So Dave Grohl is slightly impressive. Looking back twenty years though, it wasn’t initially clear, but if you happened to look at the amount of his output, coupled with the absurd groups of names he’s been associated with, it’s hard not to think of him as one of, if not the most prolific musicians working today in the rock world.

Deciding to do this list was a little tricky. Do you cover Nirvana? The Foo Fighters? His was drumming with Queens of the Stone Age, Nine Inch Nails and Them Crooked Vultures? Exactly where does one begin to write about this man. He’s plain awesome. After much deliberation, I decided to mix everything and write about my ten favorite songs that he’s been a part of. I hope you enjoy it.

10. Territorial Pissings, Nirvana, Nevermind:

Possibly the angriest, most immediate song on this list. Nirvana was such a tremendously important band that it’s difficult to pinpoint why. The sound was as successful as it was for being a great overall sound, but also for happening at the right place at the right time. This is one of their better songs off this album, and much of it has to do with the chemistry between the band, but also the sheer force behind the song. The song is great, but it’s made better because of the absolute pounding the drums are taking from Grohl.

9.Walk, Foo Fighters, Wasting Light.

The Foo fighters have somehow managed to beat the odds and make incredible rock n roll even after being looked past for awhile after Cobain’s death. Some albums are better than others, but they don’t really have any bad albums. Among the favorites of mine, “Wasting Light” is probably in my top few. The songs are so honest, and in tune, and the band just delivers. This song is the bee’s knees as far as I’m concerned. It’s retrospective while also looking to the bright future. I also think it’s placement as the last song on the album is brilliant too. It’s strikes me that the title of the song has something to do with the album title, “Wasting Light.” This band isn’t ever going to give up, and they’re never going to waste the light they were given. I’d be very surprised if they still aren’t making music in the next 15 years. This song is a perfect example of why they should.

8. Breed, Nirvana, Nevermind

The opening combo of the drums and the slugdy guitar make their prescene known from almost the very beginning. The lyrics have always been clever and funny to me, but the song isn’t really trying to tell a story. It’s more about the attitude. And there’s plenty of it here. While this album is somewhat primitive in it’s themes, it kinda has to be. That’s what made it so great at the time. Everyone in music before this used to take themselves so seriously that it almost ended up being laughable. This band, and this song, was a nice breather.

7. Stacked Actors, Foo Fighters, There is Nothing Left to Lose

Whether or not this song is about Courtney Love doesn’t matter to me at all. She’s just a horrible person who’s talent was noticed because of her husband. This song though, has actual artistic credibility, and the crunchiness of it makes it an easy song to like. The agressiveness of the chorus mixed with the weird floatly background during the verses is a nice combo and works great here. Not every band can find that balance, but these guys have been making music so long they basically have it down to a science. It almost feels like it was made in a shitty garage 15 years before it was released, and the grit and grime of said garage was soaked into the record, thus making it even more rough when it needs to be and more glossy when it should be.

6. Everlong, Foo Fighters, the Colour and the Shape

Still one of the best song’s I’ve ever heard in my life. Seeing this performed in front of twenty thiusand people, all of whom are singing along really is a sight for ore eyes, but it proves the power of the song. It’s about difficult love, and trying times, and the hope that everything will be for the best, for the everlong. It’s also quite romantic if you actually listen to it. The video is also one of the best of the 90’s hands down. The giant hand bitch slapping people is still one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. I don’t know who came up with that, but it’s hilarious and works so well with the song, even though it has nothing to do with the lyrical content.

5. Mantra, Sound City Player, Sound City Players Presents..

I’m basically obsessed with this song. It’s not very often you get three extremely talented musicians from very popular bands to contribute to a song, but on this album Grohl manages to do it on every. Fucking. Song. This clearly is the my favorite at least. All you had to tell me was Grohl, Reznor and Homme and I was signed up. And it didn’t disappoint. Grohl sings, and drums, while reznor also is a backing singing, and the music is done by all three, includng Joshua Homme from Queens of the Stone Age. It’s grower to. It’s first minutes are perfect at building tension and adding little parts bit by bit. How this song wasn’t a giant hit is baffling to me. By the time you release Reznor is also singing the song is nearly half over, and then all hell breaks lose. The rock that comes after the build up is one of the better things I’ve heard in recent memory, and it absolutely takes hold of you. Having said all of this, the finale where Grohl, Reznor and Homme are all singing and rocking out is better than the whole rest of the song. It’s just a masterpiece of a song, and should be heard by any who are fans of any of these three bands.

4. Fairweather Friends, Queens of the Stone Age, ….Like Clockwork

From one song with amazing people to another song with even more amazing people. This quickly became my favorite song of last year the first time I heard it. Not only s the whole Queens band present, but so is Grohl, and so is the Rocket Man himself Sir Elton John. The song is just perfect in a way that most things aren’t. The squealing of the guitars, topped off with the amazing lyrics and the unmatched awesomeness of hAving Elton John play on a song make this pure gem.

3. Times Like These, Foo Fighters, One by One

This song just makes me happy to be alive. It’s wonderful, and emotional, and might be the most positive song the band ever has written. Even the guitar cords make me smile. To me it makes me appreciate all the good things that are possible in this world. Of course things get people down, and sometimes it’s all too much, but sometimes, things really do work out, and maybe it’s not enough, but at least it happens. The lyrics and his voice are the bright stars shining here. Next time you’re feeling down, I suggest you listen to this song and just sing along to your hearts content. Even if it doesn’t help, it doesn’t hurt to try. Life is worth enjoying, you just have to get through the bullshit every now and then.

2. Go with the Flow, Queens of the Stone Age, Songs for the Deaf

noone knows for sure why this song kicks so much ass, but it indeed does. The band has managed to continue to make great songs for mass consumption, and this might be they best known one. Again, the video is one that is cutting edge, especially at the time it came out. I had never seen anything like it. But, a great video goes only so far. If the song sucks, you end up outting it on mute and just watching. This is not the case here. The video is great to look at, and accompanied by the excellent song it makes for a altogether great musical experience.

1. My Hero, Foo Fighters, the Colour and the Shape.

Doesn’t everyone just love this song, or is it just me? Evern if it is just me, I’m fine with it. My wife doesn’t even like rock music very much, but she loves this love. I’m not sure if the song is based on anyone in particular, but I think for a lot of people it’s their fathers. The song reminds of the difficulty of figuring things out at an early age, and the type of reassuring talk your father would give you, explaining that everything worth doing is worth doing right, and that things will be fine, as long as you don’t give up.

I hope you enjoyed this, thanks for reading.