Times Like These (song) - Misplaced Pages

"Times Like These" is a song by American rock band Foo Fighters. It is the fourth track from their fourth album One by One, and was released as its second single in 2003.

Composition

The lyrics discuss how Dave Grohl felt "like I wasn't entirely myself" during the three-month hiatus the Foo Fighters entered following the tense and unsatisfying first recording sessions for One by One, as well as his uncertainty about the future of the band. The lyric "I'm a new day rising" is a reference to the album New Day Rising by Hüsker Dü, one of Grohl's favorite groups.

"Times Like These" is in D Mixolydian mode and the section that begins at 0:13 is in 7/4 time. The chorus of the song is also grouped in bars of 3 rather than the regular bars of 4. The intro starts in 8/4 time for 4 bars, then switches to 7/4 for 8 bars and then 3 bars of 8/4 again before leading into the first verse, which is also in 8/4. It is set at 145 BPM.

After the album version ended its run on the charts, a solo acoustic version of the song performed by Grohl was released. The acoustic version had some success on pop and adult contemporary radio; generally, it enjoyed great success on rock and alternative radio just like the original electric version.

Music videos

Two music videos were made for the studio version of the song and a third music video was made for an acoustic version of the song. All three versions were made available via the DVD release "Low/Times Like These"(2003):

Version 1

Directed by Liam Lynch. The band is shown performing the song against changing backgrounds, consisting mainly of brightly colored kaleidoscopic forms similar to those found in music visualization, giving the video a psychedelic, hopeful, joyful mood. In the end, the backgrounds blink out to reveal that the band are performing against a greenscreen in a studio. This version is often referred to as the "UK version" and received little airplay in the US as the band ultimately opted to film another video shortly afterward.

Version 2

Directed by Marc Klasfeld. The video was shot on the Rainbow Bridge in Victorville, CA (15597 Mineral Rd, Victorville, CA) and shows the band performing the song on location, below and in front of a bridge. A girl wanders onto the bridge and eventually tosses her Game Boy Advance at them. Gradually, more and more people arrive at the bridge and start throwing other inanimate objects (including appliances, instruments, and furniture) behind and around the oblivious band members. The items never hit any of them, though they come close. The actions of the participants would suggest that their motivations and intentions are to cast off the material trappings of society which prohibit them from living freely.

Two cars (a Chevrolet Camaro and an MGB) are then simultaneously dropped off the bridge and behind the band, resulting in clouds of smoke and fire. This is followed by an entire house (only with walls and roof) being dropped onto the band by a crane, and the walls falling onto the ground without anyone getting hurt.

Some of the extras featured in the video were fans selected through the band's official web site.

Acoustic version

A music video was produced for the acoustic version. It consists solely of clips of Grohl recording the song's vocal, guitar, and piano tracks in the studio. It was co-directed by Grohl and Bill Yukich.

Live performances

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An acoustic version recorded on November 29, 2002 at the BBC Radio 1 studio during The Jo Whiley Show's "Live Lounge" segment was released on the Radio 1's Live Lounge – Volume 2 compilation.
A live version recorded on December 4, 2002 at the Oslo Spektrum in Oslo, Norway was released on the special Norwegian edition of One by One.
The band performed the song with jazz pianist Chick Corea at the 2004 Grammy Awards.
A live version filmed at Hyde Park on June 17, 2006 was released on the Live at Hyde Park DVD.
An acoustic version recorded in August 2006 at Pantages Theatre was released on Skin and Bones.
A live version recorded on July 7, 2007 at Wembley Stadium in London during Live Earth was released on the Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis CD.
A live version filmed at Wembley Stadium on June 7, 2008 was released on the Live at Wembley Stadium DVD.
The band performed the song live at the iPhone 5 launch event on September 21, 2012.
After Dave Grohl had broken his leg in 2015, and was unable to perform at Glastonbury Festival, Florence and the Machine stepped in for the Foo Fighters and sang a rendition of the song in Grohl's honor. The Foo Fighters later managed to perform the song at Glastonbury in 2017, opening their set and dedicated it to Florence Welch.
Foo Fighters performed the song for their second number during their 2020 appearance on Saturday Night Live.
Performed as part of the Celebrating America broadcast for President Joe Biden's inauguration celebration on January 20, 2021.
Performed as part of the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert on September 3, 2022, at Wembley Stadium. During the lyric, "It's times like these you learn to love again," Dave Grohl paused to collect his emotions.

