Foo Fighters are previewing another fist-pounding plaything from their forthcoming Your Favorite Toy album, this time presenting a punky-but-poppy perseverance anthem called “Of All People.”
A press release explains that prior to the studio version hitting streamers today (April 10th), the Foos gave this one its live debut February 22nd during their surprise concert at Dingle, Ireland’s 80-cap St James’ Church.
The band define “Of All People” as an “early Hüsker Dü-esque rager,” and while it may not break any — ahem — land speed records, the tune is still a java-jolted bit of driving power chord punk, running a lil nasty in the verse before hitting a sweeter spot in the chorus.
Lyrically, Dave Grohl waxes on the surprise of running into an old acquaintance that had lived a rough life (“You know you should be dead/But you’re alive instead”). Grohl had explained earlier this year in an interview with the Guardian that the song arose “after bumping into a drug dealer from the Nineties that was getting everyone fucked up on heroin.”
“I hadn’t seen them in 30 years, and they’re alive, healthy and sober. I was so happy that this person survived, while at the same time, I was devastated, because of all of the people I know that we’ve lost to exactly that drug,” he said.
“I was so fucking angry, but at the same time so grateful to see them alive and well. Again, a conversation within myself, feeling so conflicted and divided.”
You’ll find a lyric visualizer for the song up above, and a live performance of the tune from the church down below.
As previously reported, Foo Fighters’ Your Favorite Toy — their 12th album overall — will be released April 24th via Roswell Records/RCA Records. The album was co-produced between Foo Fighters and Oliver Roman, and also features last summer’s “Asking for a Friend” single.
Foo Fighters perform at next month’s Welcome to Rockville festival, and also launch a North American arena in the summer with Queens of the Stone Age. You’ll find info on all of their upcoming dates here.