Rescued

"Rescued" is a song by the American rock band Foo Fighters, serving as the lead single and opening track from their eleventh studio album, But Here We Are, which was released on June 2, 2023.^[1] The track was issued on April 19, 2023, marking the band's first new music since the death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins on March 25, 2022.^[2] Written amid a period of profound loss—including Hawkins' passing and the death of frontman Dave Grohl's mother—the song explores themes of grief, redemption, and the desire for emotional rescue, with lyrics reflecting introspection and the struggle to move forward after tragedy.^[3][4] Musically, "Rescued" features the Foo Fighters' signature hard rock sound, characterized by driving guitars, powerful drums—played by Dave Grohl—and Grohl's emotive vocals that build to an anthemic chorus pleading to "be rescued."^[5] The song's release was accompanied by a lyric video and later a live performance clip from the band's rehearsal sessions, emphasizing its raw energy and emotional depth.^[3] Upon release, "Rescued" received widespread critical acclaim for its vulnerability and resilience, with reviewers praising it as a poignant tribute to Hawkins and a testament to the band's enduring spirit.^[4] It achieved significant commercial success, debuting at number 18 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and eventually reaching number one, becoming the Foo Fighters' eleventh leader on that ranking and setting their record for the most top 10 hits (29) on the chart.^[6][7] The single also topped the Billboard Rock & Alternative Airplay chart, further solidifying its impact within the rock genre.^[8]

Background and recording

Context following Taylor Hawkins' death

Taylor Hawkins, the longtime drummer for Foo Fighters, died on March 25, 2022, at the age of 50 while the band was in Bogotá, Colombia, preparing for a concert.^[9] Colombian authorities determined the cause of death as cardiovascular collapse, attributed to an enlarged heart and the presence of multiple substances in his system, including opioids, benzodiazepines, THC, and antidepressants, following a toxicological analysis.^[10] His passing marked the end of an era for the band, as Hawkins had been a core member since 1997, contributing to their energetic live performances and studio recordings.^[11] In the immediate aftermath, Foo Fighters announced an indefinite hiatus, canceling all scheduled tour dates to grieve the profound loss.^[12] Frontman Dave Grohl described the impact as devastating, likening it to a sudden void that prompted deep introspection on mortality and the fragility of life, especially given Hawkins' role as his closest friend and creative partner.^[13] Grohl later reflected on the shock in lyrics that captured the abruptness of the event, emphasizing how it forced a confrontation with unresolved grief.^[13] Despite the overwhelming sorrow, the band decided to continue under the Foo Fighters name, viewing it as a means to honor Hawkins' legacy and channel their collective resilience.^[14] Grohl stated that creating their subsequent album, But Here We Are—which includes the track "Rescued"—served as a vital outlet for processing the loss, transforming personal devastation into music that explores themes of grief and perseverance.^[15] This approach allowed the group to navigate their "new life" without Hawkins, acknowledging the band would evolve into a different entity moving forward.^[16] In early 2023, Foo Fighters began building anticipation for new material through public statements, including a New Year's Eve message affirming their intent to return to the stage and create music amid the tragedy.^[17] This teaser, coupled with announcements of upcoming shows, signaled a gradual reemergence and renewed hope for fans following the hiatus.^[12]

