What Makes This Song Great? "The Pretender" Foo Fighters

In todays episode of "What Makes This Song Great? Ep79" we again explore the music of Foo Fighters.
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[@MaxLeGrand33]

Rick, you're the music teacher we all wish we had in high school.

[@FezMan94]

I know what you mean. I hated learning anything to do with theory in school, the guy that taught it just bored me. Rick makes me actually want to understand it

[@FezMan94]

Gotta say I've loved this song since it came out, the way the bass and drums build through the break and feed into each other was always my favourite part

[@Cornchps827]

So true, I’d be way more ahead in my music knowledge.

[@tomseiple3280]

For real!

[@MaxLeGrand33]

@@hazardeur Oh, so would I. I was saying the kids would love him.

[@eight433]

Rick is my go-to guy when I want to hear a 4 minute song explained in a 22 minute video. Best content on KZbin!

[@DivaInTheWoods]

Right?! I usually look for the shortest info videos. Here, I want the extended version!

[@louislaz]

“That’s why it’s called a chorus” Aaaaand, he blew all of our minds.

[@patrickkelcey2435]

Isn't music awesome.

[@djkairos4667]

chorus comes from the same greek word that "choir" comes from: choros, which means people singing together in harmony

[@SLYSTARx]

Was gonna post this!

[@andrewpmale]

Uh, yeah...that below my mind

[@FernandoHaddadMinistro]

I was about to comment the same!!!!!

[@edergarza8092]

RIP Taylor Hawkins, he truly was a monster drummer.

[@Inpatientsnake]

Wasn't even the best drummer in the Foo Fighters. Dave plays drums on Everlong too.

[@Traumglanz]

@@Inpatientsnake There is always a bigger fish, sometimes even in your own band, but I loved him AND Taylor was great on vocals too. So who cares if I like Dave on drums more, I never had to complain about Taylor either. Grohl is just a monster among monsters.

[@jeffreybutts1916]

Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins made the band. He can't be replaced. It still makes me sad to hear Foo Fighters.

[@christinaoconnell3226]

@@Traumglanz well, put - feel same.

[@mpsmith47304]

Still can't believe he's gone. :(

[@backspace3111]

This is such an iconic song. I don't think Taylor Hawkins gets enough credit for his drumming in general but specifically on this song

[@twitch043]

Taylor's such an unbelievably good drummer and I really feel like the last 2 Foo records he hasn't done as much interesting things as he used to, the same with Nate's bass playing. Nate's bass on There Is Nothing Left To Lose is SO good.

[@lukethomson741]

Benjamin Campbell Yh especially on songs like next year where the bass dances underneath the guitar

[@dexta32084]

Taylor’s drumming is so similar to Dave’s it’s no wonder Dave finally picked him to join the band.

[@alexsurles]

Taylor is a much better drummer than Dave. He would have to be or he wouldn't have stayed in the band. It's Dave's band, but yeah Taylor is the better drummer.

[@GroundbreakCreative]

If you’re good enough to drum for Dave Grohl.....

[@JoelEmberson]

Me: No WAY am I watching a 21 minute video about a 5 minute song! That's going to be so long and boring. Me, 21 minutes later: Subscribed and re-watching

[@flashpeter625]

I used to listen to this particular song on repeat for a lot longer than 21 minutes at a time. It is plenty good for 21 minutes or more :)

[@dandann8237]

Exactly my thoughts

[@sigoy]

Welcome

[@scottsmithut]

Right? Watched it 4 times now. His Everlong breakdown is great too!

[@riverriverchang5487]

That’s exactly what I did lol

[@Loganritchie101]

You definitely should do “Rope” as a foo fighters #3 That songs got a lot happening

[@mafiajams]

Logan Ritchie That song used to torture me on where the 1 is for years

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

@@mafiajams It's so great. I remember hearing Dave say he didn't expect everyone to love it as much as they did. He's like, "That's like some weird prog song in an odd time signature, that's not supposed to be the song that everyone loves, but it was."

