Subterranean album art

Subterranean

Foo Fighters
Sonic Highways (2014)
Moderate 85 BPM
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Song DNA

Dynamic Range6/10
Sudden Changesmild
Texturelayered
Predictabilitymedium
Vocal Styledynamic vocals
Notes: Trippy and atmospheric production with separated cymbal and drum sounds creates a subterranean, echoing vibe; Beatles-inspired ballad elements add emotional depth without overwhelming intensity.

Misophonia Triggers

Mouth Soundsnone
Percussive Clicksmild
Breathing Soundsnone
Repetitive Micro-soundsnone

A dark, sad ballad inspired by the end of Nirvana, recorded in Seattle's Robert Lang Studios with guest Ben Gibbard on guitar, featuring atmospheric and trippy elements.

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Hear it the way it was made

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Moods: introspective, melancholy, reflective

Traditions: alternative rock, post-grunge

How this song sits on each sensory axis

A dynamic range of 6/10 means this song moves. Expect a real volume climb between quiet sections and the loudest part of the arrangement — enough that you may want to set the initial volume below where you'd normally land.

Sudden changes: mild. There are one or two transitions worth knowing about, though they're musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.

Texture is layered — a full arrangement with clear separation between parts.

Predictability is medium — conventional structure overall, with one or two moments that deviate from what you'd expect.

Vocal style: dynamic vocals.

Where this sits in Foo Fighters's catalog

We have 80 songs from Foo Fighters in the library. Of those, 5 are rated Safe, 37 Moderate, and 38 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 6/10 sits below the artist average of 7.5, making it the #72 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.

Other tracks from Sonic Highways

We have 8 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans intense in sensory profile.

2014 context

Released in 2014. We have 313 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.4/10. This track is about average than the year average. Explore more from the 2010s.

Explore by mood and tradition

Moods
introspective · 5721melancholy · 5399reflective · 5792
Traditions
alternative rock · 991post-grunge · 27

Why this rating

We rate this song Moderate because it falls between our Safe and Intense thresholds on at least one dimension. Moderate is the default for most well-produced music that has real arc but no surprise elements. Full rubric: methodology.

Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-13. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.

Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.

Songs with the same DNA

layered texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.

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The National
moderate
DR 6
Safe from Harm
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moderate
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Blow Me (One Last Kiss)
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intense
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Hard Sun
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Gorilla
Bruno Mars
moderate
DR 7
Expresso Love
Dire Straits
moderate
DR 7

Safer alternatives with a similar feel

These songs share similar moods but with a gentler sensory profile.

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Bob Dylan safe
It's Too Late
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If I Were a Boy
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Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
The Smiths safe
Everybody Hurts
R.E.M. safe

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