Dave Grohl Gets Choked Up During Foo Fighters ‘SNL’ Performance
H.E.R.’s energy and mastery during “The Glass” was just what Grohl needed to get through
In another first in the series of firsts since Taylor Hawkins’ death in 2022, Foo Fighters returned to SNL to perform two songs from their new album But Here We Are on SNL on Saturday, October 28, 2023.
Although Grohl’s performances, skit cameos, and band promos were upbeat and cheerful, he couldn’t hide his emotion during “The Glass.”
In a subtle nod to Hawkins, Christopher Walken introduced the first song, “Rescued,” with an emphasis on Foo FIGHTERS (IYKYK).
With new drummer Josh Freese leading the charge on drums, the band looked and sounded great. Grohl led an energetic and spot-on performance of the upbeat tempo song — masking its painful lyrics.
I fell in a trap
My heart’s getting colder
It’s coming on fast
It’s over my shoulder
Are you thinking, what I’m thinking?
Is this happening now?
Are you feeling, what I’m feeling?
This is happening now*
(*Lyrics from “Rescued”)
Later in the show, Grohl quietly started their second performance, with an unannounced H.E.R. joining the band on guitar and vocals, for “The Glass.”
Thank God she was there. Not only did she elevate the performance, but she rescued a shaky Grohl.
During the first few lines of the song, we watched a close-up shot of Grohl singing under a solo spotlight, with his eyes closed, voice cracking, and looking visibly emotional.
However, soon the lights came and the rest of the band chimed in with a surprise H.E.R. singing and killing it on guitar. As soon as Grohl turned his attention to her and locked in with her performance, he looked more like himself again — smiling, and like a weight had been lifted.
In fact, it worked so well that Grohl should consider including guests at every one of the Foo Fighters concerts to perform songs from But Here We Are, to help provide much-needed (emotional) support.
If you’re wondering how H.E.R. was chosen to perform, according to Spin Magazine, she has recently recorded a version of “The Glass,” which will be released soon.
Foo Fighters are in the middle of their first tour without Hawkins.
During a tour, it’s typical for artists to open shows with songs from their new album, and end with fan favorites. However, Foo Fighters are doing the opposite.
As discussed in the recent review of their October 4, 2023 show in Arizona, Foo Fighters have surprisingly designed their set list to begin shows with their highest energy song, “All My Life,” and end with the evocative “The Teacher.”
After seeing their performance on SNL, now it all makes sense.
It could be extremely painful for Grohl to perform songs from But Here We Are, and that’s why he’s leading with high-energy upbeat songs such as “All My Life.”
If that’s the case, then it also might be too soon for Grohl to be tackling such a huge world tour after such devastating recent back-to-back losses of Hawkins and his mother.
However, in the spirit of acknowledging that everyone handles grief differently, it appears that Grohl is trying his best to move forward in the only way he knows how — by focusing on releasing new music and performing shows.
Let’s just hope that he’s also taking care of himself and getting good grief support along the way.
Tammy Holzer is a freelance writer, music fanatic, writer/editor of Deep Rock Talks, and podcast co-host of Women of Rock. For more music interviews, stories, and articles, follow her on Medium.
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