Dave Grohl Reveals Foo Fighters 'Learn To Fly' Lyrics Aren't As Deep As You Think 

Dave: I wanted to become a pilot Howard Stern: And you wanted Kurt to be your co-pilot, I knew Learn to Fly was about Kurt all along

dave grohl: " I was in love" Howard Stern: " with Kurt Cobain, I knew it was about Kurt."

He's a storyteller. He's a real human. He's a survivor of demons that have killed others. He's just a man and that is what makes him amazing.

songwritters interviewing songwritters is not something i feel i see enough of. This was awesome.

Good thing Howard Stern wasn't interviewing him. "iT mUst bE aBoUt KURT COBAIN!"

I love him so much..he's so down to earth and I feel he would be like that in person..go Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl..

I love Dave. He’s one of the very very best. Seeing the Foo Fighters live was one of the best times of my life. They played for almost 3 hours and freaking crushed it.

I love how he looks at her as she gives her interpretation of the lyrics to learn to "Learn to Fly" and quickly says in so many words nope it's not that deep!😂😂😂😂

Dave Grohl may be my all time favorite rock star. If only they were all such regular people who truly understand how fortunate they've been. That's a guy I would love to have a beer with.

That’s one of the best things about music! It’s about how each person CAN interpret it in a different way that means something to them, even if that’s not the way someone “intended” it to sound. Music is the ultimate form of magic and it’s meant for EVERYONE to ENJOY in some way or another! Dave Grohl has always carried the torch in the “Hope music” category. Love this man!!! ❤️

That Rockin' 1000 version of Learn to Fly is so amazing, and the dialog it created with Dave was so enriching. So beautiful.

Just finished reading his book, really remarkable man

2:28 f*ckin deep. So true. Never thought of it that way. Teary. 50,000 people singing it for their reasons

I like when the host and the guest are musicians. They understand each other and the conversation is like talking to their peers.

I love it. The lack of pretense is great. It drives me nuts when artits refuse to go into the meaning behind their work. I think many are insecure, dave is just like fuck it, this lyric was about me wanting to learn to fly. Knowing the truth does not subtract from the meaning from others. I wish more artists would take note.

Dave should have his own talk show

He is so smart. What a connected human being he is!

Fun fact: The girl who he was in love with when he wrote Everlong was Louise Post from the band Veruca Salt

3:30 This reminds me of "What the author meant vs What your English teacher thinks the author meant": For instance: “The curtains were blue.” What your teacher thinks: “The curtains represent his immense depression and his lack of will to carry on.” What the author meant: “The curtains were fucking blue!”

Dave came to Australia, the first gig after the pandemic. He opened with “times like these”. Lots of tears in the crowd. Thanks Dave.

The story behind Everlong is so beautiful

Dave could be friends with anyone, he’s so relatable and genuine.

That impersonation he did of her was just perfection

Rip HAWKINS, May your flight to the next life be as smooth as the melodies you helped craft.

My favorite Dave lyric by far is "Hook me up a new revolution, 'cause this one is a lie. We sat around laughing and watched the last one die..." The visual of him, Taylor and Nate sitting on a couch is so there in my mind and isn't that how so many revolutionary ideas go out of fashion?

I could see on his face, he felt so bad for her when she started talking about how deep the lyrics are😂😂😂

I just listened to Dave’s audiobook. Incredible.

Dave Grohl is a blessing to this world - this generation’s Beatles all in one. Thank you, God, for giving us such an incredible talent!

The way he elaborates stuff, you’re so drawn to it…. ❤️❤️❤️

This was DOPE!! I love watching Dave Grohl interviews, he's just such a real, chill dude. Hands down one of my favorite musicians all time.

All I know is that Louise Post(from Chicago band Veruca Salt) is singing the backup on Everlong. I've heard that vocal in isolation. No mistaking her voice.

Dave has great way with words when expressing his thoughts.

I love Dave, and Foo Fighters! I saw them live. They are my second best live shows ever. Second only to Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody tour. I have very, very few celebrities who I would like to meet/ hang out with. Dave, and Kelly happen to be on that short list. Snoop Dog, is one of the others.

Dave Grohl was the reason as a kid I got into drumming back in 91 pushing 40 now still grateful I get to do it today

"Because to me, I love that, because it's like, and maybe I'm wrong, but I think that it's like..." You can tell that Dave Grohl was just being polite, because he clearly saw that that interview was nothing.