Writing process

"Rescued" was penned primarily by Dave Grohl in late 2022, during the initial songwriting sessions for the Foo Fighters' eleventh studio album, But Here We Are, emerging as a raw emotional outlet in the wake of drummer Taylor Hawkins' sudden death earlier that year.^[3] The track served as the band's lead single and album opener, encapsulating the group's collective process of grappling with profound loss through music.^[18] Grohl has described the song as stemming from a deeply vulnerable place, where the recurring chorus line "I wanna be rescued" embodies a desperate yearning for deliverance from overwhelming grief and a return to vitality.^[13] This plea reflects the frontman's introspection on sudden tragedy, as evoked in the opening lyrics: "It came in a flash / It came out of nowhere / It happened so fast / And then it was over." While Grohl spearheaded the initial demo, the song benefited from collaborative contributions by his bandmates—guitarist Chris Shiflett, bassist Nate Mendel, multi-instrumentalist Rami Jaffee, and rhythm guitarist Pat Smear—resulting in a full-band credit on the track.^[18] Their input helped shape its dynamic structure, blending high-energy rock elements with introspective undertones. The composition evolved from Grohl's solo demo to the final version through refinements that amplified its dual themes of despair and emerging hope, ensuring the song captured the Foo Fighters' resilient spirit amid heartbreak without veering into overt sentimentality.^[13] This development underscored the track's role in the band's creative recovery, transforming personal vulnerability into a communal anthem of perseverance.^[3]

Recording sessions

The recording sessions for "Rescued" took place in 2022 at Studio 606, Dave Grohl's home studio in Northridge, California, beginning in the fall of 2022, following the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins on March 25, 2022.^[19][20] The track was part of the broader album But Here We Are, captured during a period of intense emotional processing for the band, with sessions spanning multiple locations including producer Greg Kurstin's No Expectations Studios.^[21] Dave Grohl handled all drum performances on the album, including "Rescued," stepping in as both a practical necessity and a personal tribute to Hawkins amid the band's search for a permanent replacement.^[22][5] The production was led by the Foo Fighters and Greg Kurstin, with engineering support from Darrell Thorp, Julian Burg, and others, focusing on capturing a visceral, unpolished intensity that channeled the group's collective grief and resilience.^[23] This approach emphasized live-band energy in the studio to evoke the cathartic release of performing through loss.^[13] Mixing for the album, including "Rescued," was finalized in early 2023 by Spike Stent, with additional assistance from John Lousteau.^[23] "Rescued" was chosen as the lead single upon the album's announcement on April 19, 2023, for its raw emotional honesty and driving momentum, serving as an apt introduction to the record's themes of survival and vulnerability in the wake of tragedy.^[24]

Composition and lyrics

Musical structure and style

"Rescued" exemplifies the Foo Fighters' hard rock style with deep alternative rock roots, characterized by driving guitar riffs that propel the track forward, powerful drum patterns providing rhythmic intensity, and an anthemic chorus designed for arena-scale impact.^[4][25] The song's arrangement emphasizes dynamic contrasts, starting subdued before erupting into full-band force, a hallmark of the band's sound that blends raw energy with polished production.^[5] Structurally, "Rescued" adheres to a classic verse-chorus form, opening with a gripping intro riff on electric guitar that sets a tense atmosphere, followed by verses, pre-choruses building anticipation, explosive choruses, a post-chorus refrain, and a climactic bridge that intensifies the emotional and sonic buildup before returning to the chorus for resolution. Clocking in at a runtime of 4:18, the track maintains a propulsive pace throughout, avoiding unnecessary extensions while maximizing its hook-driven appeal.^[26] The song draws key influences from classic rock's riff-based songwriting and post-grunge's emphasis on melodic aggression, echoing the high-stakes intensity of earlier Foo Fighters staples like "Everlong" through its layered guitars and relentless drive.^[4][27] Instrumentation centers on Dave Grohl handling both lead vocals and drums, Chris Shiflett delivering lead guitar lines, Pat Smear on rhythm guitar for textural depth, Nate Mendel anchoring with bass, and Rami Jaffee adding subtle keyboard swells to enhance the overall density.^[5][28]

