Following the release of the melancholy rock hit “The Glass” by Foo Fighters in June 2023, H.E.R has released her cover version of the song in a single featuring both versions of the track. The lyrics of this song cover the topic of the loss of a loved one. The line “I was left to live without it” keeps repeating in the verses of the song. In the second verse, the “it” changes to “him,” making “I was left to live without him.” Most likely speaking about the loss of Taylor Hawkins, who was the drummer for Foo Fighters up until his early passing on March 25, 2022.

Listening to this album on repeat, you pick up a strong sense of how a great song can sound through the lens of two artists, each with their own unique sound. Foo Fighters take heavy influence from the 90s grunge movement, mixing distorted guitar, raw emotional vocals with other punk and rock elements. H.E.R, on the other hand, is deeply rooted in contemporary R&B and soul. Her sound is more like smooth vocals, soulful guitar playing inside jazz, blues, and hip-hop.

While the direct collaboration between Foo Fighters and H.E.R might not be a common expectation, the music industry is dynamic, and unexpected collaborations often lead to exciting and innovative results. To refresh your memory, here are a few more examples of cover songs that bridge the sonic gap between genres in a similar way as “The Glass”:

1. Stevie Wonder covering “We Can Work It Out” by The Beatles
2. Aretha Franklin covering “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones
3. Chaka Khan covering “Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix
4. Tina Turner covering “Proud Mary” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
5. Whitney Houston covering “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton
6. Luther Vandross covering “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
7. John Legend covering “Pride (In the Name of Love)” by U2
8. Mary J. Blige covering “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin

Okay, you get it. Cross-genre covers are not a new thing but can often give a whole new life to the song that is covered. That is exactly what has happened to this song with the wonderful cover by H.E.R. The original version, melancholy as it is, plays through your speakers with a completely different energy. The Foo Fighter’s version is truer to their own sound, featuring distorted guitars and heavy drums. This makes the feeling of the song completely different. The cover version by H.E.R puts the song in a smaller room and makes it feel more up-close, soulful, and more like a personal lament. The Foo Fighters version is also packed with soul and lament but feels much bigger, like an anthem. Both versions certainly have their charm and paint a beautiful sonic picture that goes with the topic of loss. Bravo.

Author: Peter Källman

Peter Källman is a writer from Sweden who loves playing in bands, writing reviews and going to live shows!