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The Pretender (Foo Fighters song)

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This article is about Foo Fighters song. For other songs, see Pretender (disambiguation) § Music.

"The Pretender"
Single by Foo Fighters
from the album Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
ReleasedAugust 21, 2007
RecordedMarch–June 2007
GenreHard rock[1]
Length4:30
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Gil Norton
Foo Fighters singles chronology
"Miracle"
(2006) 		"The Pretender"
(2007) 		"Long Road to Ruin"
(2007)
Music video
"The Pretender" on YouTube

"The Pretender" is a song by American rock band Foo Fighters. It was the first single from the group's 2007 album Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace. It is one of Foo Fighters' most successful songs; peaking at number 37 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (making it their third top-40 single), only "Learn to Fly" and "Best of You" beat its position on the Billboard Hot 100.

Composition

[edit]

Dave Grohl first showcased the song, which had the working title "Silver Heart", during pre-production of Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, but the song did not see much development. According to producer Gil Norton, "The chorus was there, but the verse and the middle hadn't been written. Not to mention the song was much slower." During a 10-day break from recordings in April 2007, Grohl listened to the monitor mixes and thought that the record needed another uptempo song, so he spent his time developing "Silver Heart". The band then recorded a demo for "The Pretender", which Norton approved, leading to the song getting a proper recording the following day.[2]

Grohl described "The Pretender" as "a stomping Foo Fighters uptempo song, with a little bit of Chuck Berry in it."[3] The song is written in the key of A minor and showcases the shifting dynamics which Grohl wanted to employ on Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, starting with a very stripped-down introduction, featuring soft guitar and vocals along with a small string section. Then comes an escalating hard rock sound, interrupted by breakdowns and escalations in the bridge, including a repeat of the intro. Mixing engineer Rich Costey stated that making all these dynamics work, as well as balancing the instruments, was challenging, as Grohl and drummer Taylor Hawkins always want more focus on their instruments. The amount of guitar overdubs also worried Costey – "The guitars on 'The Pretender' are quite full on, with countermelodies and so forth, and they all tend to be in the same range, so it gets quite dense. The challenge of this type of mix is to retain the power of the track, yet define a space for everything. Handling the guitar balance was a slight chore, and in comparison the drums and vocals were quite easy."[4][5]

Grohl has said that the Sesame Street song "One of These Things (Is Not Like the Others)" may have subconsciously influenced his writing of the song.[6]

Meaning

[edit]

In a 2007 interview with XFM, frontman Dave Grohl stopped short of explaining the meaning behind "The Pretender", but alluded its roots go to political unrest of the time it was written. Grohl noted: "That's the thing with lyrics, you never want to give away specifics, because it's nice for people to have their own idea or interpretation of the song. But, you know, everyone's been fucked over before and I think a lot of people feel fucked over right now and they're not getting what they were promised, and so something to do with that."[7]

Grohl also told XFM "The Pretender" was not initially planned for the album and happened really quickly:

That song didn't happen until later on in the session. We didn't go into making the record with that song and it happened after we recorded a lot of stuff. Up until that point, I didn't know if we had a good opening song or not. So after we recorded it, I thought, "oh this is perfect, we have the song to open the record," and it just became everybody's favorite song. ... It's the type of song that I look forward to opening shows with and it came together really easily... We put that song together in, I don't know, a day, whereas a lot of the other songs we worked on for weeks.[7]

Personnel

[edit]

Personnel adapted from Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace liner notes[8]

Foo Fighters
Additional Personnel

Reception

[edit]

This song was number 47 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.[9] The song was a 2008 Grammy Award nominee for Best Rock Song and Record of the Year. It won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance the same year. This song was also number 94 on MTV Asia's list of Top 100 Hits of 2007.[10] The music video was nominated for a 2008 MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video, but lost to Linkin Park's "Shadow of the Day".[11]

This album was the fourth consecutive Foo Fighters album to have a song reach the top of the U.S. Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. "The Pretender" was the most densely played alternative rock song of 2007. It held the record for longest running number-one in the Modern Rock Tracks' history, beating a then-record of 16 weeks by Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Scar Tissue", Staind's "It's Been Awhile", and Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", with 18 weeks at number one, until Muse's "Madness" reigned for 19 weeks in 2012–13,[12] but that later got eclipsed by Portugal. The Man's "Feel It Still" in 2017 which spent 20 weeks at the number-one spot.[13] In late 2023, for the chart's 35th anniversary,[14] Billboard placed "The Pretender" at number seven on its ranking of the top 100 alternative hits in the chart's history.[15] It also spent six weeks at number one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It made the Triple J's Hottest 100 in Australia, placing in at number five.

Music video

[edit]

The music video was directed by Sam Brown. It is presented in letterbox format and heavily employs pans, zooms, and tracking shots. It consists of the band performing the song in an airplane hangar with many strip lights on the ceiling. Behind the band is a large red screen, which is thick and solid. The band is then faced by what appears to be a riot police officer, who stands behind a black line in front of the band. As the song progresses, he is joined by more riot police officers who line up at the same black line. Panning left-to-right across this lineup, each police officer is seen to have a number on his chest, which are in order counting down, hinting at a buildup toward the approaching climax. As the quieter bridge begins, the video slows down and the officers charge the band. Just as the band begins the song's louder chorus, the screen suddenly explodes and a red liquid erupts from it, overwhelming the police officers, but affecting the band to a lesser extent. At the end of the video, Dave Grohl is shown slamming his guitar on the floor as he falls to his knees. The visual effects in the video were done by Mechnology Visual Effects in Burbank, California.

