Foo Fighters say poignant goodbyes on epic 10-minute track 'The Teacher'

It comes with an accompanying short film

Foo Fighters 'The Teacher' short film
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 30th May 2023
Last updated 30th May 2023

Foo Fighters have premiered the fourth taster of their new studio album ‘But Here We Are’, the 10-minute epic ‘The Teacher.’

The longest track Foo Fighters have ever recorded, ‘The Teacher’ is a slow building and multi-layered musical tour-de-force that showcases a more experimental side of the band.

Just like previous songs ‘Rescued’, ‘Under You’ and ‘Show Me How’, ‘The Teacher’ comes complete with powerful lyrics that apparently reference the passing of Taylor Hawkins and Dave Grohl’s mum Virginia in 2022.

Virginia Hanlon Grohl in 2008

Virginia Hanlon Grohl was a schoolteacher for over three decades, and the title seemingly nods towards this.

Dave Grohl sings in ‘The Teacher’: “You showed me how to need, but never showed me how to say goodbye / You showed me how to grieve, but never showed me how to say goodbye / Every page turns, it’s a lesson learned in time.”

Poignantly, the song ends: "Try and make good with the air that’s left / Counting every minute / Living breath by breath / Goodbye."

‘The Teacher’ comes complete with an accompanying short film directed by multimedia artist Tony Oursler.

Known since the late 1970s for his body of work spanning video, sculpture, installation, performance, and painting, Oursler came to Foo Fighters’ attention via his work with David Bowie, specifically his video for Bowie's landmark January 2013 single ‘Where Are We Now?’

Watch Foo Fighters’ ‘The Teacher’ short film:

Fresh from revealing Josh Freese as their new touring drummer during their pre-recorded streaming event Foo Fighters: Preparing Music for Concerts on Sunday 21st May, Foo Fighters played their first full concert since Taylor Hawkins’ death at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion last Wednesday.

The concert saw Foo Fighters give the Taylor Hawkins penned 2005 track ‘Cold Day in the Sun’ its first live outing in more than five years, with Dave Grohl emotionally dedicating it to his late band mate.

Released on Friday 2nd June, Foo Fighters’ new album ‘But Here We Are’ is dedicated to Taylor Hawkins and Virginia Hanlon Grohl.

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