Themes and interpretation

The lyrics of "Rescued" confront the abruptness of loss, with opening lines such as "It came in a flash, it came out of nowhere / It happened so fast, and then it was over," interpreted as a direct allusion to the sudden death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins in March 2022, underscoring the fragility of life and the shock of unforeseen tragedy.^[13] At the song's core is the motif of being "rescued" from emotional desolation, evoked through the chorus's plea "I wanna be rescued" and verses affirming "We deserve to dance again," which symbolize emerging hope, renewal, and the right to reclaim joy amid sorrow.^[29] These elements portray a journey from isolation to revival, allowing for interpretations beyond personal bereavement, such as self-rescue from inner turmoil or relational salvation.^[30] Dave Grohl has confirmed that the track draws from his grief over Hawkins' passing and the death of his mother, Virginia Grohl, in August 2022, with the album But Here We Are—on which "Rescued" appears—dedicated to both, framing the song as a raw processing of compounded loss.^[31][32] Critics widely regard "Rescued" as a cathartic anthem for perseverance after devastation, its explosive energy and introspective pleas capturing the band's resolve to move forward while honoring the past.^[33][34]

Release and promotion

Announcement and single release

"Rescued" was announced and released as a single on April 19, 2023, by Roswell Records and RCA Records, marking the Foo Fighters' first new music following the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins.^[3] The release coincided with the reveal of the band's eleventh studio album, But Here We Are, scheduled for June 2, 2023, positioning "Rescued" as the album's lead single and opening track.^[1] In the week leading up to the single's debut, the band shared audio teasers on social media, generating anticipation for this emotionally charged return to recording.^[35] The track became immediately available for digital download and streaming platforms, with no physical single format issued at launch.^[24] The single's rollout included a push for pre-orders of But Here We Are, emphasizing the album's themes of grief and resilience, with "Rescued" serving as an introductory statement on the band's path forward.^[3]

Marketing and formats

The Foo Fighters promoted "Rescued" through a series of social media teasers in the week leading up to its surprise release, building anticipation among fans for the band's return to music.^[35] These posts, shared across platforms like Instagram, hinted at new material without revealing details, aligning with the song's themes of recovery and resilience in the wake of personal tragedy. Additionally, the band sent email blasts to subscribed fans, sharing exclusive lyrics from "Rescued" to deepen engagement and emphasize its narrative of emotional rebirth.^[36] Updates on the official Foo Fighters website further amplified this messaging, framing the single as the opening track of their eleventh studio album, But Here We Are, and highlighting the group's ongoing journey through grief toward renewal.^[37] "Rescued" was initially released as a digital single on major streaming platforms, making it immediately accessible to a global audience.^[38] It was later included on the full album in multiple physical and digital formats, such as CD, standard black vinyl, and limited-edition white vinyl, allowing fans to integrate the track into comprehensive collections.^[39] The promotion tied into broader album marketing efforts, with merchandise bundles offered during pre-orders that incorporated album artwork featuring "Rescued" as the lead element, including options like lyric-printed T-shirts and bundled physical media.^[40][41] To drive exposure, the single received a targeted radio airplay campaign focused on rock formats, with early additions to playlists at alternative and mainstream rock stations.^[42] This strategy positioned "Rescued" as a cornerstone of the band's comeback, leveraging established rock radio networks to connect with core listeners.^[6]

Music videos

Lyric video

The lyric video for "Rescued" was released simultaneously with the single on April 19, 2023, via the Foo Fighters' official YouTube channel.^[43] Created by animator Agustin Esquibel, it presents the song's lyrics in a dynamic, animated format that runs for 4 minutes and 20 seconds (the track length is 4:18).^[43][44] The video employs abstract visuals featuring animated lyrics overlaid on evocative imagery, including motifs of light piercing through shadowy expanses, which symbolically align with the song's themes of rescue and renewal amid loss.^[43] The straightforward yet poignant animation style emphasizes the emotional weight of the words, allowing viewers to focus on the lyrics during the band's first release following Taylor Hawkins' death.^[45] It quickly amassed millions of views, exceeding 2.88 million as of November 2025, and functioned as the song's primary visual accompaniment until the subsequent performance video.^[43]