[@olivercalland1470]

THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN

[@phillholbrook9515]

Rick plz

[@rloasby]

Yeah I was hoping for Rope personally! Then he can pick apart the Neil Peart ride bell pattern in the chorus' too

[@kingloser4198]

Dave "I don't know anything about music theory" Grohl... Mhmmm, sure.

[@jwlycra]

I think Gil Norton may have had a bit of input there as well.....?

[@MissBlynn66]

Rick said on a video about Smells Like Teen Spirit in regard to Kurt, that it doesn’t matter if a person knows what they’re doing or it, if they can still do it intuitively.

[@kingloser4198]

@@MissBlynn66 With powerchords and one guitarist, sure. After that it starts to become more necessary. Also, maybe the others in the band know it and give Dave insight too. The first Foo's album was all Dave.

[@mollyhannah2003]

Never thought about how a drummer's timing translates into their guitar playing.

[@DylanHutto]

Dave also talks about in an interview that he looks at the guitar like a drumset, the E and A strings are the bass drum, the D and G are the toms, and the B and e are the cymbals

[@commitdubs]

@@DylanHutto wow, why no snare drum?

[@DylanHutto]

D and G might have been the snare, I don't remember exactly

[@rome8180]

I know a guitarist who plays for a VERY famous pop musician. He told me learning to play drums had a bigger positive impact on his guitar playing than anything else.

[@pringelsthegamefreak]

@@DylanHutto That is amazing

[@fredzeppelin3969]

"Ladies and gentlemen . . . . Foo FIGHT-ers!" -Christopher Walken, SNL

[@andiparker3733]

🤣🤣

[@LittaDNB]

Hahaha

[@tanvarma4169]

I'm surprised foo fighters aren't chinese

[@whyllian1234]

The Everlong episode made that song be my most played on Spotify in 2019. I can't unhear the girl singing with the guitar now. It made me appreciate a song that I already loved even more. Artists or the people in charge for the decision of blocking or demonetising videos for containing the song on them, specially on high quality videos are such as this series are idiots and they don't even realize it.

[@aprilkurtz1589]

The girl was Louise Post from Veruca Salt.

[@smokesgtp]

Everlong was their best song that was a hit IMO.

[@whyllian1234]

@@smokesgtp I kind think that too. I do like The Pretender A LOT if we're talking about the most mainstream songs. But for the life of me I just tune out anytime I here Times Like These and Best of You. GREAT songs but I guess I just heard them a few hundred times too many. That been said I just can't see that happening with Everlong. No wonder they finish shows with that for quite some time now.

[@terepk]

whyllian1234 same, I sing the dadada dada da dadada

[@KSeguraR]

I couldn't agree more!!

[@rva]

Absolutely fantastic song. You rock 👏👍

[@neeshandsouza9361]

I recognize you

[@troymcgrew9822]

I saw an interview with Grohl where he said when he learned to play guitar, he treated it like a drum set. Low notes are kick and toms, high are snare and cymbals. If you really listen to his riffs you’ll hear it.

[@patrickkelcey2435]

We've all come a long man... And isn't he great. You can trust me when I say this... I love music.. The

[@johnnytransam5894]

Rick: So you’re getting a first inversion D major Me: Right...yeah, of course. I mean I think we all picked up on that

[@thombendtsen399]

😂🤣

[@johnnytransam5894]

@Alexandru Vaduva I wish you could have heard how hard my eyes “clacked” when I rolled them to the side.

[@TobascoJake]

Taylor “Fast caveman drumming” Hawkins

[@lisafanninghowe]

"Taylor Hawkins is a monster.".... Love it!

[@heathdaemon2763]

people under-estimate a good cave man drum part. simple but highly effective

[@matthewquatroche3872]

It has to be Grohl on this song. Hawkins has talked about setting aside your ego in the studio when you have one of the best rock drummers of all time sitting there. And Norton Is the producer who asked Grohl re-record all of the drums on the Colour and the Shape. Circumstantial evidence leads me to Dave recording this song. Hawkins is awesome, but this drumming is way too Grohl-like.

