotional 12-inch vinyl)

1. Hey Man Nice Shot (1/4 Pound) (5:00)
2. Hey Man Nice Shot (1/4 Pound Instrumental) (4:59)
3. Hey Man Nice Shot (Nickel Bag) (3:42)
4. Hey Man Nice Shot (Big Mac) (8:41)
5. Hey Man Nice Shot (Big Mac Instrumental) (8:43)

Hey Man, Nice Shot (German Maxi-Single)

1. Hey Man Nice Shot (Bud Gets The Lead Out) (5:14)
2. Hey Man Nice Shot (Sawed Off Edit) (5:20)
3. Hey Man Nice Shot (Nickel Bag) (3:43)
4. White Like That (Dictaphone Version) (2:12)

Hey Man, Nice Shot (US Maxi-Single)

1. Sober mix (5:14)
2. Nickel Bag mix (3:43)
3. 1/4 Pound mix (5:00)
4. Big Mac mix (8:41)
5. White Like That (Dictaphone Version) (2:12)

Chart positions

Chart (1995)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	19
U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks	10
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	76
Canadian RPM Alternative 30	14