maybe it has to do with the Foo’s cover of Darling Nikki from a few years back

i originally thought ‘foo fighters’ was a reference to saying ‘food fighters’ with your mouth full of food while throwing food around in a cafeteria or something (see: animal house – ‘food fight’), but i later found out it was a reference to UFOs seen by US fighter pilots during WWII…

Here’s to random comments with only the slimmest connection to the topic at head. Cheers.

Taylor is way too humble.Foo’s version is light years better.When I heard Prince do it my first thought was WHY? Just because he is Prince does not mean everything he does is good. Stick to pop please!

Stick with Pop? Obviously you don’t know much about Prince’s catalog of thousands of songs…Pop is what makes the radio..and only a small percentage of his catalog. Check out Chaos and Disorder or The Undertaker and tell me most of that is “pop”. Take any of your Rock or Alt god guitar licks, and Prince has done them better in his after show shows with his eyes closed.

Prince showed us his guts while the Foos is just a bit over-dramatic

I continue to be amazed at how ignorant people continue to be about the genius of Prince

His cover blew the Foo’s version out ofn the water – even the band admits this

p.s. Prince is rock, pop, funk, R&B

I doubt Prince was paying homage to the Foo, but rather it was a big F you. He doesn’t like anyone covering his songs, period. The Foo did “Darling Nikki” in 2003 but Prince wouldn’t let them release it in the States. Prince has repeatedly refused Weird Al’s requests to let him parody his songs. And don’t forget that he hated Sinead O’Connor’s version of “Nothing Compares 2 U”. Either way, as a huge Foo fan, it was cool to see. My guess is that Prince will remain tightlipped about his motives.

I like Prince’s version better and Foo was outdone but hindsight is 2020 so there.

You gotta respect the man can still rock and he sure aint nobodys fool. What a genius he was is and will be.

I like both versions but for different reasons.

It’s a great song. If I want to hear a heartwrenching version of the song I’ll take the foo fighters. If I want a ball-squeezing version then I’ll take prince.

Huge fan of the Foo. However Prince’s version with the exception of the backup singers was better. One caveat, perhaps the fact that it was halftime of the Superbowl and Prince was trying to out do the Foos put him over the top. Live performances always have more excitement and energy.

Prince’s version was cool (and surprising) but it lacked the urgency and dynamics of the original.

Foo Fighter’s have become the next STYX. The suck.

Prince doing something better than The Foo Fighters – Is that really such an amazing concept? Prince is right there with Elvis and Hendrix, The Foo Fighters are way down there with Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Loverboy. Hacks.

it isnt as good. it felt a bit improvised. great guitar licks tho

oh nothing said by any by any of the foo fighters could be more acurate. Prince’s version was better for the simple reason he doesnt sound constipated when he sings it.

The Song Sucks to begin with….How do you deabate this?

before Prince did it, i sort of liked the song but when he did it it took on an entire new meaning……nothing against Dave but Dave’s voice isn’t really that great and Prince is a legend

Prince covered it because it sent a message to the brainwashing cult he used to belong to.
But also because its a kickass good song.

If you write a song, it’s yours. Other people can interpret your song anyway they like, but it’s still YOUR song. It’s there for someone else to cover because YOU had the experience, the inspiration, the idea and wrote it. Cover versions are often shit and sometimes fantastic, but they can never beat an original idea. That’s no disrespect to Prince – it was an amazing cover, but still, it was just a cover.

Nothing against the fighters of foo… but Prince’s version of the song is far superior, both technically and emotionally. Prince is a master musician… I hope some of the younger members of the audience opened their ears and truly heard this genius.

Prince killed it especially by coupling Best of You with All Along the Watchtower. . . makes you wonder if he was making a political (anti-war) and/or religious (anti-Jehova’s Witness) statement. If he was, that’s deep, if he wasn’t, it was still an inspired performance. Rock on, Prince!

i like prince

Looks like Prince didn’t like being bested himself when the FOO did Nikki…..David belts that out with vengenance!

Prince just didn’t rock it, he motherfunked it up!

OK, now it’s the Foo’s turn again to cover another Prince song (say, “Let’s Pretend We’re Married”?)…Prince could do “Learn To Fly”…This could be a cool game.

prince can sing.
dave cannot.

i like prince’s version.