[@airwindows]

@@matthewquatroche3872 Not convinced. I mean, Grohl and Hawkins sometimes collaborated on songs IN the studio, on video and everything. And the style is definitely Grohl-y. But I'm just not convinced: to me it feels like Taylor Hawkins and his very loud but lighter touch, playing a Grohl-ish part. You can set aside your ego by asking the great drummer (leading your band) how you should support this song, and then try to do it like he'd do it. The thing is Taylor is just as good a drummer in his own way, and on The Color And The Shape Dave did a lot of damage to his own band doing that AND the Foo drummer at the time was not as good as Dave/Taylor. And who is?

[@victoriapraechter459]

@@matthewquatroche3872 Check out their performance of this song on Letterman in 2008. Then, say that it's not Hawkins. No doubt, that is Taylor.

[@martymcflyinc.7433]

Rick, you really need to have a session with Dave! God, that would be an amazing video!

[@brianoconnor7796]

I SO AGREE

[@DivaInTheWoods]

Would that not be absolute perfection!? This needs to happen!!

[@nestoreleuteriopaivabendo5415]

Up!

[@DavidLaun]

Oh yes pleeeeeease

[@Nick-jy4zf]

i cannot believe how good the drum tracks sound soloed. damn.

[@SimonMDavis]

Taylor Hawkins is the best possible drummer they could've brought in

[@mattgilstrap7295]

No joke. That is some seriously awesome drumming and mix.

[@TheXPower98]

You can't expect anything less from Dave Grohl's band haha

[@nathantl2070]

This is literally quality content it’s family friendly, educational, Rick is the coolest guy ever and has a respect for all genres instead of singling one genre out. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@natwally7869]

Rick and the Foo. My day just got better. Wow. Started watching when views were at 97. Vid ends after 21 mins and views at 3K and rising! Rick's face from about 17.40 when talking about the drum fills is just gold.

[@jamalovsky72]

I agree: Rick's facial expression is priceless. The expression of a true FAN of good music!

[@nathandosch2503]

I love it when Rick isolates the great drum fills and air drums along with it. He’s like a kid in a candy store. Thanks Rick, you’re the best man!!!

[@cedon490]

I love this guy. The way he explains every detail of each section with passion and precision and the amount of musical knowledge he has ... Man..Rick definitely needs more credit in the music industry. He is an inspiration for sure.

[@Maxarcc]

I love how Rick becomes more and more enthousiastic as the song progresses.

[@NicoleKrawczyk]

That song is like caffeine straight into the veins! I also got more enthusiastic. :D

[@youreallygotmenow4855]

@@NicoleKrawczyk It's funny you say that 'cause Dave is notorious for being a total 'coffeeholic'. One time he even got hospitalized due to a caffeine overdose! I think you can literally 'feel' the caffeine in his music!

[@lidiagoldberg72]

@@youreallygotmenow4855 I know😁 I wrote that comment after a re-watch of FRESH POTS! 😁

[@TokyoBlue587]

His enthusiasm and love for rock is why I love these videos!

[@ridesq]

We all should have such passion and excitement about something like Rick does.

[@ProbablyNot1121]

Rick, I beg you to do a video of Taylor Hawkins. You always have the best insight in music and he is such a legend. His loss is felt in our hearts all over the world. His heart, his smile, his music, his soul. Just everything. I know you could do him justice. 🖤🖤

[@jamalovsky72]

Dave Grohl and the Foos are the last of a (sadly) extinct brand: a mainstream big guitar-based band; unabashedly melodic, unashamedly rocking, unwaveringly cool. This type of music still lives on, but it is conspicuously receding from the mainstream. The Foos are the last. Thanx for highlighting this track, too: I spent many a night listening to this on repeat, ad nauseam :)

[@lordythegreat88]

Will be interesting to see if the Chili Peppers go back to a louder more raucous guitar sound now that Frusciante is returning. He has been doing a lot of EDM stuff but maybe this is his return to rock music.

