The Grohl Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 13 hours ago, pacejunkie punk said: I tend to agree. The more I listen, I find the orchestration and the melody gorgeous, it's an enjoyable listen, but unlike similar songs like When it's Time or WMUWSE, the lyrics just don't touch me emotionally. I'm not finding a relatable hook to hang on to, even as a parent. I don't know if its because I can't separate this from the thought of Joey (and fuck Joey) or if there's some deeper statement on parenthood that the song gets close to but doesn't quite reach. I'm not sure I understand the words of the chorus completely either, they're a little vague. I know I stated earlier that there were emotional aspects to it for me, but they're a stretch and the song has diminishing returns. I'm in the same boat. I'm not a parent so this one isn't punching me in the gut like I expected it to. WMUWSE hits me really hard. It was already a sad song, but then I lost my own step dad in September so it's practically unlistenable now. I get the sentiment Billie's going for on Father to a Son, but I thought it was going to be this big emotional, epic ballad. As it is, it's nice and sweet. I like it but definitely something I would tend to skip every now and then. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekim Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 Not a bad song but could've used a bridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devilskind92 Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 18 hours ago, The Grohl said: I'm in the same boat. I'm not a parent so this one isn't punching me in the gut like I expected it to. WMUWSE hits me really hard. It was already a sad song, but then I lost my own step dad in September so it's practically unlistenable now. I get the sentiment Billie's going for on Father to a Son, but I thought it was going to be this big emotional, epic ballad. As it is, it's nice and sweet. I like it but definitely something I would tend to skip every now and then. Sadly, I often find myself skipping this one too. Not because it is a skippable song per se (it's beautiful and I really like it), but it just doesn't mesh well with the album's flow. Sometimes I'll skip it and then play it after the album's finished, but I don't think it would be a better closer than Fancy Sauce. So, for me, Father to a Son feels somewhat disconnected from the rest. I'm also not a parent, so there's that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Boy Named Booze Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 20 minutes ago, devilskind92 said: I'm also not a parent, so there's that. I'm a dad and I'm kind of disconnected from this song too. Maybe because I have a daughter. Father To A Daughter would have been a better title. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devilskind92 Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 5 minutes ago, Little Boy Named Booze said: I'm a dad and I'm kind of disconnected from this song too. Honestly, the song still resonates with me on some level. I have a wonderful relationship with my father, so when I listen to it and consider his perspective, it really touches me. I do think it's a beautiful song and I enjoy it a lot. I just can't find a good place for it on the album. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacejunkie punk Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 I swear I think it’s the Joey association for me. It’s too specific to be a universal feeling as his songs typically are. I know this song is supposed to be a love letter to both his sons — regretting that he wasn’t there more for them growing up, etc. — but between the two Joey was the much bigger handful growing up. The lyrics refer much more to Joey than Jakob. The lighthouse in a storm line is definitely a reference to Billie becoming a father (to Joey) just as Dookie took off. So when I hear him singing “Your mother said it best, we will be put to the test” and love being scarier than anger all I think of is “Joey, where did we go wrong?” combined with all the not so nice things we’ve heard about Joey even before the Lydia scandal, it makes the song a bit of a cringe listen. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage Disciple Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 I am a parent and I am close to Billie's age and I can connect to this song. I think maybe it has more to do with age and being a parent and now that your kids are grown and at this stage of your life, you kind of reflect back on your parenting and how you maybe could have done better or done things differently. Obviously he has regrets and now that they are grown men, they have probably been having these sorts of conversations and expressing these things to him about how it affected them growing up. 1 minute ago, pacejunkie punk said: I swear I think it’s the Joey association for me. It’s too specific to be a universal feeling as his songs typically are. I know this song is supposed to be a love letter to both his sons — regretting that he wasn’t there more for them growing up, etc. — but between the two Joey was the much bigger handful growing up. The lyrics refer much more to Joey than Jakob. The lighthouse in a storm line is definitely a reference to Billie becoming a father (to Joey) just as Dookie took off. So when I hear him singing “Your mother said it best, we will be put to the test” and love being scarier than anger all I think of is “Joey, where did we go wrong?” combined with all the not so nice things we’ve heard about Joey even before the Lydia scandal, it makes the song a bit of a cringe listen. I feel like lighthouse in a storm could be a reference to both of them because Billie was struggling with drinking when Jakob was born also and it speaks to me as sort of their births were a reorientation perhaps for him. Why was Joey a bigger handful growing up? I haven't really read anything on his sons until the Lydia thing so I'm not sure what you mean about not so nice things we've heard about Joey. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TheMostExpressivePrice Posted January 24 Popular Post Share Posted January 24 Really felt it once i heard it the first time, really feeling it now as well. i may never become a father, but the heart warming message this sweet song carries can not leave my brain for a long time. Already a classic once it premiered. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post amberwhite Posted January 26 Popular Post Share Posted January 26 Maybe it's just me, but the first few times he sings "father to a son" I hear "when September ends" and that is like a gut punch. Made me like the song a bit more as I wasn't really feeling it before. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saviour Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 On 1/24/2024 at 2:48 PM, pacejunkie punk said: I swear I think it’s the Joey association for me. It’s too specific to be a universal feeling as his songs typically are. I know this song is supposed to be a love letter to both his sons — regretting that he wasn’t there more for them growing up, etc. — but between the two Joey was the much bigger handful growing up. The lyrics refer much more to Joey than Jakob. The lighthouse in a storm line is definitely a reference to Billie becoming a father (to Joey) just as Dookie took off. So when I hear him singing “Your mother said it best, we will be put to the test” and love being scarier than anger all I think of is “Joey, where did we go wrong?” combined with all the not so nice things we’ve heard about Joey even before the Lydia scandal, it makes the song a bit of a cringe listen. I don't listen to any of their bands, nor do I know anything (or care) about a couple of nepo babies bar what's been made public. But this line especially I can't escape the thought that it's referring to the scandal, and that makes me really uneasy TBQH. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend Strychnine Twitch Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 This song needs to have a music video. It's time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermione Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 On 1/24/2024 at 2:48 PM, pacejunkie punk said: I swear I think it’s the Joey association for me. It’s too specific to be a universal feeling as his songs typically are. I know this song is supposed to be a love letter to both his sons — regretting that he wasn’t there more for them growing up, etc. — but between the two Joey was the much bigger handful growing up. The lyrics refer much more to Joey than Jakob. The lighthouse in a storm line is definitely a reference to Billie becoming a father (to Joey) just as Dookie took off. So when I hear him singing “Your mother said it best, we will be put to the test” and love being scarier than anger all I think of is “Joey, where did we go wrong?” combined with all the not so nice things we’ve heard about Joey even before the Lydia scandal, it makes the song a bit of a cringe listen. Yeah honestly it just makes it a bit less poignant when you know it's about dumbass Joey Armstrong . If you were unaware of Billie's family it would work better. I enjoy the music and sentiment though. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post solongfromthestars Posted January 27 Popular Post Share Posted January 27 I doubt this song will ever grow on me because I just don't like the sound of it, but that's a shame because I get the sentiment and it's lovely. I don't think it necessarily refers to the scandal. Parenting puts everyone "to the test," but even more so if there are additional challenges (like fame and addiction in Billie's case). The "love scarier than anger" line doesn't have to refer to actually being angry; it's comparing a parent's love to one of the strongest emotions that everyone can understand, even if they never have kids, because we've all experienced frightening anger at some point. I never had the chance to get angry with my kid but I get that line. There's nothing quite like the unconditional love that hits you like a train when you become a parent, and it can be terrifying, especially when you're young. 6 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage Disciple Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 10 hours ago, solongfromthestars said: There's nothing quite like the unconditional love that hits you like a train when you become a parent Amen 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Hermione Posted January 28 Popular Post Share Posted January 28 21 hours ago, solongfromthestars said: I doubt this song will ever grow on me because I just don't like the sound of it, but that's a shame because I get the sentiment and it's lovely. I don't think it necessarily refers to the scandal. Parenting puts everyone "to the test," but even more so if there are additional challenges (like fame and addiction in Billie's case). The "love scarier than anger" line doesn't have to refer to actually being angry; it's comparing a parent's love to one of the strongest emotions that everyone can understand, even if they never have kids, because we've all experienced frightening anger at some point. I never had the chance to get angry with my kid but I get that line. There's nothing quite like the unconditional love that hits you like a train when you become a parent, and it can be terrifying, especially when you're young. Oh yeah I don't think it's referring to the scandal. It's just that being aware of/picturing the dumb kid the song is about is distracting lol 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenDayJunkie86 Posted April 12 Share Posted April 12 I know this page is pretty much dead now, but the other day I was thinking that this song kind of reminds me of The Forgotten, but not as good. Don't kill me, but I think it is the instruments? Something about seems like it would be on ¡Tre!. (Don't kill me 😄). To be honest, the songs was not the best on the album, but it was better than Fever Blister, lol. Solid 6/10. 🤷♀️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Grohl Posted May 14 Share Posted May 14 I'm not hearing it really. Then again I really hate The Forgotten. Father to a Son is much better than that song. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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