I like both the Foos and Prince. And while it was cool to see him perform B.O.Y., I thought the Purple One’s version was rather tepid.

I like Prince’s version better. I also like the Foo version, but Prince really transformed the song into something great

Prince showed what real musicianship can do to a song. The Foo are good in their “average guys with average talent” appeal, but Prince truly is amazing in what he does. It was especially cool to see a great live performance today with so many lackluster acts out there right now.

Prince’s version was better for a few reasons. First was that he conveyed much more emotion, and secondly, his guitar solo was top notch–amazing. I liked the way he combined it with Watchtower, but would have liked to have seen him continue with Watchtower as it’s a better song.

Prince killed it, that was a great cover and performance! The original is cool, but Prince’s flavor made it special.

Prince was better, but he didn’t need that backup singer.

i’ve been a huge FF fan since the first album, but i still haven’t bought their latest – i thought that song was awful and wondered what happened to them. prince’s performance made me think i should give it a chance. (not totally unbiased – i love rock, but prince is my fave of all time)

and i agree that prince is in a different league than FF, so not totally fair to compare. dave grohl needs to dust off his pixies records. (and his drums…)

The Foo version is way better simply because of Taylor’s drumming. Now the ultimate version would have be Foo + Prince singing backup and ripping out the solo.

Prince’s cover was solid, but it lacked the dynamics/emotion of the original. The fact that a legend like Prince would cover it really says a lot. People have been hating on Dave Grohl’s song-writing since the PocketWatch Demo….so I looked at it as a big fuck you to all the nay-sayers.

I love love love the Foo Fighters!! I think “Best of You” works as a rock song most because it’s an anthemic song that you can hear Dave’s passion on most…but Prince suprised me by taking the Foo’s work and making it into a sultry ballad (I think the rain made it hotter!!) I am by far a much bigger Foo fan than Prince’s, but I really enjoyed the performance…I wonder, what Prince would sound like singing Everlong?

id say prince’s was better.

no contest, foos win

Didn’t anyone notice that Prince could not reach the high notes that Dave Grohl reaches in the chorus of the original song. Infact he needed the backup singer to hit those ranges in the song.

Sure the guitar was great but I was turned off by his quality of singing for that song.

BTW it’s nice to hear some real guitar solos, something that’s totally lost these days.

Prince kings Foo-ls!

Only one person so far recognized the pairing of Watchtower with Best of You. Most unfortunate, as Prince continued literally the same chord progression of Watchtower into Best of You’s chorus, with minor breaks for the verses, of course. Prince rocked out, yes, with a nice big nod to Jimi. Anyone with even the simplest concept of blues rock can jam over that progression adequately…but only someone with Prince’s knowledge and experience could begin to not just imitate, but emulate Jimi’s abilities. But as far as the Foo Fighters are concerned – maybe this is a little wake up call. Despite the opinions of many, grunge had its roots in blues rock too (Nirvana’s cover of Muddy Waters where did you sleep last night, Pearl Jam’s clear use of blues based scales such as the e minor pentatonic in soloing on Ten, I could swear Soundgarden did a Robert Johnson cover?). Nothing commercially major has come along since grunge, save maybe the Killers first album and the White Stripes (just because they recognize and try to take a modern approach to blues doesn’t mean that they don’t SUCK at doing it), that didn’t portray a strong influence from blues based rock. Anyone see a correlation between that and the quality of modern music? Anyone? Foo Fighters, you’ve lost your way. Find it. (The Colour and the Shape was your last good album, IMO) Prince knows this, and picked you perhaps, to show it.

And for the record, yes punk happened. It obviously also holds a permeating influence on modern rock. But the loss of the blues base is what is really leaving today’s rock to fester in mediocrity. Why do you think Mayer and Frusciante are on the cover? It’s so sad though…thinking that Waiting for the World to Change is the only thing that blues can offer to the commercial base…

how about letting canadians have access to music on this website?
then i will tell you which version is better

Prince rocked!

Dave is a rock god, Prince is gay, nough said

I like FF well enough but I thought that “Best of You” was forced and clunky since I first heard it. Prince demonstrated that a great artist can make something of even a mundane song. Interestingly enough, I also like the Foo Fighters’ version of “Darling Nikki” better than the original.