[@JohnAugustine-Music]

Nothing But Thieves, Tame Impala, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Muse, Royal Blood... I absolutely agree that it is fading from the mainstream, but I don't think that's a bad thing. When has jazz seen the most innovation? In the underground. Lo-fi jazz/hip-hop never would've happened, and certainly would never have come back into the mainstream, without the "death" of club-style brass and piano jazz. Rock and jazz aren't dead, they've just changed shape.

[@CourtTV.]

Muse

[@soycharliewhite]

I don't think Muse is doing this type of music anymore. I still can't enjoy their last album

[@jimchesnutt7879]

@@JohnAugustine-Music I was going to say, Muse, Royal Blood, Artic Monkeys... there are still bands carrying the big guitar flag.

[@Rob_Houser]

I'd like to see just 1 "Why this song stinks". But do it in a classy way. What's wrong with it from a professional ear?

[@ozzyisdrunk]

Pick any nirvana​ song​ lol

[@unkybadtouch5707]

Good idea but too much content. Rick is too good a musician to waste his time on shyte. He wants to talk about the good stuff. The man has but one life to live and also, no one wants to dissect Nickelback. Great idea for a channel though. Yeeowzers with Houser, Why this song sucks.

[@vdel7418]

Frownland by Captain Beefheart. First track of Trout Mask Replica

[@stefantervoort475]

Well, watch his top 10 from Spotify. There he more or less does it.

[@ieuanphillips4963]

@@ozzyisdrunk Rick likes nirvana though

[@Scratch_Monsters_Golf]

Beato + Foo Fighters = A Like before even watching the damn video

[@raycarter6770]

so true

[@BenODen]

My mind is blown by the intensity of this song everytime I listen to it. , Hearing it broken down, it's like a checklist of awesome; drums yep, bass yep, guitars, check, omg those vocals. This is a full package song from beginning to end.

[@Boddissatva]

Dave’s voice is a force of nature.

[@DougMcMillan]

I think he's going to end up up there with Daltry and Plant. for me.

[@jigmedorjeyoung]

Let it Die off the same album also supports your idea of Grohl’s time sensé as a guitar player. And that song is also devastating.

[@satanicpunker182]

Well, I've said this before and I'll say it again: Rick's air drumming gives me life.

[@kylejohnson6]

I'm heartbroken... One of the greatest rockstars and humans in the industry. RIP Taylor Hawkins, you'll live on forever.

[@jeffreybutts1916]

And it's sad they claim OD when he had myocarditis, a side effect of the thing that can't be talked about.

[@SPLEclipse]

Dave Grohl: AND WHOOOOO.... ARE YOUUUU Rick Beato: HI it's Rick Beato here

[@mchurch72]

...didn't care for "the pretender" and then I saw this video - now I love that song. What kind of sorcery is this?

[@ddogg14]

I didn't like it either. I think that's owed to the fact that it came on every five minutes on every alternative rock station, and the yelled-chorus vocals don't sound great on car speakers. A shame; we were missing out on a great song

[@bullhornzz]

Rick waved his hand in front of your face in a slightly circular motion and said "This IS the song you're looking for" You got Beato'd man. 🤷‍♂️

[@bullhornzz]

@@ddogg14 man radio ruins songs. 🤦‍♂️

[@Ndriana]

Rick even made me like Blink182 so, I mean...

[@TheIbemuntu]

Lol.

[@Sommertest]

The comparisons between Taylor’s and Dave’s drumming style is really interesting. Taylor has commented in the past about changing his style to be more like Dave’s.

[@1MrB]

Sesame Street- "One of these things is not like the other"....

[@ZachHouseZach]

Was just about to go sleep before my early meeting! Oh well - full screen yoooooo

[@andyracksthecams]

Ditto. On the Sony 48"

[@andyracksthecams]

@Charles H Geis IV Sorry, it is a 49"

[@KnockbackZero]

Do Reptilia by the Strokes!!! Or something from Is This It

[@nylemurad3440]

Yes please ^^^

[@carlyshay9216]

im still waiting

[@bderrick4944]

Yes rick needs to get on it with the strokes

[@realCaptainSanta]

Love this song but every time I hear it I think of the old Sesame Street "One of these things is not like the other..."