"wait there's math involved??" story of my life lol I think I just felt a spark for Dave Grohl. I also gotta say that if I were a well known musician that had fans approach and ask what the lyrics mean i would genuinely ask them what they mean to them. that will be the answer.

Music is all about how fleet is time - and singing together with someone in harmony is just about the most beautiful shared experience in life.

This was so fun, I get you my husband a singer, and song writer, just not known. You heal yourself and others music really makes a difference, love you and Dave's, music abilities 🤗❤

Ok, if they can come up with a collaboration, it’ll be so epic

Grohl: (Everlong) I was in love Howard Stern: of the idea to play with Kurt Cobain one more time right? Grohl: (Learn to fly) I just wanted to be a pilot Howard Stern: to see if you could find Cobain in the sky?

I always thought “make my way back home when I learn to fly” was about learning to understand yourself (your “home” that you’re going back to once you learn how to know yourself). Nope. It’s just about a fear of trigonometry. 😂

I lost my 29yr old son who was a pilot 4 yrs ago in a plane crash. He was a MASSIVE FF fan and this song was one of his funeral songs and is on his headstone. To him, Dave Grohl was his idol. I wish he could be here with me to go to the FF concert in 2024 in NZ.

I was never a Nirvana fan, not that much into the Foo Fighters either, but wow, Dave is such a genuinely nice guy, I will be getting his book on Audible when my next credit rolls in. Been really enjoying the interviews RU-vid keeps spitting out at me, and seeing the very young and extremely talented Nandi Bushell join them on stage made me cry such happy tears. Hmmm... maybe he's slowly converting me to his music. ;)

I think this is my FAVORITE interview! I just had a cocktail napkin... Explains so much and is relatable

2:18 yes, that's the meaning of music, like a painting and every artworks, is giving you emotions but you interpret it as you want! Is all about the music first, love you Dave!! rip Kurt! Long live music

The day he leaves this world will be a terribly sad day for many of us....in my case, me 🖤 thanks for all the good music Dave 🦋🎶

Just imagine working in a mundane napkin factory thinking that in some small way you helped create a great song. Mind blowing!

Total BLISS seeing you & Dave bounce thoughts...energy...laughter&unity-all thru music....the language of the Gods! Thanks for sharing&having him as a guest!!🤩😍

Kelly: Your lyrics are so deep... Dave: I just wanted to be a pilot.

Definitely sounds like more than just learning to become a pilot… “I'm lookin' to the sky to save me Lookin' for a sign of life Lookin' for somethin' to help me burn out bright”

absolutely ❤️ Dave Grohl!!! he is such a genuine, kind soul.

I love that learning to fly was literal I love this so much

I LOVE YOU DAVE

Two of my favs getting along so well :D

Dave is such a LEGEND

Hes one of my favorites!

His acting in Learn to Fly was amazing!

I've never seen Dave seem so uncomfortable (or annoyed)...not sure what was going on here.

Dave often plays down the meaning in his lyrics to keep the moment light. In other more intimate, less circus-like interviews he talks about his lyrics and will say what they’re about. Foo Fighters songs cover the subjects of breakups, the passing away of friends, revelations about abusive relationships, and transformative journeys. I doubt that any of their songs are about Kurt, but there’s no doubt Kurt’s suicide and the end of Nirvana contributed to the overall emphasis on loss and anger in Dave’s lyrics, and occasionally Dave will say it himself.

That '90s Show, Kelly! And that's Foo Fighters' Dave Groul! Play loudly and nobody is gonna turn it down! Right? Right! 🎸🎵🎵🎶🎶

Sad they didn’t talk about “All my life”

I really hope Dave remembers to find hope and healing in his music in light of the passing of his best friend.

Fun fact: everlong is about that chick from Veruca Salt

This guy is fuckin awesome!! He’s so genuine and humble. He’s definitely got a kingdom waiting on him….

OMG, it'd be so funny if Kelly was the one to get Dave to learn to fly.

We need more talk shows interviews for this man. Also, Kelly is becoming one of my favorite talk show hosts

I think this is how Dave looks like when he has a bad mood or smth. But above that he is still so polite and this is why I admire him so much!

Such an articulate, grounded dude who can also ROCK THE HOUSE!!! Thank you Mr. Grohl. (I wanted to learn to fly too bud!)

Dave is the coolest person in the world and the more I watch videos of him the cooler he gets

Dave Grohl is one of the best people in the music industry along with the likes of Paul McCartney, Brian May etc

I’m praying for Dave to get back to this happy time. AGAIN.