To Sharad:
Have you hear Prince high notes when he was at Dave’s Grohl age? Amazing!!!!!!!

Do you think Dave’s Grohl will hit those high notes at Prince’s age? I dunno.

Prince is a great guitarist and all, but the FOO FIGHTERS have credit to play grunge songs because, you know, they’re a grunge band.

I heard Soul Asylum cover “best of you” in Minnesota last year….I am brought to tears just thinking about it. Soul Asylum rocks.

Dave’s version is better, it’s not a song that NEEDS to have wicked vocals, it’s about pure emotion, and prince sounds like he’s about to have an aneurysm just trying to get half of it out. Dave means every one of those lyrics. Prince’s guitar is insane tho, the man can play.

Prince should have left the covers alone altogether. His originals were brilliant. By comparison, the covers were flat. It would have been the perfect performance if he’d thrown in a bit more Prince.

Prince did a great cover. But hearing Dave scream “the hope that starts the broken hearts” is pure, raw emotion. It was beautiful when he dedicated the song to his sister. Gotta go with Foo.

Foo Suck. Totally overrated. Anyone can play 3 chords….

Prince can do it all
He always kicks arse – No matter what song he performs
A true musical legend

Just have Prince and Foo play a one-off together: Prince doing a few FF covers and vice versa. When I heard it, I didn’t know what to think of other than the similar chord progressions of both Best of You and Watchtower. Either way, who cares, and props to the midget for rocking out in his own way for the biggest TV audience he’s ever seen.

Anyone notice that Prince is absent from the RS list of 100 greatest guitarists? What a joke, RS you suck!

Not sure if anyone else considered this, but my friend has a theory (and a nagging feeling based on watching it live) that it wasn’t admiration as much as it was passive-aggressive vindication for the Foos, in Prince’s eyes, doing a disservice to “Darling Nikki”. Dave and Taylor are being diplomats as usual, the performance WAS somewhat half-hearted, Prince DOESN’T like others covering his material (including the Foos), and curiously, he DID close it with the line of “I’ve got another confession, my friend…I’m no fool.” The look on his face at the end, to me, said “Take that.” I don’t think he’s a big fan of theirs.

No matter what type of music prince is singing you know the man is going to give a great performance because that’s just what prince does. He is the man always and forever.

Like Prince, especially Purple Rain, but thought his cover was just ok. Expecting “Watchtower,” and then hearing “Best of You,” was a let down to start with. Then, well Prince’s version was ok, but when Grohl sings it, he sounds like he means it. Prince’s vocals didn’t really do anything for me this time compared to his earlier and more spirited singing. Still enjoyed his overall performance a lot though. (Much better than Sting’s sedated rendition of Roxanne’s vocals last night though…)

you idiots are fighting about whos greater. The both of them are Dave is the godfather of rock and prince is a legend !

god, the superbowl halftime shows are really cheesy aren’t they?

I love the Foos, but Prince salvaged one of their worst songs EVER. I’ll give this round to the Purple One (but I still loves my Foos)!

godfather of rock?? hahahahha

wow, some people need to get out more.

Prince’s version of Best of You was better. I love Grohls version. Prince just proved he is probably the greatest rock performer alive. He seemed to really have an intentional selection of songs in the lineup. Best of You coming from him really did mean something. Getting it from him was like Grohl getting an “AMEN” from Martin Luther King.

I love Prince, but gotta go with The Foo on this one.

Gotta go with Prince here. His Highness blew the original version to pieces. I agree that the backup singer and dancers were unnecessary and distracting, but such is a Prince performance. He’s got a long-standing habit of effing up an otherwise perfect show with flailing females. Nonetheless, when I heard that guitar, all was forgiven.

Yeah, to say Prince is the best live rocker, is a little excessive, and does call for whoever thinks so, to get out more and take a gander at some talent outside of someone doing 3 out of 4 of songs on a national stage as covers.

RS…where is Prince in your 100 greatest guitarists?

Prince performed like a God!

Funny how so many Americans don’t treasure the genius that is Prince. Fortunately the rest of the world clearly sees it tho!

