Foo Fighters: But There They Are

After weeks of anticipation, Foo Fighters’ But Here We Are arrived right on time for release day on June 2, 2023. On the back of the CD cover is a dedication: “For Virginia and Taylor.” There was the death of the band’s drummer Taylor Hawkins in March 2022 and the death of frontman Dave Grohl’s mother, Virginia. Despite the losses Foo Fighters have experienced, the title of their new album alludes to the band’s resilience. On Foo Fighters’ website, the album is described in the following way: “A brutally honest and emotionally raw response to everything Foo Fighters have endured recently, But Here We Are is a testament to the healing powers of music, friendship and family.”

That statement is even more poignant when you consider how Foo Fighters came into existence. Twenty-eight years ago, Dave Grohl founded Foo Fighters when he was at a crossroads in life following the death of his former Nirvana bandmate, frontman Kurt Cobain. In an interview with Linsey Davis for ABC News in 2021, Grohl recalls, “My world was turned upside down. I turned off the radio and put my instruments away because music broke my heart.” Grohl goes on to speak about how he eventually came to need music again because he believed music was going to help him heal.

Although each person who listens to But Here We Are will have their own interpretation, to me, the album explores many of the emotions associated with grief and beautifully exemplifies the power of music to foster introspection and healing.

I’ve listened to But Here We Are several times. At the moment, these are the songs I keep coming back to:

“Nothing At All”- The sound reminds me of Nirvana, and I love Dave Grohl’s screams. The lyrics waver between moments of calm reflection (“Didn’t mean to offend you / Was it something I said?”) and anger (“Never mind love and hate / Peace of mind, it’s a bit too late”), perhaps about the ups and downs of a chaotic romantic relationship that is coming to an end.

“Show Me How”- Nice duet between Dave Grohl and daughter Violet that transitions to Violet singing alone at the end. The sound is somewhat wistful, but also dreamy and hopeful. The lyrics “Where are you now? / Who will show me how?” and “I’ll take care of everything / From now on” capture concern as well as acceptance when trying to manage all the responsibilities survivors often take on.

“Beyond Me”- The sound is initially melancholy and gradually becomes triumphant. The lyrics “Everything we love must grow old / Or, so I’m told / You must release what you hold dear / Or, so I fear” call to mind some ambivalence about accepting the life cycle. Lyrics “But, it’s beyond me / Forever young and free” perhaps remind us that even though life goes on without the ones we love, we can cherish the good memories we have of them.

“Rest”- Starts off quiet with a somber sound that eventually builds to a fuller, slightly more upbeat sound. The lyrics “Rest / You can rest now / Rest / You will be safe now” reflect finding some comfort believing a loved one is at peace. The sound quiets back down when Dave Grohl sings the final words on the album, “Waking up / I had another dream of us / In the warm Virginia sun / There I will meet you…..”

Foo Fighters have faced a lot challenges, and, as Dave Grohl has acknowledged, many of their fans can relate.

But here we are.