In media

The acoustic version of this song was used in episode 20 of season 4 ("The Birth and Death of the Day") of One Tree Hill during the graduation scene, which is also when Haley's water breaks.

This is also used as the theme song for a video montage showing memorable past goals at Turf Moor for all of Burnley FC's home games from 2009 to the present.

It was used by George W. Bush for his 2004 re-election campaign without the band's knowledge. "That was weird," Grohl remarked. "And to me it just seemed like a pretty good example of how completely out of touch he was. You read those lyrics: they're about hope and love and compassion. And look at his administration: war and fear and death. It was laughable. You couldn't have picked a worse song. That's why I jumped on the John Kerry campaign. I thought, 'I guess the right thing to do is to go play the song where it's needed – where it makes sense.'"

The acoustic version was used at the end of episode 21 ("Coalition of the Willing") of the American television series Jericho.

The acoustic version was used by the Calgary Flames as their opening during the team's 2003–04 NHL season cup run.

It was released as a Rock Band and Rock Band 2 DLC track on Xbox Live and PSN on December 23, 2008.

It was featured in the 2003 film American Wedding.

The song has also been featured in the trailer for the 2006 sports-comedy The Benchwarmers.

The song and the acoustic version were both featured in the 2012 ESPY Awards in a montage to commemorate the past 20 years in sports.

The song was featured in the 2007 annual WWE Tribute to the Troops.

The Washington Nationals Radio Network plays part of the track as the bridge to the post-game show after any game the Nationals win.

The Seattle Kraken of the NHL use the song when they win games at Climate Pledge Arena.

Track listings

UK CD1

"Times Like These"
"A Life of Illusion" (Joe Walsh cover)
"Planet Claire" (The B-52's cover) (Live at New York City, New York, 31 Oct 2002 with Fred Schneider)

Enhanced Section ("Nice Hat")
Enhanced Section ("Back Slapper")

UK CD2

"Times Like These"
"Normal"
"Learn to Fly" (Live in Los Angeles, California, 22 Oct 2002)

Enhanced section ("Japanese Grunge")

Japan EP

"Times Like These"
"A Life of Illusion" (Joe Walsh cover)
"The One"
"Normal"
"Planet Claire" (The B-52's cover) (Live in New York City, New York, 31 Oct 2002 with Fred Schneider)
"Learn to Fly" (Live at Los Angeles 22 Oct 2002)

7" Vinyl

"Times Like These"
"A Life of Illusion" (Joe Walsh cover)

Personnel

Dave Grohl – vocals, rhythm guitar
Chris Shiflett – lead guitar
Nate Mendel – bass
Taylor Hawkins – drums

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2003)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)	22
Ireland (IRMA)	27
Netherlands (Single Top 100)	90
Scotland (OCC)	12
UK Singles (OCC)	12
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)	1
US Billboard Hot 100	65
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)	5
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)	5

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)	3× Platinum	210,000
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)	Gold	30,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)	Gold	15,000
United Kingdom (BPI)	Platinum	600,000
United States (RIAA)	Platinum	1,000,000
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Live Lounge Allstars charity single

"Times Like These"

Single by Live Lounge Allstars
Released	23 April 2020
Venue	Households of various artists
Length	4:16
Label	BBC Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Dave Grohl Taylor Hawkins Nate Mendel Chris Shiflett
Producer(s)	Fraser T. Smith (primary) Chris Price (executive)

Music video
"Times Like These" (BBC Radio 1 Stay Home Live Lounge) on YouTube

As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, BBC Radio 1 organised the "biggest ever" Live Lounge cover version as part of their Stay at Home project. The track was produced by Fraser T. Smith and was performed by the charity supergroup Live Lounge Allstars. Each member recorded and filmed their contribution to the song from their respective households in order to encourage social distancing. The song was released on 23 April 2020 and the video premiered as part of The Big Night In telethon. Among various charities worldwide, profits from the single will primarily go to Children in Need and Comic Relief, as well as WHO's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Within 12 hours of the song's initial release, it gained 43,000 digital downloads and entered the top 5 on the UK Singles Chart. The song reached number 1 on its second week, earning 66,000 chart sales (78% of which were downloads). This song also became the first song produced by BBC Radio 1 to top the chart, and the first BBC release to reach number one since "Perfect Day" in 1997. A lyric video of the cover version was released on 29 April 2020.

