Something from Nothing (song)

2014 single by Foo Fighters

For other uses, see Something from Nothing (disambiguation).

"Something from Nothing"

Single by Foo Fighters
from the album  Sonic Highways
Released| October 16, 2014 (2014-10-16)
Recorded| Electrical Audio, Chicago
Genre|

* Alternative rock
* hard rock

Length| 4:48
Label| RCA
Songwriter(s)|

* Dave Grohl
* Taylor Hawkins
* Nate Mendel
* Chris Shiflett
* Pat Smear

Producer(s)| Butch Vig
Foo Fighters singles chronology
| "Bridge Burning"
(2012)  | "Something from Nothing"
(2014)  | "The Feast and the Famine"
(2014)

|
|

Music video
"Something from Nothing" on YouTube

"Something from Nothing" is a song by American rock band Foo Fighters from their eighth studio album Sonic Highways. It was released as the album's lead single on October 16, 2014.[1] Recorded at Steve Albini's Electrical Audio studio, the song was influenced by the Chicago music scene.

## Composition

[edit]

This section is written like a review. Please help improve this article by rewriting it in encyclopedic style. (November 2021)

|

"Something from Nothing" was inspired by the history of Chicago, Illinois, and was recorded in the city at Electrical Audio.

"Something from Nothing" has been regarded as an alternative rock[2] and hard rock[3] song. According to Daniel Kreps of the Rolling Stone magazine, the lyrics of the song "Here lies a city on fire... it started with a spark, and burned into the dark" seem to be inspired by the Great Chicago Fire (1871).[4]

"Something from Nothing" is "a ferocious, at times even hypnotic, rocker with hints of funk, psychedelia, and Dave Grohl's signature monster growl."[5] It features soaring guitar that is reminiscent of Chicago-based alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins; and at one point, borrows heavily from the riff of Dio's heavy metal song "Holy Diver".[4] The song starts with muffled guitar, and subsequently builds up to "non-stop ferocious rock 'n' roll" in its fourth minute,[6] and "an ear-shattering outro lined with scorching guitar riffs."[5]

## Recording

[edit]

"Something from Nothing" was recorded at Albini's Electrical Audio studio in Chicago.[4][7] The song features guitarist Rick Nielsen of the rock band Cheap Trick as Chicago City's "guest of honor."[8]

## Music video

[edit]

The music video aired at the end of the Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways "Chicago" episode. It shows the band performing at Electrical Audio while 2D animated lyrics appear in the background throughout the video. The video also features appearances by Rick Nielsen and Rami Jaffee.[9][10]

## Commercial performance

[edit]

"Something from Nothing" debuted at number five on the Billboard Rock Airplay chart, as well as at number 12 and number 16 on Billboard's Alternative Songs and Mainstream Rock charts respectively.[11] It soon rose to number one on all three charts. "Something from Nothing" is also the twenty-fifth Foo Fighters' single to make the top 75 on the UK Singles Chart,[12] and the twenty-seventh Foo Fighters' single to make the top 100 on the Australian Singles Chart.[13]

## Personnel

[edit]

Personnel adapted from Sonic Highways liner notes[14]

Foo Fighters

* Dave Grohl – lead and backing vocals, guitar, producer
* Chris Shiflett – guitar, producer
* Pat Smear – guitar, producer
* Nate Mendel – bass, producer
* Taylor Hawkins – drums, backing vocals, producer

Additional Performers

* Rami Jaffee – clavinet, organ, Mellotron
* Rick Nielsen – baritone guitar

Production

* Butch Vig – producer
* James Brown – recording engineer, mixing engineer
* Gavin Lurssen – mastering
* Greg Norman – studio assistance
* Jon San Paolo – studio assistance

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (2014)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[13] | 53
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[15] | 75
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[16] | 42
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[17] | 19
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[18] | 63
Canada Rock (Billboard)[19] | 1
Czech Republic Modern Rock (IFPI)[20] | 5
Finland Download (Latauslista)[21] | 22
Germany (GfK)[22] | 100
Japan (Japan Hot 100) (Billboard)[23] | 63
Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[24] | 39
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[25] | 57
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[26] | 32
Quebec Airplay (ADISQ)[27] | 50
Scotland (OCC)[28] | 56
Switzerland Airplay (Schweizer Hitparade)[29] | 79
UK Singles (OCC)[30] | 73
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[31] | 1
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[32] | 1
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[33] | 8
US Rock & Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[34] | 1

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (2014)  | Position

|

US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[35] | 95
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[36] | 38
Chart (2015)  | Position

|

US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[37] | 46
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[38] | 5

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Young, Alex (October 12, 2014). "Foo Fighters to premiere new single "Something From Nothing"". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
2. ^ "LISTEN: Foo Fighters Release New Song "Something from Nothing"". Retrieved November 23, 2015.
3. ^ "Foo Fighters debut new song Something From Nothing, sport their Dio side". HitFix. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
4. ^ a b c Kreps, Daniel (October 16, 2014). "Hear Foo Fighters' Fiery New Song 'Something From Nothing'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
5. ^ a b "Foo Fighters premiere new single "Something From Nothing" — listen". Consequence of Sound. October 16, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
6. ^ Kristobak, Ryan (October 16, 2014). "Foo Fighters Release 'Something From Nothing,' First Song Off 'Sonic Highways'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
7. ^ Camp, Zoe; Phillips, Amy (October 16, 2014). "Foo Fighters Release "Something From Nothing" From New Album Sonic Highways". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
8. ^ Nelson, Michael (October 16, 2014). "Foo Fighters – "Something From Nothing"". Stereogum. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
9. ^ Grebey, James (October 20, 2014). "Foo Fighters' 'Something From Nothing' Video Is a Hardcore Sing-Along". Spin. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
10. ^ Renshaw, David (October 20, 2014). "Foo Fighters perform in a basement in 'Something From Nothing' video – watch". NME. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
11. ^ Trust, Gary (October 20, 2014). "Chart Highlights: Iggy Azalea, MAGIC! Score New No. 1s, Foo Fighters Return". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
12. ^ Official UK Singles Chart - Foo Fighters - peak positions - singles officialcharts.com. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
13. ^ a b Ryan, Gavin (October 25, 2014). "Ed Sheeran Tops ARIA Singles Chart For Second Week". Noise11. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
14. ^ Sonic Highways (Vinyl liner notes). Foo Fighters. 2014.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
15. ^ "Foo Fighters – Something from Nothing" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
16. ^ "Foo Fighters – Something from Nothing" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
17. ^ "Foo Fighters – Something from Nothing" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
18. ^ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
19. ^ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
20. ^ "CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock - Foo Fighters - Rescued" (in Czech). IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
21. ^ "Foo Fighters: Something from Nothing" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
22. ^ "Foo Fighters – Something from Nothing" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
23. ^ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
24. ^ "Foo Fighters - Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
25. ^ "Foo Fighters – Something from Nothing" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
26. ^ "Foo Fighters – Something from Nothing". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
27. ^ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (PDF) (in French). BAnQ. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
28. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
29. ^ "Schweizer Airplay Charts 02/2015 - hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
30. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
31. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
32. ^ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
33. ^ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
34. ^ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
35. ^ "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
36. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
37. ^ "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
38. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs: Year End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2015.

## External links

[edit]

* Full Lyrics at LyricsOnDemand.com

* 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

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

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