Dave Grohl Explains the Inspiration Behind Foo Fighters’ ‘Learn to Fly’ and ‘Everlong’
Story by Scarlett Hunter, photo by Ken Settle
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl is sharing the inspiration behind two of Foo Fighters biggest songs: “Learn to Fly” and “Everlong”
Dave Grohl is doing the media rounds in support of his recently released memoir, “The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music,” and the run landed him on daytime talk program “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” Speaking with the former “American Idol” champion, Grohl described the story behind Foo Fighters’ massive track “Learn to Fly.” According to Grohl, it’s simply about wishing he could be a pilot.
Clarkson brought up the lyrics to “Learn to Fly,” telling Grohl that she thought they were incredibly inspiring. She specifically mentioned the lyric, “Look to the sky to save me/Looking for a sign of life/Looking for something to help me burn out bright.” As it turns out, Grohl told Clarkson that the lyric wasn’t all that deep. In fact, it’s pretty literal.
“I don’t want to burst your bubble… at the time I wanted to become a pilot!” he said. “I wanted to learn to fly — I did! That’s it,” Grohl said. Clarkson seemed disappointed, so Grohl said, “I’m sorry. It’s what I’m talking about. I’m singing because I want to learn how to be a pilot. You’re singing because, ‘I’m so inspired by life’ and whatever.”
Clarkson went on to ask about the lyrics in “Everylong,” specially, “And I wonder, when I sing along with you, if everything could ever feel this real forever, if anything could ever be this good again.” She asked Grohl about the meaning behind those words, too.
“That was a long time ago,” Grohl said. “I was in love, and one of the things that I loved so much about this person was when we would sing together. It’s meant to sort of represent that moment — all moments are fleeting, but if you could be in that moment and you think if anything could be this good again.” He added that, “Music is meant to heal.”
Grohl’s new memoir debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times Best Sellers list. He even beat out former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, released her book, “I’ll Take Your Questions Now: What I Saw At The Trump White House,” the same day.
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