Hi everyone,
It's been quite a week for me. Very busy but frustrating. Listening to music helps me deal with the ups and downs of life. This week, I've been listening to the Foo Fighters' complete discography (so far). I have all of their studio albums along with some live recordings and a few B-sides. Knowing that I haven't written a music blog in a while, I thought I'd catalog my favorite Foo tracks, along with a few that others like but I just can't get into. Here we go!
The hits...
1. Everlong. This is the song that most Foo Fighters (and rock fans in general) know. It was the first song of their set when I saw the band play at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN a few years ago. The music video's pretty cool, too. Both the electric and acoustic versions of this song are great. It's a tune that really identifies the Foo Fighters as a band.
2. Walk. The last song from the Wasting Light album is one that I put on when I need a little extra motivation. I love the positive message (and the humorous music video, that parodies the Michael Douglas film Falling Down). Definitely listened to it a few times already this week while I worked through a few frustrations.
3. This Is A Call. This is the first-ever Foo Fighters single, the one that introduced the world to Dave Grohl's music post-Nirvana. It's been one of my favorites ever since. Such a simple but effective song.
4. Monkey Wrench. I like this track because of its gradual buildup to an emotional bridge. Grohl wrote it about his breakup with his ex-wife and I can understand the emotions behind it. It's another solid single with a great music video too!
5. Learn to Fly. This is another song that gets me going when I'm down in the dumps. I can understand why it's popular because of its catchiness and yet another awesome music video (starring Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D).
6. Something From Nothing. This is the strongest song from the Sonic Highways album. Another song that builds momentum as it goes on. I love the energy and layered guitars in this tune.
7. My Hero. Every Foos fan knows this tune, and can probably sing every word of the lyrics from memory. The Colour and the Shape album was filled with classic tracks, and this one is no exception. A true anthem for the fans.
8. I'll Stick Around. The second single from the band's debut album is the one that got me hooked on them. I loved the guitar sounds and the defiant lyrics. I can relate to them as I've endured a lot of things that others would have simply given up on life.
9. February Stars. This song is a great lead-in to Everlong. It's another tune that starts out soft and slow and builds energy and volume until reaching its apex. I wish the group would play this song more often in concert, as I think it's very underrated.
10. Big Me. Another single from the debut disc that almost everyone knows. It's very basic, but so catchy. The video parodies the infamous Mentos commercials so that alone makes it worth a listen.
11. Next Year. I remember hearing the opening of this There Is Nothing Left to Lose track at the beginning of an old NBC show, but it's one that's been stuck in my memory for years. It doesn't have a ton of substance but is one that caught my attention at the very first listen. The video is cool, too.
12. Walking After You. Everlong is bookended on The Colour and the Shape album by February Stars and this song. It's another softer track, but no less important. I've heard a couple of different versions of this tune, but I think that the original album version is the best. A subtle track for those inclined to hear its message.
13. Times Like These (acoustic). The electric version of this song is great, but I prefer the acoustic rendition. It's stripped down to the core and listeners can really understand the meaning behind it. It's been a great rallying cry for people when we've had to deal with depression, disappointment, and disaster.
14. Cold Day In The Sun. Taylor Hawkins didn't sing lead vocals on very many Foo Fighters songs, but this is the one he's best known for. Another easy song that's often a welcome earworm. I'm glad I got to hear him sing it live in person before he passed away. We still miss you, Hawk.
15. The Pretender. This song starts the Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace album off right. I can relate to the message in the lyrics, as I've dealt with my fair share of pretenders in my life.
16. Resolve. This song from the electric disc of In Your Honor doesn't get a lot of attention, but it's one I zeroed in on after a few listens. I'm surprised they made a music video for it. Grohl pokes fun at some of the silliness of the lyrics, but it's still a tune that resonates with me from time to time.
17. Breakout. Some people like this song because it was also on a movie soundtrack. I like it because it's a solid tune. It may be a bit formulaic, but I don't mind. It has the impact that I've come to expect from Foo Fighters tunes.
18. The Glass. A few months ago, I watched a Foo Fighters performance on Austin City Limits. This was one of the songs that they played. Grohl talked about how he was inspired to write it after watching his mother behind hospital glass during her final days. Even though But Here We Are is by no means my favorite Foo Fighters album, I understand that several songs on it were written while band members were dealing with difficult personal losses, so I can respect the message behind this timely track.
Honorable mention:
1. Baker Street. Several years ago, I bought an import CD single version of My Hero that had this cover tune and a few other extras included on it. My local radio station also started playing it regularly around the time that Everlong was popular. It's an interesting take on the Gerry Rafferty classic, substituting loud guitars for the signature horns. My only complaint is that Dave's vocals seem a bit too quiet during the two rounds of verses. Otherwise, it's a solid song.
...and the misses.
1. Best of You. The chorus of this track is reminiscent of the jingle from a KFC commercial that aired regularly on TV at the time this single was released. Even though the Foos play this song at almost every show, it's just not one that I really dig, but that's okay. It's one of the few Foo tracks that I feel that way about.
2. Shame Shame. When I first heard this song, I was surprised to hear that it was from the Foo Fighters. It's unlike most of their other singles. There's just too much of a pop vibe in it for me to enjoy.
Well, there you have it: my favorite (and least favorite) Foo Fighters songs. Until next time, have a great weekend, and don't forget to be kind to one another.
