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{{short description|2017 single by Foo Fighters}}
{{Short description|2017 single by Foo Fighters}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = The Sky Is a Neighborhood
| name = The Sky Is a Neighborhood
Line 8: Line 8:
| album = [[Concrete and Gold]]
| album = [[Concrete and Gold]]
| released = {{Start date|2017|08|23}}
| released = {{Start date|2017|08|23}}
| format = [[Music download|Digital download]]
| recorded =
| recorded =
| studio =
| studio =
| genre =
| genre =
*[[Alternative rock]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/foo-fighters-concrete-and-gold|title=Foo Fighters Concrete and Gold|website=Pitchfork|last=Greene|first=Jayson|date=18 September 2017|access-date=5 November 2020}}</ref>
*[[Hard rock]]
*[[hard rock]]
*[[blues rock]]
*[[blues rock]]
| length = {{Duration|m=4|s=04}}
| length = {{Duration|m=4|s=04}}
| label = [[RCA Records|RCA]]
| label = [[RCA Records|RCA]]
| writer =
| writer =
*[[Dave Grohl]]
*[[Dave Grohl]]
*[[Taylor Hawkins]]
*[[Taylor Hawkins]]
Line 27: Line 27:
| next_title = [[The Line (Foo Fighters song)|The Line]]
| next_title = [[The Line (Foo Fighters song)|The Line]]
| next_year = 2018
| next_year = 2018
| misc = {{External music video|{{Youtube|TRqiFPpw2fY|"The Sky is a Neighborhood"}}}}
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|TRqiFPpw2fY|"The Sky is a Neighborhood"}}}}
}}
}}
"'''The Sky Is a Neighborhood'''" is a song by American rock band [[Foo Fighters]]. It was released as the second single from their ninth album ''[[Concrete and Gold]]'' on August 23, 2017. As of November 2017, the song had peaked at number one on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|Mainstream Rock Songs]] chart and seven on the [[Alternative Songs]] chart.
"'''The Sky Is a Neighborhood'''" is a song by American [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Foo Fighters]]. It was released as the second single from their ninth album ''[[Concrete and Gold]]'' on August 23, 2017. As of November 2017, the song had peaked at number one on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|Mainstream Rock Songs]] chart and seven on the [[Alternative Songs]] chart.


==Background==
==Background==
The song was one of the last written and recorded for the band's ninth studio album, ''[[Concrete and Gold]]'', being written during a two-week break the band went on after feeling they had already completed the album.<ref name="RollingStone2"/> [[Frontman]] [[Dave Grohl]], inspired by the night sky in [[Hawaii]], wrote what would become "The Sky Is a Neighborhood",<ref name="RollingStone2"/> and recorded the track over the course of a single afternoon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/foo-fighters-head-for-space-with-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-video|title=Foo Fighters head for space with The Sky Is A Neighborhood video|first=Classic Rock2017-08-23T15:11:00 234Z Classic|last=Rock|website=Classic Rock Magazine|accessdate=1 August 2019}}</ref> The song was first publicly premiered at a live acoustic show by Grohl and drummer [[Taylor Hawkins]] in May 2017,<ref name="RollingStone1">[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-foo-fighters-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-video-w497936 Watch Dave Grohl's Kids Star in Foo Fighters' 'The Sky Is a Neighborhood' Video] rollingstone.com. Retrieved August 23, 2017.</ref> at [[The Fillmore]] in [[San Francisco]].<ref name="CoS2">[https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/05/foo-fighters-debut-new-song-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-at-acoustic-show-watch/ Foo Fighters debut new song "The Sky is a Neighborhood" at acoustic show] consequenceofsound.net. Retrieved August 23, 2017</ref> The full band first performed the song live at a show in [[Iceland]] the following month.<ref name="RollingStone1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-foo-fighters-premiere-new-song-lah-di-da-at-iceland-festival-200100/|title=Watch Foo Fighters Premiere New Song 'Lah Di Da' at Iceland Festival|first1=Daniel|last1=Kreps|first2=Daniel|last2=Kreps|date=June 17, 2017}}</ref> The final studio version was released as the album's second single on August 23, 2017.<ref name="EW1">{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/music/2017/08/23/foo-fighters-video-sky-neighborhood/|title=Foo Fighters Drop Video for New Song 'The Sky Is a Neighborhood'|website=Ew.com|accessdate=1 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="CoS">[https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/08/foo-fighters-unleash-new-single-video-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-stream/ Foo Fighters unleash new single/video "The Sky Is a Neighborhood"] consequenceofsound.net. Retrieved August 23, 2017.</ref>
The song was one of the last written and recorded for the band's ninth studio album, ''[[Concrete and Gold]]'', being written during a two-week break the band went on after feeling they had already completed the album.<ref name="RollingStone2"/> [[Frontman]] [[Dave Grohl]], inspired by the night sky in [[Hawaii]], wrote what would become "The Sky Is a Neighborhood",<ref name="RollingStone2"/> and recorded the track over the course of a single afternoon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/foo-fighters-head-for-space-with-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-video|title=Foo Fighters head for space with The Sky Is A Neighborhood video|date=2017-08-23|website=Classic Rock Magazine|access-date=1 August 2019}}</ref> The song was first publicly premiered at a live acoustic show by Grohl and drummer [[Taylor Hawkins]] in May 2017,<ref name="RollingStone1">[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-foo-fighters-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-video-w497936 Watch Dave Grohl's Kids Star in Foo Fighters' 'The Sky Is a Neighborhood' Video] rollingstone.com. Retrieved August 23, 2017.</ref> at [[The Fillmore]] in [[San Francisco]].<ref name="CoS2">[https://consequence.net/2017/05/foo-fighters-debut-new-song-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-at-acoustic-show-watch/ Foo Fighters debut new song "The Sky is a Neighborhood" at acoustic show] consequence.net. Retrieved August 23, 2017</ref> The full band first performed the song live at a show in [[Iceland]] the following month.<ref name="RollingStone1"/><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-foo-fighters-premiere-new-song-lah-di-da-at-iceland-festival-200100/|title=Watch Foo Fighters Premiere New Song 'Lah Di Da' at Iceland Festival|first1=Daniel|last1=Kreps|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=June 17, 2017}}</ref> The final studio version was released as the album's second single on August 23, 2017.<ref name="EW1">{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/music/2017/08/23/foo-fighters-video-sky-neighborhood/|title=Foo Fighters Drop Video for New Song 'The Sky Is a Neighborhood'|website=Ew.com|access-date=1 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="CoS">[https://consequence.net/2017/08/foo-fighters-unleash-new-single-video-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-stream/ Foo Fighters unleash new single/video "The Sky Is a Neighborhood"] consequence.net. Retrieved August 23, 2017.</ref>


