“Under You” by The Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters “Under You” cover art, designed by Morning Breath, Inc.

When I saw the Foo Fighters perform on the main stage of the music festival Boston Calling last May, it was obvious something was a bit off. Dave Grohl, their legendarily energetic lead singer and guitarist, was uncharacteristically subdued. You could tell he was trying to exude his usual “hyperactive” flair, but he just couldn’t summon up the joy that used to effervesce effortlessly into every performance.

The Loss of Taylor Hawkins

Grohl’s struggles weren’t surprising. It was the first time the Foo Fighters were to perform without their drummer Taylor Hawkins, who had died suddenly only a year before. Hawkins was Grohl’s best friend and long-time collaborator, and his vibrant drum style had provided the backbone of the Foo’s trademark musical style. If it was obvious at Boston Calling that Grohl was struggling to perform through his own heavy grief, it wasn’t for a lack of trying.

The Foo Fighters with drummer Alex Frees at Glastonbury Festival in 2023
Wikipedia Commons

“Under You” was released as a single on May 17th of 2023, ahead of the full album release and just days before I saw them at Boston Calling. The album “But Here We Are,” released on June 2, 2023, is the band’s effort to process their sudden loss, and the poignant songs range from their usual high-energy guitar-heavy tracks to heartbreakingly haunting melodies. “Under You,” in particular, is an emotionally wrought track of grief set to beefy riffs with a heavy hook that shines with the tender brightness of missing a beloved friend.

Someone said I’ll never see your face again

Part of me just can’t believe it’s true

Pictures of us sharing songs and cigarettes

This is how I’ll always picture you

[Pre-Chorus]

Over it, think I’m getting over it

But there’s no getting over it

“Under You” as an Expression of Grief

As you can imagine, recording the album probably wasn’t any easier than performing that spring. Grohl leans into the strength of his vocal range but the instrumentals feel heavier, like they needed to up the volume to mask the vulnerability coming through. The drums take the spotlight, as they always have, with Grohl sitting behind the set for his first drumming credit on a studio album since 2005. 

In one review in the acclaimed British punk magazine “Kerrang!,” it was noted that “Somehow, Dave Grohl found a way to wrap words around the enormity of his grief as he surrendered to his own impossible circumstances.” Sometimes, it is only when we can surrender ourselves to grief that we can start to overcome it.

Ultimately, “Under You” has a rousing punk rock vibe that counterbalances the sad subject matter, and is almost reminiscent of a good break-up anthem; something you could blast in the car to cry-sing to until you’ve wrung yourself dry of tears. Grief has a wide spectrum of emotions that you might need to process, and “Under You” provides a cathartic release when you need it.