Artists

The song was performed by the following artists (in alphabetical order):

Vocals

Instruments

Ben Johnston (of Biffy Clyro) – percussion
Ben Thatcher (of Royal Blood) – percussion
Chris Martin (of Coldplay) – piano
Chris Wood (of Bastille) – glockenspiel
Dave Grohl (of Foo Fighters) – drums
Ellie Goulding – acoustic guitar
Fraser T. Smith – guitar, percussion, piano
James Johnston (of Biffy Clyro) – bass
Luke Hemmings (of 5 Seconds of Summer) – acoustic guitar
Sigrid – piano
Simon Neil (of Biffy Clyro) – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, violin
Taylor Hawkins (of Foo Fighters) – drums, percussion
Yungblud – acoustic guitar

Charts

Chart (2020)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)	39
Canada (Hot Canadian Digital Songs)	8
Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard)	2
Ireland (IRMA)	64
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)	15
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)	5
Scotland (OCC)	1
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	1
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)	12
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)	18
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)	31

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)	Silver	200,000
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Other notable covers

Glen Campbell recorded the song for his 2008 album Meet Glen Campbell.
Ryan Adams performed acoustic covers of the song during a 2008 tour of Europe, and has continued to occasionally cover it live both with a backing band and solo since.
R&B singer JoJo performed an acoustic cover on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge, playing the verses and chorus without the sections in 7/4 time.
American band Shinedown covered the song on their 2011 live album Somewhere in the Stratosphere.
Florence and the Machine performed a cover during Glastonbury 2015 as a tribute to the Foo Fighters, whom they'd replaced as headliners after Dave Grohl broke his leg.
Trance DJ and producer Ciaran McAuley recorded the song in collaboration with vocalist Roxanne Emery under their HØLY WATERS alias.

References

Moll, James (2011). Back and Forth.
Apter, Jeff (2008). The Dave Grohl Story. Music Sales Group. ISBN 978-0-85712-021-2.
"Modern Drummer: Hot Products! Great Gear For '03" (PDF). Modern Drummer: 99. June 2023.
"Official FooFighters.com news headline, "Wanna be in a Foo video?" (bottom of page)". Archived from the original on 17 October 2003. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
Doyle, Tom: "I wanted to take acid and smash stuff," Q #253, August 2007, p80
"Foo Fighters – Times Like These". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
"The Irish Charts – Search Results – Times Like These". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
"Foo Fighters – Times Like These" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
"Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
"Foo Fighters: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
"Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
"Foo Fighters Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
"Foo Fighters Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
"Foo Fighters Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
"ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
"Brazilian single certifications – Foo Fighters – Times Like These" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
"New Zealand single certifications – Foo Fighters – Times Like These". Radioscope. Retrieved 17 December 2024. Type Times Like These in the "Search:" field.
"British single certifications – Foo Fighters – Times Like These". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
"American single certifications – Foo Fighters – Times Like These". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
Carr, Flora (21 April 2020). "BBC Radio 1 to record "biggest ever" Live Lounge for charity". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
"BBC - BBC Radio 1 to record biggest ever Live Lounge for charity amid Coronavirus crisis, featuring Dua Lipa, Chris Martin of Coldplay, AJ Tracey, Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding, YUNGBLUD and more". BBC. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
"Music artists unite for Live Lounge charity single". BBC News. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
Rowley, Glen (20 April 2020). "Dua Lipa, Chris Martin to Cover Foo Fighters' 'Times Like These' for Charity". Billboard. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
Ainsley, Helen (24 April 2020). "Live Lounge Allstars charity single enters Top 5 just hours after release". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
^ Copsey, Rob (1 May 2020). "Radio 1's Stay Home Live Lounge single claims Number 1". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
"Live Lounge Allstars – Times Like These (Lyric Video – BBC Radio 1 Stay Home Live Lounge)". YouTube. BBC Radio 1. 29 April 2020. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
Copsey, Rob (23 April 2020). "Radio 1 unveil all-star Live Lounge charity single: Listen". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
"Times Like These (BBC Radio 1 Stay Home Live Lounge) on Tidal". Tidal. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
Reilly, Nick (23 April 2020). "Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins to join huge 'Times Like These' cover". NME. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
"Live Lounge Allstars - Times Like These (BBC Radio 1 Stay Home Live Lounge)". BBC Radio 1. YouTube. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
"Live Lounge Allstars – Times Like These (BBC Radio 1 Stay Home Live Lounge)" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
"Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales: May 9, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
"Live Lounge Allstars Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
"IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
"Tipparade-lijst van week 18, 2020" [Tip parade list from week 19, 2020] (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
"NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
"Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
"Times Like These | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
"Live Lounge Allstars Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
"Live Lounge Allstars Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
"Live Lounge Allstars Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
"British single certifications – Live Lounge Allstars – Times Like These (Bbc Radio 1 Stay Home)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2 September 2020.