==Themes and composition==
==Themes and composition==
The name and phrase "The Sky Is a Neighborhood" originated from Grohl's lifelong hobby of [[stargazing]] and thinking about Earth's place in the universe, with him explaining "One night I was lying out looking up at stars. Just imagining all of these stars as places that have life on them as well, and I decided that the sky is a neighborhood, that we need to keep our s— together in order to survive in this universe full of life."<ref name="EW1"/> The lyrics were also inspired by the video ''The Most Astounding Fact'' by [[astrophysicist]] [[Neil DeGrasse Tyson]].<ref name="RollingStone2"/> Grohl explained: {{quote|It basically talks about the atoms that comprise life on Earth and make up the human body are traceable to the beginnings of our universe. Stars that go unstable and collapse and explode and just scatter their guts, their fundamental ingredients of life are all over the universe and forming solar systems and stars orbiting planets have the ingredients for life itself. And when you look up at the night sky, you realize that you're not only part of the universe, but the universe is part of us. It really moves me.<ref name="RollingStone2">[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/dave-grohl-talks-directing-daughters-for-new-foo-fighters-video-w499153 Dave Grohl Talks Directing daughters for new Foo Fighters video] rollingstone.com. Retrieved August 23, 2017.</ref>}}
The name and phrase "The Sky Is a Neighborhood" originated from Grohl's lifelong hobby of [[stargazing]] and thinking about Earth's place in the universe, with him explaining "One night I was lying out looking up at stars. Just imagining all of these stars as places that have life on them as well, and I decided that the sky is a neighborhood, that we need to keep our s— together in order to survive in this universe full of life."<ref name="EW1"/> The lyrics were also inspired by the video ''The Most Astounding Fact'' by [[astrophysicist]] [[Neil DeGrasse Tyson]].<ref name="RollingStone2"/> Grohl explained: {{quote|It basically talks about the atoms that comprise life on Earth and make up the human body are traceable to the beginnings of our universe. Stars that go unstable and collapse and explode and just scatter their guts, their fundamental ingredients of life are all over the universe and forming solar systems and stars orbiting planets have the ingredients for life itself. And when you look up at the night sky, you realize that you're not only part of the universe, but the universe is part of us. It really moves me.<ref name="RollingStone2">[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/dave-grohl-talks-directing-daughters-for-new-foo-fighters-video-w499153 Dave Grohl Talks Directing daughters for new Foo Fighters video] rollingstone.com. Retrieved August 23, 2017.</ref>}}


