The Colour and the Shape cover art

  Studio Album · No. 2

The Colour and the Shape Songwriting Credits by Foo Fighters

1997 Roswell / Capitol Records 13 tracks 47 min

Produced by Gil Norton, Foo Fighters  ·  Engineered by Bradley Cook (recording), Geoff Turner (recording, "Walking After You"), Chris Sheldon (mixing)

Roswell / Capitol Records Alternative RockPost-GrungeHard Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 13 of 13 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 13 / 13 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 13 tracks with documented writers, by whether Foo Fighters carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
13 trackswritten by Foo Fighters 0 tracksoutside writers
Foo Fighters's roles on this album

Share of the 13 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

13
Tracks
4
Lyricists
2
Producers
2 million
US Copies Sold
1997
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Grammy Award for Best Rock Album (1998, Nominated)
Data Insight

The Colour and the Shape was produced by Gil Norton, recorded by Bradley Cook (with Geoff Turner recording "Walking After You" at Bear Creek Recording), and mixed by Chris Sheldon. Founding drummer William Goldsmith tracked most drum parts during the initial sessions but quit after his contributions were scrapped; Taylor Hawkins, who had just joined Foo Fighters as touring drummer in 1997, re-recorded all drum parts before the album was released. The album sold over 2 million copies in the US alone, the band's biggest domestic seller, and was nominated for Best Rock Album at the 40th Grammy Awards.

The Colour and the Shape is the second studio album by Foo Fighters, released in May 1997 on Capitol Records and produced by Gil Norton and the band. It is the record that established Foo Fighters as a major commercial force in rock and introduced the full stable of song structures that would define their career, from the anthemic arena power ballad ('Everlong,' 'Best of You') to the hard-charging radio rock ('Monkey Wrench,' 'My Hero'). Grohl wrote all material; the album's emotional range, from the domestic violence narrative of 'The Colour and the Shape' to the romantic intensity of 'Everlong,' was broader than the debut and demonstrated that Grohl's songwriting ambition had grown to match his commercial opportunity. The album reached number ten on the Billboard 200, spawned the band's first significant radio hits, and launched a world tour that built the arena rock fanbase they have maintained ever since; 'Everlong' and 'My Hero' remain among the most-played rock radio songs of the decade in retrospect. William Goldsmith, the original drummer, was replaced mid-recording by Grohl himself when the drum tracks were deemed insufficient, a decision that contributed to Goldsmith's subsequent departure from the band and remains one of the more publicized personnel transitions in 1990s rock history. The Colour and the Shape has been certified five-times platinum in the United States.

