Perfect rock production. That's really what sets this alternative classic apart from the multitude of post-grunge soundalikes that were floating up to the shores in 1997. While far too many people were busy comparing Dave's new band to his old band, Dave was busy writing one of the most epic rock songs of all time. Spaciously layered guitars, razor sharp riffs, a climactic build, and a bombastic finish all easily wrap this up and deliver "Everlong" as the best Foo Fighters track of all time, and maybe even the best rock song from the decade. (No, really.) Written for his new girlfriend shortly after he'd divorced his ex-wife, "Everlong" is a taut and beautiful proclamation of undying love that never quite reaches into schmaltzy territory. There's still an edge to it--a thin layer of dread covering the romantic core--that enlivens the whole song. And that's important, because by the tail end of the 90s, we'd be treated to an endless parade of pseudo alt-rock ballads that tried to do something similar, but without any of the muscle. Or earnestness. A lot of them. An almost unbelievable amount, really. But that's made more bearable by the fact that Dave got there first. And he did it without any of the dewy-eyed pandering. Honorable Mentions: Blur - "Song 2," The Offspring - "Gone Away," Third Eye Blind - "Semi-Charmed Life," The Wallflowers - "One Headlight"
