Foo Fighters discography

Lore & Background

In October 1994, Dave Grohl recorded an album's worth of songs alone at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle, playing all instruments. He used the name 'Foo Fighters' to hide his identity and passed cassette copies to friends. After attracting label interest, he signed with Capitol Records, releasing the debut album Foo Fighters in 1995. The album peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200 and earned a platinum certification in the United States. Following extensive touring with a full band—including Mendel, Smear, and drummer William Goldsmith—the group released The Colour and the Shape in 1997, which reached number 10 on the Billboard 200 and went double platinum in the US. The single 'Everlong' from that album has been certified 2× Platinum in the US.

After the tour, Foo Fighters left Capitol Records. Grohl built a home studio in Alexandria, Virginia to avoid studio interference, leading to the departure of Goldsmith and Smear. With Mendel and new drummer Taylor Hawkins, the band recorded There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) and signed with RCA Records. Their fourth album, One by One (2002), was the first with guitarist Chris Shiflett and topped charts in the UK and Australia. Subsequent albums include In Your Honor (2005), Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007), and Wasting Light (2011), which debuted at number one in twelve countries. The band's ninth album, Concrete and Gold (2017), became their second number one in the United States. Medicine at Midnight (2021) was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But Here We Are (2023) was the first album after the passing of drummer Taylor Hawkins in March 2022. Their twelfth studio album, Your Favorite Toy, was released on April 24, 2026.

Reader's Guide

The Foo Fighters discography spans over three decades and reflects the evolution of a band that began as a solo project by Dave Grohl. Their debut album established a raw, energetic sound, while subsequent releases like The Colour and the Shape and Wasting Light showcased growth in songwriting and production. The band's ability to adapt—moving from Capitol to RCA, building their own studios, and experimenting with acoustic tours and multi-city recording projects—demonstrates their resilience and creative ambition. Their commercial success includes multiple platinum certifications, number-one albums in several countries, and enduring radio hits such as 'Learn to Fly' and 'Best of You.' The discography also includes video albums, live recordings, and the Foo Files series of digital EPs. The band's significance lies in their consistent output and ability to maintain relevance across changing musical landscapes, while their legacy is marked by the tragic loss of drummer Taylor Hawkins and the continuation of their work thereafter.

Did You Know?

• The band's debut album was recorded entirely by Dave Grohl playing all instruments at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle in October 1994.
• The single 'Everlong' from The Colour and the Shape has been certified 2× Platinum in the United States.
• Wasting Light (2011) debuted at number one in twelve countries, and its single 'Rope' holds the record for most consecutive weeks at number one on the US Rock Songs chart.
• But Here We Are (2023) was the first Foo Fighters album released after the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins in March 2022.