Waiting on a War

"Waiting on a War" is a song by American rock band Foo Fighters. It was released as the third single off of their tenth album Medicine at Midnight.

"Waiting on a War"
Single by Foo Fighters
from the album Medicine at Midnight
ReleasedJanuary 14, 2021 (2021-01-14)
Recorded2019
GenreRock[1][2]
Length4:14
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett, Rami Jaffee
Producer(s)
Foo Fighters singles chronology
"No Son of Mine"
(2021)		 "Waiting on a War"
(2021)
Music video
"Waiting on a War" on YouTube

Background

The song was first released on January 14, 2021, as the third single from their tenth studio album, Medicine at Midnight, after "Shame Shame" and "No Son of Mine".[3] The date was chosen to celebrate frontman Dave Grohl's 52nd birthday.[3] The band debuted the song live on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on the same date.[4][5][6]

Themes and composition

Lyrically, the song was described as the Foo Fighters' modern approach to a "Give Peace a Chance" type song. with Grohl pondering the possibility of a dark future.[7] The lyrical content was inspired by bleak conversation Grohl had had with his own daughter Harper Grohl, in 2019,[8] which reminded him of his own worries about the world:

"Last fall, as I was driving my daughter to school, she turned to me and asked 'Daddy, is there going to be a war?'. My heart sank as I realized that she was now living under the same dark cloud that I had felt 40 years ago. I wrote "Waiting on a War" that day. Everyday waiting for the sky to fall. Is there more to this than that? Is there more to this than just waiting on a war? Because I need more. We all do.[7]

Grohl later explained that he himself had feared the effect of the Cold War while growing up in Washington DC.[9] Upon the completion of the song, Grohl felt it was one of the best songs the band had ever written.[10]

The song was described as an "acoustic-driven tune" and "aching ballad" that "explodes with rock fury in the home stretch".[1][9] Most of the song is composed primarily of Grohl singing over an acoustic guitar, bass, and drums, and strings, before building in intensity in its second half, and moving into an energetic, full-band rock sound with electric guitars for the last minute.[7][9] The song was noted to have a more traditional Foo Fighters sound than prior singles from the album.[7][10]

Reception

Rolling Stone singled the song out as the standout track on Medicine at Midnight.[11]

Personnel

Foo Fighters

Production

Charts
Chart performance for "Waiting on a War"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[12] 46
Canada Rock (Billboard)[13] 5
UK Download (OCC)[14] 56
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[15] 58
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[16] 8
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[17] 12
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[18] 18
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[19] 21
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[20] 40

References
  1. Trapp, Philip (January 14, 2021). "Listen to Foo Fighters' 'Waiting on a War,' a Song Written for Dave Grohl's Daughter". Loudwire. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  2. Breihan, Tom (January 14, 2021). "Foo Fighters – "Waiting On A War"". Stereogum. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  3. Hussey, Allison (January 14, 2021). "Listen to Foo Fighters' New Song "Waiting on a War"". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  4. Deriso, Nick (January 14, 2021). "Foo Fighters' New Single 'Waiting on a War' Ponders a Dark Future". Townsquare Media. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  5. Kohn, Daniel (January 14, 2021). "Foo Fighters Release 'Waiting on a War'". Spin. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  6. Ehrlich, Brenna (January 15, 2021). "Foo Fighters Debut 'Waiting on a War' on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  7. Kaufman, Gil (January 14, 2021). "Peace is the Only Answer on Foo Fighters Emotional 'Waiting on a War'". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  8. Moore, Sam (January 14, 2021). "Listen to Foo Fighters' new single 'Waiting On A War'". NME. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  9. Blistein, Jon (January 14, 2021). "Foo Fighters Drop New 'Medicine at Midnight' Song 'Waiting on a War'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  10. Carter, Emily (January 14, 2021). "Foo Fighters celebrate Dave Grohl's birthday with powerful new song, Waiting On A War". Kerrang!. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  11. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-foo-fighters-midnight-1119349/
  12. "Ultratop.be – Foo Fighters – Waiting on a War" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  13. "Foo Fighters Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  14. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  15. "Official UK Singles Sales Chart Top 100 - 22 January 2021 - 28 January 2021". officialcharts.com. January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  16. "Foo Fighters Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  17. "Foo Fighters Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  18. "Foo Fighters Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  19. "Foo Fighters Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  20. "Foo Fighters Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
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