Would be amazing if Dave become a pilot as well and they both fly the same airplane in a video.

I was about to criticise the interviewer, but then I remember any Howard Stern interview with Dave Grohl and this looks way better

I just got his book amazing.

It takes personality to do so… He’s got it! Love it!

Is Kelly in love??? Just joking!!! I love ya too Dave! You forgot the vid for Learning To Fly? I'm pretty sure he's playing a pilot on the vid. He's f.ing hilarious handsome talented & intelligent Must be protected at all costs !!!! Love you Dave & Foos

100% on everyone singing along..but we all feel the lyrics differently..that is why i love music. And..I love Dave ❤️😁..and miss Kelly I adore you...I'm throwing it out.."thanks to you, now I get what I want..." kind of my guilty pleasure girls rock mantra..oi!!! 🌈😳😘

Thank you ﹰI needed this.

„I don’t wanna burst your bubble…“ more like „I’m not gonna be talking about this with you!“ The song is about coming out of a bad period in live. To fight through and to learn to live on the way. To not just swimming on the surface, but rather learn to surfing the waves of live. He can downplay as he wants to. Some songs just doesn’t work anymore if u nail it down to one interpretation. And I’m pretty sure that’s why he avoided a deeper answer. I think it’s possible that actually learning to fly was his inspiration for the song, but it turned out otherwise. If you don’t know it, I recommend „mantra“ from sound city. The theme is very similar. He wants to provide help. He likes to do that. As he said here „music is for healing“. I wouldn’t agree fully with that, but his work is welcome in my regards. Love foos music and Dave’s attitude.

I was hoping they sing together!!!

The legend Dave Grohl you always MY HERO and I'm gonna LEARN TO FLY the way you flied with you musics EVERLONG....

If you invite a guest and ask them questions why don't you sit back and let them talk? She interrupted way too much and her energy was over the top, she should learn to feel the energy and adapt.

Kelly is great, but I do wish she would chill out a little and let Dave at least finish his thoughts

"Learn to Fly" is my all time favorite. For me, it means finding yourself & taking the leap of doing what I truly love in life for a living. You gotta sometimes go back home to where you started & start again. Just breaking free from the slave driving corporations to going off on my own as a floral designer & cutflower urban gardener. 🌼💥🌼

I hate how some people, mostly famous people try to dig in too deep on certain things. Kind of takes away the imagination of what you think they mean. Just chill and admire it.

Love, love, love this man! He's an excellent human. And so is Kelly. Great combo. :-)

Two of the most wholesome people in US music havin a chat

At 1:30 Grohl's face is priceless! LOL It's like he's saying to himself: "WTH is this frat chick going on about?"

50k people singing the same lyrics and it means 50k different things to different people. That’s why he’s a great artist. So deep and so true.

is there a full interview?!

Dave Grohl never fails to amaze me! He’s an incredible man and incredible rocker!!!!!

He doesn't mention her by name but when he wrote everlong, he was dating Louise Post from the (amazing) band Veruca Salt. During the recording They had Loise call into the studio phone and they recorded her singing backing vocals on the chorus and put those in the actual track. They are just super hard to notice. If you have a hard time picking them out, search "Everlong isolated vocals" you can listen to the song with just the vocals and you'll easily notice after that. Just a little fun fact that adds some more context to "One of the things I loved most about this person is when we would sing together"

The best Kelly interviews are the ones she's REALLY interested in the guest

'Breathe out so I can breathe you in, hold you in.'

I loved the book and loved the interviews…there is something wonderful human about him insofar as he represents the good parts of us.

Dave looks like he wants to be anywhere,except at this interview

Omg I didn't know the pilot thing haha

Just saying that any Love mix CD had Everlong on it when burning CDs was still a thing.

This feels like the most staged interviews I’ve ever seen. Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like someone gave Kelly these questions and it’s very cut and paste. And then he says the word “fleeting” about the song everlong. And she uses that word like 3 or 4 times to describe the song. And then she says “like so many of your songs like everlong or learn to fly,” right after they spoke about everlong. And that just happens to be the next song she talks about. I GUARANTEE that’s the only two songs she knows. And when she ever so subtly transitions into asking about Learn to Fly, “she gives the quickest “on the song learn to fly I love it.” It’s the fakest thing I’ve ever heard.

Dave is such a gem 🥰