Times Like These by Foo Fighters

Album: One by One (2002)

Charted: 12 65

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At the time, Dave Grohl called this "The best song I've ever written." The rousing track became a live favorite for the band, and one of five songs in their set when they performed at the Live Earth concert at Wembley Stadium in London, to a crowd of about 80,000.
The song finds Dave Grohl at a crossroads, but confident he will find the right path. The One by One sessions were a slog, and they made him question the band's future:

I am a little divided
Do I stay or run away
And leave it all behind?

But then he assures himself that these trials are for the best, as he will emerge stronger:

It's times like these you learn to live again
The Foo Fighters performed this song on the February 22, 2003 episode of Saturday Night Live. During the performance, Jim Carrey ran onto the stage, strummed his leg like a guitar, and then dove offstage. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Bert - Pueblo, NM
This song was used at some of George W. Bush's presidential campaign rallies in 2004. Dave Grohl never wanted to get involved in politics, but since he despised Bush, he decided to campaign for Bush's rival in the election, John Kerry.

"I was personally offended that George Bush was using 'Times Like These,'" Grohl said. "I know what I'm singing about and it basically mirrored what John Kerry's campaign was trying to represent.

Stirred into action, Grohl joined Kerry on some of his campaign stops, typically performing some acoustic songs before Kerry spoke. The experience had a profound effect on Grohl and inspired many of the songs that would end up on the next Foo Fighters album, In Your Honor which was named in tribute to Kerry.
Billed as "the biggest ever Live Lounge," a group of artists, including Paloma Faith, Ellie Goulding, Dua Lipa and Bastille, gathered in their homes to cover "Times Like These" as a response to the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic. BBC Radio 1 organized the event, calling it "the biggest ever Live Lounge." The Live Lounge Allstars version was released on April 23, 2020, with all profits going to charities.

The Live Lounge Allstars version spent a week at #1 on the UK singles chart, becoming the first ever Foo Fighters song to reach the summit in the UK.
The Foo Fighters performed "Times Like These" during a Celebrating America concert special in honor of Joe Biden's inauguration as the 46th President of the United States. After being introduced by Mackenzie Adams, a Washington elementary school teacher, Dave Grohl cited the lessons he learned from his teacher mom and from Dr. Jill Biden, before dedicating the song to America's educators. "This year our teachers were faced with unprecedented challenges, but through dedication and creativity, they faced those challenges head on," he said. "So this next song is for Mackenzie and all of our unshakable teachers that enlighten our nation's kids every day."
A young Nick Raskulinecz produced the song. Grohl explained during an episode of Essentials Radio on Apple Music that he recruited the wrong Nick. He intended to call former Queens of the Stone Age bassist Nick Oliveri to produce the song, but dialed the wrong number in his list of contacts and accidentally contacted Raskulinecz instead. "I knew him from Sound City, he's a great engineer" said Grohl of Raskulinecz. "He had worked at that studio for years."

Rather than admit he'd been looking for a different Nick, Grohl went ahead and asked him to helm "Times Like These." Raskulinecz eventually co-produced the One by One album and has since worked with the likes of Alice in Chains, Evanescence, Korn, Rush and Halestorm.
Before he was a major-label producer, Raskulinecz spent years at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles, making connections and recording local bands. He ran into Grohl, who had recorded there with Nirvana and loved the studio, and was invited to produce One by One in Grohl's Virginia home studio. The setup was humble: a 10-foot-ceiling room with a pole in the middle, bare walls, a rug under the drums, and late-night vocal sessions on a classic Telefunken U-251 mic. Raskulinecz said hearing the final record on the radio for the first time was life-changing, and it all started in a basement that "couldn't have been more random."

