vocals at the band's request, calling the lyrics a "rock and roll cocktail". Halford's performance was only used in the final chorus of the track, though this was enough to have him credited alongside Nick Oliveri, Wendy Ray Moan and Nick Eldorado as providing backing vocals. The song features again on Rated R as a reprise after the eighth track "In the Fade". Reception Due to the frequency and blatant nature of the drug references in "Feel Good Hit of the Summer", a number of radio stations refused to play it. Wal-Mart initially refused to sell Rated R unless the song was removed from the album or a warning label placed upon it, though the band successfully argued that the cover and name of the album were warnings in themselves. Critically, the song fared well and was chosen as a highlight of Rated R by The Guardian, Robert Christgau, and numerous others. In reference to the song, NME said in their review of the album that "Among modern American rock moments, it stands alongside "Smells Like Teen Spirit" or RATM's "Killing in the Name", such is its irresistible, instant impact", also labelling it an "anthem". Rolling Stone similarly likened the track to "unreleased Nirvana". Steve Huey of Allmusic wasn't so taken with the song, branding it "tiresome" and chastising its usage for a reprisal. "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" was featured in a number of prominent end-of-year lists for best song, including Robert Christgau's Pazz & Jop critics poll which placed the song at number 26. It also reached number six on NME's list, two places below fellow Rated R single "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret". The song was also included on the CD release of the Triple J Hottest 100 for 2000, despite not featuring on the actual list. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 82 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years". Legacy The band reprise the track on their follow-up to Rated R, Songs for the Deaf, following the song "A Song for the Deaf". Though the music sounds similar, the lyrics are replaced by rhythmic laughing (it was entitled Feel Good Hit of Haha). Queens of the Stone Age have frequently performed "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" live since the release of Rated R and whilst touring subsequent albums. On the band's tour for their 2007