Let It Die (song)
Encyclopedia
"Let It Die" is the fourth single from the Foo Fighters
' sixth album, Echoes, Silence, Patience, & Grace. It was only released as a promotional single
and no physical retail single was released. It was however available commercially as a digital downloadable single.
, and was placed on Radio and Records' Canadian Rock Chart, placing it at #1. It has entered the Modern Rock Tracks
chart in April 2008 and reached #1 for the week of August 2, 2008, which made "Let It Die" their seventh number one single on this chart and their 3rd straight #1 hit after "The Pretender" and "Long Road to Ruin
". It already charted #60 in Canadian Hot 100 and in Mainstream Rock Tracks where it peaks at #5. The single gave the Foo Fighters three songs in the Modern Rock Tracks' Top 20 simultaneously, making them one of five acts to ever accomplish that feat (the others being R.E.M.
, U2
, Red Hot Chili Peppers
and Kings Of Leon
). When "Let It Die" became the third song from the album to reach the top of the chart, it made Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace the ninth album in history to achieve the feat.
In July, the song managed to chart in Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
at #6 becoming the first third single for a record of Foo Fighters to achieve that.
for the song was shot on May 18 in Los Angeles
, directed by Martin Fougerol
(U2
, The White Stripes
, Wolfmother
). The video was due to premiere on MTV's TRL in June 2008 but failed to appear, and the video never ended up being released.
Fuse
has aired a live version from the band's 2008 performance at Madison Square Garden
. The performance originally aired as Fuse Rocks the Garden: Foo Fighters.
All songs by Foo Fighters, except where noted.
Further speculation leads to Grohl's forbearance between Courtney Love, and Cobain's relationship, drug use, and financial arrangements.
Grohl indirectly admitted to the song being about Courtney Love
in an interview in 2007.
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
' sixth album, Echoes, Silence, Patience, & Grace. It was only released as a promotional single
Promotional recording
A promotional recording, or promo, is an audio or video recording distributed for free, usually in order to promote a recording that is or soon will be commercially available...
and no physical retail single was released. It was however available commercially as a digital downloadable single.
Chart success
The song has had good radioplay in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and was placed on Radio and Records' Canadian Rock Chart, placing it at #1. It has entered the Modern Rock Tracks
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
chart in April 2008 and reached #1 for the week of August 2, 2008, which made "Let It Die" their seventh number one single on this chart and their 3rd straight #1 hit after "The Pretender" and "Long Road to Ruin
Long Road to Ruin
"Long Road to Ruin" is the second single from the Foo Fighters' sixth studio album Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace . The music video was released on November 1, 2007, with the single released on December 3, 2007...
". It already charted #60 in Canadian Hot 100 and in Mainstream Rock Tracks where it peaks at #5. The single gave the Foo Fighters three songs in the Modern Rock Tracks' Top 20 simultaneously, making them one of five acts to ever accomplish that feat (the others being R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
and Kings Of Leon
Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion, Oklahoma but formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Anthony Caleb Followill , Ivan Nathan Followill and Michael Jared Followill Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion,...
). When "Let It Die" became the third song from the album to reach the top of the chart, it made Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace the ninth album in history to achieve the feat.
In July, the song managed to chart in Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100...
at #6 becoming the first third single for a record of Foo Fighters to achieve that.
Music video
A music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the song was shot on May 18 in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, directed by Martin Fougerol
Alex and Martin
Alex and Martin were a music video directing duo consisting of Alex Courtes and Martin Fougerol. They directed several music videos with artists such as The White Stripes and U2....
(U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, The White Stripes
The White Stripes
The White Stripes was an American rock band, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The group consisted of the songwriter Jack White and drummer Meg White . Jack and Meg White were previously married to each other, but are now divorced...
, Wolfmother
Wolfmother
Wolfmother is an Australian rock band from Erskineville, Sydney. Formed in 2000, the group was originally a trio composed of vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett. Wolfmother released their self-titled debut album in October 2005,...
). The video was due to premiere on MTV's TRL in June 2008 but failed to appear, and the video never ended up being released.
Fuse
Fuse TV
Fuse is an American national television network dedicated exclusively to music. It features original series and specials, exclusive interviews, live concerts and video blocks....
has aired a live version from the band's 2008 performance at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
. The performance originally aired as Fuse Rocks the Garden: Foo Fighters.
Track listing
The single has currently only been released as an iTunes exclusive digital download, listed as a Digital EP.All songs by Foo Fighters, except where noted.
- "Let It Die" - 4:05
- "Keep the Car RunningKeep the Car Running"Keep the Car Running" is a song by Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire. It is the second single released from the band's second album, Neon Bible in the UK . This song was #22 on Rolling Stones list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007...
" (Arcade Fire cover) - 3:25 - "If Ever" - 4:14
- "Come Alive (Demo Version)" - 5:30
Meaning
The song's meaning was hinted in a Canadian Television interview. It was mentioned that it was about personal fights between people, and those people breaking apart, and that the fights are meaningless overall.Further speculation leads to Grohl's forbearance between Courtney Love, and Cobain's relationship, drug use, and financial arrangements.
Grohl indirectly admitted to the song being about Courtney Love
Courtney Love
Courtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
in an interview in 2007.
Chart positions
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100... |
6 |
| Canadian Hot 100 Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007... |
58 |
| Canadian Rock Chart | 1 |