''[[Rolling Stone]]'' described the song as "Grohl [narrating] a sleepless night worrying about the state of the planet".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/dave-grohl-on-how-foo-fighters-made-concrete-and-gold-with-pop-producer-202875/|title=Dave Grohl on How Foo Fighters Made New LP With Pop Producer|first1=Kory|last1=Grow|first2=Kory|last2=Grow|date=July 27, 2017}}</ref> Some journalists noted that the line "Trouble to the [[Republican Party (United States)|right]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|left]]/ Who's side are you on?" sounded like an allusion to the political unrest found since the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 United States presidential election]],<ref>[http://www.vulture.com/2017/09/review-foo-fighters-concrete-and-gold.htmlThe Sky Is a Neighborhood</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/09/foo-fighters-concrete-and-gold-review.html|title=Foo Fighters: Concrete and Gold Review|access-date=2018-08-05|date=2017-09-17|first1=Daniel|last1=Kohn|website=Pastemagazine.com}}</ref> a theme that Grohl had said had influenced him during the album's writing process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/dave-grohl-donald-trump-inspired-foo-fighters-new-album-concrete-and-gold-2133083|title=Dave Grohl on how Donald Trump inspired Foo Fighters' new album|date=August 31, 2017|website=Nme.com|accessdate=1 August 2019}}</ref>
''[[Rolling Stone]]'' described the song as "Grohl [narrating] a sleepless night worrying about the state of the planet".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/dave-grohl-on-how-foo-fighters-made-concrete-and-gold-with-pop-producer-202875/|title=Dave Grohl on How Foo Fighters Made New LP With Pop Producer|first1=Kory|last1=Grow|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=July 27, 2017}}</ref> Some journalists noted that the line "Trouble to the [[Republican Party (United States)|right]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|left]]/ Who's side are you on?" sounded like an allusion to the political unrest found since the [[2016 United States presidential election]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2017/09/review-foo-fighters-concrete-and-gold.htmlThe|title=Sky Is a Neighborhood|website=Vulture.com|access-date=1 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/09/foo-fighters-concrete-and-gold-review.html|title=Foo Fighters: Concrete and Gold Review|access-date=2018-08-05|date=2017-09-17|first1=Daniel|last1=Kohn|website=Pastemagazine.com}}</ref> a theme that Grohl had said had influenced him during the album's writing process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/dave-grohl-donald-trump-inspired-foo-fighters-new-album-concrete-and-gold-2133083|title=Dave Grohl on how Donald Trump inspired Foo Fighters' new album|date=August 31, 2017|website=Nme.com|access-date=1 August 2019}}</ref>


Grohl told ''[[Radio X (United Kingdom)|Radio X]]'' that the song was "the biggest thing sonically we've ever done"<ref name="RadioX">[http://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/foo-fighters/news/watch-foo-fighters-sky-neighborhood-single-video/#vP6VtEDxfj4sGPGW.97 WATCH: Foo Fighters Unveil Sky Is A Neighborhood Video] radiox.co.uk. Retrieved August 23, 2017.</ref> ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine described the song's sound as a "[[Rolling Stones|[Rolling] Stones]]-esque [[blues rock|blues]] [[ballad]]",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2017/09/foo-fighters-concrete-and-gold-review/|title=Review: Foo Fighters - 'Concrete and Gold'|date=September 19, 2017}}</ref> while [[NPR]] described it as "a [[soul music|soulful]] stomp that turns [[psychedelic rock|psychedelic]]."<ref name="NPR1"/>
Grohl told ''[[Radio X (United Kingdom)|Radio X]]'' that the song was "the biggest thing sonically we've ever done"<ref name="RadioX">[http://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/foo-fighters/news/watch-foo-fighters-sky-neighborhood-single-video/#vP6VtEDxfj4sGPGW.97 WATCH: Foo Fighters Unveil Sky Is A Neighborhood Video] radiox.co.uk. Retrieved August 23, 2017.</ref> ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine described the song's sound as a "[[Rolling Stones|[Rolling] Stones]]-esque [[blues rock|blues]] [[ballad]]",<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.spin.com/2017/09/foo-fighters-concrete-and-gold-review/|title=Review: Foo Fighters - 'Concrete and Gold'|newspaper=Spin |date=September 19, 2017|last1=Camp |first1=Zoe }}</ref> while [[NPR]] described it as "a [[soul music|soulful]] stomp that turns [[psychedelic rock|psychedelic]]."<ref name="NPR1"/>


