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Word Forward Lyrics

Good bye Jimmy, farewell youth
I must be on my way I've had enough of you
Was a young man, proud and true
Just a simple boy with nothing left to lose

Years that I've wasted
These I owe you's

They're just fucking words
This is life or death
It's time to clear the air
You better save your breath
Say have you heard
Say have you heard
The Poison in my heart
And voices in my head

Years that I've wasted
These I owe you's

I meant every word for word for word forward
Word for word for word forward
Word for word for word forward
Word for word for word forward

But it's only words
I meant every word
They're just fucking words

Word for word for word forward
Word for word for word forward
Word for word for word forward
Word for word for word forward
Word for word for word forward
Song Info
Submitted by
thegarbageman On Oct 25, 2009
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Cover art for Word Forward lyrics by Foo Fighters

Idiots, this song has nothing to do with Kurt's death, just like the other songs. A good mate of Dave's that he grew up with called Jimmy died last year or something and this song is about moving forward because that's all you can do at a time like that.

Cover art for Word Forward lyrics by Foo Fighters

On Storytellers, he said it was about his friend Jimmy passing away, and it's about moving on, but when he says "farewell youth" it's almost like he's saying that all those memories are only in his head now. There's no one to share those moments with him, no one that he can reminisce with, so now he has to leave all that behind and move forward

Song Meaning
Cover art for Word Forward lyrics by Foo Fighters

I've read what you've all written BEFORE me and I'd like to suggest that there's more to the lyric than Dave is telling us. None of you mention that John Paul Jones is in this band with Dave... did you think it was a solo project?

It's well-known that John Paul Jones got the royal shaft from his old bandmate Jimmy Page... Jimmy SwanSong... on more than one occasion, quite publicly. I have never read or heard anywhere about John Paul turning down an invitation from Page to join him and Plant for another of their money-grubbing reunion gigs, because he hasn't been asked. I HAVE read and heard about Jones's disappointment with not being included, and the empty promises he's heard from Page... "we'll call you for the next one"...

So, I'm just suggesting this, but the first time I heard the song it made me think, Jones is finally making a statement!

I know, I know, Dave Grohl sings the songs, Dave Grohl writes the songs. But maybe Dave writes songs that say something on behalf of his friends.

Song Meaning

eh bud this is a foo fighters song not a vultures song, eh?

its possible, i guess, but i highly doubt this is about Page.

If anything, i think that maybe the Jimmy dude may have killed himself, some of the lines seem to suggest like... idk "they're just fucking words" maybe like, not in a disrespectful way but like you know, who cares what others say type of thing? idk, just shooting out some ideas but who knows.

Not Valid

Jimmy didnt kill himself. It was ruled an accidental OD. Jimmy loved life and wasn't stupid .

Cover art for Word Forward lyrics by Foo Fighters

Great song. Almost seems to me that it is Dave telling everyone to shut the hell up about saying every song is about Kurt. Almost like, this is their greatest hits album, a recollection of their legacy, songs that they want to be remembered by and they (the songs) don't need to be associated with Cobain's death. And when he's saying, "they're just fucking words!" I think it means that they (the words to a song) aren't necessarily meant to be interpreted deeply every single time, especially interpreting them as being about Kurt. Just let him write songs and stop harassing him about it.

Also, it seems that when he sings:

"They're just fucking words This is life or death It's time to clear the air You better save your breath Say have you heard Say have you heard The Poison in my heart And voices in my head"

it is almost as if he is saying, "Yes, his death hurt me and I owe him a lot, so here is a quick note about him and that's it. STOP interpreting everything as being about Kurt". When he says, "you better save your breath" it is also like he is saying that he doesn't want to hear it anymore, so don't even bother. It still hurts him ("poison in my heart") and he is still haunted by it ("voices in my head") but he has moved on and so should everyone else.

It just seems that way to me, especially because the song says, "fucking words" and considering that the Foo's never really swear, especially not to this extent, I think Dave is definitely trying to make a point with it.

I agree slapshot, every time I read interpretations of a Foo Fighters song, someone has to mention Kurt Cobain. While some of the songs may be about Kurt (Friend of a Friend, for instance), Dave Grohl has displayed he knows how to write songs about other topics. And while Dave swears like a sailor in concert, Foo Fighters songs don't often feature heavy profanity ("shit" if any).

Not Valid

That’s a good interpretation. :) I can tell he doesn't like it when people over analyze everything he says and relates it to Kurt, but he's always been graceful about it.

I was at the Foo Fighter’s VH1 taping (which will air around Thanksgiving) and he told us his best friend Jimmy had recently passed away and this song was for/about him.

Not Valid

i think you're the person associating the song with kurt. it has nothing to do with him, its about dave's friend jimmy who died recently.

but you really should stop associating everything with kurt.

Not Valid
Cover art for Word Forward lyrics by Foo Fighters

Idiots, this song has nothing to do with Kurt's death, just like the other songs. A good mate of Dave's that he grew up with called Jimmy died last year or something and this song is about moving forward because that's all you can do at a time like that.

Song Meaning

thebig1 is right. This was about a friend of his that died last year. It is on the VH1 Storytellers coming out November 27. You can watch a clip on the VH1 site. http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1626582&vid=457682

Not Valid

Is the name calling necessary? So I was incorrect in my initial thoughts. I'm sorry that I didn't know this information that was revealed in a TV show that aired AFTER the song came out almost a month AFTER I initially posted. Jeez.

Not Valid

Necessary? no, fun? yes. It's not a personal attack so don't get upset just call me a name back and lighten up, sweetheart. I gotta say I do find it funny that people are interpreting this song as Dave telling people to shut up and stop thinking every song he writes is about Kurt when they're not, because that's exactly what you all are doing.

Not Valid
Cover art for Word Forward lyrics by Foo Fighters

Jimmy Swanson was my first love..Everyone loved him.He was a great man. BrianDF's comments are lies. Just a jealous fool.

Cover art for Word Forward lyrics by Foo Fighters

I feel like this song is half finished... like it could use another verse... otherwise good song.

Cover art for Word Forward lyrics by Foo Fighters

I have a hard time figuring out just what this song is about exactly.

Dave stated at the VH1 Storytellers gig that it is about his close friend Jimmy Swanson dying and how after something like that happens, all you can do is move forward.

I get that, but I don't quite understand how the "I meant every word...they're just fucking words" stuff ties in with that.

But I guess in the end, it's just about moving on and going forward.

Cover art for Word Forward lyrics by Foo Fighters

Maybe he is saying there has to be more to life. Sometimes when someone close to you dies you realise that you need to start living.Focus on what is important and let go of the negative.

They're just fucking words This is life or death It's time to clear the air You better save your breath

But I guess it is a very personal song and the writer will only ever know the true meaning......

Song Meaning
Cover art for Word Forward lyrics by Foo Fighters

And BrianDF Richie just lost his beloved wife and your comments about him are not true. All of Dave's real friends and schoolmates are pretty awesome. You should remove your comments since they are untrue and you obviously aren't a fan of Dave's. Dave deserves his success. He earned it. Went to school with him and he played the drums at friend's parties. Also my beloved Jimmy graduated from high school in 87'.. Contrary to a story that said otherwise. Jimmy loved life and his family and his friends. We all love him still. As seen after his death and at his memorial. Dave and Kurt were close. Dave did interviews and spoke fondly of him. Rest in peace Jimmy. I love you forever blue eyes.