v t e Foo Fighters
Dave Grohl Nate Mendel Pat Smear Chris Shiflett Rami Jaffee Josh Freese William Goldsmith Franz Stahl Taylor Hawkins
Studio albums	Foo Fighters The Colour and the Shape There Is Nothing Left to Lose One by One In Your Honor Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace Wasting Light Sonic Highways Concrete and Gold Medicine at Midnight But Here We Are
EPs	Five Songs and a Cover Songs from the Laundry Room Saint Cecilia Foo Files
Live albums	Skin and Bones
Compilations	Greatest Hits Medium Rare The Essential Foo Fighters
Videos	Everywhere but Home Skin and Bones Live at Wembley Stadium
Singles	"This Is a Call" "I'll Stick Around" "For All the Cows" "Big Me" "Alone + Easy Target" "Monkey Wrench" "Everlong" "My Hero" "Walking After You" "Learn to Fly" "Stacked Actors" "Generator" "Breakout" "Next Year" "The One" "All My Life" "Times Like These" "Low" "Have It All" "Best of You" "DOA" "Resolve" "No Way Back"/"Cold Day in the Sun" "Miracle" "The Pretender" "Long Road to Ruin" "Cheer Up, Boys (Your Make Up Is Running)" "Let It Die" "Wheels" "Rope" "White Limo" "Walk" "Arlandria" "These Days" "Bridge Burning" "Something from Nothing" "The Feast and the Famine" "Congregation" "What Did I Do? / God as My Witness" "Outside" "Saint Cecilia" "Run" "The Sky Is a Neighborhood" "The Line" "Shame Shame" "No Son of Mine" "Waiting on a War" "Making a Fire" "Love Dies Young" "Rescued" "Under You" "The Glass"
Other songs	"Friend of a Friend" "Marigold"
Concert tours	Wasting Light Tour Sonic Highways World Tour Concrete and Gold Tour Everything or Nothing at All Tour
Associated acts	Nirvana Late! Tenacious D Sunny Day Real Estate Germs Scream Probot Killing Joke Queens of the Stone Age Viva Death Nine Inch Nails Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders The Fire Theft Jackson United Me First and the Gimme Gimmes No Use for a Name Them Crooked Vultures The Birds of Satan The Wallflowers
Films	Back and Forth Sonic Highways Studio 666
Related	Discography Songs Awards and nominations Members 24 Hours of Foo Roswell Records Hail Satin
Category

v t e Children in Need
Telethons	2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020: The Big Night In 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Charity singles	"Almost Seems (Too Late to Turn)" (1985) "'Heroes'" (1986) "Perfect Day" (1997) "Especially for You" (1998) "Love Me" (1999) "Never Had a Dream Come True" (2000) "Have You Ever" (2001) "Don't Let Me Down" / "You and I" (2002) "I'm Your Man" (2003) "I'll Stand by You" (2004) "A Night to Remember" (2005) "Downtown" (2006) "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" (2007) "Do Ya/Stay with Me" (2008) "The Official BBC Children in Need Medley" (2009) "Love You More" (2010) "Teardrop" (2011) "Something New" (2012) "How Long Will I Love You" (2013) "Wake Me Up" (2014) "Take Me Home" (2015) "All We Needed" (2016) "Fields of Gold" (2017) "Love Is In The Picture" (2018) "Yellow" (2019) "Times Like These" (2020) "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" (2020) "Everywhere" (2021)
Related articles	Pudsey Bear Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall Children in Need Rocks Manchester Children in Need Rocks 2013 Comic Relief

v t e Chris Martin
Featured songs	"Do They Know It's Christmas?" (2004) "In the Sun" (2006) "Homecoming" "Halo" (2010) "Losing My Religion" (2012) "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (2014) "Heaven" "Times Like These" (2020)
Written songs	"See It in a Boy's Eyes" "All Good Things (Come to an End)" "Want" "Me and Tennessee" "Every Day's Like Christmas" "Homesick"
Related articles	Coldplay Global Citizen Festival Dakota Johnson Gwyneth Paltrow William Willett

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