Track Listing & Credits 13 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Doll
Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Gil NortonFoo Fighters Dave Grohl (Lead Vocals, Guitar)Nate Mendel (Bass)Pat Smear (Guitar)Taylor Hawkins (Drums)
2
Monkey Wrench
Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Gil NortonFoo Fighters Dave Grohl (Lead Vocals, Guitar)Nate Mendel (Bass)Pat Smear (Guitar)Taylor Hawkins (Drums)
3
Hey, Johnny Park!
Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Gil NortonFoo Fighters Dave Grohl (Lead Vocals, Guitar)Nate Mendel (Bass)Pat Smear (Guitar)Taylor Hawkins (Drums)
4
My Poor Brain
Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Gil NortonFoo Fighters Dave Grohl (Lead Vocals, Guitar)Nate Mendel (Bass)Pat Smear (Guitar)Taylor Hawkins (Drums)
5
Wind Up
Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Gil NortonFoo Fighters Dave Grohl (Lead Vocals, Guitar)Nate Mendel (Bass)Pat Smear (Guitar)Taylor Hawkins (Drums)
6
Up in Arms
Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Gil NortonFoo Fighters Dave Grohl (Lead Vocals, Guitar)Nate Mendel (Bass)Pat Smear (Guitar)Taylor Hawkins (Drums)
7
My Hero
Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Gil NortonFoo Fighters Dave Grohl (Lead Vocals, Guitar)Nate Mendel (Bass)Pat Smear (Guitar)Taylor Hawkins (Drums)
8
See You
Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Gil NortonFoo Fighters Dave Grohl (Lead Vocals, Guitar)Nate Mendel (Bass)Pat Smear (Guitar)Taylor Hawkins (Drums)
9
Enough Space
Dave Grohl Dave Grohl Gil NortonFoo Fighters Dave Grohl (Lead Vocals, Guitar)Nate Mendel (Bass)Pat Smear (Guitar)Taylor Hawkins (Drums)
10
February Stars
Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Gil NortonFoo Fighters Dave Grohl (Lead Vocals, Guitar)Nate Mendel (Bass)Pat Smear (Guitar)Taylor Hawkins (Drums)
11
Everlong
Dave Grohl Dave Grohl Gil NortonFoo Fighters Dave Grohl (Lead Vocals, Guitar)Nate Mendel (Bass)Pat Smear (Guitar)Taylor Hawkins (Drums)
12
Walking After You
Dave Grohl Dave Grohl Gil NortonFoo Fighters Dave Grohl (Lead Vocals, Guitar)Nate Mendel (Bass)Pat Smear (Guitar)Taylor Hawkins (Drums)
13
New Way Home
Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Dave GrohlNate MendelPat SmearTaylor Hawkins Gil NortonFoo Fighters Dave Grohl (Lead Vocals, Guitar)Nate Mendel (Bass)Pat Smear (Guitar)Taylor Hawkins (Drums)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 6 contributors

More from Foo Fighters

Frequently Asked Questions The Colour and the Shape

Who produced The Colour and the Shape by Foo Fighters?
The Colour and the Shape was produced by Gil Norton and Foo Fighters. Bradley Cook handled recording throughout the album (except "Walking After You," recorded by Geoff Turner at Bear Creek Recording), and Chris Sheldon mixed. The album was released May 20, 1997, through Roswell/Capitol Records.
Did Taylor Hawkins play drums on The Colour and the Shape by Foo Fighters?
Yes, Taylor Hawkins re-recorded all drum tracks on The Colour and the Shape after founding drummer William Goldsmith's contributions were scrapped. Hawkins had just joined Foo Fighters as touring drummer; his performance on this album marked his first recorded work with the band. Goldsmith departed the band shortly after.
Why did William Goldsmith leave Foo Fighters during The Colour and the Shape sessions?
William Goldsmith left Foo Fighters during the recording of The Colour and the Shape after producer Gil Norton and Dave Grohl decided to scrap Goldsmith's drum tracks and have Taylor Hawkins re-record them. Goldsmith, who had been a founding member, left the band following this decision. Taylor Hawkins assumed the permanent drum role and is credited on the final album.
Did any singles from The Colour and the Shape by Foo Fighters chart on the Billboard Hot 100?
No singles from The Colour and the Shape charted on the main Billboard Hot 100. "Everlong" peaked at number 3 on Alternative Songs and number 4 on Mainstream Rock Tracks; "My Hero" and "Monkey Wrench" similarly reached the top 10 of rock-specific charts, but none of the album's singles crossed over to the all-genre Hot 100. The band's first Hot 100 entry came in 1999 with "Learn to Fly."
How many copies did The Colour and the Shape by Foo Fighters sell in the US?
The Colour and the Shape sold over 2 million copies in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan, making it Foo Fighters' biggest-selling album in the US. It is certified Platinum by the RIAA and also holds Platinum certifications in Canada, Australia, and the UK, as well as 2× Platinum in New Zealand.
Did The Colour and the Shape by Foo Fighters win a Grammy Award?
The Colour and the Shape was nominated for Grammy Award for Best Rock Album at the 40th Grammy Awards in 1998 but did not win.
What is the runtime of The Colour and the Shape by Foo Fighters?
The Colour and the Shape runs 46 minutes and 57 seconds across 13 tracks on the original release. Deluxe and reissue editions include bonus tracks. The album was released May 20, 1997, through Roswell/Capitol Records and debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200.

Sources