Comments: 28

Rickske from Ann ArborSeems lost in time this was written for their first album after 9/11. Whether intended or not, it hit a nerve in the nation’s psyche coming back from that.
Nikola from Banja Luka, Bosnia And HerzegovinaIn the "Back and Forth' documentary, Dave said that Times Like These is a song about the 2-3 months that happened when Dave toured with Queens of Stone Age. They almost disbanded after their performance at Coachella, first night Dave was with Queens and the 2nd night with Foos. If I recall, after the 2nd night, aka Foo Fighters performance, Dave and Taylor took a walk and went down to Virginia to "just jam and see how it goes". Taylor was a bit upset/mad/pissed off at that time.
Jan from Washington., DcSimply brilliant! Hurting, hoping, healing, and happiness. Grohl is a genius.
Jamie from Manalapan, NjI just heard Glen Campbell, that's right Glen Campbell perform this song on Later....with Jools Holland. Wow! Great song performed by a legend. Blew me away!
Angela from Olmsted , IlThis song has got to be about the loss of somone and the strenght to come back to life it is so powerful and it is quickly becoming a new favorite, Grohl is a genius and its a privilage to have him on my Ipod : )
Lenny from Fort Lee, NjIt's a fantastic song, but I can't help but criticize that the end could've been wrapped-up faster. Great two verses and bridge, but the long outtro kills an otherwise perfect song. Amazing lyrics, vocals, and musicianship though. Thanks for a modern classic, fellas!
David from Syracuse, NyOne of their best efforts by far. Total commitment, and feeling to this song.
Who cannot listen and sing along to it? Only an idiot that is brainwashed by thug rap.
Grohl has got it, along with his bandmates. Keep it up, men. They have attained excellency in musicianship. God Bless these dudes.
Ashley from Cape May , Nji love the acoustic version the best. it gives the song more meaning
Carley from Edmonton, AbI want this to be my class's grad song.
Dave from Macduff, United KingdomSimply the best song ever written. Forget the who is best argument, this song is proof of the brilliance of grohl!!
Simon from London, EnglandI agree - pure genius.Very poignant to part of my life, dealing with breaking up, thinking its all over for you and then as time heals the pain - realising that you can live again, you can give and get again and you can love again. Wonderful tune
Kevin from Springfield, PaThe acoustic version is classic.
Myra from Chicago, IlThe acoustic version is pretty awesome, but the other version really makes me feel the music!
John from Hendersonville, NcI wish I could growl like Grohl. Sorry about that pun, but seriously this is one of the most amazing songs I have ever heard.
Kevin from Springfield, PaThis is an awesome song. It gives me hope
Kali from Van Nuys, CaThis song hits the Spot! Its mournfuL yet gives me Hope...Man this song is the ShizzzNit LoL!
I was at the 2006 Weenie Roast Y Fiesta for Kroq and Dave Came out...the whole night they were taLking about how they had a suprise performer but I had Nooo0o idea it was gonna be Him. I about Died! It was AMAZING! Foo Fighters aRe one of thee most amazing aRtists!
Nick from Arlington Heights, IlDave Grohl is right..this is by far the Foo's best song..inspirational
Simon from Ipswich, EnglandMe neither- can't understand why it makes me feel sad. DEFINITLY one of the Foos' best.
Karen from Radford, VaI find this song so sad and beautiful; I don't know why, but the lyrics make me sad. He sounds so mournful, particularly in the acoustic version, which is magnificent. Both versions are great, though.
Rohit from Mumbai, Indiai got the acoustic version ....and i wanna play it o my guitar ever since i got my hands on this beauty .....groooolll u make me droool
Kathryn from Harrogate, EnglandI love this song. And the acoustic version is really good--I recommend hearing it too, if you haven't already.
Doug from Balintore, ScotlandDustin - dave grohl didn't quit playing drums, he did an album for QOTSA on drums, recorded the drums for his first 2 albums and is going to be playing drums for Juliette and the Licks on her new album
Ellen from Graz, AustriaI really love this one. It's a perfect soundtrack for sitting in a park with your friends and really enjoy it. It's like a wake-up call for friendship, love and memorable moments and it encourages me to live my live the way I do.
Dustin from My Home, Ini dont see why dave grohl quit playin drums.
Becca from Hamilton, CanadaYou can't compare Nirvana to the Foo Fighters.
Donna from New Bern, Ncwhole Foo Fighters are nowhere near as good as Nirvana,they still are pretty kickass.
Ace from Ceasd, Mtwow, y is no one else writing anything about this song? its amaizng people should love FF theyre better than nirvana
Bavo from Oostrozebeke, BelgiumThis is a fantastic song! Especially the acoustic version, a touch of genius! There aren't many songs with such great lyrics!

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