Dave Grohl Admires Simplicity of Iconic R.E.M. Song

The Foo Fighters frontman reveals the track he wishes he could have written.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:21am

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An abstract close-up image of a cracked disco ball reflecting shimmering, glittering shards of light, conceptually representing the emotional impact of minimalist rock songwriting.The stripped-down yet anthemic power of R.E.M.'s songwriting has left an indelible mark on rock musicians like Dave Grohl.Athens Today

In a recent BBC Radio 6 Music interview, Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl expressed his admiration for the simplicity and emotional power of R.E.M.'s hit song 'The One I Love.' Grohl noted the track's minimal lyrics and chord structure, saying he wishes he could write something 'that simple' yet so impactful.

Why it matters

Grohl's comments highlight how the deceptively simple songwriting approach of 'The One I Love' has had a lasting influence on rock musicians like himself. The song's success demonstrated the power of minimalist composition to create an anthemic, emotionally resonant track.

The details

Grohl explained that while listening to 'The One I Love,' he realized the song only has about five lyrics and five chords, yet it's 'such a beautiful' and powerful anthem. He admired R.E.M.'s ability to craft a memorable, impactful song with such stripped-down elements, something he aspires to in his own songwriting with Foo Fighters.

  • The song 'The One I Love' was released by R.E.M. in 1987 as part of their album 'Document'.
  • The track reached #9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #16 on the UK singles chart.

The players

Dave Grohl

The frontman of the Foo Fighters rock band, who is known for his own anthemic songwriting.

R.E.M.

The influential alternative rock band from Athens, Georgia, whose song 'The One I Love' became one of their biggest hits.

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What they’re saying

“And I was listening to this song and I'm like, 'Wait, there's only five lyrics in this whole song!' That's all the song says. And it's such a beautiful... It's an anthem!”

— Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters Frontman

“The simplicity of that. It's really only like five chords or something like that. So I was listening to that and like, 'God, I wish I could write something that simple.'”

— Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters Frontman

What’s next

The continued influence of R.E.M.'s songwriting approach on modern rock musicians like Dave Grohl will likely be a topic of further discussion as the band's legacy continues to be explored.

The takeaway

Dave Grohl's admiration for the simplicity and emotional power of R.E.M.'s 'The One I Love' highlights how minimalist songwriting can be highly effective when executed with precision. This lesson has clearly shaped Grohl's own approach to crafting memorable rock anthems with the Foo Fighters.