Performance video

The performance video for "Rescued" was released on June 7, 2023, featuring footage captured during the Foo Fighters' "Preparing Music for Concerts" livestream on May 21, 2023, at their Studio 606 in Encino, California.^[46][47] The video depicts the band rehearsing the track with new drummer Josh Freese, conveying the raw energy of their first public appearance since the death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins in March 2022.^[48][49] It incorporates behind-the-scenes rehearsal segments that underscore the emotional weight of the group's stage return, blending intimate moments with dynamic performance shots.^[50] Aimed at reconnecting with fans as a prelude to their summer tour, the video employs a high-production multi-camera setup to deliver an immersive viewing experience.^[51][52]

Critical reception

Reviews from critics

Critics widely praised "Rescued" for its raw emotional power and return to the band's signature hard rock sound following personal tragedies. Rolling Stone hailed it as an "explosive return to form," emphasizing Dave Grohl's commanding vocals and the riff-driven energy that delivers a cathartic release for listeners grappling with loss.^[53] NME described the track as an "upbeat, communal rock anthem that feels like it was written with the live show in mind," awarding the album 4/5 stars for its blend of grief and unyielding rock vigor, which captures the Foo Fighters' resilience without descending into overt melancholy.^[54] Pitchfork acknowledged the song's anthemic chorus and uplifting drive but pointed out some formulaic elements reminiscent of earlier hits, ultimately rating it 7.2/10 as part of the album's strong opener.^[55] Overall, professional reviews formed a strong consensus, averaging around 8/10, with acclaim centered on the track's authentic exploration of loss and redemption—addressing themes of rescue through its lyrics—while maintaining the band's high-energy authenticity.^[56]

Fan and industry response

Fans on social media platforms praised the emotional depth of "Rescued," frequently interpreting its lyrics as a tribute to the band's late drummer Taylor Hawkins following his death in 2022.^[35] Many described the track as "incredible" and one of the band's strongest releases in years, evoking a sense of pride in the group's resilience amid grief.^[35] In the industry, "Rescued" received recognition through its addition to key rock playlists on Spotify, including curated selections like "Rescue - Foo Fighters," and Apple Music's Foo Fighters Essentials playlist, which highlights the band's core catalog.^[57][58] The song also topped the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in May 2023, marking the Foo Fighters' eleventh No. 1 and underscoring its inspirational resonance on rock radio stations.^[6] "Rescued" garnered Grammy nominations in 2024 for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance, reflecting its critical and artistic impact within the rock genre.^[59] It also featured positively in year-end retrospectives, such as The Arts Desk's 2023 albums list, where it was noted as a signature anthem from the Foo Fighters' post-tragedy album But Here We Are.^[60] During the Foo Fighters' 2023 tour and festival appearances, including Glastonbury, live renditions of "Rescued" prompted enthusiastic crowd sing-alongs, with audiences fully engaging in the chorus despite the song's recent release.^[61]

Commercial performance

Chart performance

"Rescued" achieved significant success on rock-oriented airplay charts in the United States, topping the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart for one week in May 2023 and marking Foo Fighters' 29th top 10 entry on that ranking, a record for the chart.^[7] The track also reached number one on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, becoming the band's 12th leader there.^[42] In the United Kingdom, "Rescued" peaked at number 96 on the Official Singles Chart for one week in June 2023, while it performed better on component charts, reaching number 48 on the Singles Sales Chart and number 28 on the Singles Downloads Chart.^[62] The song received notable radio support, including playlisting on BBC Radio 1, which contributed to its visibility despite modest sales-driven charting.^[63] Internationally, the single entered several rock and digital charts. In Australia, it peaked at number 36 on the ARIA Digital Tracks chart. It also topped Canada's Billboard Rock chart and peaked at number 24 on the Dutch Tipparade chart. Streaming played a key role in the song's performance, with "Rescued" accumulating over 39 million global streams on Spotify as of late 2025, surpassing 30 million by the end of 2023 and bolstering its digital sales metrics.^[64]