==Music video==
==Music video==
The [[music video]] for the song was directed by Grohl, and parts feature his daughters Violet and Harper.<ref name="RollingStone1"/> The video consists of Grohl's daughters amusing themselves with books and toys in a small cabin, while Grohl himself and the rest of the band performs on the roof with bright glowing eyes, intermittently stomping on the roof and catching the attention of the girls.<ref name="EW1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1958909/foo-fighters-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-video/video/|title=Foo Fighters – “The Sky Is A Neighborhood” Video|date=August 23, 2017}}</ref> Parts of the song's lyrics appear in the books the girls read.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/2017/08/foo-fighters-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-video/|title=Foo Fighters Play a Spooky Rooftop Gig in 'The Sky Is a Neighborhood Video: Watch|website=Billboard|accessdate=1 August 2019}}</ref> The band's performance punctures holes in the roof, creating the appearance of [[constellations]], and eventually causes the girls to levitate and rotate in the cabin at the conclusion of the video.<ref name="RollingStone2"/> Grohl explained the inspiration behind the video: {{quote|It's crazy because a lot of that is based on dreams that I've had about 20 years ago, where I was walking along this coastal city in Italy just as the sun was going down and the stars were coming out and then the sky just imploded into millions of UFOs swarming around. So everyone just fell to the ground and looked up, and there were these films being projected in the sky of the evolution of man, and the new territories, and how they'll be divided, and why we're here and how we were created. Just this really trippy dream that stayed with me my entire life. It seemed like all that imagery fell into place with the lyrics of the song.<ref name="RollingStone2"/>}} Grohl explained that the inclusion of his daughters was a result of them repeatedly asking to be a part of the band's videos, and Grohl finding a good way to implement them.<ref name="RollingStone2"/> He also explained that he preferred directing the video because he felt he was better able to connect the song's meaning and videos himself rather than through third party written video [[film treatment|treatments]].<ref name="RollingStone2"/> [[NPR]] described the video as being similar to ''[[Stranger Things]]'' due to the [[sci-fi]]/[[fantasy]] setting with the involvement of young children.<ref name="NPR1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/08/23/545474096/strange-things-are-afoot-in-foo-fighters-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-video|title=Strange Things Are Afoot In Foo Fighters' 'The Sky Is A Neighborhood' Video|website=Npr.org|accessdate=1 August 2019}}</ref>
The [[music video]] for the song was directed by Grohl, and parts feature his daughters [[Violet Grohl|Violet]] and Harper.<ref name="RollingStone1"/> The video consists of Grohl's daughters amusing themselves with books and toys in a small cabin, while Grohl himself and the rest of the band performs on the roof with bright glowing eyes, intermittently stomping on the roof and catching the attention of the girls.<ref name="EW1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1958909/foo-fighters-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-video/video/|title=Foo Fighters – "The Sky Is A Neighborhood" Video|date=August 23, 2017}}</ref> Parts of the song's lyrics appear in the books the girls read.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/2017/08/foo-fighters-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-video/|title=Foo Fighters Play a Spooky Rooftop Gig in 'The Sky Is a Neighborhood Video: Watch|magazine=Billboard|access-date=1 August 2019}}</ref> The band's performance punctures holes in the roof, creating the appearance of [[constellations]], and eventually causes the girls to levitate and rotate in the cabin at the conclusion of the video.<ref name="RollingStone2"/> In one shot, a framed photo of the famous Serbian-American scientist [[Nikola Tesla]] can be seen. Grohl explained the inspiration behind the video: {{quote|It's crazy because a lot of that is based on dreams that I've had about 20 years ago, where I was walking along this coastal city in Italy just as the sun was going down and the stars were coming out and then the sky just imploded into millions of UFOs swarming around. So everyone just fell to the ground and looked up, and there were these films being projected in the sky of the evolution of man, and the new territories, and how they'll be divided, and why we're here and how we were created. Just this really trippy dream that stayed with me my entire life. It seemed like all that imagery fell into place with the lyrics of the song.<ref name="RollingStone2"/>}} Grohl explained that the inclusion of his daughters was a result of them repeatedly asking to be a part of the band's videos, and Grohl finding a good way to implement them.<ref name="RollingStone2"/> He also explained that he preferred directing the video because he felt he was better able to connect the song's meaning and videos himself rather than through third party written video [[film treatment|treatments]].<ref name="RollingStone2"/> [[NPR]] described the video as being similar to ''[[Stranger Things]]'' due to the [[sci-fi]]/[[fantasy]] setting with the involvement of young children.<ref name="NPR1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/08/23/545474096/strange-things-are-afoot-in-foo-fighters-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-video|title=Strange Things Are Afoot In Foo Fighters' 'The Sky Is A Neighborhood' Video|website=Npr.org|access-date=1 August 2019}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
The song was generally well received commercially and critically. As of September 2017, the song had peaked at number seven on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' US [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|Mainstream Rock Songs]] chart. [[ABC News]] singled out the song as a standout track on ''Concrete and Gold'', stating that "within the context of the record it really stands out{{nbsp}}... Grohl sells it with his shout and the background choir of voices gives it a wonderfully ominous touch.<ref>{{cite web|title=Review: The Foo Fighters' 'Concrete and Gold' is reliable, but without a catchy single|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/review-foo-fighters-concrete-gold-reliable-catchy-single/story?id=49878706|access-date=2018-08-05|date=2017-09-15|first1=Allan|last1=Raible|website=Abcnews.go.com}}</ref> [[MetalSucks]] praised the song's sound for being "like nothing the band has ever done before, but it still fits in perfectly with the rest of their material. This, my friends, is artistic evolution done right."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2017/08/23/the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-foo-fighters-release-new-song-video-starring-dave-grohls-daughters/|access-date=2018-08-05|date=2017-08-23|title="The Sky is a Neighborhood": Foo Fighters Release New Song + Video Starring Dave Grohl's Daughters|first1=Axl|last1=Rosenberg|publisher=[[MetalSucks]]}}</ref>
The song was generally well received commercially and critically. As of September 2017, the song had peaked at number seven on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' US [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|Mainstream Rock Songs]] chart. [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] singled out the song as a standout track on ''Concrete and Gold'', stating that "within the context of the record it really stands out{{nbsp}}... Grohl sells it with his shout and the background choir of voices gives it a wonderfully ominous touch.<ref>{{cite web|title=Review: The Foo Fighters' 'Concrete and Gold' is reliable, but without a catchy single|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/review-foo-fighters-concrete-gold-reliable-catchy-single/story?id=49878706|access-date=2018-08-05|date=2017-09-15|first1=Allan|last1=Raible|website=Abcnews.go.com}}</ref> [[MetalSucks]] praised the song's sound for being "like nothing the band has ever done before, but it still fits in perfectly with the rest of their material. This, my friends, is artistic evolution done right."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2017/08/23/the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-foo-fighters-release-new-song-video-starring-dave-grohls-daughters/|access-date=2018-08-05|date=2017-08-23|title="The Sky is a Neighborhood": Foo Fighters Release New Song + Video Starring Dave Grohl's Daughters|first1=Axl|last1=Rosenberg|publisher=[[MetalSucks]]}}</ref> Foo Fighters performed "The Sky Is a Neighborhood" at the [[2018 Brit Awards]] where they won the award for International Group.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Legaspi |first=Althea |date=February 22, 2018 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/see-foo-fighters-perform-the-sky-is-a-neighborhood-at-brit-awards-203900/ |title=See Foo Fighters Perform 'The Sky Is a Neighborhood' at Brit Awards |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=November 8, 2020}}</ref>