As of August 2024, the song has over 579 million views on YouTube, making it the band's most-viewed video on the platform.

Track listing

[edit]
  1. "The Pretender"
  2. "If Ever"
  1. "The Pretender" – 4:31
  2. "Come Alive" (Demo) – 5:31
  3. "If Ever" – 4:15
  4. "Monkey Wrench" (Live from Hyde Park video) – 5:35
  1. "The Pretender"
  2. "Bangin'"

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[51] 6× Platinum 420,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[52] Platinum 40,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[53] Platinum 90,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[54] Platinum 50,000‡
Mexico (AMPROFON)[55] 2× Platinum 120,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[56] 3× Platinum 90,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[57] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] 2× Platinum 1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[59] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Releases

[edit]

The song was made available to download on May 10, 2011, for use in the Rock Band 3 music gaming platform in both Basic rhythm, and PRO mode which takes advantage of the use of a real guitar / bass guitar, along with standard MIDI-compatible electronic drum kits in addition to vocals. [60][61]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ George, Richard (November 11, 2009). "Foo Fighters Greatest Hits Review". IGN. Retrieved October 5, 2019. Most, like I once did, would try to define Grohl and his Foo companions (Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett) as strictly being hard rock. And with hits like "Pretender", "All My Life" and "Everlong", it's tough to argue that point.
  2. ^ Montgomery, James (February 8, 2008). "Foo Fighters' 'Pretender' Had To Hustle To Be A Contender: Behind The Grammys". MTV. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  3. ^ Cohen, Jonathan. "Foo Fighters Let It Rip On Sixth Album". Billboard.com. July 6, 2007.
  4. ^ Tingen, Paul (March 2008). "Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Rich Costey". Sound on Sound. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  5. ^ "Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Rich Costey". Soundonsound.com. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  6. ^ Golsen, Tyler (April 23, 2022). "The Foo Fighters song inspired by 'Sesame Street'". Far Out Magazine. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Foo Fighters On 'Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace'". xfm.co.uk. 2007.
  8. ^ "Echoes, Silence, Etc".
  9. ^ (December 11, 2007). "The 100 Best Songs of 2007" Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  10. ^ MTV Asia. "Top 100 Hits List" Archived December 22, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 27, 2007.
  11. ^ "2008 MTV VMA – Nominees – Best Rock Video". MTV. August 15, 2008. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  12. ^ "Muse's 'Madness' Rewrites Record for Longest-Reigning Alternative Songs No. 1". Billboard.
  13. ^ "Portugal. The Man's 'Feel It Still' Breaks Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 on Alternative Songs Chart". Billboard.
  14. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (September 7, 2023). "Alternative Airplay Chart's 35th Anniversary: Foo Fighters Remain No. 1 Act, 'Monsters' New Top Song". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  15. ^ "Greatest of All Time Alternative Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  16. ^ Columbia Records UK – Online Store Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ Columbia Records UK – Online Store Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ Columbia Records UK – Online Store Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ "Foo Fighters – The Pretender". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  20. ^ "Foo Fighters – The Pretender" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  21. ^ "Foo Fighters – The Pretender" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  22. ^ "Foo Fighters – The Pretender" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  23. ^ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  24. ^ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  25. ^ "CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock - Foo Fighters - Rescued" (in Czech). IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  26. ^ "Foo Fighters – The Pretender". Tracklisten. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  27. ^ Suomen virallinen lista (Finland's official list) - Latauslista (download list) - Foo Fighters - The Pretender ifpi.fi. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  28. ^ "Foo Fighters – The Pretender" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  29. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – The Pretender". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  30. ^ Arens, Bart; Kruize, Edgar; Adams, Ed (2013). Mega Top 50 presenteert: 50 Jaar Hitparade. Netherlands: Spectrum. p. 335. ISBN 9789000331000. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  31. ^ "Foo Fighters – The Pretender" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  32. ^ "Foo Fighters – The Pretender". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  33. ^ "Foo Fighters – The Pretender". VG-lista. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  34. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  35. ^ "Foo Fighters – The Pretender". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  36. ^ "Foo Fighters – The Pretender". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  37. ^ "The Foo Fighters – The Pretender – Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  38. ^ "Foo Fighters: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  39. ^ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  40. ^ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  41. ^ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  42. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  43. ^ "CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock - Foo Fighters - The Pretender" (in Czech). IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  44. ^ "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2007". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  45. ^ End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2007 officialcharts.com. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  46. ^ "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  47. ^ "Mainstream Rock Songs – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  48. ^ "Official Singles Chart : 2008" (PDF). Ukchartsplus.co.uk. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  49. ^ "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  50. ^ "Mainstream Rock Songs – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  51. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  52. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Foo Fighters – The Pretender". Music Canada. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  53. ^ "Danish single certifications – Foo Fighters – The Pretender". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  54. ^ "Italian single certifications – Foo Fighters – The Pretender" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  55. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved February 3, 2023. Type Foo Fighters in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and The Pretender in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  56. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Foo Fighters – The Pretender". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  57. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Foo Fighters – The Pretender". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  58. ^ "British single certifications – Foo Fighters – The Pretender". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  59. ^ "American single certifications – Foo Fighters – The Pretender". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  60. ^ Sliwinski, Alexander (May 6, 2011). "More Queen Tracks Coming To Rock Band 3". Joystiq. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  61. ^ Snider, Mike (June 10, 2010). "Rock Band 3: What's New, What's Notable". USA Today. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
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