[@nathanielsisson6586]

Captain Santa me too

[@SaltpeterTaffy]

What I would give to see Dave Grohl on Sesame Street doing exactly that in the style of The Pretender.

[@realCaptainSanta]

@@SaltpeterTaffy YES!!!!!

[@emiliomontesdeocagonzalez681]

Somewhere I read that he actually got inspiration of That

[@andrewwilks2700]

LOL, glad to know I'm not the only one!

[@shinjial]

They’re just a killer rock band. There’s a lot of common tricks between their songs, but they make very effective use of every tool at their disposal. Also, matching Dave Grohl’s drive tone in his voice is soooo hard, it’s uncanny really.

[@brandonkreinhop359]

I thought I was emotionally ready to watch this video by now. I am not. R.I.P. Taylor Hawkins.

[@lucaschacon8362]

One of my favorite songs ever! Now some ideas for the next video: Foo Fighters - Rope Faith No More - Evidence Porcupine Tree - Trains Riverside - We got used to us Pineapple Thief - In exile Gustavo Cerati- Lago en el cielo Steven Wilson - The pin drop Incubus - The warmth Stone sour - Through the glass Tame Impala - The less i know the better Placebo - The bitter end Tears for Fears - Advice for the young at heart

[@SinuousGrace]

Here's one from me: Karnivool - Deadman

[@DBSG1976]

I like to see that other people like "Rope", the song is criminally underrated.

[@Loganritchie101]

Rope would be unreal to see

[@stealthbastard8837]

Gustavo Cerati, nice choice

[@Mr1Tanker]

Rope would be awesome... my fave FF tune!!

[@mmazz30]

Rick, “What makes these songs great”......You do Rick, you do.

[@stulora3172]

Now that the Chili Peppers are once more how the creators intended, please do RHCP: Wet Sand

[@lordythegreat88]

My fave song of theirs. Never thought anything would beat I Could Have Lied or This Velvet Glove, but this has done it. Just perfection.

[@frankgile1996]

I'm still confused about recruiting Frusciante again... Was Josh tired and/or in need of a break? Did John realize he missed being in RHCP? Did RHCP get disappointed after their 2 albums with Josh and felt they needed John again? Was John disappointed by the success of his solo career and wanted to go back to RHCP hoping to "relive" his "golden days" with them (and did RHCP in turn take him in hoping the same thing for, well, RHCP's success in general)? This move makes no sense and tons of sense simultaneously and I genuinely have no idea how to feel about it...

[@bjnvrtv5488]

@@frankgile1996 it could be one, all or none of those reasons. I'd recommend just letting the excitement loose and not thinking about it too hard.

[@jcout25]

@@frankgile1996 It doesn't matter why it happened. It could have been mutual by all parties involved for all we know. It's not fair to assume they kicked Josh out. It's none of our business. What is our business is buying a new album of theirs if we're lucky enough to have the chance and then proceed to buy a ticket to their closest show and enjoy the hell out of it. I've seen a show from every album tour since BSSM. The Getaway tour was my 3rd favorite show I've seen of theirs (Coachella 2007 #1). Josh filled a hell of a hole and did an amazing job. For whatever reason he's no longer in the band and we know that his replacement is somebody who is fully capable. I'm very excited.

[@mrpeanutbutter6817]

@@frankgile1996 Personally, though not my favorites, i enjoy the albums with josh quite a lot, but i feel exactly the same. What motivated this? I don't think it was just John going "Hey, can i come back?" and they then firing Josh, but who knows what went on...

[@yanaysova5782]

Rick's air drumming is the best thing ever !

[@brianoconnor7796]

Absolutely lol

[@gcapeletti]

I think it's such a Beatlesy song at its core. Not only similar sounding, but structurally also. Great stuff.