== Personnel ==
== Personnel ==
Credits adapted from ''Concrete and Gold'' liner notes.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title= Concrete and Gold |year= 2017 |type= booklet |publisher= [[RCA Records|RCA]] [[Roswell Records|Roswell]]}}</ref>
'''Foo Fighters'''
* [[Dave Grohl]] – lead vocals, guitar
* [[Dave Grohl]] – lead vocals, guitar
* [[Chris Shiflett]] – guitar
* [[Chris Shiflett]] – guitar
* [[Pat Smear]] – guitar
* [[Pat Smear]] – guitar
* [[Nate Mendel]] – bass
* [[Nate Mendel]] – bass
* [[Taylor Hawkins]] – drums, backing vocals
* [[Taylor Hawkins]] – drums, backing vocals
* [[Rami Jaffee]] – keyboards


'''Guest musicians'''
===Guest musicians===
* [[Alison Mosshart]] – backing vocals
* [[Alison Mosshart]] – backing vocals
* Rachel Grace – violin
* Rachel Grace – violin
* Ginny Luke – violin
* Ginny Luke – violin
* Thomas Lea – viola
* Thomas Lea – viola
* Kings Bacik – cello
* Kings Bacik – cello
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===Weekly charts===
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2017)
! scope="col"| Chart (2017–18)
! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position
! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position
|-
|-
{{single chart|Flanders Tip|17|artist=Foo Fighters|song=The Sky is a Neighborhood|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 7, 2017}}
{{single chart|Flanders Tip|17|artist=Foo Fighters|song=The Sky is a Neighborhood|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2017}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|Wallonia Tip|37|artist=Foo Fighters|song=The Sky is a Neighborhood|rowheader=true|accessdate=December 17, 2017}}
{{single chart|Wallonia Tip|37|artist=Foo Fighters|song=The Sky is a Neighborhood|rowheader=true|access-date=December 17, 2017}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| [[Billboard charts#Canadian charts|Canadian All-format Airplay]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/foo-fighters/chart-history/caf/ |title=Canada All Format (Foo Fighters) |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=November 10, 2020}}</ref>
⚫
{{single chart|Billboardcanadarock|1|artist=Foo Fighters|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 17, 2018}}
|37
|-
|-
{{singlechart|Finnishairplay|42|artist=Foo Fighters|song=The Sky Is a Neighborhood|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 17, 2018}}
{{single chart|Billboardcanadarock|1|artist=Foo Fighters|rowheader=true|access-date=January 17, 2018}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|Finnishairplay|42|artist=Foo Fighters|song=The Sky Is a Neighborhood|rowheader=true|access-date=January 17, 2018}}
! scope="row"| [[Mexico Ingles Airplay]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref name="BillboardBiz1">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0]=ts_chart_artistname%3AFoo%20Fighters&f[1]=itm_field_chart_id%3A1188&f[2]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Foo%20Fighters|title=Foo Fighters - Mexican Ingles Airplay search results|publisher=billboard.com|accessdate=September 4, 2017}}</ref>
⚫
|-
! scope="row"| [[Mexico Ingles Airplay]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/foo-fighters/chart-history/min/ |title=Foo Fighters - Mexico Ingles Airplay |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=July 23, 2020}}</ref>
|43
|43
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Netherlands Single Tip ([[MegaCharts]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/weekchart.asp?cat=st|title=Netherlands Single Tip Chart - September 9, 2017|publisher=[[Mega Charts]]|date=September 9, 2017|accessdate=September 8, 2017}}</ref>
! scope="row"| Netherlands Single Tip ([[MegaCharts]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/weekchart.asp?cat=st|title=Netherlands Single Tip Chart - September 9, 2017|publisher=[[Mega Charts]]|date=September 9, 2017|access-date=September 8, 2017}}</ref>
| 24
| 24
|-
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Heatseekers ([[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=4394|title=NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=September 4, 2017|accessdate=September 1, 2017}}</ref>
! scope="row"| New Zealand Heatseekers ([[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2017-09-01|title=NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=September 4, 2017|access-date=September 1, 2017}}</ref>
| 7
| 7
|-
|-
⚫
{{single chart|Portugal|84|artist=Foo Fighters|song=The Sky is a Neighborhood|rowheader=true|access-date=October 6, 2017}}
! scope="row"|Poland ([[Lista Przebojów Programu Trzeciego|LP3]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lp3.polskieradio.pl/utwor/artykul16931,639_the_sky_is_a_neighborhood.aspx|title=The Sky Is a Neighborhood|publisher=[[Polskie Radio]]|accessdate=September 29, 2017}}</ref>
