The Foo Fighters released a new single, “Asking for a Friend,” on Thursday, signaling the start of a new era for the veteran rock band led by Dave Grohl.
The track opens with a gentle guitar and Grohl singing, “Save your promises until we meet again / You can save all your promises until the bitter end / What is real, I’m asking for a friend / What is real, I’m asking for a friend.” The song then builds into a loud, guitar-driven chorus, with Grohl repeating, “Or is this the end?” as the pace intensifies.
Throughout the four-and-a-half-minute song, Grohl sings, “Lay your worry down / Save your promises till we meet again / Save all your promises until the bitter end,” and later asks, “When you’re alone, am I a part of you? Am I a part of you?” He later assures, “You’re not alone. I am a part of you. When I’m apart from you.” The song reaches its climax at the three-minute mark, with Grohl’s vocals and fast-paced guitar riffs leading the track to its close.
At press time, a spokesperson for the band had not confirmed whether former Nine Inch Nails drummer Ilan Rubin played on the track. However, artwork posted to the band’s Instagram account Wednesday included Rubin’s photo with the other members.
“Asking for a Friend” follows the more upbeat single “Today’s Song.” After a series of intimate club shows featuring Rubin, Foo Fighters have announced the first dates of their 2026 Take Cover stadium tour, the group’s first stadium run since the 2023-24 Everything or Nothing at All tour.
The tour is scheduled to begin Aug. 4 at Rogers Stadium in Toronto, with stops in Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Nashville, Washington, Fargo, North Dakota, Regina, Saskatchewan, Edmonton, Alberta, and Vancouver, British Columbia, before concluding at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Queens of the Stone Age will open all dates except Fargo, where Mannequin Pussy and Gouge Away will perform on select dates. The band said more shows are expected to be announced.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. local time Friday, Oct. 31. Fans can sign up for an artist pre-sale through 11:59 p.m. PT Sunday, Oct. 26.
In a statement posted on Substack, Grohl said he found inspiration for the new single while in Japan, looking at Mount Fuji. “As the clouds slowly clear and life comes into view, there are many reasons to be grateful. And humbled. I know this and I feel this every day,” he wrote.
Grohl also reflected on the band’s recent return to the stage. “Since our return to the stage in San Luis Obispo five weeks ago, we have been reminded of why we love and are forever devoted to doing this Foo Fighters thing,” he said. “From reconnecting as a band and staring at a list of 30 years’ worth of songs to reimagining versions with the incredible blessing of the one and only Ilan Rubin behind the drums, to reuniting with our amazing fans and blasting them with everything we’ve got, we have the most solid core. And the sun is finally rising over the horizon.”
Grohl also discussed his longtime friendship with Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, stating, “I have shared some of my life’s most rewarding musical moments with my dear friend, Josh. A lifelong bond that goes far beyond the sound we’ve made together. So it is with great happiness that we can share this next chapter together with his almighty Queens of the Stone Age.”
Grohl hinted that new music is on the way, writing, “None of this would be complete without new music to share from Pat (Smear), Nate (Mendel), Chris (Shiflett), Rami (Jaffee), Ilan and me. ‘Asking for a Friend’ is a song for those who have waited patiently in the cold, relying on hope and faith for their horizon to appear. Searching for ‘proof’ when hanging by a wish until the sun shines again. One of many songs to come.”