Violet Grohl's 'What's Heaven Without You': A Haunting Tribute to David Lynch

The singer-songwriter's new single honors the late director with a deeply personal and emotional composition.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:56am

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An abstract close-up image of a shattered, glittering disco ball reflecting a faint, haunting blue light, conveying the fragility and loss associated with the passing of filmmaker David Lynch.Violet Grohl's haunting tribute to the late David Lynch captures the essence of grief and the enduring impact of the visionary director's work.Los Angeles Today

Violet Grohl, the daughter of Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, has released a new single titled 'What's Heaven Without You' as a tribute to the late filmmaker David Lynch. The haunting track, co-written with Persia Numan and Justin Raisen, was born out of Grohl's grief following the devastating California wildfires and Lynch's passing. The song features Grohl's emotive vocals over a dreamy, atmospheric soundscape, capturing the essence of loss and longing.

Why it matters

Violet Grohl's tribute to David Lynch through her music highlights the profound impact the visionary director had on the world of art and film. The deeply personal nature of the song, created amidst personal tragedy, also speaks to the universal experience of grief and the power of artistic expression to process and commemorate those we've lost.

The details

Grohl described the song as a memorial piece, created with her trusted collaborators Persia Numan and Justin Raisen. The trio channeled their emotions into the hauntingly beautiful composition in the days after the devastating California wildfires forced Grohl and her family to evacuate their home. The track features Grohl's soaring vocals over a dreamy, hazy soundscape, with lyrics that evoke both pain and longing, such as 'Blue Eyes/Eyes burning/Smoke dies/Prized Curtains' and 'Count me out/ What's heaven without you?/ Skin to skin/ Nothing around you'.

  • The song was released to mark the first anniversary of David Lynch's passing on April 10, 2026.
  • Grohl recorded the track in the days following the California wildfires that forced her family to evacuate their home.

The players

Violet Grohl

A singer-songwriter and the daughter of Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, who created the tribute single 'What's Heaven Without You' to honor the legacy of filmmaker David Lynch.

Persia Numan

One of Violet Grohl's trusted collaborators who worked with her on the creation of the 'What's Heaven Without You' tribute single.

Justin Raisen

One of Violet Grohl's trusted collaborators who worked with her on the creation of the 'What's Heaven Without You' tribute single, and is also producing Grohl's upcoming debut solo album.

David Lynch

The visionary filmmaker whose legacy and impact on art inspired Violet Grohl's tribute single 'What's Heaven Without You'.

Dave Grohl

The legendary Foo Fighters frontman and Violet Grohl's father, who has been vocal about his desire to feature on his daughter's upcoming debut solo album.

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What they’re saying

“The impact he left on art is truly magical, we miss you, David xx.”

— Violet Grohl, Singer-songwriter

What’s next

Violet Grohl is currently working on her debut solo album, which is being produced by Justin Raisen and is expected to feature collaborations with artists like Kim Gordon, Charli XCX, and Sky Ferreira. Her father, Dave Grohl, has also expressed a desire to be featured on the upcoming album.

The takeaway

Violet Grohl's tribute to David Lynch through her music highlights the power of artistic expression to process grief and commemorate the legacy of those who have left an indelible mark on the world of art and culture. Her journey as an emerging artist, rooted in her family's rich musical history, demonstrates the ability to forge a unique identity while honoring the past.