⚫
| 15
|-
|-
{{single chart|Portugal|84|artist=Foo Fighters|song=The Sky is a Neighborhood|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 6, 2017}}
{{single chart|Scotland|38|date=20170929|rowheader=true|access-date=September 30, 2017}}
|-
|-
⚫
! scope="row"| Sweden Heatseeker ([[Sverigetopplistan]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=215&dfom=20170915|title=Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 38, 22 september 2017|publisher=[[Sverigetopplistan]]|access-date=September 22, 2017}}</ref>
{{single chart|Scotland|38|date=20170929|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 30, 2017}}
⚫
|-
⚫
! scope="row"| Sweden Heatseeker ([[Sverigetopplistan]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=215&dfom=20170915|title=Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 38, 22 september 2017|publisher=[[Sverigetopplistan]]|accessdate=September 22, 2017}}</ref>
| 4
| 4
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Switzerland Airplay ([[Schweizer Hitparade]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/airplay/38-2017|title=Schweizer Airplay Charts 38/2017 - hitparade.ch |publisher=hitparade.ch |access-date=February 23, 2022}}</ref>
⚫
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|artist=Foo Fighters|63|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 22, 2017}}
⚫
| 86
|-
|-
{{single chart|UKrock|1|date=20170922|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 22, 2017}}
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|artist=Foo Fighters|artistid=27860|63|rowheader=true|access-date=September 22, 2017}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|10|artist=Foo Fighters|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 3, 2018}}
{{single chart|UKrock|1|date=20170922|rowheader=true|access-date=September 22, 2017}}
|-
⚫
{{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|10|artist=Foo Fighters|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2018}}
|-
|-
<!-- Per [[WP:USCHARTS]], do not add Alternative Songs or Mainstream Rock charts if it charted on the overall Rock Songs or Rock Airplay -->
<!-- Per [[WP:USCHARTS]], do not add Alternative Songs or Mainstream Rock charts if it charted on the overall Rock Songs or Rock Airplay -->
{{single chart|Billboardrockairplay|1|artist=Foo Fighters|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 26, 2017}}
{{single chart|Billboardrockairplay|1|artist=Foo Fighters|rowheader=true|access-date=October 26, 2017}}
|}
|}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
Line 115: Line 119:
! scope="col"| Position
! scope="col"| Position
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US Hot Rock Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2017|work=Billboard|accessdate=September 6, 2018}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US Hot Rock Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2017|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 6, 2018}}</ref>
| 62
| 62
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US Mainstream Rock Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/mainstream-rock-songs-artists|title=Mainstream Rock Songs – Year-End 2017|work=Billboard|accessdate=October 23, 2018}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US Rock Airplay (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2017/rock-airplay-songs/|title=Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2017|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 21, 2022}}</ref>
| 36
| 41
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2018)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| US Hot Rock Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 3, 2020}}</ref>
| 58
|-
! scope="row"| US Rock Airplay (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/rock-airplay-songs/|title=Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 21, 2022}}</ref>
| 27
|}
|}

{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|artist=Foo Fighters|title=The Sky Is a Neighborhood|award=Gold|certyear=2023|relyear=2017|access-date=November 16, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Foo Fighters|title=The Sky Is a Neighborhood|certyear=2020|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=September 30, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Foo Fighters|title=The Sky Is a Neighborhood|certyear=2020|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=December 17, 2024|source=radioscope}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Foo Fighters|title=The Sky Is a Neighborhood|award=Silver|relyear=2017|certyear=2020|id=16802-569-1|access-date=October 31, 2020}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}