[@AutoPilotgogogo]

Yes yes yes. Love how excited Rick gets, especially with Taylor’s drum fills. The Foos manage to be hard, yet melodic and rhythmic and complex, with great contrasts of shade and light, holding back then accelerating full force. Dave is a casual genius.

[@t.sewell1513]

All my Life is excellent as well.

[@VreyIsGrey]

I second this.

[@RockhoundBlack]

I’d love to watch Rick analyse that song!

[@mylestate]

Since my twins are currently on home-schooling because of COVID, I have made sure to include these videos in their curriculum...they're 6 y/o. lol

[@RRSmurf]

Parenting done right.

[@anitahk787]

Same with my 6 y/o twins and their 8 y/o brother. :D

[@annala2956]

Got a notification about a “What Makes This song great”! Happy squeals ensued.

[@rooster1737]

Opening absolutely sounds like a "Stairway to Heaven" influence.

[@Larweigan]

Yeah, I think what makes me love this song is how it subtly evokes so many different feelings, the riff in the interlude for instance feels like some classic rock track. The "who are you" part has to be a not so subtle reference as well

[@aiden_macleod]

Beatles' I Want You (She's So Heavy).

[@mmgw2791]

True! I also caught that influence in the chord progression at the start of their The Sky is a Neighborhood

[@tylerdurden1530]

I don't believe that. It's just an A Minor arpeggio, it can sound like a lot of things in that very least part

It's sounds much more Beatles to me.

[@RC32Smiths01]

The Pretender is their most resonating and iconic song for me! Of course they have countless classics, a staple of modern rock indeed! Glad to see them again dissected with great analysis

[@sadman5916]

For me its everlong.

[@Zetasphere]

@@sadman5916 Strong agree from me. If there is a rock Mt Rushmore of the past 25 years, Everlong is on it. But damn if Foo Fighters aren't one of the greatest rock bands in history!

[@RC32Smiths01]

@@sadman5916 Everlong is definitely a must as well

[@deannaromano]

I'm glad you picked The Pretender, Rick. Foo Fighters have a great body of work to choose from but Pretender is really an exceptional Foo Fighters song. Just incredibly powerful. I know it's great! You educate us as to why. Thanks for that.

[@ShaunHensley]

The last Rock band

[@gabrielromero1621]

Rick “It’s Just So Killer” Beato

[@gadilending2200]

Rick "in the pocket" beato

[@Larsykfz303]

its 2am coming home from a party, i have school tomorrow and i still watch this before sleeping..

[@Nuttobotter]

Fast Caveman Drumming here - RIP Taylor, you will be missed :(

[@grilledspaghetti]

The rhythm section in that breakdown is incredibly surf rock. I've heard this a million times and never made that out because I was listening to the guitars. .

[@ryancousins2780]

In my opinion this is the most masterfully crafted pop rock song ever made.

[@captainhook6262]

Watch Rick's analysis of 3rd Eye Blind - Semi Charmed Life and then we can debate

[@martinlaferte]

Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace has an awesome production, Gil Norton is a damn genius

[@abrahamruiz8473]

Martin Laferte production yes, just wish some of the songs were better

[@martinlaferte]

Zen thanks for the correction!

[@guilhermecastro4553]

@@abrahamruiz8473 what songs for example ?

[@Haitchpeasauce]

Part of what makes Foo Fighters a favourite band of mine is how articulate and integrated the drums in the songs - the drums sing and have incredible tone in the mix. Grohl and Hawkins are great drummers.

[@matyvaskez]

Never thought about the chorus being named 'chorus' because of the voice double track in that part of the song. Thanks Rick.

[@zebra3stripes]

I always sing Sesame Street's "One of These Things Is Not Like the Others" to this tune.

[@SailingSarah]

🤣

[@brianoconnor7796]

Lol I've done that before too

[@mil182]

found this Channel with episode one. as blink is my favorite band, the algorithm put it in my recommendations. Been with the channel since. It’s become a part of my regular life but I don’t take your content for granted. Thank you much. These videos are amazing and are very much appreciated!

[@alvaroalonsorivera6676]

same story here, brother

[@italojunio5733]

Please, make a "Sultans of Swing" episode!!!!!!!!!