Prince should just go back to St. Paul and hibernate. He is just to intense. I hope he paid the Foo Fighters to ruin their song.

its only fair. the foos did do a cover of Prince’s ‘Dirty Nicki’.

Saw the Foo Fighters on their last tour, “Best of You” was an onslaught of emotion. Saw Prince on my HDTV and thought “some dipstick is going to think that shadow is supposed to be his johnson”. Watched it again – his purpleness threw it down.

Go to YouTube and check out the video of the induction of George Harrison in the Rock in Roll Hall of Fame and the performance of “My Guitar Gently Weeps”. Tom Petty and Jeff Lynn handle to vocals and its pretty much a dirge until Prince lays down guitar solo that is absolutely FUCKING AMAZING. I’m surprised the whole damn place didn’t just burst into flames. I saw it a couple months back and I’m still trying to catch my breath.

Both musicians rock, I thought it was very cool that Prince with his snotty little ways gave props to the Foo’s. Dope. Prince killed it.

Prince was so hot. He should do next year’s show. So here’s a petition, everyone sign it! And thanks:

http://www.PetitionO nline.com/prince7/petition.htm l

hmm… had i never hear the foo fighters here, i may have gone with prince. the problem with that is: i have heard the real version and it far outweighs whatever prince was trying to create. hawkins man, you’re really selling yourself short. you guys most certainly far outrocked prince here. just because he is prince and does his own stuff well does NOT mean he can do EVERYTHING well. (this most definatly proves it).

Does Prince really have a problem with other people doing his songs? That’s wierd to me since he’s written lots of songs for other people. Both bands are great though, and Prince is a genius.

Pigmy Love Circus does a much better live version of “21st Century Schizoid Man” than King Crimson! Cheers, Skerr.

Prince eats dick for breakfest, lunch, and dinner. The Foo’s are way better. If you ever have a chance to see them live, go and be amazed. Dave Grohl is one of the most talented guys in rock. If you don’t believe me, then go but Queens of the Stone Age “Songs For the Deaf”. He’s the drummer on that album, and then we all know what he did with Nirvana. Agian, Prince suck

Prince is gonna chew the foo fighters up and spit them out Prince has been out longer than the foo fighters and sold more albums than the foo fighters ever will foo fighters fuckin suck they can’t write their own music they had to take Prince “darling Nikki” So the foo fighters got what they deserved a big fuck you from Prince at the Superbowl

I think a lot of you need to realize that the 90s rock sound is dead. Yu people who say that the foo’s older stuff was their best obviously have not moved on from that point.

For starters, Grohl is NOT trying to imitate or copy any other band. He doesn’t want to be the Pixies, he doesn’t want to be Zeppelin and he sure as hell does not want to be Nirvana. Dave wants to do his own damn thing, and he does it well.

Also, for those of you who claim “the Foo’s died after TCATS”, turn off the damn radio and actually listen to the albums. I’m sick of people who disrespect their albums based on one single.

People knocked down One By One because of All My Life…try listening to the intense Low, the amazing Disenchanted Lullaby and the honestly epic Come Back.

People put down In Your Honor because of Best Of You … ok, try the other 19 tracks out for size. How about that entire disc with acoustic stuff that isn’t played on the radio?

Now people put down ESPG because of The Pretender (which is all the fault of the radio and media, not them) and suddenly, people wont even buy the record. Are you serious? Take a listen to Stranger Thing Have Happened, Come Alive, Summers End, But Honestly, Let It Die, Home, Statues… the entire album is gold.

I’ll respect anyone who actually listens to these albums and can honestly say after listening to each song that they don’t like it. That’s fine with me. But when people base their opinions on singles and what is “radio-friendly”, they are being ignorant. What’s even more aggravating, though, is when these “rock fans” who are stuck in the 90s style bitch and complain about changing styles. I think most fans would be happier to see the Foos trying new things and not trying to “fit in” with what’s popular rather than put out record after record of grunge-style music that no one really wants to see be released in the 2000s.

Foo Fighters are an amazing band, one of the best in this decade by far, as they are able to keep rock music alive while at the same time, branching off into other styles. Their songs are all very distinct, as well, making them far from generic.

I commend you: Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett. You guys are one of ten or so bands today that prove that good music is not yet gone.