==References==
==References==
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{{Foo Fighters}}
{{Foo Fighters}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Sky Is a Neighborhood}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sky Is a Neighborhood}}
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[[Category:2017 songs]]
[[Category:2017 singles]]
[[Category:2017 singles]]
[[Category:Foo Fighters songs]]
[[Category:Foo Fighters songs]]
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[[Category:Songs written by Pat Smear]]
[[Category:Songs written by Pat Smear]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Greg Kurstin]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Greg Kurstin]]
⚫
[[Category:2017 songs]]
[[Category:RCA Records singles]]
[[Category:RCA Records singles]]
[[Category:Blues rock songs]]
[[Category:Blues rock songs]]
[[Category:2010s ballads]]
[[Category:2010s ballads]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Nikola Tesla]]

Latest revision as of 21:59, 17 December 2024

"The Sky Is a Neighborhood"
Single by Foo Fighters
from the album Concrete and Gold
ReleasedAugust 23, 2017 (2017-08-23)
Genre
Length4:04
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Greg Kurstin
Foo Fighters singles chronology
"Run"
(2017) 		"The Sky Is a Neighborhood"
(2017) 		"The Line"
(2018)
Music video
"The Sky is a Neighborhood" on YouTube

"The Sky Is a Neighborhood" is a song by American rock band Foo Fighters. It was released as the second single from their ninth album Concrete and Gold on August 23, 2017. As of November 2017, the song had peaked at number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart and seven on the Alternative Songs chart.

Background

[edit]

The song was one of the last written and recorded for the band's ninth studio album, Concrete and Gold, being written during a two-week break the band went on after feeling they had already completed the album.[2] Frontman Dave Grohl, inspired by the night sky in Hawaii, wrote what would become "The Sky Is a Neighborhood",[2] and recorded the track over the course of a single afternoon.[3] The song was first publicly premiered at a live acoustic show by Grohl and drummer Taylor Hawkins in May 2017,[4] at The Fillmore in San Francisco.[5] The full band first performed the song live at a show in Iceland the following month.[4][6] The final studio version was released as the album's second single on August 23, 2017.[7][8]

Themes and composition

[edit]

The name and phrase "The Sky Is a Neighborhood" originated from Grohl's lifelong hobby of stargazing and thinking about Earth's place in the universe, with him explaining "One night I was lying out looking up at stars. Just imagining all of these stars as places that have life on them as well, and I decided that the sky is a neighborhood, that we need to keep our s— together in order to survive in this universe full of life."[7] The lyrics were also inspired by the video The Most Astounding Fact by astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson.[2] Grohl explained:

It basically talks about the atoms that comprise life on Earth and make up the human body are traceable to the beginnings of our universe. Stars that go unstable and collapse and explode and just scatter their guts, their fundamental ingredients of life are all over the universe and forming solar systems and stars orbiting planets have the ingredients for life itself. And when you look up at the night sky, you realize that you're not only part of the universe, but the universe is part of us. It really moves me.[2]

Rolling Stone described the song as "Grohl [narrating] a sleepless night worrying about the state of the planet".[9] Some journalists noted that the line "Trouble to the right and left/ Who's side are you on?" sounded like an allusion to the political unrest found since the 2016 United States presidential election,[10][11] a theme that Grohl had said had influenced him during the album's writing process.[12]

Grohl told Radio X that the song was "the biggest thing sonically we've ever done"[13] Spin magazine described the song's sound as a "[Rolling] Stones-esque blues ballad",[14] while NPR described it as "a soulful stomp that turns psychedelic."[15]

Music video

[edit]

The music video for the song was directed by Grohl, and parts feature his daughters Violet and Harper.[4] The video consists of Grohl's daughters amusing themselves with books and toys in a small cabin, while Grohl himself and the rest of the band performs on the roof with bright glowing eyes, intermittently stomping on the roof and catching the attention of the girls.[7][16] Parts of the song's lyrics appear in the books the girls read.[17] The band's performance punctures holes in the roof, creating the appearance of constellations, and eventually causes the girls to levitate and rotate in the cabin at the conclusion of the video.[2] In one shot, a framed photo of the famous Serbian-American scientist Nikola Tesla can be seen. Grohl explained the inspiration behind the video:

It's crazy because a lot of that is based on dreams that I've had about 20 years ago, where I was walking along this coastal city in Italy just as the sun was going down and the stars were coming out and then the sky just imploded into millions of UFOs swarming around. So everyone just fell to the ground and looked up, and there were these films being projected in the sky of the evolution of man, and the new territories, and how they'll be divided, and why we're here and how we were created. Just this really trippy dream that stayed with me my entire life. It seemed like all that imagery fell into place with the lyrics of the song.[2]

Grohl explained that the inclusion of his daughters was a result of them repeatedly asking to be a part of the band's videos, and Grohl finding a good way to implement them.[2] He also explained that he preferred directing the video because he felt he was better able to connect the song's meaning and videos himself rather than through third party written video treatments.[2] NPR described the video as being similar to Stranger Things due to the sci-fi/fantasy setting with the involvement of young children.[15]