[@raycarter6770]

You know its getting good when Rick does the "hoooooooo!"

[@NikoBellicDigital]

Dave Grohl's singing is so criminally underrated tbh, and that last part was so powerful!

[@Hejirah]

yes

[@mikemcintosh9933]

Well if you like rock - hard to get much better than these guys

[@FrightboxRecording]

I agree! One of the greatest rock bands of all time in my opinion.

[@adampezzuolo5618]

17:45 Rick's face is the reason why these videos are so amazing

[@Priyadarshan_Nag]

Lol 😂 Absolutely!

[@jerryrod9]

I’d really love to see you dissect the Arctic Monkeys

[@bj0rnn0rgaard1996]

Jeremiah Rodriguez YES!!!

[@torjuni7562]

Jeremiah Rodriguez this

[@pink16420]

Took the words right out of my friend and i’s mouths

[@andrewring9999]

Please

[@TheFarbeys]

Literally

[@Joker-jt3vn]

There is so much going on in this song. It is so perfectly crafted. It’s like riding on a roller coaster. I had no idea how much was going on in the background to create this effect. Thanks for the breakdown.

[@coreymachowski4490]

Would love for you to do, Muse- Knights of Cydonia

[@RynoLeGrange]

RIP Taylor Hawkins

[@daviddwyer6824]

I feel like this is heavily influenced by his time hanging out with Josh Homme.. such a QOTSA sound

[@spellboundty]

Yeah but with less atmosphere and falsetto

[@daviddwyer6824]

@@spellboundty totally, but this track could almost have been straight off '...Like Clockwork' or 'Villains'

[@spellboundty]

@@daviddwyer6824 if I had to pick a QOTSA album that could have some sonic resemblance to The Pretender I certainly wouldn't pick one of those. I'd say possibly a couple songs off Songs For The Deaf. Go With The Flow maybe with the aggressive punk style downpicking guitar thing. Josh never really yells either.

[@daviddwyer6824]

@@spellboundty it's more the melody than the tone. Especially in the softer parts. But Grohl was the drummer on Songs for the Deaf, so that kinda fits.

[@adampecsek]

This is a good observation. This could fit right into Songs for the Deaf.

[@brenswen_]

RIP Taylor Hawkins 😞

[@ShaunHensley]

LOVE the FOO FIGHTERS!! How about some Violent Femmes?

[@TLMuse]

Grohl doubles his vocals so closely that he almost flanges against himself. Amazing. -Tom

[@manuelmartinducharne]

I always thought it was an effect on the vocals, that doubling is insanely tight

[@pink16420]

Manuel Martin doubling vocals is TIGHT

[@tristanbouchonnet1461]

And the face of Rick when Dave screams like hell for the last word is how we all reacted, right ?

[@sarajamus]

Let the Foo Fighters naysayers bow their heads in shame to the genius of Dave Grohl!

[@matthewbyrd398]

Anyone who naysayes them has zero taste in music.

[@cacacalr]

Thanks to Rick i have more appreciation for these songs. Also you should do Rope to it's amazing

[@Calibuckeye]

YES! YES! YES! Foos are my favorite band, and I have affection for all of their songs, but this one is so raw. Shiflett kills the solo.

[@diegombittencourt]

WMTSG = cavemen drum parts analysis

[@dabradguy]

Rick listens to music like football coaches watch football. Constantly rewinding and playing to understand what's happening on every level.

[@j-meister8710]

I've always appreciated the drums on this song and with the breakdown of each part, I appreciate it more. I love Taylor Hawkins random drum fills. The guitar playing in this song is also so bouncy.

[@Cook9698]

RIP Taylor😢

[@billnalder1017]

Producer- "you cant double a vocal track more than four times". Richard Carpenter- "Hold my beer!"