Record achievements

"Rescued" marked several significant milestones for Foo Fighters on Billboard's rock airplay charts. The track tied Shinedown for the most top 10 entries on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart, achieving the band's 15th placement in the list's 14-year history when it debuted at No. 3.^[65] On the Alternative Airplay chart, "Rescued" became Foo Fighters' record-extending 29th top 10, surpassing a previous tie with Red Hot Chili Peppers for the most in the chart's history since 1988.^[7] This entry further solidified the band's dominance, later contributing to their outright record of 30 top 10s with subsequent releases. The song also reached No. 1 on Alternative Airplay, marking Foo Fighters' 11th leader and their first since "Something from Nothing" in 2015.^[6] As the lead single from But Here We Are, "Rescued" played a pivotal role in the album's chart success, helping it debut at No. 1 on both the Top Alternative Albums and Top Hard Rock Albums charts upon its June 2023 release.^[66] The track's strong airplay performance, including a No. 1 on Rock & Alternative Airplay, underscored Foo Fighters' continued leadership in the rock genre.^[42]

Live performances

Television appearances

The Foo Fighters debuted "Rescued" live on television during their appearance as musical guests on the season 49 premiere of Saturday Night Live on October 28, 2023, marking their first performance of the song on the show and introducing new drummer Josh Freese to a national audience following the death of Taylor Hawkins.^[67] The rendition, delivered with the full band in Studio 8H, served as an emotional highlight of the episode hosted by Nate Bargatze, capturing the band's resilience amid recent loss and showcasing the track's anthemic energy.^[68] In October 2023, the band taped a full episode of Austin City Limits at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, where they performed "Rescued" as part of a set blending classics and new material from But Here We Are.^[69] The session, which aired as a PBS special on November 18, 2023, highlighted the song's driving rhythm and live dynamics in the intimate venue setting.^[70] Internationally, the Foo Fighters delivered a surprise performance of "Rescued" at the Glastonbury Festival on June 23, 2023, under the pseudonym The Churnups, which was broadcast live on BBC platforms including BBC iPlayer.^[71] This high-energy set on the Pyramid Stage, featuring Freese on drums, reached a global audience and underscored the song's role in the band's post-Hawkins comeback.^[72]

Concert tours

"Rescued" quickly became a cornerstone of the Foo Fighters' But Here We Are Tour, launching on May 24, 2023, at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford, New Hampshire, where it served as the set opener. The song's anthemic chorus routinely prompted widespread audience sing-alongs, fostering an immediate sense of communal energy at the start of shows. This placement and interactive element persisted throughout the tour, which supported the album of the same name and marked the band's return to the road following the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins.^[73] The track featured prominently at major festivals, including the band's surprise appearance at Glastonbury Festival on June 23, 2023, billed as The Churnups on the Pyramid Stage, where "Rescued" sparked massive crowd participation amid the 100,000-strong audience. Similarly, during their headlining set at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival on June 18, 2023, the song energized the late-night crowd with its driving rhythm and lyrics of resilience, contributing to one of the event's standout performances. These festival renditions highlighted the song's adaptability to large-scale outdoor settings, amplifying its themes of recovery through collective vocal support.^[74][75] By November 2025, "Rescued" had been performed over 75 times across the But Here We Are Tour and its successor, the Everything or Nothing at All Tour, with the total encompassing 44 shows in 2023, 27 in 2024, and at least 5 in 2025 up to October. Variations emerged in select concerts, including extended guitar solos that extended the song's runtime and intensified its rock urgency. Drummer Josh Freese's contributions were frequently spotlighted, his precise and powerful playing on the track—debuted in its live premiere—adding a fresh vitality that resonated with fans during the band's post-Hawkins era.^[76][77] Performances of "Rescued" often culminated in emotional highs, particularly when paired with encores featuring dedications to Taylor Hawkins, such as the band's tribute via "Everlong" at Glastonbury, which deepened the song's connective power and evoked shared mourning among audiences. This integration elevated fan engagement, transforming the track into a symbol of perseverance and tribute within the tour's narrative. Unlike controlled television setups, these live iterations thrived on the unscripted intensity of arena and festival crowds.^[78]