Reception

[edit]

The song was generally well received commercially and critically. As of September 2017, the song had peaked at number seven on the Billboard US Mainstream Rock Songs chart. ABC News singled out the song as a standout track on Concrete and Gold, stating that "within the context of the record it really stands out ... Grohl sells it with his shout and the background choir of voices gives it a wonderfully ominous touch.[18] MetalSucks praised the song's sound for being "like nothing the band has ever done before, but it still fits in perfectly with the rest of their material. This, my friends, is artistic evolution done right."[19] Foo Fighters performed "The Sky Is a Neighborhood" at the 2018 Brit Awards where they won the award for International Group.[20]

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from Concrete and Gold liner notes.[21]

Guest musicians

[edit]
  • Alison Mosshart – backing vocals
  • Rachel Grace – violin
  • Ginny Luke – violin
  • Thomas Lea – viola
  • Kings Bacik – cello

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[42] Gold 35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[43] Gold 40,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[44] Gold 15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[45] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Greene, Jayson (18 September 2017). "Foo Fighters Concrete and Gold". Pitchfork. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Dave Grohl Talks Directing daughters for new Foo Fighters video rollingstone.com. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  3. ^ "Foo Fighters head for space with The Sky Is A Neighborhood video". Classic Rock Magazine. 2017-08-23. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b c Watch Dave Grohl's Kids Star in Foo Fighters' 'The Sky Is a Neighborhood' Video rollingstone.com. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  5. ^ Foo Fighters debut new song "The Sky is a Neighborhood" at acoustic show consequence.net. Retrieved August 23, 2017
  6. ^ Kreps, Daniel (June 17, 2017). "Watch Foo Fighters Premiere New Song 'Lah Di Da' at Iceland Festival". Rolling Stone.
  7. ^ a b c "Foo Fighters Drop Video for New Song 'The Sky Is a Neighborhood'". Ew.com. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  8. ^ Foo Fighters unleash new single/video "The Sky Is a Neighborhood" consequence.net. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  9. ^ Grow, Kory (July 27, 2017). "Dave Grohl on How Foo Fighters Made New LP With Pop Producer". Rolling Stone.
  10. ^ "Sky Is a Neighborhood". Vulture.com. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  11. ^ Kohn, Daniel (2017-09-17). "Foo Fighters: Concrete and Gold Review". Pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  12. ^ "Dave Grohl on how Donald Trump inspired Foo Fighters' new album". Nme.com. August 31, 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  13. ^ WATCH: Foo Fighters Unveil Sky Is A Neighborhood Video radiox.co.uk. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  14. ^ Camp, Zoe (September 19, 2017). "Review: Foo Fighters - 'Concrete and Gold'". Spin.
  15. ^ a b "Strange Things Are Afoot In Foo Fighters' 'The Sky Is A Neighborhood' Video". Npr.org. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  16. ^ "Foo Fighters – "The Sky Is A Neighborhood" Video". August 23, 2017.
  17. ^ "Foo Fighters Play a Spooky Rooftop Gig in 'The Sky Is a Neighborhood Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  18. ^ Raible, Allan (2017-09-15). "Review: The Foo Fighters' 'Concrete and Gold' is reliable, but without a catchy single". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  19. ^ Rosenberg, Axl (2017-08-23). ""The Sky is a Neighborhood": Foo Fighters Release New Song + Video Starring Dave Grohl's Daughters". MetalSucks. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  20. ^ Legaspi, Althea (February 22, 2018). "See Foo Fighters Perform 'The Sky Is a Neighborhood' at Brit Awards". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  21. ^ Concrete and Gold (booklet). RCA Roswell. 2017.
  22. ^ "Foo Fighters – The Sky is a Neighborhood" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  23. ^ "Foo Fighters – The Sky is a Neighborhood" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  24. ^ "Canada All Format (Foo Fighters)". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  25. ^ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  26. ^ "Foo Fighters: The Sky Is a Neighborhood" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  27. ^ "Foo Fighters - Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  28. ^ "Netherlands Single Tip Chart - September 9, 2017". Mega Charts. September 9, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  29. ^ "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 4, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  30. ^ "Foo Fighters – The Sky is a Neighborhood". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  31. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  32. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 38, 22 september 2017". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  33. ^ "Schweizer Airplay Charts 38/2017 - hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  34. ^ "Foo Fighters: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  35. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  36. ^ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  37. ^ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  38. ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  39. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  40. ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  41. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  42. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  43. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Foo Fighters – The Sky Is a Neighborhood". Music Canada. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  44. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Foo Fighters – The Sky Is a Neighborhood". Radioscope. Retrieved December 17, 2024. Type The Sky Is a Neighborhood in the "Search:" field.
  45. ^ "British single certifications – Foo Fighters – The Sky Is a Neighborhood". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
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