[@lucaschacon8362]

bill nalder Jacob Collier: “hold my mike”

[@AssortedBits]

Devin Townsend: "Hold this brewery"

[@brianmiller1077]

@@AssortedBits Enya's producers - "Hold Ireland for us"

[@coreywhitacre6581]

Holy chit , love these breakdowns. Didn’t think I could love this song more , but I do now! Talk nerdy to me!

[@godman75]

An amazing song from my favourite Foo Fighters album. I'm glad I could hear the brilliant bass during the bridge through your video. Also, Dave Grohl's isolated vocals are insane 😳

[@christinereichardt2554]

nice to listen to this after Taylor’s passing

[@davedecker1725]

Love your work!!! When are you going to take us through the ZAPPA WORMHOLE???????

[@thewaldfe9763]

Would be awesome! The ZFT was blocking and suing everyone in the past. It seems that things have changed a bit in the last couple of years though.

[@rloasby]

Yeah! Hit up the Vaultmeister, Rick!

[@lordythegreat88]

Bet it's one of the blockers, but here's hoping.

[@hellmau2352]

Hello Rick, I've been listening to this series for some time now and I am enjoying it whole lot. As a music lover and singer, theses videos are great fun. My main "criticism" if you'll allow me is to make the series fit more with the title you've chosen for it. While it's very informative as to the arrangements of the instruments, it's really more of a dissection of the song. I think we already know that the songs you are choosing to feature here are great songs. What I'd really want you to tell us is why the choices made by the artist, be it knowingly or instinctively make these songs different from other songs. What does makes them great songs compared to other songs, what might make them unique in some ways. Keep up the great work and merry Christmas!!

[@colesimmons6214]

I would love a breakdown like this of their song "Rope"

[@DavesCoverSongs]

I was ‘late to the game’ as Pretender was the first Foo Fighters song I really gave full attention to. Thanks Rick for uncovering all the layers of this amazing tune.

[@jrensh]

Every time I hear a song Rick has "what makes this..." I hear parts I didn't before. Truly makes like hearing it for the first time....again.

[@stumm_and_laut]

True. I hadn't noticed the bass part in the bridge

[@challenger4157]

JEFF RENSHAW this time it was the amazing vocal harmonies for me

[@mazely]

Now that you explained why "our" song is amazing my wife - who knows nothing about music - finally payed attention and understood why I get so enthusiastic about your videos!

[@schwastl1979]

You didn’t talk about Rami Jaffee’s organ and the cello!

[@juliansedor7101]

20:22 I love the look on Ricks face from how amazing the vocals are.

[@richardaaron4454]

I really wanted you to do Hero, for some reason that guitar is so catchy and I want to know why.

[@The_blindpizzaguy1300]

Richard Aaron The reason is because it takes a dissonant minor chord with the base, and then the guitars change it harmonically to a major. Which is what makes it feel so inspirational.

[@richardaaron4454]

Alex Williamson's blind adventures That makes sense. It’s extremely catchy but also does have that slightly minor sound to it. Thanks for replying.

[@postalchaos]

Rest In Peace Taylor. You will be truly missed.

[@lucaschacon8362]

I have the same reaction when I listen to those drum fills at the end, like “tadam dum badam dum taran tararan” 😂

[@philipmumford7871]

One of my all time favourite songs - there is so much going on to catch the ear - the changes in timing, the little guitar riffs that come and go, the changes in the feel as the song progresses, the vocals (how does he scream like that on tour?), the harmonies and I'm a singer and guitarist so I hadn't really picked up on the complexities in the drum part (thanks Rick)! - just epic. I guess there is a little "stairway" influence in there but its so different as to just be a nod to the song structure. Oh and I LOVE the ending - I'm always so pumped after listening to this!

[@tisbonus]

Damn nice analysis Rick. One of my favorites! Taylor doing his best Buddy Rich on the triple stop fill. so awesome! Thanks man!!

[@seancarryon5354]

The chorus timing is very deep example of prosity. He says "Not another ONE" when landing on the Four. GENIUS

[@fredriklkken8415]

what makes this song great: Mayhem Freezing Moon?

[@DBSG1976]

Great choice of a classic song.

[@alessandropieroni9051]

nothing?