The tribalistic feud between Courtney Love and Dave Grohl seems to erupt every few years. The frontman of Foo Fighters and the leader of Hole have had some of the most tense relationships in alt-rock. They have been friends, colleagues in music, fierce rivals, witnesses in legal proceedings, and, for a considerable amount of time, reconciled defenders of the Nirvana legacy. It has grown to be one of the more established connections in the music business.
Amid all the juicy gossip, fictitious column inches, and general tittle tattle it generates, Grohl and Love’s relationship is actually pretty depressing. Their protracted disputes seem trivial, absurd, and wholly needless. It was difficult not to feel warm and fuzzy when the two hugged at Nirvana’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. These two have gone through so much public drama and personal loss. They could genuinely relate to one another and console one another, as they should. They ought to be supporting one another rather than pulling each other down. Life is too short, and arguing won’t make up for the trauma that Kurt Cobain’s death has caused.
Sadly, that is untrue. Love stated on an Instagram post that has since been removed in 2021 that Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic coerced her into signing a contract that gives Nirvana royalties intended for Kurt Cobain’s family to themselves. In fact, Grohl got away with it because in the same post, Trent Reznor was charged with child abuse. Love expressed regret. However, it’s only the latest development in a bitter dispute that benefits no one and produces nothing valuable.
Actually, though, that is untrue. It inspires songs, particularly “Stacked Actors” and “I’ll Stick Around,” two Foo Fighters tunes generally believed to be about love in popular culture.
“Stacked Actors” is the sharper and more cutting track of the two. Though “I’ll Stick Around” is the least abstract track on the Foos’ 1995 debut, Grohl wrote it during a period when he preferred more abstract imagery in his lyrics. Although “I’ll Stick Around” is the least abstract track on the Foos’ 1995 debut, it could be read more as a song of self-determination than as a direct jab at Love. Written during a period when Grohl preferred more abstract imagery in his lyrics. Though there appears to be some plausible deniability, take what you will from lines like “How could it be/I’m the only one who sees/Your rehearsed insanity.”
Poets use lyrics as a platform to express their problems. Because they are written in the style of poetry, lines are rarely explicit enough to relate to the subject matter. Thanks to this tactic, songwriters can now relax their consciences without worrying about facing legal repercussions. But occasionally, things aren’t quite so unclear.
The song “Stacked Actors” has lines as sharp as a cocaine razor. Numerous allusions to sensitive messes and dying blondes paint a harsh and very detailed picture of liars and Hollywood types who are desperate to change public opinion to fit their own stories. “I’ll Stick Around” transformed a criticism into a song of tenacity. In contrast, “Stacked Actors” is a potshot that exists only to disparage the person who happens to be the “aging drag queen.”
For the record, Dave Grohl has refuted claims that “Stacked Actors” is a song about Love. Given the lyrical similarities, it’s hard to see anyone else inspiring “Stacked Actors” except Love. The intense romantic relationships that existed between the two at the time also support this view. Lines like “Your teary eyes, your famous disguise/Never knowing who to believe” seem to point directly to Love. Honestly, what would he stand to gain by acknowledging the subject of the two tracks?
It’s odd that, in the larger world, there are supposedly a million songs written about Love, such as “Starfuckers, Inc.” By Nine Inch Nails and “Professional Widow” by Tori Amos. However, there’s never much talk about whether Love has written songs about anyone else. Many of the Hole songs feature a couple of domineering, asshole-like men. Why can’t these guys be Dave Grohl, Trent Reznor, or Billy Corgan? Perhaps it’s because Love frequently becomes defensive and occasionally focuses more on the songs written about her than on her own writing. Maybe it’s because we find Courtney Love, the public figure capable of inciting such anger, so fascinating.
“In any case, “I’ll Stick Around” and “Stacked Actors” are more resilient than some of the songs aimed at Love.” As someone who has endured so much public controversy, the defiant songwriter understandably appears to be taking everything in stride. After all, not even a few cold-blooded lyrics from her ’90s peers can shatter Love.
Despite his reputation as the nicest man in rock & roll, Grohl’s personality has a biting side. The years leading up to and following Kurt Cobain’s untimely death obviously impacted him. It’s safe to say that some of those feelings found their way into his music. Although he probably wouldn’t acknowledge criticizing Love in “Stacked Actors” and “I’ll Stick Around,” the fact remains that he hasn’t performed them much since they were first released. This suggests that the songs are still, at the very least, personal jabs.
